Best Indoor Play Spaces in Bergen County

The winter months can be a challenging time for parents. Keeping your kids busy when it’s too cold to play outdoors is never an easy feat. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 great indoor spots in Bergen County to occupy you over the next few months. So take your little ones to bounce around, create art, play mini golf or visit a museum—there are plenty of options in the area to keep them entertained (and ensure your sanity).

Bogota Golf Center (Bogota)
Are your kids missing their favorite sports in the off-season? You’re in luck at Bogota Golf Center—there’s plenty of fun to be had indoors! Play 18 holes of miniature golf, practice your swing at the batting cages or try a game of bankshot basketball, a unique twist on basketball that allows adults and children of all ages to play together. Prices for mini golf and basketball are $7 for adults and $5 for children. 201-489-2400

Bounce Safari (Waldwick)
In addition to regularly-scheduled open bounce times, Bounce Safari hosts innovative pre-school and after-school programs. Classes for pre-schoolers combine physical activity and creative arts: themes include art, animals and Legos. If you’re looking for a little alone time, you can also sign them up for “Lunch Bunch”—90 minutes of bouncy fun, followed by a healthy lunch and storytime. Registration is required for open bounce sessions, as well as all special programs. 201-857-4000

BounceU (Paramus)
BounceU is a birthday party favorite but they also offer open bounce times daily—check their website for the complete schedule. Tweens will love Cosmic Tween Open Bounce, held on the first Friday of each month, where a DJ spins music and pizza & drinks are served. Prices for most open sessions are around $10 per child and reservations are required. Children must be 34” tall to participate. 201-843-5880

Color Me Mine (Ridgewood)
Looking for something creative to do with the kids on a too-cold-to-be-outside day? Color Me Mine is a great spot for budding artists—children of all ages can create their own masterpieces at this friendly location. Painters are welcome to drop in at any time during open studio hours. There are also special events scheduled throughout the year, such as “Paint Me A Story” on February 19 (pre-registration required). Studio fees are $7 for painters 12 and under, $10 for painters 13 and up. Prices of ceramic pieces vary but usually average around $15-$20 for children. 201-445-4898

Holiday Bowl (Oakland)
We just took my 3-year-old son bowling for the first time and I only wish I had thought to take him sooner. He had a blast and it was ridiculously cheap! Holiday Bowl is a fun place to spend a morning or afternoon—open bowling is available daily and they offer bumper bowling for kids. There’s a snack bar and arcade too so you should easily be able to occupy your crew for a few hours. Rates are $4.25 per game from 9am-5pm and $5 per game from 5pm-closing. Shoe rentals are an additional $3.50. 201-337-6516

In The Swing (Waldwick)
An indoor party and playground facility, In The Swing is a great place to spend a dreary winter day. Their Playland contains slides, tunnels, bouncy structures and two ball pits, and it’s available for open play Monday through Friday beginning at 10am. The video arcade provides additional fun through classic games such as Skee Ball and Air Hockey. You can also enroll your kids in their Baseball and Softball Academy, which offers private lessons and group classes for children of all abilities. Open play admission is $6 per child—please call ahead to confirm availability. 201-444-3556

Jump On In (Hasbrouck Heights)
This indoor facility features giant inflatable structures for bouncing, slides, tunnels, trampolines and more! Open jump times are available three times per week: Tuesdays & Thursday from 10:30-12 for preschoolers and Thursdays from 4-5:30 for all ages. Admission is $10 per child, $8 per second child. Reservations can be made online in advance. Some equipment is restricted to children over 42 inches tall. 201-426-0770

Monster Mini Golf (Paramus)
Tired of hearing your kids complain that they’re bored? Check out this awesome indoor monster-themed golf course—it’s sure to keep them busy and entertained for hours! The glow-in-the-dark course is fun for all ages and there’s also an arcade and live DJ on site. Monster Mini Golf is open Tuesday through Sunday, hours vary. Pricing is $8 for adults and $7 for children. 201-261-0032

The New Jersey Children’s Museum (Paramus)
Perfect for younger children, this museum has plenty to keep your kids occupied for awhile. It’s one of our go-to places for meeting up with friends during the winter months. Over 30 different play areas are specially designed to promote interaction—some of our favorites include the fire truck, pizzeria, doctor’s office, grocery store and sand box. They often have special events, such as holiday arts and crafts, too. Admission is $9.99 per adult and $11.99 per child. Kids under one are free. 201-262-5151

Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly)
Sure, this nature preserve provides plenty of outdoor adventures, but it’s a fun spot for an indoor visit too. Spend some time at the Visitor Center viewing live animals, browsing their library, checking out hands-on exhibits or chatting with a naturalist (perfect for answering any wildlife questions your kids may have). Special events such as Nature Story Time are often scheduled—visit their website to register for the latest programs. The Visitor Center is open weekdays 9am-5pm and weekends 11am-4pm. Walk-ins are welcome and admission is free. 201-568-6093