FOR OLDER KIDS

Pole Position Raceway (Jersey City)

This just in!! The brand spanking new indoor karting space looks like a load of fun—obviously for slightly older kids, (48 inches and taller) but who could resist driving around on a groovy track? Mon-Thurs 11am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 11am to 11pm, Sun 11am to 9pm. For drop-ins (Arrive & Drive) $25/Adults, $22/Kids. Call 201-333-RACE for more information or to reserve a birthday party.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS – IMAGINATION PLAYSPACES

Imagine That! (Florham Park)

Imagine That! offers a wide range of imaginative play areas from a pretend doctor’s office to a pretend pirate ship. There are also some really fun and interesting crafts projects offered every weekend and often during the week, all listed on Imagine That’s calendar and relating to the season or holidays. Imagine That! is open daily from 10am-5:30pm. Admission is $9.95 per child, $7.95 per adult. Call 973-966-8000.

The Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill) 

For indoor play with a bit of entertainment, the Garden State Discovery Museum is a good choice. In addition to imagination play areas like the pretend vet’s office and pretend diner, the museum often hosts performances and demonstrations for kids. A snack area, gift shop and plenty of free parking make this location even more appealing. Admission is $9.95 per person. Hours are 9:30am-5:30pm daily (until 8:30pm Saturdays through April.) 856-424-1233

Community Children’s Museum (Dover) 

For a more educational slant to your indoor play, the Community Children’s Museum has a hands-on electricity exhibit; space capsule where kids can pretend to travel into space; a pretend lake house complete with rafts and a live fish tank; and a variety of art projects. Admission is $5 per person. Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-5pm. 973 366-9060

New Jersey Children’s Museum (Paramus)

Yes, we’ll admit that this museum looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1972, but for imaginative play, it’s always a winner with kids. NJCM offers a real fire truck, real helicopter, a ballet studio with costumes, a medieval castle, a pretend grocery store, indoor sandbox, and more. On certain days there may also have storytelling or crafts, so check the daily calendar when you arrive. No food is allowed in the museum, so plan lunch and snacks accordingly. Admission is $10 per person, and babies under one are free. Open 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-6pm on weekends. 201- 262-5151

INDOOR PLAYSPACES – JUNGLE GYMS AND MORE

Bounce-U (Paramus, Blackwood, Cherry Hill, Lakewood, Morganville, Pleasantville, West Windsor)

 Much better than little monkeys jumpin’ on the bed (and couch, and chairs...) For an hour or two, your child can jump and bounce as much as they want on this chain’s array of inflatable structures; play games; and dance to the music. They offer preschool bounce sessions (which include snacks,) open bounce sessions, and family bounce nights (which include video games.) Pizza can be purchased on location after the session. Hours and prices vary per location, ranging from 75 minute sessions for $7 to 2-hour sessions for $10. Reservations are recommended. (And don’t forget to bring socks!)

Funtime Junction (Fairfield)

This family-run fun spot has a giant indoor jungle gym, ride-on toys and cars, a painting and crafts corner, playhouse, arcades, and games. What more entertainment do you need on a cold afternoon? Admission is $9.75 per child (their winter special allows adults in FREE.) Open Sunday and Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 10am-7pm. Snack bar on location. 973-882-9777

Giggles Playstation (Rockaway)

The kids will literally have a ball on the two-story indoor jungle gym, ball pit (with a ball sanitizer!), bouncies, as well as the arcades, slot cars, carousel and the train ride at this indoor playspace. The toddler area is age restricted and enclosed to protect the little ones. The jungle gym and air bouncer are also reserved for younger children only. (However, if you’re planning a weekend visit, we recommend you head over early to avoid the the multiple, simultaneous birthday party crowds.) Snack bar available. Open Thursday through Sunday, from 10am-6pm with extended hours through 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $7.45 weekdays per child and $9.95 per child on weekends (adults are FREE). Extra fees for the train and carousel rides. 973-586-PLAY

IKEA (Paramus and Elizabeth)

IKEA offers what no other indoor playspace in New Jersey can: drop-off and FREE indoor play! During the week, you can score up to an hour of free supervised play for the kids, and during weekends and peak shopping times, 30 minutes. Only conditions: kids must be out of diapers and approximately 36 to 50 inches tall. IKEA also offers occasional, FREE kids special activities such as balloon artists and clowns (check websites for dates.) So go sit down in the cafeteria with a cup of coffee, slice of cake, and good book while the kids burn off some energy in the ball room!

Jellybean Jungle (Marlton)

Exclusively for kids five and under, Jelly Bean Jungle has a ball pit, climbing maze, jungle theater, and ocean center with pirate ship for unlimited drop-in play. An added plus for kids with allergies: the spot has a peanut-free policy. Admission is $9 per child ages 1-5 years, and $4.25 for babies under one. Infants and non-crawlers are FREE with a paying sibling. Open Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-4:30pm, Friday 9:30am-8pm, and Saturday 9:30am-5pm. 856-596-8889

JerZJump (Monmouth Junction)

Jersey kids can do all the jumping they need at this 17,500 sq. ft. indoor playspace. The facilities include a special toddler room where your three-and-under can play without getting pummeled by the big kids. For older children, there’s a 15-foot tall jungle gym, huge bouncies, and inflatable slides. Bonus: Adults can enjoy arcade games, a snack bar, and a lounge with free WIFI and TVS. The toddler room is open Monday through Thursday from 11am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. Open “Jump” is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and open Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm, Friday 1:30-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. Extended hours offered during school vacations. Admission is $5 for toddlers, $9 for jumpers. 732-438-JUMP

Kid Junction (Branchburg and Mount Laurel)

The highlights of this indoor playspace are the “kid-sized towns” and “toddler town” where kids can go to the grocery store, pizza parlor, animal hospital and post office, just like big people! There’s also a Kid Fit exercise room, the “KJ Theater” and a costume shop There are also arcades, and tubes and slides on the huge jungle gym. Snack bar on location. Kids 2-and-up are $8.95. Kids under two are $6.50. Crawlers are FREE. Open Monday through Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm. Mount Laurel 856-273-9500 Branchburg 908-252-0055

Kidz Village (Kenilworth)

One of our favorite indoor playspaces, Kidz Village is a cross between an indoor playspace with a big indoor climbing structure and arcades; and a children’s museum with exhibits including a play diner, play hair salon, tool shop, and even castle with ball launches for pretend battles. The best feature, however, is the centralized parent seating so you can actually sit down and relax and always have a view of your child. Throw in the snack bar and you have hours of entertainment! There’s also a special price for the Stay-At-Home-Moms Group—we love them for that. Designed for children 10 and under. Socks required. Admission is $9.99 per child ages 2-and-up. Walkers up to age two are $4.99. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9am-7p; Friday and Saturday 9am-9pm; Sunday 10am-7pm. 908-445-7220

Incredi-Bill’s (Montclair)

Incredi-Bill’s new playspace features a huge indoor playground, arcade games, laser tag, and a theater offering a range of weekend shows from magic and puppets to Spider-man, pirates and princesses. Admission is just $5 per person, $4 extra if you want to see a show or play the arcades. Open Monday through Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm. Also, one Saturday every month from 6-9pm, Incredi-Bills offers a special "Drop Off Party" where parents can either stay, or drop off their kids for a fun-filled evening that includes entertainment, food, games and adult supervision. Drop-off option available for the first 40 registrants on a pre-registration only basis. Parents remaining with their kids can pre-register or pay at the door. Admission is $35./child and children must be at least 5 years old. And if your teen is feeling left out in the cold, check out the Teen Dance Nights–complete with a hot DJ and VIP Entrance! 973-337-8362

Uptown Playaround(Kendall Park) 

For kids 10 and under, this indoor playground is great for its flexibility and variety of offerings. Admission is just $4 for crawlers, and $10 for walkers and parents. Iinfants are FREE. Be sure to check out the custom-made 150-square foot playhouse after the kids race around the 2 ½ story play system. For the tiniest visitors, visit Toddler Ave., a separate area with mirrors, tunnels and slides. The center also offers classes covering everything from gymnastics and yoga to crafts and “food art,”and are included either in admission or for a small fee (mostly $2 per child). In case you decide to stick around through lunch, grab a large cheese pizza and 2 drinks for just $13. And most Saturdays, they even have a themed Breakfast and Craft event for those weekend mornings when the kids have driven you to the brink of sanity by 9:30am. Open Monday-Friday from 10am-7pm. Call in advance or check website for weekend hours. 732- 955 2005.