While you (not-so-patiently) wait for the snow to fully melt and the weather to warrant outdoor play, there's plenty of fun calling your name between four walls. In fact, these indoor spots offer some of the easiest — and most energy-expending — ways to keep your kids busy, entertained, and active until you can let them loose outside.
Keep reading for some go-to spots to have on your indoor play radar, each with its own open hours schedule so you'll never be scratching your head wondering what to do today.
Slam Jam Sports Run by certified physical education teachers, Slam Jam Sports has camps, parties, and events designed for fun. Coming up on March 2 and March 29, kids can enjoy a morning of engaging games, gaga, and sports for grades 2 to 5 from 9 am-12 pm. Think: 9 Square in the Air, tag, team building, multi-sports, and even more of the PE games beloved by elementary school-aged kids. And of course, you can't miss Slam Jam Sports' popular game of gaga in its inflatable pits. (Camps held at The Fieldhouse, 140 Legrand Ave., Northvale)
Northern Valley Sports Academy Playbox Having opened October 2023, NVSA's Playbox is a safe space for the toddlers to run, learn, laugh, and play. It offers memberships for unlimited access to classes like sports, art, dance, and yoga, plus drop-in open play with access to slides, age-appropriate climbing structures, pretend play, and more. Check out Playbox's weekly calendar or look out for special events throughout the month. (100 Oakland Ave., Closter)
Yellow Door Art Studio You don't need to worry about kids making a mess of the walls anymore — at Yellow Door Art Studio, that's allowed (and encouraged). The space has weekly and daily workshops, classes, and camps that let kids be kids and explore their creative side. Classes include Wearable Art and Mixed Media, or check out special events like the Princess Party on March 6 at 4 pm where kids can make magic wands with Queen Elsa. (24 Booker St., Westwood)
The Village With locations in Edgewater and its newest opening in Fort Lee, The Village is a Montessori-style place where kids can learn through play. Both locations offer parent and me classes, including classes up to age 3 at Edgewater and 2.5 to 6 in Fort Lee. Come for the open play hours for all ages, or take advantage of more academic small group classes like Mini & Me University and the Accelerated Early Learning Program and Enrichments. (250 Old River Rd., Edgewater; 2039 Hudson St., Fort Lee)
Paper Street Play While this indoor playground was a set up to inspire and engage kids' imagination, it's evolved into much more. Along with its open hours and the ability to rent out the entire space for 10 kids at a reasonable price, you can find frequent holiday-themed special events, music and art classes, and more in the ultra-clean space. Programs and structures are geared toward ages 2 to 5, but even slightly older kids can enjoy exploring their creative side through play. (40 Park Ave., Park Ridge)
Xtreme Energy, Englewood Fun for all ages does exist at Xtreme Energy, where kids up to the teen years can enjoy the large open space, filled with a number of ways to get out some energy. Kids can jump, climb, fling themselves on the velcro wall of the trampoline trax, get lost on the play maze, and swim in the ball pit. (250 South Van Brunt St., Englewood)
