3 Indoor PlayCenters My Toddler and I Plan To Explore This Winter

The colder weather is no excuse to let months go by without a little fun! As a work from home momma of a toddler, I prefer that fun happens OUT of the house! Sure, we can have a good time together at home, but sometimes I crave the outside world and want a new adventure myself!

In my google searches, I found 3 Indoor Play Centers within a reasonable drive from me, that I plan to check out during these next few winter months. I'll be sure to write about these experiences, but I figured I would share the list here in case any local Ocean or Monmouth County momma needs to cure her after-holiday blues with some mommy and me adventures!

1) Peekaboo Playground in Bayville, NJ. This spot was suggested to me over social media by several other moms. It's in Ocean County, opens at 9am each day (as a morning person, I appreciate this!) and is only $13 for kids ages 1-6 (babies 8-12 months are cheaper at only $8). One adult per child is included in the kid fee. It looks like they also do events-- I see Buzz Lightyear is coming on the 25th of January! The special events require tickets-- but they are only $20 per child, and $16 for siblings. Not bad to meet Buzz AND have access to the playground! It doesn't look like you need a reservation for open play on a regular day, but it does suggest to call in case there are schedule changes-- I am sure this is due to birthday party bookings.

2) Little Dreamers in Wall, NJ. I found this play cafe on google. It seems like they may have not updated their website since covid because it still shares a masking requirement on their site. My toddler is under 2 and definitely not wearing a mask so I will need to call to confirm if this is still their policy. Parents are free at this venue. Kids are $20 and siblings are only $10). They mention that they are a sock only environment and want parents to check social media to make the necessary registrations for open play. I wasn't able to find any open dates so possibly they are still on hiatus from the holiday.

3) Jungle Jim and Jane in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. This place is the farthest from me but it also looks like the coolest! I think the jungle theme is really fun. Open play is by reservation only and you can do so thru their site. 6-24 months is $10 and 2 and up is $20. Adults also have a fee of $10. I went to try to reserve on their site but kept choosing dates and times that weren't available. There is a note on their website to look at FB/insta for schedule updates and a quick glance on their FB page showed they were closed until January 7th 2023. So definitely check their social media for schedule updates before trying to book a time. You won't find those updates on the website.

I'm looking forward to my son and I meeting new people and enjoying these indoor adventures. He loves being around other kids at this age and I'm happy to have discovered opportunities to do so without having to lock into a weekly class. Stay tuned for my thoughts on each facility as we check them out this winter!