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Things To Do in NJ with Teens and Tweens Indoors

1. See a Show

Take in an almost-Broadway show at one of New Jersey's celebrated regional theaters, like Paper Mill Playhouse, McCarter Theater, or the State Theater.  

2. Go to a Basketball Game

Show your Scarlet Knight or Pirate pride at a Rutgers or Seton Hall sporting event. 

3. Go for Coffee

There are some really great independent coffee shops in NJ, and many have specialty options of both caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties for teens to try.

4. Let the Good Times Roll

Lace up your skates for a whirl around a roller rink like the Florham Park Roller Skating Rink—glow necklaces and 80's shades optional.

5. Win Big 

Show them your favorite old-school games at Yestercades (with locations in Westfield, Metuchen, Red Bank, and Somerville) or another great NJ arcade.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Escape Rooms in New Jersey

Do some laser-tagging at iPlay America. Photo courtesy of the venue

6. Burn Off Energy

Spend an afternoon exploring one of New Jersey's mega indoor fun spots, like iPlay America. 

7. Visit a Museum

Gaze at the artwork at a New Jersey museum, like the Montclair Art Museum or the Newark Museum, which has one of the country's finest collections of American art. 

8. Rock Out

Treat them to their first rock or pop concert. 

9. Make a Gift for Grandma

Create beaded jewelry, pottery, or a glass fusion project at a local studio such as Glassworks Studio in Morristown.

10. Get Creative

Create some art of your own at one of New Jersey's painting studios. The Monclair Art Museum, for instance, has workshops and classes for kids 13 and older.

11. Learn Something New

Explore one of the many cool science museums in and around New Jersey like the Liberty Science Center.

12. Tee Up

Tee up for a round of outdoor digital golf at Top Golf in Edison or Mount Laurel, tracking your scores with a micro-chipped ball. 

13. Take Flight

Go skydiving—without jumping from a plane—at iFly in Paramus or Edison.

14. Play Laser Tag

Face off in a game of laser tag. Bullseye Lasertag in Woodbridge offers tactical laser tag in a mock indoor city.

15. Strike it Big

Roll some strikes without bumpers at your favorite bowling alley. There are even bowling lounges with dimmed lights and alley-side food service. The Bowlero chain has locations throughout NJ, including in Green Brook, Hazlet, Fairlawn, Belleville, and Cherry Hill. Be sure to book a lane in advance.

16. Blow Your Own Glass

Step up your arts and crafts game with glass blowing. At Hot Sand in Asbury Park, for instance, you can make glasses, vases, sculptures, and more.

17. Visit NYC

Take a day trip to NYC. There are so many options for teens in the city, including museums, shows, open mic nights, parks, and more. 

18. Plan Your Escape

Escape from a family-style escape room such as Escape Rooms NJ, which has four locations in northern NJ.

19. Get Pampered

Relax with a spa treatment or mani-pedi at one of New Jersey's many spas or salons. 

20. Enjoy a Sweet Treat

Enjoy a sweet treat together at a popular ice cream spot. If you're down the Shore, you can't go wrong with a giant sundae from Coney Waffle.

21. Indulge their Sweet Tooth

Or try a retro candy shop like Black River Candy in Chester, which sells over 200 kinds of candy bars plus tons of other goodies.

RELATED: Liberty Science Center: Best Things To Do With Kids

Tackle an obstacle course at Urban Air Adventure Park in Milltown. Photo courtesy of the park

22. Have an Adventure

Enjoy some Ninja Warrior–style fun at an awesome indoor obstacle course like Urban Air.

23. Jump Around

Head to Sky Zone (with several NJ locations) or another indoor trampoline park to bounce and flip the day away.

24. Try Dark Mini Golf

Mini golf can be a fun way for your group to chat, but blacklight mini golf adds extra excitement. Monster Mini Golf, with locations statewide, has a Halloween vibe, while Dragon's Lair Mini Golf in Wildwood has a Medieval flair. 

25. Sing with Friends

Gather a group of friends and belt out your favorite tunes at Songbird Karaoke.

26. Make a Splash

An indoor water park like Island Waterpark in Atlantic City is a good idea any time of the year.

27. Live the American Dream

You could easily spend an entire day at this entertainment complex, between Big Snow, Nickelodeon Universe amusement park, and the largest indoor water park in North America.

28. Test Drive

RPM Raceway in Jersey City and Supercharged Entertainment in Edison have authentic, exhilarating, and safe indoor electric karting facilities.

29. Score a Goal

Rent a field for a private game of 5x5 at the Sofive indoor soccer facility.

30. Do Dinner and a Movie

Kick back in a comfy recliner and get table service at a dine-in movie theater. The AMC movie chain has theaters in Bridgewater, Edison, Hackensack, and West Orange, and there's also IPIC in Fort Lee.

Things To Do in NJ with Teens and Tweens Outdoors 

32. Experience Some Thrills

Test your bravery on the wildest roller coasters that New Jersey has to offer. 

33. Meet Lady Liberty

Head to Liberty State Park and catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty Museum.

34. Go For a Hike

Longer legs mean longer hikes, so check out New Jersey's great reservations, from the Pinelands to the mountains.

35. Support the Local Team

Take them out to a ball game—New Jersey has minor league action up and down the state. Rooting for the Somerset Patriots is always a good time.

36. Let it Zip

Zip and swing above the trees at an outdoor ropes course. Teens can try the adult course at Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course if they're ready.

RELATED: Great NJ Gardens and Lush Arboretums To Explore with Kids

Tweens can burn off some serious energy on a pedal boat ride at Sunrise Lake in Lewis Morris Park. Photo courtesy of the park

37. Cool Off at the Lake

Cruise the waterways on a dinner cruise, ferry, or another exciting boat ride. Or share the work of rowing or pedaling on a lakeshore ride.

38. Get Wet

Splash around and tackle the tallest slides at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson or another fun NJ water park.

39. Sleep Under the Stars

Unplug and get back to nature on a family camping trip. 

40. Revisit History

Stroll through history at New Jersey's Revolutionary War sites. 

41. Get Some Culture

Walk through the Grounds for Sculpture. 

For even more inspiration, check out our list of things to do in New Jersey before your kids grow up.    

This piece was originally published in 2013 and is updated regularly. Margaret Hargrove contributed additional reporting.