17 fun ways to spend a rainy day at the Jersey Shore
Rainy days can change your plans in a heartbeat.
Especially on those planned beach days where the entire family is full of energy ready to go and then the sky darkens, the clouds cover the sun, and instantly an earthy smell permeates the air.
There many things you can do at home like playing board games, renting a movie, or bingeing a new show but a rainy day does not mean sitting in the house is the only option.
Here are more than a dozen indoor activities you can take the family to enjoy:
Arcades
Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park.
This retro arcade has become a staple on the Asbury Park boardwalk with over 7,000 square feet of fun. Inside there are a multitude of pinball games, basketball games, and a crowd favorite — skeeball. There is also food available at the cafe.
Go Play Arcade in Belmar.
This arcade has it all! Skeeball, Air Hockey, Star Wars, Big Bass Wheel, Jurassic Park, Halo, Tomb Raider, claw machines and there is also a retro game room filled with classic 80s and 90s authentic gaming systems. The facility is BYOB.
Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven.
This arcade is home to over 12,000 square feet of games, prizes, and good clean fun for the whole family. Classic games like Skee-Ball, and crane, are featured her and new games like Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka or Lane Master Bowling! There is a digital card system for counting tickets and points.
Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant
Jenkinson's Boardwalk has all the bells and whistles and features 4 arcades. They are the South Arcade, the Pavilion Arcade, Frank's Fun Center and the South Beach Arcade. All arcades offer a variety of games such as Videos Games, Slot Machines, Skee Ball, Basketball games, and Crane games.
YESTERcades in Red Bank.
The arcade puts a different spin on gaming. Here, no quarters needed, you play by the hour and this facility has retro games that are nostalgic for the adults customer and engaging for the younger customers. There are arcade games like Pac Man and street fighter and pinball machines like Terminator and Twilight Zone.
Lucky Leo's, Seaside Heights
This family arcade has been around since 1953 and is one of the most popular attractions on the Seaside boardwalk. It features a host of games and many different theme days and events.
Craft Shops
Hot Sand in Asbury Park.
Hot Sand is a public access glassblowing studio for ages 9 and up. There are activities held 7 days a week and reservations are required. The Glassblowing activity are the Blow-A-Drinking Glass, the Paperweight, Blow-A-Ornament, Blow-A-Heart, Blow-An-Egg, Blow-A-Bubble, and you can even Blow-A-Pumpkin!
A Time to Kiln in Red Bank.
This art studio is for both adults and children. The studio offers fun class and activities including: painting on pottery, canvas and wood; mosaic making, critter stuffing, glass fusing and art classes. Walk-ins are always welcome, and no appointment is needed.
Color Me Mine in Freehold.
At this crafty facility, visitors of all ages can paint your own pottery from wide selection of unpainted ceramic pieces, such as plates, mugs, bowls, and figurines. Other locations include Toms River, Summit and Princeton.
Wish Upon A Jar in Point Pleasant.
The facility is a paint your own pottery studio where all ages and skill levels are welcome. The studio is for both adults and children and is a BYOB facility. There is also canvas painting, take home kits and clay hand-building with reservations. Available for walk-ins, and do not charge for supplies.
Escape Rooms
Amazing Escape Room in Freehold.
This location has five exciting themed rooms to chose from wizards to super villains. Amazing Escape Room is suitable for the whole family and also offers axe throwing combination at this location. You can book private events too.
Escapology in Holmdel.
Escapology is the escape room with real-life game experience located in the Bell Works building. Guests can take advantage of family time with a choice of six different theme rooms for 60 minutes.
Solve it Sherlock in Neptune.
In 60 minutes or less players of this interactive escape room have to race against the clock to decipher clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles in order to complete their task. This escape room features five different theme games that cannot be found anywhere else and offers a fun filled day for family activity.
Escape the Puzzle in Long Branch.
At this facility there is an escape room for the whole family to enjoy. Kids six and under play for free. Players can choose from 10 various room themes and find the one that suits your family. The kid-friendly escape room games include themes like the animal kingdom, carnival, and pirate rooms.
Indoor Fun
Monster Mini Golf in Eatontown.
Visitors here will enjoy a state-of-the-art, indoor, glow in the dark 18-hole miniature golf course, a hi-tech video game arcade and monstrous prize center. There is mini bowling alley, monster themed laser tag and a laser maze.
Supercharged in Edison.
This 131,000 square foot entertainment venue offers fun for the whole family. The different activities include an indoor multi-level karting track, luxury axe throwing, massive interactive gaming arcade virtual reality game room, bionic bumper cars, two-story drop & twist tower ride, two bars and a restaurant.
Urban Air in Toms River.
At Urban Air guest can challenge their bodies while having a load of fun. The attractions include the dropzone, a virtual reality technology, a tumble track, wall climbing, 2 trampolines pits, battle beam arena, tubes playground, warrior courses, slam drunk zone, dodgeball and a cafe.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rainy day activities for the whole family at the Jersey Shore
