Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox. 

Rainy Day Fun in Monmouth County

1. Gravity Vault — Middletown

Climb the walls at a rock climbing gym like Gravity Vault, where kids can take part in walk-in climbing sessions, introductory classes, and more.

2. Monster Mini Golf — Eatontown

Play a spooky round of golf at Monster Mini Golf, a glow-in-the-dark experience that takes place in black-light rooms.

3. Pine Creek Railroad — Wall Township 

Take a ride on the historic Pine Creek Railroad at Allaire State Park.

4. Silverball Museum — Asbury Park

Show the kids what games were like when you were a kid at the Silverball Museum, which is loaded with pinball machines.

5. Hot Sand — Asbury Park

Check out the Jersey Shore’s first public-access hot glass studio, Hot Sand, where you can participate in drop-in activities or just watch the masters at work.

6. Playdrome Lanes — Toms River

Go bowling at Playdrome Lanes and enjoy 24 lanes, automatic scoring, bumpers, and Sunday afternoon glow bowling.

7. Insectropolis — Toms River

Learn more about bugs than you could possibly imagine at Insectropolis.

8. Urban Air — Toms River

Bounce away the rainy-day blues at Urban Air Adventure Park. 

9. iPlay America — Freehold

Travel 30 minutes west of Asbury Park to iPlay America, a large indoor boardwalk-inspired amusement park with rides, games, mini bowling, a ropes course, and more.

Rainy Day Fun in Ocean County

10. Jenkinson's Aquarium — Point Pleasant

Spend an afternoon exploring Jenkinson's Aquarium on the boardwalk.

11. Robert J. Novins Planetarium — Toms River

Enjoy a spectacular star show at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, featuring shows for all ages plus laser-light music shows.

12. Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences — Long Beach Island

Get creative at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, with arts and craft activities for the whole family as well as weekend drop-in classes.

13. The Little Point Bookshop — Point Pleasant

Find a good read at The Little Point Bookshop.

14. Ocean County Mall — Toms River

Go for lunch at the Ocean County Mall and let the kids hang out in the indoor play area.

15. Surflight Theater — Beach Haven

See a show at Beach Haven's Surflight Theater on Long Beach Island.

Rainy Day Fun in Atlantic County

16. Noyes Museum of Art — Atlantic City

Peruse the artwork of the Arts Garage at The Noyes Museum of Art, which houses artists' studios, galleries, shops, and a cafe.

17. Atlantic City Aquarium — Atlantic City

See exotic sea creatures at the Atlantic City Aquarium.

18. Tanger Outlets — Atlantic City

If you have a pint-sized shopper on your hands, check out the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City.

19. Smile Factory — Brigantine

Visit the Smile Factory in Brigantine, an arcade that's sure to delight younger kids.

20. Island Waterpark — Atlantic City

Get wet year-round in the Island Waterpark, located indoors at the Showboat hotel.

21 Dave and Buster's — Atlantic City

Buy a Power Card, order up some eats, and have a fun time playing arcade games and winning prizes at Dave and Busters.

Rainy Day Fun in Cape May County

22. Adventure Nook — Cape May Court House

Stay dry at this sweet little indoor Adventure Nook, an imaginary play center for young children.

23. Discovery Sea Shell Museum — Ocean City

Browse the Discovery Sea Shell Museum in Ocean City, where kids can check out the hermit crabs and a selection of pretty shells to look at or purchase.

24. Ocean City Boardwalk

With several arcades, indoor mini-golf, and countless shops, Ocean City's boardwalk has plenty to do, even in the rain.

25. Encounters Ocean City

Climb aboard an alien spacecraft and see if you can navigate the mirror maze at Encounters Ocean City.

26. Avalon History Center

Visit the Avalon History Center and experience what it was like for beachgoers in the past. Plus, enjoy family-friendly programming, including a drop-in "mini-camp" several times a month.

27. Explore Recreation Department Opportunities

Browse the local town's department of recreation calendar. For example, check out the Avalon Recreation Department calendar, which has almost daily indoor events for kids at the Avalon Elementary School or the Community Hall.

28. Island Studio — Stone Harbor

Get creative with pottery and mosaics at Island Studio.

29. RiGis — Stone Harbor

Make it a game day at RiGis. This family-owned amusement center has games for people of all ages, but also what it claims as "the only original Italian Water Ice."

30. Wetlands Institute — Stone Harbor

Learn about local wildlife and conservation efforts at Stone Harbor's Wetlands Institute's frequent events.

31. Wildwood boardwalk

Wildwood's boardwalk is filled with indoor activities, including arcades, indoor mini-golf, an aquarium, and more.

32. Island Bowl — Wildwood

Go bowling at Island Bowl, which is open daily.

33. Ripley's Adventure Maze — Wildwood

Get lost in Ripley's Adventure Maze, home to both a laser maze and a mirror maze.

34. Explore a lighthouse

Climb to the top of one of the Jersey Shore's many lighthouses, including Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood or Cape May Lighthouse.

35. Naval Air Station Aviation Museum

View the planes, helicopters, and interactive flight exhibits at the Naval Air Station Aviation Museum in Rio Grande.

36. Historic Cold Spring Village — Cape May

Step back in time with a visit to Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May.

37. Go whale watching

Don't mind getting a little wet? Go whale watching and still get your ocean time in while seeing some truly majestic sights. As long as the weather isn't too rough, the boats will likely still go out, and they even often offer some indoor coverage.

38. The Physick Estate — Cape May

Catch a children's tour at The Physick Estate, or attend a princess or pirate luncheon on select dates.

39. Washington Street Mall — Cape May

Go shopping at the Washington Street Mall in Cape May, where littles can browse toys at Whale's Tale and taste sweet treats at Crepe May.

40. Ride a trolley

Take a trolley tour through Cape May. Explore its Victorian history while taking a special ride designed for 3–7-year-olds.

This article was first published in 2015 and has since been updated.