When I asked my son what he wanted to do for his birthday, he didn’t think twice—he was all in for a day at iPlay America in Freehold. With over four acres of fun, there’s more than enough to keep the whole family entertained. We had such a blast trying our luck at boardwalk games, playing laser tag, chasing Godzilla on the XD Dark Ride, racing go-karts, and hitting up all the rides that my son declared it was his best birthday ever. Read on for more about the epic memories we made during our day at iPlay America, one of our favorite indoor amusement spots in NJ.(featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

iPlay America

Experience all the fun and games at iPlay America

We started by getting a game card and entering a dizzying display of games, featuring everything from skill-based to video games, as well as our favorite boardwalk-style arcade games. (Fun Fact: Iplay has more crane games than any other entertainment area in NJ). The kids were thrilled to spend time in the arcade, and it was easy since all they had to do was swipe to play and accumulate iTickets on their game cards. After, they could redeem their iTickets for prizes (no more holding onto paper tickets for that!). But the boardwalk games were where they lit up with excitement while dunking balls during Hot Shot Basketball, hitting targets on Balloon Darts, playing the always popular Whac-A-Mole, and spending time at Stinky Feet, a water race game where you can compete against friends.

Go-Karts, the XD Dark Ride, and amusement rides

The IPA Speedway was an instant favorite with my son and his friends. They loved racing in the electric go-karts, and there were options to ride alone or in a double-passenger car. The go-karts started slowly, but they flew around the track once they took off, aiming to get first place. The XD Dark Ride was our next stop, and the adults were even pretty impressed with this ride. We picked our movie, took a seat in the mini-movie theater, and grabbed a laser, which we used during the ride to aim at the 3D screen to earn points. The kids were excited to see their scores recorded, and the energy was high as they cheered each other on. We then hit the amusement rides, from the Kite Flyer flying ride to the spinning thrill ride called Reverse Time. Other rides include the Dizzy Dragons, the High Flyer, and the Mini Ferris Wheel.

Two floors of laser tag

With 6,500 square feet and two levels, the laser tag arena at iPlay America is a must-visit spot. When you step into Lasertron, you pick either a red or green team. The kids picked their teams, got on their gear, and they were ready to go. Once they entered the futuristic-looking, interactive LED-illuminated arena, they learned the rules and immediately took off to earn points for their teams. While playing in the arena, colors changed, lights pulsed, neon lights flashed, and strobe lights also went off. It was 8 minutes of exciting non-stop competition and the talking point between my son and his friends on the ride home.

Hungry yet?

All of the games, rides, and laser tag got us hungry, so we were happy to see plenty of snacks and food outlets sprinkled throughout the amusement park. Since the kids wanted something quick so they could spend more time playing arcade games, we headed to Rob’s Pizza to grab a slice of boardwalk-style pizza. Other food options included Sonny’s, featuring Jersey Shore-style snacks like cotton candy and fried Oreos, or The Bistro, offering creative cocktails and dishes such as Poke Bowls and Chimichurri Sirloin Steak. Though we weren’t able to get to the Top Golf Swing Suite, I thought it was a fun place to return to with adult friends, since they offer an extensive food and beverage service while you play. After our meal, we browsed at one of the largest candy shops in New Jersey, Broadway Sweets, perusing the candy selections and sampling the homemade fudge.

Host a Birthday Party

Want to host a party? iPlay America makes it easy to host parties for toddlers to adults, with a designated party planner to help you choose the best party option. The Ballocity Jr. package serves as a starting point, where guests can play in the Ballocity area, select three rides, and receive a $5 game card. Or go up to the VIP Ultra package, where guests can have unlimited amusement rides, access to the XD Dark Ride, 2 hours of non-redemption video games, a laser tag session, and a $20 game card per guest. We chose the VIP Party for our son, and his favorites included the go-karts, rides, laser tag, and a $10 game card per guest. It was also great to have access to the party room at the end of the party, where we ate, had a customized cake (my son chose Funfetti with chocolate mousse) and cupcakes, and sang Happy Birthday. 

What to know before you go

iPlay America is open Tuesday through Sunday, with weekday and weekend hours starting at 11 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, iPlay is open until 11 PM (closing at 9 PM on other days). Tickets start with the Unlimited iRide Band, starting at $22.99 a person, or opt for the Premier Play Pass ($69.99), which includes unlimited free rides, unlimited time in Ballocity, 1 XD Dark Ride Experience, 2 hours of unlimited non-redemption video games, 1 round of two-level laser tag, and $25 game card. You can also purchase Pay-as-you-go credits for the games and arcade, as well as add-on experiences like the 1 XD Dark Ride, unlimited Ballocity, laser tag, or package bundles. If you plan on visiting often, consider signing your kids up for the Kids Club or iPlay America’s Book Club, where kids can earn discounts by reading for rewards. Adults and older kids will also enjoy the Top Golf Swing Suite, which features five bays equipped with simulators, HDTVs, lounge seating, and food and beverage service. The suite can be rented for a variety of occasions, from parties to family days out. In addition, iPlay America also features an Event Center, so be sure to check their schedule ahead of time.

Learn more about iPlay America on the website, Instagram, and Facebook.

iPlay America
110 Schanck Road
Freehold, NJ 07728

Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.