Are VR Arcades in New Jersey Kid-Friendly? 

VR experiences involve players wearing headsets and hand controllers that truly immerse the player in an activity. Experiences can include group or individual play, and options vary by location. 

For a recent family night out, we headed to Oasis VRX in Holmdel, which has one of the broadest arrays of VR offerings that I've seen. We started in the free-roaming arena, which allows groups to play games together in a virtual world of sorts. We donned our fancy headsets, grabbed our hand controllers, and picked three experiences to try: fighting virtual pirates, protecting a prized gem from invaders, and frantically building burgers for a busy restaurant.

We could "see" each other as characters in the games and had the freedom to walk through the worlds and challenges together. We had a blast.

We also tried some tethered arcade-style experiences, where we drove race cars, rode roller coasters, and played some virtual reality video games. These experiences were more individualized but equally thrilling. The virtual video games may be great for younger kids. A highlight for my daughter was "swimming" underwater with the fish and "petting" a virtual sea turtle.

I have to say, I was shocked by how real the experiences all felt. I truly felt like a pirate was standing next to me, or that I might fall off a bridge if I stepped off the path, which could be a consideration for little kids and those who have motion sensitivities. But my family loved the thrill. We were all in.

Most VR arcades are best suited to teens and older kids.

What Ages Are VR Arcades Best For?

VR is great for teens and older kids. The arena-style games are perfect for meet-ups of smaller groups. Check the specifics with your venue, but arena games often accommodate about two to six players at a time. You'll definitely want to book a time slot in advance to avoid very long waits as other groups finish their 30- or 60-minute game.

Younger kids, say ages 8-10, might be able to get in on the act depending on the games and activities you choose. The arcade-style games with tethered headsets would be fun for kids who can play video games independently. Headsets will be sized by the venue staff, but you might need to assist kids with selecting games.

Games will probably be listed with difficulty levels and age-appropriate ratings from the Electronics Safety Ratings Board (ESRB), so you can choose E for Everyone games for little ones. Some venues have a monitor to help you see what the player sees, so you may want to ask about that if your child needs help reading.

The free-roaming games are realistic, so you may want to save these experiences for ages 8 and up. Kids should be old enough to keep their distance from other players to avoid getting hit by someone else's controller. And, they should be old enough to keep in mind that the zombies chasing you won't hurt you, and that you can't fall off that cliff. Some experiences feel a little dark, too.

For players of all ages, I'd probably sit out if there are any sensitivities to motion. Or, ask the venue if there are any suggested games for people who get motion sickness.

What Are the Best VR Arcades in New Jersey for Kids?

Future Virtual Reality – Jersey City

Why We Like It: Located in Newport Centre Mall. This arcade uses a card with play credits, so it's easy to customize your experience.
Best For Ages: 6 and up
Type of VR: VR rides and simulators
What Surprised Us: There are lots of simulators and games.
Insider Tip: This venue hosts a lot of parties, so be sure to call about the crowds before heading out.

Escape Virtual Reality – Somerdale

Why We Like It: The heavy focus here is on VR escape rooms, where each player has their own 10x10 area, but you'll be able to talk to and hear each other and collaborate to solve puzzles.
Best For Ages: 10 and up
Type of VR: VR escape rooms (tethered), arcade games
Kid-Friendly Games: Dream Hackers 1, 2, and 3 escape room, Time Travel escape room, Rhythmatic 2, Escape the Lost Pyramid
What Surprised Us: There are 20 games to choose from! And, the escape rooms accommodate larger groups (up to 10), which is more than many other facilities.
Insider Tip: Make sure you get a reservation in advance.

Oasis VRX has a a free-roam arena. 

Oasis VRX – Holmdel

Why We Like It: Lots of variety and tons of family-friendly experiences.
Best For Ages: Age 8 and up
Type of VR: Free-roam arena (up to 8 players), VR escape rooms, arcade stations, roller coaster, and racing car simulators
Kid-Friendly Games: Party Playland, Kitchen Panic, Pirates Plague in the arena. VR stations with Fruit Ninja, Clash of Chefs, Job Simulator, Sports VR, and Ocean Rift.
What Surprised Us: The staff was super attentive and helpful throughout our playtime.
Insider Tip: The venue is located in Bell Works, so you can easily make a fun night of it if you want to grab a snack or meal. Book in advance to avoid waiting for equipment.

Sandbox VR – Woodbridge and Paramus

Why We Like It: This is a true full-body experience, where you'll roam as a team (two to six people) around the arena.
Best For Ages: 10 and up. Some of the game themes are intense, and you need to be able to carry up to 20 pounds of equipment for a 30-minute game.
Type of VR: Free roam, immersive VR arena.
Kid- and Teen-Friendly Games: Curse of Davy Jones, Seekers of the Shard
What Surprised Us: You'll need to wear a special vest, headset, and wrist/ankle motion detectors.
Insider Tip: Many games are thrillers, so check with the staff or watch previews on their website if you want to preview the content.

Sector X – Cherry Hill

Why We Like It: There's a lot of variety here, and they even offer summer camps and birthday parties for ages 10 and up.
Best For Ages: 10 and up
Type of VR: Free-roam arena, Free-roam VR escape rooms, wired adventure games, VR sports simulator, VR rides. ESports tournaments.
Kid-Friendly Games: Battlements in the free-roam arena (though not recommended for those who experience motion sickness), Jungle Quest, and Mission Sigma in the escape rooms.
What Surprised Us: Many of the 4D free-roaming games are meant for ages 13 and up. The facility is BYOB for adults, so you may want to choose an earlier time slot if you want to avoid that.
Insider Tip: This venue lists age appropriateness by game on its website, so you can check it out and choose some before your time slot.

Best VR experiences at indoor playgrounds for kids in New Jersey

VR experiences usually run 30-60 minutes. 

Rock 'n Air – East Brunswick

Are VR Arcades in New Jersey Good for Birthday Parties?

Yes! VR arcades are fantastic for parties. Every venue we saw offers private events and birthday party packages. Packages for 1 hour of play plus 30 minutes in a food area will run you about $300-$400 for 10 players. Most places also provided an extra 30 minutes of access to a party area, though food was not included in the prices.

Parties seem great for both tweens and teens. If you have a bigger group, ask if everyone plays together or if they switch off. Waiting to play might be a consideration if you feel the group will get antsy. Some venues may offer other gaming consoles while players are playing the main VR game.

Frequently Asked Questions About VR Arcades in New Jersey for Kids

Q. At what age can kids try VR in New Jersey?

Many games have scary content, so look for those with age-appropriateness ratings for kids. Many facilities suggest ages 10 and up, but some are okay for younger children.

Q. Are VR arcades safe for children?

Yes, but if your child gets motion sickness or might get scared by the villains, think twice before getting a ticket.

Q. How long do VR sessions usually last?

Arena sessions are generally 30-60 minutes.

Q. Can kids wear glasses in VR headsets?

Yes! My son wore glasses and had no problem at all.

Q. Are there VR arcades near NYC in New Jersey?

North Jersey has several options, but the easiest one to access from NYC is probably Future Virtual Reality in Jersey City.

Q. Do VR arcades cause motion sickness for kids?

They can. It depends on the person and the game they are playing. Ask the venue for advice while picking your games if this is a concern.

Q. How much do VR arcades in NJ cost?

Admission is typically around $35 per person for a 30-minute escape room or free-roaming experience. 

All photos by the author