Indoor Activities for Kids in Newark CA — The Complete Guide

It is raining. Or it is 100 degrees outside. Or the air quality is bad. Whatever the reason, you need indoor activities for your kids in Newark, CA — and you need them now. Here are the best indoor things to do with kids in Newark and the surrounding Tri-City area.

1. Laser Tag at Laser Tagging Inc.

This is the obvious one — and we will make the case that it should be your first stop. Our two-story, 7,000-square-foot laser tag arena is the only one of its kind in the Bay Area. Kids ages 5 and up can play, and the lightweight equipment makes it easy for even small children to participate.

Here is what kids love about it:

• Two full stories with ramps, bridges, and elevated positions
• Neon-lit space theme that feels like stepping into a video game
• Real-time scoring so they can track their performance
• Multiple game modes: team vs. team, free-for-all, and more
• Parents can play too — it is genuinely fun for all ages

Pricing: $13.99 for 1 game, $9.00/game for 2, or $5.00/game for 3+. Walk-ins welcome — no reservation needed.

Where: 5759 Stevenson Blvd, Newark, CA 94560  ·  (510) 573-1700

2. Laser Maze Challenge

Also at Laser Tagging Inc. — the laser maze lets kids navigate through a web of laser beams without breaking them. It is like being in a spy movie. Kids love competing against each other (and their parents) for the best time and fewest broken beams.

Quick, exciting, and great for filling time between laser tag rounds.

3. Arcade Games

The arcade at Laser Tagging Inc. has air hockey, basketball, skee-ball, claw machines, and ticket redemption games where kids earn tickets and trade them for prizes. Token-operated, so you control the budget. Some kids spend more time here than in the laser tag arena.

4. Indoor Swimming

The Silliman Activity Center in Newark has an indoor pool and recreation programs. Check the City of Newark website for open swim hours, swim lessons, and aquatic programs. Good for burning energy on a rainy day, though it does require planning ahead for schedules.

5. Newark Public Library

The Newark Library runs regular children's programs including story time, craft workshops, and reading challenges. It is free, educational, and a calm alternative to high-energy activities. Good for younger children or as a morning activity before an afternoon of laser tag.

6. Bowling (Nearby)

There are bowling alleys in Fremont and Union City within a short drive. Bowling is a classic indoor kids activity — reliable if not the most exciting. Most offer bumper bowling for younger kids. Check for cosmic bowling hours for extra fun.

7. Indoor Play Areas (For Younger Kids)

Several indoor play spaces serve the Tri-City area in Fremont and Union City. These are best for kids under 6 with climbing structures, ball pits, and padded play areas. Once your kids hit age 5-6, they are ready to graduate to laser tag.

8. Birthday Parties

If you are planning a kids birthday party during bad weather, an indoor venue handles everything. At Laser Tagging Inc., our birthday party packages include multiple rounds of laser tag, a private party room, pizza and drinks, and a dedicated Game Marshal who runs the whole thing. Packages start at $370 for 10 players (see full pricing).

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The Bottom Line

Newark is a small city, and indoor options for kids come down to a handful of quality choices. If your kids are 5 or older, laser tag at Laser Tagging Inc. is the most exciting indoor activity in the area — and at $5/game (for 3+ games), it is affordable enough to do regularly.

Walk-ins welcome. No reservation needed. Climate-controlled and open year-round. The next time the weather ruins your plans, you know where to go.