Activate is an active gaming experience located in American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 45-minute experience should be booked in advance on their website, as times frequently sell out.
The Activate experience includes 45 minutes of game play in a variety of rooms that require different skills and abilities. It is an active experience where you are part of the game, so close-toed shoes are required. It’s also best to wear comfortable clothing that would normally be worn to play sports. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time and sign waivers in advance.
Once you check-in at the front desk, you are given a wristband to access a locker and to enter the game rooms and track your score. You can store your personal belongings in a locker at no additional cost. A water bottle can also be stored to access between games.
An attendant will explain how to enter the games. Each game panel has different level options and different ways to play. It’s best to have four to five people with you for your team, but groups as small as two can participate. If you have a larger group, the groups can change between each game. The players for a particular game just need to tap their wristbands to be added to the game room.
Games take from one to three minutes and vary in the amount of effort needed. For instance, there is a matching game that does not take much physical ability, while the laser game requires fast running and even crawling.
The minimum age to play is 6 years old and children between the ages of 6 and 10 need to be accompanied by an adult in the game rooms. Children between 11 and 13 years old need an adult present in the facility.
Some games may be a bit complex for 6-year-olds, while other games, such as throwing balls at a screen or jumping on blocks, are generally suitable for them. With younger children, choose the easy levels of the simplest games.
The 45-minutes may seem short at first, but it is actually quite intense. We were very tired after 45-minutes of active game play.
There are so many varieties of games that it is difficult to play all of them during one visit. Be sure to explore the hallways to find different games. We especially liked the Laser room, basketball room, and
Tips for Visiting Activate
Close-toed shoes are required, plus it can be rather warm when you are being active. Workout or sportswear would be a good idea.
The 45-minutes begin when the first game is activated. It does not stop for breaks, so be sure to actively use your time as much as possible.
A water bottle can be stored in the lockers for quick breaks between games.
There is not a restroom in this American Dream location of Activate. There are restrooms in American Dream across the hallway, so be sure to visit the restroom before starting play.
