Activate – the indoor, interactive gaming experience – opened a new location inside American Dream Mall, New Jersey and invited my family for a first experience of their gaming rooms.

Note: I was invited as media for review purpose. However, any views expressed are always 100% my own.

And what an experience it was! Overall this new location has a lot for gaming families with kids over age 10, teens, or just adults to enjoy including

• Pressure-sensitive, color-changing tiles that challenge players to step on or avoid specific tiles to complete each round.
• Mega Grid, which tests gamers; quick thinking as they race to- the right spot and freeze into statues at the perfect moment.
• Strike, an innovative evolution of the fan-favorite Arena.

My mom and teen sons group had a blast playing whether it was with each other in a laser game to complete a task or against each other in the basketball game room. We can't wait to go back and play more!

Here's a few reasons that made our experience so fun

Check in Process & Locker

The check in process is so quick and smooth. After checking in for your pre-reservation, you finish up the process and sign all the forms on a tablet. You also scan and setup your gaming bands.

From there put your stuff in a locker, which also uses a scan band and your set! I was able to fit two bags, jackets and more in our locker easily. So we were free to game and not drag stuff around from room to room.

Interactive Team Gaming

When you have a team of people, there's no limit to the fun and no way anyone is going to be bored or feel left out. We love that!

We were so impressed that each room offered game play that could be experience more then one way. As a team you decided what version of a game you want to play in the room. And if you weren't sure how to play, the panel gave basic instructions.

Once in the rooms, we play as a group to finish the goal. The game start off easy so you get a feel for the game and then you can level up for more challenging game play.

But there's nothing super hard, so us moms were able to keep up with the teens. Heck, some times we played better then them. Some games are physical, while other are more logical. But all of the game are so fun!

We also liked that each room is on a timer. So no long game play if the team doesn't enjoy the game or if your waiting on a room your team did enjoy playing.

There's leaderboards to check your ranking and monitors to check your points, badges earned and more.

Rewards and Incentives to Return

I was so surprised (and please) to learn after our gaming session, during check out your score is tallied and you earn rewards! I earned a key chain that digital saved my current score so I didn't have to start from zero when I returned. How cool is that?!

They also have other perks and rewards, so visit to learn more! I don't want to tell you everything!

Activate Holiday Promotions

Activate is offering several promo codes for guests to use this upcoming fall season!

• Halloween: HALLOWEEK to get 20% off the week of Halloween (Oct 30 – Nov 3)
• Veterans Day: VETDAY50 for 50% off with a military ID – Valid Nov 11
• Veterans: Year-round code: MILITARY10

Activate Gaming Experience

Activate offers a one-of-a-kind experience that combines physical activity with cutting-edge technology. With nine rooms of games and challenges to choose from, you can test your skills and compete with your family in a thrilling and immersive environment.

In the Laser room, kids and parents will test their agility and strategy as they navigate through a labyrinth of laser beams. Test memory and reflexes with the “Push” and “Climb” rooms, where players will be challenged to recall or complete certain patterns and sequences to pass the assorted challenges.

Ticket prices start at $19.99 each for 30 minutes of play time or $24.99 each for 50 minutes of playing time. Walk-ins are accepted, but reservations are recommended and can be booked in advance by calling (201) 636-7588 or online.

Learn more, visit - www.activate.games/newjersey