Cowabunga's Indoor Kids Play & Party Center - North Reading

Cowabunga's Indoor Kids Play & Party Center - North Reading

Reviews Summary

Cowabunga's is overwhelmingly praised for being a fun, clean, and safe indoor play space for kids, with many highlighting the excellent staff, reasonable prices, and variety of activities. Parents love the private party options, themed decorations, and attentive coordinators. The $10 Wednesday deal and membership perks are frequently mentioned as great value. While most reviews are glowing, a few note occasional issues like understaffing or inflated bounce houses. The Manchester location is sometimes preferred, but this spot remains a favorite for energetic, kid-friendly fun. Negative experiences are rare but cite food service problems or pricing discrepancies. Overall, it’s a highly recommended destination for families.

About This Listing

Has Food
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

Features

Has Food
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

265 Main St

North Reading, Massachusetts 01864

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10AM-8PM
Wednesday 10AM-8PM
Thursday 10AM-8PM
Friday 10AM-8PM
Saturday 10AM-8PM
Sunday 10AM-6PM

Customer Reviews

Almost Every Friday, My son Westley wants to go to Cowabungas to play, Meet New Friends and Run Around. The Staff had Always been Helpful, Kind and Amazing. We are planning his 4th Birthday party there. Great, Safe, Enjoyable Environment. Reilly has always gone Above and Beyond to make Every Visit Special.

My daughter loves it here! Great price for 2 hours of fun. There's enough for her to do with games, bounce houses, and a playground / ball area. Great indoor activity for active kids!!

Recently had my son?s 4th birthday here and it was absolutely amazing. Super easy booking the private area for the party. Just went online and reserved the date and time I wanted and put a deposit down. They called me the next day to confirm and then called again the Tuesday before the party to see if we wanted to add anything extra on. The day of the party we came in and were sent to the event waiting area where we met our party pro Bella and she was an absolute gem. She was super nice and on top of everyt

Fantastic experience, took my 3 year old and she had a great time. Lots of space and great for getting the energy out. Place is well kept and we felt very comfortable. This was our first time coming here and we will be back.

We recently celebrated my daughter?s 5th birthday with a Pokemon theme, and it was fantastic! The staff made the entire process so easy and had everything set up beautifully. All the attendees were impressed, and the kids had an absolute blast! I highly recommend hosting future birthdays here!

We recently hosted our son's 4th birthday party at Cowabunga's in North Reading, MA, and it was absolutely awesome! We used the public space, and despite being in a shared area, it felt surprisingly private. The space is fairly large, providing plenty of room without feeling crowded. The staff was exceptional?super helpful and attentive throughout the entire 2-hour party. They checked in regularly to make sure everything was running smoothly and that we had everything we needed. It made the experience stre

Great place for kids to get their energy out. 4 Big bounce houses and a great place to host a birthday with your own private sections. I just didn't like the food/pizza- chewy, hard and not the best quality.

Large space with a lot of activito keep the kiddos entertained. There is also a variety of kids food options if the kiddos decide they don't like the snacks you packed.

Cute indoor bounce for young kids. Lots to do. We were there for a private birthday party and the service was great. They moved all of our stuff as we moved to each play room. Prices are good too.

Cowabunga had my toddler bouncing with glee thanks to their awesome bounce house, but for bigger celebrations, it might leave you wanting more. The friendly staff were attentive and helpful, but the limited play equipment beyond the bounce house left older toddlers a bit bored. The 30ish minute room rotation system for parties felt restrictive and disrupted the flow, and the mentioned food section remained undefined. While it's a fun spot for little ones to burn energy, for full-fledged parties, not an idea

Friday visit 5pm-8pm, easy purchase tickets online. Excellent customer service when I called. We loved them! Very clean and friendly. The staff was so helpful! Lots of fun activities for the kids. Love the gift shop good selection for the kids. My littles ones loved the food. We got SpongeBob our visit! Amazing time! I recommend you go visit if you have little ones!

I brought my granddaughter to a birthday party here and she loved it! I think they might want to add a few more benches for people to sit on.

Great help that set up your part from start to finish. They made some changes to the Private Party rooms to keep things fresh. We've had two parties here and the kids always have a blast and enjoy the pizza at the end. The people who work here are organized, efficient, helpful, and friendly.

Staff was amazing! Don't take your kids or babies to altitude for indoor jumping or chuck e cheese. Take them here! You save more money; Adults are free. My son and nephew enjoy visiting here and a place called Amazement versus any amusement park, or arcade place. Only $15.

Went to birthday party for my 4 year old granddaughter. Party was good until an employee left the cart holding the birthday cake right next to a bouncy house full of kids, the bouncy house bumped into the cart almost knocking the cart over, and the cake, beautifully made by a family member, was sent flying from the cart to the floor, falling apart. Friends of the parents went to Stop & Shop next door to buy a new cake, Cowabunga?s did not offer to pay for the cake. When the kids were leaving, one of them as

We were invited to a private party at this great location. It was really fun, and my child had a wonderful time. The only suggestion I have is to include more kid-friendly music. Aside from that, the place was very clean, including the bathrooms. It's an excellent spot for winter time when you're looking for something to do with the kids. Highly recommended!

This experience was mediocre at best, the jumpies were NOT blown up all the way my son and i were a little disappointed. The girl at the counter when i came in over charged me $10 and i didnt know until half way threw our visit looking at the site, she did remember and gave me my change when i confronted her about the situation.. We had gone to the one in Hooksett 5 years ago and i swear it had been so much cheaper - and so much more fun. I probably will not be driving the hour to go to this location again.

We had a blast! My daughter is 3 years old and she played the full two hours without a break! She only ate half her slice of pizza and took a sip of water because she wanted to keep playing. Both of us bounced our hearts off and fully enjoyed each section. The staff was super friendly and every family we interacted with was equally kind. It was so nice being in a space where my daughter could fully be the active toddler that she is!

We came in on a Wednesday and got the 2 for 1 child deal online for $20. Great place to let the kids come play with bounce houses, legos, games and food! Thank you to our host Laura this was our first time and we will definitely come back again.

It's a great option for kids under 7 years old. The place itself it's not so big and the bounce houses take over instead of trampoline. That makes the kids and parents happy. All in one big room, easy to move around and to look up for your kid without having to move around a lot. Great option!

Perfect venue for 5 year old birthday. We reserved the private area and it was very smooth and moved well. A staff member helps with the transitions from each room and then with pizza and cake. Staff friendly and venue is clean. We had about 20 kids in attendance and it still felt very spacious. Would recommend definitely book again.

Hosted a birthday party here of our 6 year old. The staff was extremely helpful! We didn't have to lift a finger, they took care of every detail.

The renovations are great! Good place for kids but their website functionality is awful and I always have to make multiple attempts to buy tickets and it's just not worth it anymore. I am going to give my business to companies who have functional websites every time I come here and try to buy tickets online it's an issue. They just spent money to update the facility, please update the website as well it's 2025 it's imperative.

I've hosted two birthday private parties here and both were a blast! Kids run, jump and play.. parents can relax knowing their kids are in one location. Easy to plan, would host here again

We've never been to this location before & decided to try it out a special surprise for the kids? bdays. It's smaller than Manchester, but it has great sight lines so it's so less stressful keeping track of all 3 kids (especially the 3yo). We'll probably start coming here on a regular basis. The membership is such a great deal & covers both locations.

We had our son's 2nd birthday here on Saturday and all the kids had a blast. We were able to rotate through 2 of our own private play rooms with different inflatable slides and games then had our own private room for cake. Our own private party coordinators were so helpful with helping to setup all the decorations I brought in and also helped provide balloons when the ones I bought myself popped the morning of the party. They even went above and beyond and got the balloon I wanted elsewhere when they didn't

I can't thank Cowabunga and their staff enough! Marty?s party was cancelled two years ago a couple days before his party back then they offered a free party to us in the future. Here we are two years later, I reached out because my son wanted to have his party there this year I asked if they could offer anything to us for the cancellation a couple years ago? I was extremely surprised to be offered a free party! Thank you for honoring your offer from a couple years ago!! Marty?s had a blast with his family a

My 3 year old had a blast here! Clean facility; friendly staff, and awesome bounce houses/slides! Loved the lego tables as well for something the kids can do when they need a short break from bouncing. We'll definitely be back!

Love the new updates done! It's easy for parents to keep an eye on kids. When we went it was clean and they also have food options. I like that you can still bring in snacks and they also have arcade games. Plenty of tables and seating options throughout. Large gift shop in the front.

I've always loved this place. Went back recently and it's completely changed. It looks amazing! Kids can be here for hours and have so much fun.

Cowabungas is a fantastic spot for indoor kids? fun! My toddler had an absolute blast exploring the play structures, running around, and enjoying all the activities. The space is clean, well-organized, and offers something for kids of all ages. It's a safe and engaging environment that made for a perfect day of fun and energy-burning. Highly recommend for families looking for a great indoor play option!

Had my son?s 4th birthday party here. It was awesome. Our coordinator was Bree and she was super helpful, considerate, and courteous. We had an issue in with our cake that we brought (it was accidentally dropped). The GM went to the bakery (which was a few towns away) and got us a replacement cake. Staff and management went above and beyond to make his birthday very memorable. Will definitely have more kids party?s here as they get older. Love this place.

Had a great time on New Year?s Eve here. Lots of prizes and fun time. Most of all, I loved the freedom my kids had at Cowabunga?s. It's a safe place for the little ones but without too many rules. Will be coming by more frequently.

This place is alot of fun for younger kids. The 5 and up crowd seemed to get bored quickly. My only complaint is the electric outlets, for love of God cover them so my kid stops unplugging your bouncy house and the huge bouncy fort in the back corner- why does that slide lead to an unlocked employees only door? I'm like a ping pong ball trying to see what end he's coming from because that door is super exciting for a toddler. It's reasonably priced - even the little goodies at the counter are reasonable. u

My four-year-old son and his friends had an AMAZING time at Cowabungas for his birthday. We rented the private rooms for a couple of hours. My wife and I requested a Moana theme which meant Cowabungas provided a lot of things for us such as themed plates, napkins, tablecloths, and balloons. We brought some gift bags with the food and left everything (at their request) to the staff to set up the cake room. Our party planner and her team did an incredible job wit the setup. Above and beyond with how professio

We had a fun time but the floor was messy with kids papers and other trash items. This was the first time I had seen it so messy. Also kids were bringing toys from other areas such as Legos and small balls into the bounce houses which made it less enjoyable. Fun place but they need to keep the cleaning up.

Cowabunga?s blew us away! After two years of massive backyard birthday parties, we opted for a smaller party here. Our kiddo wanted to jump and the bouncy houses were perfect. We loved the different rooms as it gave the kids something new and fun and kept the party exciting. We paid for a themed party, which included balloons, a character visit, themed plates and decor. Best money spent! The kids loved the visit and we loved how happy they all were. We especially loved having a dedicated team member

I booked a private party and it went really well! I love that you can add on decor and cake which saves on needing to buy it and set up yourselves. The staff was so attentive and our assigned party planner made sure we had everything we needed and decorated the room amazingly! They even set up the snacks and drinks we brought nicely. I would go back again. The kids had a blast!

Took my grandkids there Sunday afternoon, I've never been they have as I don't live here anymore. I thought the place was beautiful everyone was very nice and pleasant and the kids had a blast

We had a blast ,best birthday so far ,all kids and guest had fun and enjoyed the new remodeled Cowabunga .Laura and Julliana were outstanding and helped out all-night throughout the whole event!!!super happy we all left !looking forward to celebrate next birthday herre! Thank you Laura and Julliana ,you rock!

The best private party ever, our daughter and her guest enjoyed every moment, Laura the supervisor was amazing the best customer service. Worry and stress free party, all the parents complimented on what an awesome venue, all the parents relaxed while children played with friends, fun for all ages, we loved it and definitely will be back soon!

My 2 year old daughter loves coming here. She runs around and play for the whole time. The staff is very friendly 10/10 would recommend.

Its fine. We like the one in Manchester, NH a little better. But solid location, plenty of 'bouncies.' It does the job. Arcade games aren't great. We spent about 90 mins here.

My family of 4 had an amazing time here today. Everything was clean and the staff seemed very happy which is always a plus at these types of establishments.

Great spot for a toddler on a cold day. Lots of activities including ball pits, bouncy houses, and bumper cars. Similar to the Discovery Museum on Acton.

I love this place cause adults can also hop on the inflatables, so if my child needs help I can hop in, help her, and she can continue playing. They have food so you can snack if you're hungry, and they have a new area with balls and tubes that suck the balls up and they go down slats and there's interactive things added as well. My daughter loves it here.

We went on new years eve and it was fun! I went with a total of 5 kids from ages 4 to 13 amd they all said they had a blast. Thanks for the memories ??

Awesome place to bring your kids. I'm in my second time here and my kids go crazy with all the fun this place offers. The place is clean, have a very nice staff by front desk, and is toddler friend as much as it is for big kids.

My son enjoyed his time there! Will definitely come back

Ok as an adult I must say this place is awesome I'm glad I have a child I can play in the bouncehouses too and be a kid again!!!

It was a fantastic birthday party !!! Super fun for kids, good food and very kindly customer service. I highly recomend this place.????????

I haven't been here in some time and wow do I love the improvements/renovations! All the bounce houses look new and clean, and the new areas for play are awesome! Management has done a great job here. Love the Wednesday deals too

The space is incredible and perfect for celebrating special moments with the little ones. What impressed me most was the attention to detail. A magical and welcoming environment for children. Furthermore, the team that works at the venue is extremely attentive and careful, ensuring that everything runs perfectly during the party. The entertainment options are varied and fun, with activities designed especially for children to have the most fun. And what about the food and drink options? Simply delicious piz

It's much fun. My kid is so happy and exciting here. It's a good place for children.

Been bringing my 5-year-old grandson here for over a year. Always clean staff is helpful, prices reasonable.

Beautiful place , good price too . We had so much fun first time here and I totally wanna come back . We try to find Nemo and dory and we did it ??

The party was awesome. All the arrangements were good and on time. The kids had lots of fun!! It's the best place to celebrate the birthday party and the staff did great job!!

It was amazing! What a great indoor option. My kids range 8mos-5.5yrs and they all enjoyed it thoroughly.

Had an absolute blast! Last minute plans got cancelled & with a toddler THAT is no fun. Cowabungas was able to turn it right around for us. With an array of toys to win, bounce houses & even a lego station our daughter had an amazing time!

Kids loved it ! Everyone can have fun, little ones to adults. They allowed you to bring kids snacks and also you can buy some in the food court!

my almost 3 year old loves this place. it's his first time at a play area with bounce houses and it's already a go-to, especially when it's winter and too cold to go to the playground!

Love this place! So easy to host a party here. Organized, on time and clean. Highly recommend!

My son is 4 and always has a great time at Cowabunga's. Lots of bouncy houses and they now have a new play area that is interactive and a space I can bring my 20 month.

My kids and I went on a Wednesday evening and we had a great time! We bounced together, threw some of the nerf balls at each other and had a really fun time! We didn't eat, but the menu (pretzels and things) looked good. We will definitely go back!

We Love Cowabungas. What a great place to go to burn some energy at an affordable price. Clean, friendly, and most importantly easy to use! A+ in my book

Nice spot to celebrate for kids bdays. Music was very loud in one room but other than that was a great time

We have been to birthday parties at Cowabunga's and also enjoy coming for an afternoon on bad weather days. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and the kids always have fun.

Clean and parents can sit and watch their kids playing..i love this place

I had my son/niece birthday party there on June 15th 2024 it was such a disappointment. First I confirmed with 3 people that the theme color was supposed to be pink & blue because we were celebrating 2 kids different gender. When we get to the party room that when they informed us they only have purple table cover with pink plates. I couldn't even use my decorations was a mess and waste of money. My husband bought ice for our drinks and they told us we don't need it we will put your drinks in their freezer

It's unfortunate that ya can't bring pizza, but they do allow ?? and you knooooow I love sandwiches!

My son had so much fun. Toddler recommended. It was very clean and staff was amazing

I took my daughter and she really enjoyed it. It was a clean and fun environment for kids.

We went for a private birthday party and found that service was not great! Tyger was Noone to attend ,give directions, evrytime birthday boy mom had to request for service whether cutting cake,distributing pizza etc, they can be more proactive with the service to give great experience to parents of a birthday child that's why they booked private party afterall!

Had my son's 5th birthday party here and he loved it. Staff was great and party planning was super easy.

This was my first visit and I will never come back. I came with my children, a friend, and her child. All under 4 years old. Concept is great, has potential for excellence. Can definitelybe a fun environment. However, there was only 1 person working all by herself. She did an excellent job considering she was doing everything alone and people were lined up at the door at 10am just to get in and it only got more full. Huge disappointment in regards to the kitchen. No food could be served at all, and we

My first time there with my great nephew. I pay to stay for 4hours. He received a free lunch and we had a wonderful time. The staff and the manager Kimberly were wonderful. They were always working hard. Doing some thing and not just sitting around. Thank you for a great time. We will be back. The place was spotless.

It's totally a nice indoor playground for all age kids. My daughters had a lot of fun. We decide to have birthday party here for girls.

We had our son?s 4th birthday in a private room. It went well. We worked with Kimberly and she was great. She was attentive to me and my wife as well as the guests. She was easy to work with and took excellent care of us and the kids. I would highly recommend her. We have another son and plan to go back when he is 4.

Always fun here! Great space with lots to do. Kids will have a blast, adults can bounce too! Always a good spot to bring the kids!

Great play space! The $10 Wednesday deal is really nice.

Filthy. Everything here costs $1 to play and is massively out dated. Good selection of bounce houses though.

I just drove 40 minutes and booked my tickets online and when I got here they got a sign that said closed for open gym play.. I called and they offered a refund!! Seriously? My kids are crying out here and don't understand what just happened. What a joke. I will never come to this place again.

How was the Planning Process? Good! I really appreciated the online booking process and the staff calling me the week of the party to make final decisions. I would have appreciated an emailed or online accessible reference page with all the food/add-on options and prices listed out. I spent too long on the phone with a staff member simply asking those questions that would have been easier if I already had them. It would also have made the decision process much easier to have them in advance so I could disc

kids always have fun! lots of options to jump, and new additions have been a hit!

The variety of bounce houses and activities were a win and safe for my toddler.

Always come here with the kids, they love it ! Very affordable. The staff are soooo niceee ! If you looking for a place to take the kids this is the place.

Went here for my nephews birthday. It was great!

My daughter had her 3rd birthday party here December 2022. The staff did a fantastic job decorating the big room with all of the supplies we provided them, they were super helpful, kind, organized, it was a great experience! My daughter ultimately broke her left leg 20 minutes into her party (She didn't wait her turn going down one of the inflatable slides and her 14-year-old brother fell on her legs) but the staff was attentive! Offered ice and water and was concerned! The party continued on because if it

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”