PAW Patrol Hero Academy at American Dream Mall: An Honest Review with a 3-Year-Old

I’m usually more of an outdoor activity mom, so this was actually our first visit. We met up with a friend for lunch and decided to bring the kids here afterward.

Looking for fun things to do with toddlers in New Jersey? We recently visited PAW Patrol Hero Academy at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ!

The admission price is $16.95, and there’s no time limit. Children under 2 get in free, which is a nice bonus for families with younger toddlers.

We ended up staying for almost two hours, and my 3-year-old son surprised me in the best way possible. 😂

Here’s our honest experience at PAW Patrol Hero Academy, including the play areas, ticket prices, and whether I think it’s worth visiting with little ones.

PAW Patrol Hero Academy: Tickets & Play Areas

PAW Patrol Hero Academy is an indoor playground located inside American Dream Mall.

Kids can climb, slide, and explore different play structures, including airplane and car models.

There’s also a designated play area for younger children, approximately ages 2–5. I didn’t get a chance to take pictures of this section, but I noticed that staff members would direct older children away from the younger kids’ area when necessary.

I appreciated that because bigger kids can sometimes get a little too wild around toddlers!

As for the age limit, the facility appears to be intended for children up to 11 years old. However, I saw a few kids who looked much older. Were they older siblings accompanying younger children, or just really tall 11-year-olds? 😂 I honestly couldn’t tell.

If you’re planning a visit with an older child, it’s worth confirming the current age policy beforehand.

My 3-Year-Old Was Suddenly So Brave!

This was definitely the highlight of our visit.

My son is usually a pretty cautious kid. He refuses to ride amusement park rides or even a carousel. He only started going on swings a few weeks ago!

So I wasn’t expecting him to be particularly adventurous at an indoor playground.

But apparently, having a friend around makes all the difference.

He climbed all the way up to the higher play structures without even looking back at me. Seriously, who is this child?! 😂

And then he went down one of the taller slides all by himself!

When he reached the top, he looked down at me with the most helpless little expression. It was as if he was silently asking, “Mommy, what do I do now?”

I couldn’t help laughing. What could I do? He had already climbed all the way up there! 😂😂😂

Thankfully, he made it down safely.

And here’s the funny part: after conquering that tall slide, he spent the rest of his playtime going down the smaller slide near me about 100 times.

Yes, the little slide. Over and over again!

Apparently, being brave once was enough for the day. 😂

Watching my cautious little boy try something new was such a sweet moment. Sometimes, having a friend around gives kids the confidence they need to do things they wouldn’t normally try.

Is PAW Patrol Hero Academy Too Noisy?

Let’s be honest. Since PAW Patrol Hero Academy is located right in the middle of American Dream Mall, it’s not exactly a peaceful place.

Between the mall noise and excited children running around, it can get pretty loud.

The bigger kids can also be quite energetic, which might feel a little overwhelming if you have a toddler.

These weren’t dealbreakers for us, but they’re worth keeping in mind if your child is sensitive to noise or prefers a calmer environment.

How Long Did We Stay? Is It Worth $16.95?

We played for almost two hours, with occasional snack breaks.

My son would come over, take a bite or two, and then run straight back to playing.

Snack. Play. Snack. Play. 😂

Since there’s no time limit, we didn’t have to rush, which I really liked.

For $16.95, I thought it was a reasonable option, especially considering how long we stayed. Of course, whether it’s worth the price depends on how much your child enjoys the playground.

For us, it was a fun way to let the kids burn off some energy.

Final Thoughts: A Fun Stop After Lunch at American Dream Mall

I usually prefer outdoor activities with my son, so I probably wouldn’t make a special trip just for PAW Patrol Hero Academy.

However, I think it’s a great place to stop by after having lunch or dinner at American Dream Mall.

If you’re already at the mall with your little ones, it’s a convenient way to add some playtime to your outing without worrying about a time limit.

The noise and energetic older kids were my biggest complaints, but overall, we had a good time.

And honestly, the best part wasn’t the playground itself. It was watching my son become so much braver around his friend.

I still can’t believe the little boy who refuses to ride a carousel went down that tall slide all by himself!

Well, he spent the rest of the day going down the little slide near me about 100 times, but that’s another story. 😂

If you’re looking for indoor activities for toddlers in New Jersey, PAW Patrol Hero Academy is worth considering when visiting American Dream Mall.

Just be prepared for the noise, keep an eye on your little adventurers, and don’t be surprised if your child suddenly becomes much braver when a friend is around! ❤️