Franklin Lakes, NJ Outdoor Activities

The phosphorescent, indoor landscape at Monster Mini Golf immerses putters in an eerie universe that inverts the sun-soaked cheer of conventional courses. Rimmed in glowing green barriers, 18 holes lure swingers of all sizes to challenge their coordination and resolve in the face of winged monsters, scowling animated trees, a creepy clown, and their opponents' shockingly dazzling smiles. Sheltered from searing rain and howling wind, the indoor course enables play around hazards such as a spell well and luminous, ghostly windmill at any time of the year. An in-house radio station and DJ mask the sound of pounding hearts with lively beats and course commentary, and golfers looking for additional glory can win prizes by participating in regular contests or at the onsite arcade (arcade games not covered by this Groupon).

Danbury Ice Arena's professional skating instructors introduce students to the fine art of figure-eighting with weekly classes based on the curriculum of the Ice Skating Institute. Children as young as three years old can begin instruction in the Tot 1 course, which is designed to instill a sense of comfort and confidence on the ice through techniques such as marching in place, falling properly, and getting up. As skaters expand their abilities, they may continue with progressive course levels that build upon each other. Both adult and child introductory courses focus on beginning techniques such as marching and stopping, which provide a foundation for techniques learned in advanced levels such as performing one-foot glides, making snowplow stops, and evading goalies who have grown tired of being senselessly bombarded with pucks.

The pristine, recently renovated fairways at Meadows Golf Club snake around 12 ponds that vary in size and factor into play-making decisions on at least 14 holes. Water makes itself a prevalent threat to golf balls that are afraid to swim on the 9th and 18th holes, where larger ponds loom ominously to finish out the front and back nines. The 9th, a 240-yard uphill par 3, demands steely nerved shots over two ponds: one that stretches past the tee box to the player's center-right and another that runs along the left all the way to the green. On the par 4 18th, players again face down a tee shot over water, this time being forced to keep their drive to the right to avoid water along the length of the fairway, as well as packs of ravenous ball washers that roam the course in search of prey.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 70 course
• 6,345 yards from the back tees
• Three sets of tees

Friday, October 29

Each year, the coaches from Kiddie Soccer introduce thousands of toddlers between the ages of 3-1/2 and 6 to the most popular team sport in the world—soccer—through safe, fun classes in a constructive environment. For the first 50 minutes of each session, groups of up to 12 kids engage in team-building games such as Red Light Green Light or Sharks and Minnows—similar to adults' Hot Potato Famine or Foxes and Attorneys—to build physical and cooperative skills and, above all, have fun. Kids then split off into teams for a 10-minute friendly competition, enjoying themselves while learning teamwork under the coach's watchful, supportive eye.

The 50-mile-per-hour speeds of Zoom Ziplines’ four lines may feel dangerous, but that’s just an illusion. Daily inspections by staff members ensure safe, smooth trips for the customers aged 13 and older who cascade down the lines daily. During two-hour trips, customers cross a suspension bridge on foot and fly down four ziplines that stretch up to 1,400 feet, breathing in mountain air and taking in stunning vistas. The course’s tandem ziplines allow friends to race or merely enjoy side-by-side views of the lake, local wildlife, and clouds playfully contorting themselves into the shapes of former presidents.