Located in the Eastgate shopping center, Kids Empire is a large, padded indoor playground with towering slides, climbing structures, and a separate area just for toddlers. Two accompanying adults get in free with each child, making it an easy rainy-day option close to home. (1590 Nixon Drive, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054) With a little planning, a visit can be a calm, joyful day for an autistic child. Here is a sensory-friendly guide from our BCBA-led team — what to expect, the quietest times to go, and how to prepare.
The best time to visit
Ask the venue about quieter days or low-sensory hours, and aim for weekday mornings right at the 10am opening when crowds are thinnest. Confirm hours on the official site before you go.
What to expect
Expect an energetic, echoey play hall with bright colors, kids running and shouting, and busy weekends and after-school hours. The toddler section is calmer and enclosed; arrive at opening on a weekday for the lowest crowds and noise.
A few things your child may enjoy:
- Multi-level soft-play structures and giant slides
- Dedicated toddler area with soft slides and ball pit
- Trampolines and interactive building blocks
How to prepare your child
- Preview it. Look at photos or a map together beforehand so the visit feels predictable (a simple “social story”).
- Use “first–then.” “First we look around, then we get a snack.”
- Pack comfort items — noise-canceling headphones, a favorite fidget, water, and a familiar snack.
- Plan a quiet exit — pick a calm spot for a break if your child gets overwhelmed.
How ABA therapy makes outings like this easier
Community trips are exactly where ABA skills pay off. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can help your child practice the very skills a visit to Kids Empire demands — waiting, transitioning between activities, asking for a break, staying close in crowds, and tolerating new sights and sounds. At Autumn ABA, our community-based and natural-environment sessions build these skills in the real settings where they matter. Many Burlington County families work on exactly these goals so days out become something to look forward to. Learn more about our in-home, school, community, and telehealth ABA programs.
In-home ABA therapy in Burlington County — no waitlist
BCBA-led, in-network care (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid & commercial). We'll verify your coverage for free.
Schedule a free consultation ABA in Burlington County →