With the Windy City’s winter weather and ever-rising summer temps, sometimes the playground just won’t cut it. But where do you go when you don’t want to shell out for movie tickets, bowling lanes, gaming centers or tourist attractions? Here are 14 free (yes, free!) indoor play spaces for Chicago kids that we think will do the trick.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Where: 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL
Where: Not only can you pretend you’re in the jungle of this conservatory’s thousands of plants, but the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden has a seven-foot tall climbable seed, an enormous vine that can be traced from root to blossom, and wonders such as the Sensitive Plant, which cringes when touched. There’s also a crawling area for babies and toddlers with soft-form blocks and play rings. If you’re lucky, you might catch a free family program!,
Where: 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL
As part of the indoor exhibits in the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo area of this free Chicago attraction, you’ll find the Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure that will keep active kids busy for quite a while. And when the weather warms up you can hit the (also free) nature playground right outside.
Chicago Cultural Center
Where: 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL
On the first and third Friday and Saturday of every month, head to the Chicago Cultural Center (and Garfield Park Conservatory—they trade off) for the free Juicebox concerts. Children can get some wiggles out and interact with Chicago artists.
Where: 2171 Northbrook Ct, Northbrook, IL
Tree-house themed free, indoor play is just what you need to get the kiddos through cold (or hot!) days. Yes, you do have to enter a mall environment, but you can spend the money you saved at the nearby Starbucks and sit on the surrounding benches while your little has the time of her life.
Where: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Head to the Ryan Learning Center entrance for the free drop-in Artist’s Studio daily from 10:30am to 5pm. Admission is always free to the learning center, so you can enjoy free art-making as often as you’d like.
6. Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens
Where: 1805 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL
While plenty of CPD’s programs are worth paying for, the indoor play space at Chicago Women’s is open for free for community enjoyment! Head in for the toddler climbing wall, playhouses and a multi-level play structure, games and plenty of soft space for littles to run around. Call for the most up-to-date hours.
7. Harold Washington Library Center
Tom Harris/Gensler
Where: 400 S State St, Chicago, IL
There’s a special story time/play group/sing along almost every day at the main CPL branch, but the newly remodeled children’s library has computers, an interactive puppet stage, a baby garden, digital cameras and more for kids to play with.
8. Navy Pier
Where: 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
Brave the tourists! Sure, several attractions here cost big bucks, but you’re limiting yourself if you don’t explore the free spaces and programming like public art installations and the indoor Crystal Gardens. When the weather co-operates, there’s the splash-worthy fountain at Polk Bros. Park.
Where: 529 Forestview Ave, Park Ridge, IL
Explore the animal exhibits and Nature Nook indoors at the free nature center in Park Ridge. Wednesdays and Saturdays you might catch an animal feeding time, and Saturdays you can make a new animal friend at Critter Connection. There’s the five-acre grounds with two ponds and a butterfly garden for outdoorsy days.
Gurnee Mills/Simon
Where: 6170 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL
Climb a miniature Willis Tower or giant Chicago-style hot dog at this playscape (found in Grange Hall by Entry B!). The Chi-town themed spot is small (avoid it during busy hours) but how often does your kid feel like they run the city?!
11. Discovery Center at Christ Church of Oak Brook
This indoor play haven may have limited hours, but with the Oak Tree Climber playhouse, a puppet theater and floor space with fun obstacles, it’s still worth the visit. Kids infant to fifth grade are welcome (with caregiver!) Monday to Thursday from 2 to 4pm.
Yorktown Center
Where: 203 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL
This Lombard mall’s free play area is located in the Center Court outside of Carson’s, and with its Seussian design, it will catch your kid’s eye from a mile away. The 2,000-square-foot space is designed with spinning wheels and mirrors for tykes, and tunnels and slides for more active kids. There’s also a climbing wall and Lego table! As with any mall play space, arriving early is always your best bet.
Where: 3120 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL
Visit animals like birds, snakes, rabbits and frogs at this Northbrook nature center—though the indoor turtle pond will probably captivate your kids for a while! There’s also a room with a tree house full of nooks and crannies to read nature books, play the nature games and puzzles laid out and put on a puppet show.
Where: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL
Kids can play with characters from Looney Tunes at this mall’s play space, which you’ll find right outside of Macy’s. There’s a teeter totter, pretend raft, hopscotch and plenty to climb on. You’ve got a great view of your happily playing kiddos from the seats surrounding the edge of the space.
