No matter what the weather, these indoor play spaces in Chicago offer plenty of opportunities for kids of all ages to run, jump, pretend play and explore—making naps a part of your not-so-distant future, if all goes well. Bonus: Many of these businesses offer free WiFi, coffee, and comfy spaces for parents and caregivers to spend time while your kids are busy having fun. Read on for the best 15 indoor play spaces for kids in Chicago.
1. Purple Monkey Playroom
Where: 2040 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL
A particular favorite of many North Side families, this cheery, mural-filled 1,500-square-foot play space near Bucktown and Logan Square is just the right size for kids to freely explore without parents worrying about losing sight of them. Drop-in play geared to ages six months to five years is offered daily, and there’s plenty to keep little busy bees occupied, including a crawl-through tunnel, play kitchen, dress-up area loaded with costumes, a train table and even a tiki hut. Infants through crawlers have their own plush area, separated by a low wall, with toys suited just for them. There’s even a communal table where you can take a snack break. On Tuesdays, parents can take advantage of the Drop-Off On Demand Service, where a babysitter from SitterCity will watch your children for two hours at the play space.
Cost: $15 for one child; $25 for child plus sibling; $7 for ages 0-7 months.
2. Yu Kids island
Where: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL
Where: 122 Hawthorn Center next to Carson’s, Vernon Hills, IL
This interactive, vibrantly-colored, play place with locations at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg and at Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills is an inviting spot for kids to burn off some energy before, after or in the midst of some mall time. Drop-in play geared to ages eight months to six years is offered daily, and there are tons of unique features to keep your tiny tots busy. Whether it’s in the spinning palms (a toy tree with balls to grab onto swing around), the revolving tree (a bouncy climbing platform), or the ever-popular dancing balloons area (think ball pit, but filled with balloons), kids quickly dive in to play on more than 10 attractions. Plus, the interactive nature of the playroom is a good fit for special-needs children.
Cost: $10; $9 for siblings Monday–Thursday; $12, $11 for siblings Friday–Sunday; $5 during the last business hour each day.
3. Little Beans Café
Where: 1809 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL
Where: 430 Asbury Avenue, Evanston , IL
Wth two locations in Bucktown and Evanston, there’s plenty of fun to be had at this pair of indoor play spaces. In Bucktown, an old-fashion ice cream “shop” gives kids a chance to play store; in warmer weather they can head to an outdoor play deck to explore playhouses and a climb on a play structure with toys. At the Evanston location, little ones can hang out in a play treehouse, act like ninja warriors, pretend to be animal doctors and even climb aboard a camper van. Geared to families with kids ages newborn to 12.
Cost: $14; siblings $12. Adults and children under 10 months free.
4. Kid City
Where: 1837 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
More than 3,000-square-feet of play space at this West Town spot include a large wooden playhouse with a play kitchen inside. a market area with multiple shopping carts and tons of play food, and a dedicated dress-up playroom. Toddlers can explore inside their dedicated toddler play area. A lounge for parents just off the main play area offers great visibility, comfy couches and complimentary coffee.
Cost: $15; $26 for two siblings; $34 for three siblings; $40 for four siblings.
5. Kids’ Island
Where: 1358 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL
This indoor oasis packs a big punch with little ones and parents. While your kids play, you can relax and check your email, read a magazine or even get a manicure and pedicure. The play space includes games, toys and puzzles, a WiFi equipped coffee bar serving brew and confections as well as the piece de resistance for wee ones: an enormous indoor sandbox (filled with non-toxic fine sand that is washed regularly). In the sandbox, there’s a slide, baby swing, play kitchen, dishes and lots of shovels and pails. When everyone’s done playing, there’s an air hose that blows the sand off little feet and legs so no mess travels home with you.
Cost: $12 per child for a two-hour pass; $10 for siblings; children under nine months of age are free. After two hours, the rate is $2 per hour per child.
6. Pickle’s Playroom
Where: 2315 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
Pickle’s is the brainchild of a stay-at-home dad who set out to create a place where parents and children would want to hang out when it’s too cold, rainy or hot outside. The large children’s playroom is bright and roomy and caters to multiple ages. There’s a crawlers area for really little ones, and a “Drop Zone” for big kids featuring a six-foot tube slide, small climbing wall and wobbly bridge. There is also a well-stocked play kitchen and market area. When new surroundings are required, kids can head the “Control Tower” to pretend they’re pilots. There’s also a cafe and kids’ and adults’ hair salon on site, complete with race-car chairs. Each child’s haircut ($20) includes 30 minutes of complimentary play time.
Cost: $12, siblings $9.
7. Go Bananas
Where: 4516 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights, IL
Your little monkeys will love this indoor amusement park in Harwood Heights (just west of the city limits), complete with a pint-sized roller coaster, bumper cars and jungle gym. There’s a separate toddler zone especially for ages three and under, with a small obstacle course, short slides, age-appropriate toys and games, and adult seating. Need more entertainment? An arcade has skeeball, basketball, bowling, air hockey, video games and other activities that reward tickets to redeem for prizes. The food menu consists of pizza, sandwiches, salads and ice cream that can be ordered a la carte or part of special meal deals.
Cost: Visit their website for pricing.
8. Sky High Sports
Where: 6424 West Howard Street, Niles, IL
The Niles outpost of the indoor trampoline park chain is a sprawling 50,000-square-feet, housing four main trampoline areas. The main trampoline court runs half the length of the space, with 10-foot trampoline walls that allow jumpers to run up the walls, do flips and bounce to their heart’s content. There’s also a foam pit area, dodgeball area (with foam balls), and, for jumpers ages six and under, a “little jumper” trampoline area, which includes one trampoline court and a foam pit court. All areas are well supervised by staff.
Cost: Monday–Thursday: first hour $12 first hour, each additional hour $8. Friday–Sunday: $12 per hour. Visit the website for special price offers.
9. Sod Room
Where: 1454 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Eco-conscious families will feel right at home at this South Loop play space that takes going green from floor to ceiling. The space has a recycled cork floor, reclaimed wood and low-VOC paint, and is filled with sustainably and responsibly made toys and play structures (a treehouse jungle gym!) as well as felt furniture and handmade grass tufts. There’s a retail boutique onsite, too, so you can take continue the green theme at home.
Cost: $12 for a daily pass; $8 for siblings ( free for newborns to six-month-olds siblings).
10. Exploritorium
Where: 4701 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL
A Skokie Park District gem, the Exploritorium is a great indoor play option when skies are grey. The eight-and-under set can make their own sunshine here, running from a theater area filled with dress-up clothes to a water-play area to a maze of tubes and tunnels, and even to a giant “Lite Brite” wall.
Cost: $5 (Skokie residents $3), kids under one are free.
11. Take a Break Play Care
Where: 2855 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL
The playroom at this Lakeview space is packed with things for kids ages three months to 13 years to do—think toys, board games, video games, computer games, indoor play gym and mini sports court. Make sure the kiddos wear (or bring) socks—they’re required. If you forget, you can purchase them for $2 per pair. Take a Break also offers drop-off care for the wee-est of babes to tweens seven days a week (for an additional cost), meaning that date night can happen at lunch on a weekday if that’s better for you.
Cost: $12, siblings $8; minimum two-hour commitment.
12. Explore & Much More
Where: 3827 North Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL
This colorful, two-story play space is made for kids ages six months to eight years to explore and develop their motor, auditory, sensory, tactile and visual skills. Along with free coffee in the mornings, you won’t want to miss the 10am music, movement and crafts classes that are included with admission all week. Everyone (including parents) must wear socks here (you can also buy them for $2 at the space).
Cost: $12; $9 per sibling.
13. Gather
Where: 602 Davis Street, Evanston, IL
This art studio-play space hybrid offers crafting supplies and an accepting atmosphere to those of all creative levels and talents. Their play room features dress up, a home space, train station, grocery store and a puppet stage for dramatic play. There is also a cosy living room “Nest” to cuddle and read together. Aided by community support, Gather provides materials and a space to get messy, two things that often stop kids from perusing artistic endeavors. There are drop-in activities from Monday to Saturday, and classes throughout the week that teach artistic skills along with yoga, dancing and resources for caregivers. Admission also includes complimentary locally brewed gourmet coffee, tea and WiFi.
Cost: $15; $7/$3 first sibling and additional sibling.
14. Peekaboo Playroom
Where: 7007 W. North Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Peekaboo Playroom is dedicated to providing kids ages newborn to six with unstructured play. Their space features basketball hoops, a book corner, a club house and tons of Legos so your little one can build whatever their heart desires. The space host classes, like kindergarten sewing and weaving, along with parties and family events.
Cost: All day; $12 for one child, $8 for first sibling, free for third sibling.
15. Chicago Playpen
Where: 908 E 47th St, Chicago, IL
Your kids will love cruising through the mini cityscape at Chicago Playpen that includes a grocery store, auto body shop, house, salon, restaurant and clothing boutique (fully stocked with supplies for a fashions show!). Classes range from foreign language to cooking, and are available for babies, kids and preteens. This clean, interactive venue is perfect for parties and play dates!
Cost: Call for pricing.
Photo credits: Sod Room/Sapphira Miller Photo, Purple Monkey Playroom/TK Photography, Yu Kids Island, © 2014 Eva Ho Photography, Kids’ Island, Go Bananas, Sod Room/TK Photography, Take A Break, Explore & Much More, Gather
