Best Indoor Play Places for Kids in Chicagoland

Lucky for Chicago parents, this area is bursting with a variety of indoor spots where kids can play.

Is your home turning into a boredom battleground for your kids? Especially when the weather is acting up, we’ve got the scoop on some fantastic indoor play places right here in Chicagoland.

From tots to tweens, there’s enough indoor playgrounds designed to keep your little ones grinning from ear to ear. These places aren’t just about play. Some throw awesome birthday bashes and others even host cool classes.

Take a look these indoor play spots where kids can let loose. Get ready to explore and discover the perfect play haven for your kiddos in Chicago and the suburbs.

CHICAGO | NORTH/NORTHWEST SUBURBS | SOUTH SUBURBS | WESTERN SUBURBS

Chicago

Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park
Photo credit: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park

Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park

Take jumping to the next level with trampolines, a trapeze swing, log roll, extreme dodgeball, a kid’s court, foam pit and more. Watch out for the wipeout — a padded spinning wheel that will try to knock you down! Check out their toddler times for children ages 2-6 years old.  

ClimbZone Chicago 

ClimbZone Chicago isn’t just your average play destination. Explore a vertical adventure waiting to unfold! Families can scale new heights with their impressive climbing walls. Brace yourself for a thrilling high ropes course, zip line, bumper cars and laser tag.

Fit City Kids 

Fit City Kids offers a variety of classes including basketball, tumbling, fitness and more. But for drop-in play, kids will love the Cityscape Play Zone. Explore the multi-level soft play structure that spans more than 5,000 square feet for kids to jump and slide. Memberships are available.

Hellobaby

This South Side play space loves littles! The drop-in free play zone is perfect for babies and toddlers. Plus, it’s a great gathering place for parents who need to get out of the house. Activities include story times, yoga, music, movement and dance, speech therapy, and more!

Kids Empire Chicago Kedzie 

Kids can climb walls, play in structures, and enjoy a ball pit, plus there’s a toddler area. Two parents play for free with their child. Extra adults pay just $5. Snack bar available. Also in Evanston and Villa Park.

Little Hoppers Café 

Little Hoppers caters to kids under 7. Plan a play date, let the kiddos burn off energy during open play or join family classes. Open play is from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab a coffee or tea while your little one plays.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Family Play Treehouse

Within the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo area is the Houston Family Play Treehouse. Little ones will love exploring the accessible tunnels and slides. The nature-based play space also features immersive sensory and tactile components.

Luna y Cielo Play Cafe

Explore Latin culture in a colorful, cultural play cafe. You can also attend Spanish classes and events.

Mini City on 21

This indoor play place and party space is great for children ages 7 and younger. It offers spacious play rooms with colorful, custom designed playhouses to create their “mini city.” It also offers art, dance and music classes, too.

Purple Monkey Playroom

Designed for young children, this indoor play center in the Bucktown neighborhood offers a bright, nurturing environment. Parents and caregivers can enjoy free coffee, tea and WiFi while the children play. Also, offers birthday parties and group play sessions.

North/Northwest Suburbs

Playroom Cafe - Mount Prospect
Photo credit: Playroom Cafe – Mount Prospect

The north ‘burbs have plenty of great places to play the day away. You’ll find some of them right in popular malls and shopping areas, making it a great combo for shopping and fun!

Related: Best Indoor Play Places in Schaumburg

BumbleBee Play Café

This popular play cafe has two separate rooms. The larger room (which is best for ages 5-12) has a jumping pad and a huge play structure with slides and obstacles. The other room is perfect for younger kids who can enjoy pretend play with the cafe’s mini town. While kids enjoy playing, parents can enjoy treats and drinks available for purchase. 

Exploritorium 

The Exploritorium, part of the Skokie Park District, is a true gem. Their play space includes a giant “Lite Brite” wall, a water area, an elaborate maze of tunnels and slides, and so much more. 

FunFlatables

Kids have fun jumping, bouncing, climbing, conquering obstacles and zipping down slides. Parents are welcome to join in the fun by bouncing and sliding with their kids. More locations in Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Joliet, Lombard and North Riverside.

Funtopia

This kids’ utopia features climbing walls with themes like a beanstalk, dino skeleton and tire ladder. You can also find rope courses, caves and drop slide. Kids under 8 can enjoy Soft Play area, while there’s a special zone for the tiniest of tots. Funtopia also has a location in Naperville. 

Giggles Play

If the usual bright colors and loud noises of indoor play places aren’t your child’s thing, check out this calm Reggio-inspired space! Here, kids can socialize, play pretend, and engage in imaginative activities.

Jumps n’ Jiggles Indoor Playground & Carousel 

Located at the Jack A. Claes Pavilion. Younger kids can have fun at the circus-inspired playground featuring a maze of tunnels and a spiral slide. Take a spin on one of the 18 hand-painted horses on the carousel. Offers group rentals and birthday parties, too.

Kids Art & Café

The location is an ice cream and coffee shop with an indoor playground. It features art classes and offers birthday parties for kids, too. 

Millie’s Playland

Kids ages 1-5 can have fun exploring a big play area with toys, activities and themed rooms to fuel their creativity. Free coffee is available for parents and snacks and small toys to purchase.

Playroom Café Mount Prospect 

This play place has a modern and unique 5,000 square feet space designed for children ages 6 months to 6-years-old (or 48” in height). You can also find a huge play area and a separate baby area. There’s also a cafe with beverages and food. 

Yu Kids Island 

Located in Woodfield Mall, Yu Kids Island has you covered with a colorful playground oasis. Don’t worry parents, everything is padded in case the little ones take a topple.

South Suburbs

Gizmos Fun Factory
Photo credit: Gizmos Fun Factory

South suburban kiddos can get their play on at these indoor spots that offer fun for everyone from tots to teens! 

Related: Best Indoor Play Places Near Tinley Park

FunFlatables

Kids have fun jumping, bouncing, climbing, conquering obstacles and zipping down slides. Parents are welcome to join in the fun by bouncing and sliding with their kids. More locations in Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Gurnee, Lombard, Norridge and North Riverside.

Gizmos Fun Factory

Fun is all around you at this 47,000-square-foot fun center. From bumper cars to a sky trail system and laser tag to climbing walls and more. Toddlers can enjoy the soft-play maze.

Kidsmania Party & Play

Younger kids can have a break from the sensory overload at Kidsmania Party & Play. The simple space includes wooden playhouses and play sets, as well as activity walls and a ball pit for infants and toddlers. 

Odyssey Fun World

Get your game on at Odyssey Fun World. With plenty of activities like outdoor mini golf, laser tag and arcade games, Odyssey Fun World is open all year round. The fun center is also a popular destination for children’s birthday parties and special events. 

Sky Zone Trampoline Park 

This trampoline park offers plenty of bouncing, dodgeball, air basketball, warped wall and wall climb. Sky Zone also has locations in Joliet, Aurora, Elmhurst and Vernon Hills.

Tiny Tots Play Cafe

Head to Frankfort to play the day away at Tiny Tots Play Cafe, designed for kiddos ages 0-6. Little ones can enjoy a specialized infant and toddler area. Older kids can enjoy a playground, imaginative play sets and ride-on toys. Parents will love that free Wi-Fi and a cafe with drinks and light bites.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

This inflatable adventure park offers trampoline tumble track, ropes courses, climbing walls, trampoline dodgeball and more. A cafe is available for when you need to hydrate and refuel. 

Western Suburbs

Watermelon
Photo credit: Watermelon

Indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, one thing is for sure — west suburban kids know how to play! Check out one of these exciting indoor play places around the west ‘burbs. 

Related: Best Indoor Play Places in Naperville

Ball Factory

Ball Factory is the place to be to keep kiddos up to 12 years old entertained. Obstacles, slides, tractors, balls, soft play areas and more are waiting. Online reservations recommended. They also have a second location in Mount Prospect.

Get Air Trampoline Park

Enjoy slamball, dodgeball, ninja obstacles, foam pits, wall-to-wall trampolines and more at this family-friendly amusement center. Kids under 46 inches tall can explore the “kiddie court.”

Jump Town 

This indoor play place is for children up to 12-years-old. They have lots of inflatables, giant blocks, a soft play structure and more. 

Kiddy Club Playground & Sandbox 

At Kiddy Club, the outdoors come inside by pretending to be at the beach in the silica-free sandbox. The play zone has two-levels and offers slides, giant ball ponds, climbers, swings and more. There’s even a baby and toddler area. 

Kids Empire Villa Park

Kids can climb walls, play in structures, and enjoy a ball pit. There’s a toddler area, too. Two parents play for free with their child; extra adults pay just $5. Snack bar available. Also in Chicago and Evanston.

Nelly’s Playground 

Their soft playground is available to drop in 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays and by appointment only on weekends. Great for ages 7 and under. Older children are welcome and can focus on their homework, art project and games while their younger siblings play. Also, they host birthday parties.

Playroom Café Two

There’s a wooden play structure, natural wood toys, ball pit, several pretend play areas, a separate baby area and more. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi, coffee and a healthy snack menu.

Waterlemon Kids

This light, airy spot offers a combo play place, retail boutique and cafe. The indoor play area is recommended for kids ages 6 and younger. 

We Rock the Spectrum – Franklin Park

This indoor play place offers plenty of options for kids of all abilities. The gym includes crash mats and crash pillows, a zip line, sensory-based toys and more. 


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