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.

Looking to get out of the house with your kids and go somewhere fun to play? You may want to go to a playground, but the weather isn’t the best. An indoor play place may come to your rescue.

In Chicagoland, we have a variety of play places for kids of all ages to keep them entertained for hours. Some may even offer birthday parties or specialty classes. Check out these creative indoor spaces where kids can play their hearts out. 

Chicago

Photo credit: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park

Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park

This play place features performance trampolines, a trapeze swing, log roll, extreme dodgeball, a kid’s court, foam pit and a wipeout (a padded spinning wheel that will try to knock you down). Check out their toddler times for children ages 2-6 years old. They offer birthday parties, group events, events and summer camps. 

ClimbZone Chicago 

A family-friendly experience featuring climbing walls, high ropes course, zip line, arcade, bumper cars, laser tag and more. Offers birthday parties, too.

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

Babies and toddlers are loved here! The drop-in free play zone is perfect for littles and is a great gathering place for parents who need to get out of the house. There are many activities for your little ones including story times, yoga, music, movement and dance, speech therapy and more.

Kids Empire Chicago Kedzie 

Children will explore the floor-to-ceiling climbing walls, play structures and ball pit. There’s a toddler area, too. Two parents can come play with their child for no charge and any additional adult that wants to join is just an additional $5. You can purchase food and drinks at the snack bar. Locations also in Evanston and Villa Park.

Little Hoppers Café 

This South Side indoor play space focuses on children under age 7. At Little Hoppers, you can plan a play date (private or during open play hours), bring the kiddos to burn off some energy during open play or join one of their family-focused classes. Open play is offered Monday- Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy coffee, tea or a latte along with light bites 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 that were designed for kids of all ages and abilities. The nature-based play space also features immersive sensory and tactile components that will encourage kids to be curious about the world around them.

Luna y Cielo Play Cafe

Explore Latin culture in a colorful, cultural play cafe. Spanish classes and a cafecito are coming soon! 

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

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

Razzmatazz 

Book a party here or drop in for some open play. This indoor amusement park offers physically interactive experiences like Down the Clown and Color Crush and immersive video games like Aliens Armageddon and Jurassic World. Participants can win points to redeem afterwards with hundreds of prizes to choose from.

North/Northwest Suburbs

Photo credit: Playroom Cafe – Mount Prospect

The north ‘burbs have plenty of great places to play the day away. Some of them are even conveniently located in popular malls and shopping plazas, perfect for a day of 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. 

Epic Air Trampoline Park 

Jump your heart out at this trampoline park that offers plenty of bouncing, dodgeball, air basketball and more. The three-story ball blaster arena is blast. Toddlers can have fun too in their own area with a ball pit.

Exploritorium 

The Exploritorium, part of the Skokie Park District, is a true gem including a giant “Lite Brite” wall, a water area where the kids can “fish,” an elaborate maze of tunnels and slides, a train table, a dress up stage and a separate area with ride-ons and a rope bridge designated for toddlers.

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 (think beanstalk, dino skeleton, tire ladder), rope courses, caves and drop slides, plus a Soft Play area for kids under 8 and a special zone for the tiniest of tots. Funtopia also has a location in Naperville. Sessions are timed and online registration is recommended.

Giggles Play

If the bright colors, loud noises and hustle and bustle of the typical indoor play place isn’t your child’s style, give this Reggio-inspired space a try! Kids can use the calm space to socialize, play pretend and make believe and more. 

Jumps n’ Jiggles Indoor Playground & Carousel 

Located at the Jack A. Claes Pavilion. Kids ages 8 and younger will have big fun at the big-top themed 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.

Jump!Zone

This is the place to help kids sleep well at bedtime. There are themed inflatables, interactive games and toddler activities and more. 

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. 

Kids Empire Evanston

Children will explore the floor-to-ceiling climbing walls, play structures and ball pit. There’s a toddler area, too. Two parents can come play with their child for no charge and any additional adult that wants to join costs $5 extra. You can purchase food and drinks at the snack bar. Locations also in Chicago and Villa Park.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago 

Every Lego enthusiast must visit this haven of building adventures. Don’t miss the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, Merlin’s Apprentice Ride and the LEGO 4D cinema. Kids can enjoy building and displaying their creations and playing on the Pirate Adventure Land indoor playground.

Millie’s Playland

Children ages 1-5 (older siblings can come too) can explore the 7000-square-foot play space with plenty of toys, activities and themed rooms to keep their imaginations and creativity engaged. Free coffee is available for parents and snacks and small toys to purchase.

Northbrook Play

Located inside Northbrook Court Mall. This 4,000-square-foot storefront is for children ages infant to 8-years-old. This play place incorporates animals and fantasy themes that are sure to be loved by the little ones.

Peppa Pig World of Play

Step into the Peppa Pig world and play in 14 themed areas. Explore Peppa Pig’s Treehouse, hop on Grandpa’s Train and more.

Play and Spin – Niles

This family amusement center has a rock climbing wall, go karts, arcade, laser tag, virtual reality games and more. Book your birthday party here or check out the upcoming events. Their inflatable park is fun for the whole family. Open toe shoes are not allowed on the rides.

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 café with coffee, tea, smoothies, iced, tea, kid’s meals, salads, paninis, waffles and more.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

The highlight of the facility is the trampoline park. But it offers so much more — an indoor coaster, ropes course, climbing walls, obstacle course and a play structure. Kids ages 7 and under won’t feel left out. There’s a trampoline area just for them. Urban Air Trampoline also has other locations in St. Charles, Naperville and North Riverside.

The Water Works Indoor Water Park

Make a splash at this indoor water park that offers families water slides, a zero-depth pool, a sprayground, swimming and water aerobics classes and more all year round. 

Yu Kids Island 

Located in Woodfield Mall. If you’re headed to the mall and need a break, Yu Kids Island has you covered with a colorful playground oasis. Rest assured parents, everything is padded in case the little ones take a topple.

South Suburbs

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. There’s also a soft-play maze for toddlers.

Kidsmania Party & Play

Kidsmania Party & Play is perfect for younger children who need a break from the sensory overload of screens and busy playrooms. 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 outdoor activities — like batting cages, mini golf and inflatable race courses — as well as indoor attractions like laser tag and arcade games, Odyssey Fun World is open for fun 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. The family-owned space is designed for kiddos ages 0-6. Little ones can enjoy a specialized infant and toddler area, and older kids can enjoy a playground, imaginative play sets and ride-on toys. Parents will love that free Wi-Fi and a cafe with espresso drinks, smoothies, tea, light bites and a kids menu are available. 

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

This extreme inflatable adventure park has a trampoline tumble track, ropes courses, climbing walls, trampoline dodgeball and basketball and so much more. A cafe is available for when you need to hydrate and refuel. 

Western Suburbs

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

With two locations in Chicagoland now open, Ball Factory is the place to be to keep kiddos up to 12 years old entertained (and away from video games!) Obstacles, slides, tractors, balls, soft play areas and more are waiting. Online reservations recommended. They also have a second location in Mount Prospect. 

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 Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Gurnee and North Riverside.

Funtopia Naperville 

The Naperville location is larger than the original and includes interactive courses with more than 50 themed fun walls and areas, including a ninja course. Funtopia also has a location in Glenview. Sessions are timed and online registration is recommended. 

DuPage Children’s Museum

Families can spend hours inside this beloved children’s museum. The exhibits focus on subjects like science, math, art and more. There are even Young Explorers spaces for kids under 2. The museum also holds exciting family events like a Pajama Party, Bubble Bash for New Year’s Eve and special needs playtimes.

Get Air Trampoline Park

Enjoy slamball, dodgeball, ninja obstacles, foam pits, wall-to-wall trampolines and more at this family-friendly amusement center. There’s also a “kiddie court” that is for kids under 46 inches tall.

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. Keep an eye out for the Norridge location, which is coming soon.

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/toddler area for the little ones.

Kids Empire Villa Park

Children will explore the floor-to-ceiling climbing walls, play structures and ball pit. There’s a toddler area, too. Two parents can come play with their child for no charge and any additional adult that wants to join costs $5 extra. You can purchase food and drinks at the snack bar. Locations also in Chicago and Evanston.

Kids Town

Located in Fox Valley Mall, this play space offers a variety of play stations, bounce houses, dress up costumes, manual scooters, full-size bumper car court and more.

Kids Town 2

This spot, located in Stratford Square Mall, offers a variety of play stations, bounce houses, dress up costumes, tot scooters, mini bumper car court and more.

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.

Safari Land Indoor Amusement Park 

Pure fun awaits at the 62,000-square-feet facility. Choose from exciting attractions such as bumper cars, a Tilt-A-Whirl, kid’s go karts. or even the largest indoor roller coaster in Illinois. Little ones can hang out at the Lion’s Den soft play area that features a jungle maze and merry-go-round.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park 

The highlight of the facility is the trampoline park. But it offers so much more — an indoor coaster, ropes course, climbing walls, obstacle course and a play structure. Kids ages 7 and under won’t feel left out. There’s a trampoline area just for them. Urban Air Trampoline also has another location in Crystal Lake. 

Waterlemon Kids

This light, airy spot — that is a combo play place, retail boutique and cafe — gives you plenty of reasons to stay there all day long. The indoor play area is recommended for kids ages 6 and younger. Check their Facebook Page for open play and reservation-only days.

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. Check the space’s Facebook page to find availability for upcoming private playtimes.


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