We are kicking off the New Year with our brand new 2024 list of the best indoor playgrounds! Thanks to you and your voting, we have a fantastic “Top Ten” we are eager to share with you.
Per usual, there were so many great votes for local indoor play areas, children’s museums, play cafes, and more. This past year we have seen new indoor playgrounds open and thrive. These are some of the most fun things to do with kids in Chicagoland! We hope to see everyone out and about at these wonderful locations.
The 10 Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces of 2024
Drum roll please… The top-rated indoor play space in Chicago’s suburbs is . . .
1. The Treehouse Play Cafe in Lake Zurich
The Treehouse Play Cafe
985 S Rand Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(224) 662-6040
The Treehouse Play Cafe’s two play spaces include one play area specially designed for toddlers under the age of two, and another playground for children three to ten. Although the indoor playground is for children, adults are encouraged to play, too! While visiting, you will also find their Cafe with delicious sandwiches, coffees, and a children’s menu. They offer a happy hour from 3:00pm to close where adult beverages are served and the children’s menu is discounted.
$16 per child over the age of 12 months. Adults are free. Visit their website to learn about membership options.
2. The Playpen Glen Ellyn
The Playpen Glen Ellyn
501 Duane Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(847) 531-9566
This bright and creative space opened this past year because two moms had a passion for play! This indoor playground allows children to explore their creativity and use those motor skills. They even have a space designated for infant and toddler play. At the cafe, the staff serves up coffee and tea for all your morning (or afternoon) needs. Check out Annie’s review of The Playpen.
$16 per child with two free adults. $14 for additional siblings. Babies that are 6 months and younger are always free. Be sure to check out their website for their membership and punch pass.
3. We Rock The Spectrum in Naperville
We Rock the Spectrum
5019 Ace Lane
Naperville, IL 60564
(331) 401-5984
We Rock the Spectrum’s gym space encourages play with the use of all seven senses: sight, smell, vision, hearing, touch, the vestibular system, and proprioception. They offer an area for smaller children with many dramatic play options. Divided in little sections, they offer a creative space with arts and sensory options, as well as a calming area for children to relax. The gym is filled with mats and climbing opportunities for all to explore and use those motor skills. To see more photos, check out Katie’s review of Rock the Spectrum in Naperville.
$14 per child for 2 hours. $12 for each additional child. They offer $10 toddler time. Check out their website for membership pricing.
4. Tiny Tots Play Cafe in Frankfort
Tiny Tots Play Cafe
20815 S LaGrange Road
Frankfort, IL 60423
(779) 324-5344
This colorful indoor playground has lots to offer for children up to the age of six. There are many opportunities for children to climb, slide, and pretend on their beautiful wooden equipment. With ride on toys and dramatic play options, children can use every part of their imagination. They have a softer area blocked off for younger babies and toddlers as well. Cafe offerings include coffees, teas, smoothies, and a kids menu.
$16 per child over the age of six months. Two free adults per child. 50% off the last hour of play! Check their website for membership pricing.
5. Playroom Cafe in Mount Prospect and Naperville
Playroom Cafe
141 Randhurst Village Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(224) 318-2108
Playroom Cafe Two
2075 Calamos Court
Naperville, IL 60563
These indoor play spaces offers countless ways for your child to use their imagination. The modern wooden play structure has different ways to climb and slide for full-body active play. They have a separate area for babies and toddlers to play safely, as well as couches for adults to sit and enjoy food beverages from the cafe.
Check out Katie’s review from the opening of Playroom Cafe Two to see more photos of the space.
$16 per child. Two adults free on the weekends. Children under six months are free.
6. Marshmallow Play in Elmhurst
Marshmallow Play
572 N Michigan Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(312) 731-4799
Marshmallow opened their doors last summer as a place where children could play in imaginative spaces. Kids can run their own pizza parlor, dress up as a princess in a castle, grocery shop at a market, take care of animals in a barn, and more. They rotate toys and theme the play space for different months and holidays. There is a padded calming space for babies to explore and a large slide for the older children. For more info, check out Kaitlyn’s review of Marshmallow Play.
$15 per child, $12 for first additional sibling and $8 for other children. Two adults free with paying child. Babies under six months are free. They offer punch cards as well.
7. Little Fox Clubhouse in Yorkville
Little Fox Clubhouse
2645 N Bridge Street
Yorkville IL, 60560
(331) 274-4173
Little Fox Clubhouse brings outdoor play indoors with a massive climbing structure for kids to crawl, climb, tunnel, slide, hang, and play. The playground is designed for children up to the age of six years old. They offer snacks and drinks for purchase, but you are welcome to bring your own to enjoy in their food and drink area. Be sure to check out their event calendar for other fun activities.
$15 per child and $10 for additional children. They offer a “helper” price at $7 for children over the age of seven helping younger siblings. Children under six months old are free. Check out their website for their membership.
8. Yu Kids Island in Schaumburg
Yu Kids Island
5 Woodfield Mall #G144
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 969-9000
This bubbly and colorful play space is nestled in Woodfield Mall. Children can run around safely due to their padded and cushion play equipment. Their stimulating playground encourages children to play together, which makes it a great spot for playdates. They offer special events and pricing via their social media channels, too.
Weekday pricing is $20 per child and $15 for each extra sibling. Weekend pricing is $22 per child and $18 for siblings. Adults are free. Check their website for play passes and daily specials.
9. DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N Washington Street
Naperville IL, 60540
(630) 637-8000
DuPage Children’s Museum offers a variety of activities! They have specialized areas such as building, engineering, creative outlets, physics, and sensory activities. What we love about DCM is that every area is designed play and learning together. For the little ones, they offer multiple separate sections for children under two to explore as well. Before you go, check out Annie’s insider guide to the DuPage Children’s Museum!
$19 per child and per adult. $18 for senior citizens. Kids under the age of one go free! Check out membership plans on their website.
10. Ball Factory in Naperville
Ball Factory
864 S Route 59
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 640-2020
This high-energy gym’s play spaces include a four-level play structure, construction area with vehicles to pedal, and more. Kids can race their way up to take one of their colorful slides down or scoop up some balls to blast in the Ball Blaster area. Toddlers and babies can climb and play safely in a sectioned-off soft play area. Walk-in visits are welcome, but you can also book admission ahead of time.
Week days $20 per child one to twelve. Weekends and school breaks $25 per child. Two adults free per child. Infants under a year are free.
These 10 may be the best of the best, according to our voters, but there are so many other awesome options in our area! For more indoor play ideas, be sure to check out our guides for Indoor Play Areas in the Suburbs, which includes all of the locations, contact information, pricing, and more.
A big congratulations to all of these top-voted play spaces! If you find and explore a great new space, let us know what you thought in the comments.
