Indoor Playgrounds Around Chicago (Local Map)
Here's the place for parents to share tips and reviews for the best indoor playgrounds around Chicago and the suburbs! These are parent-recommended places with an indoor play area for when the weather is rough or you want to switch it up from your go-to outdoor playgrounds.
Check the map to find an indoor playground near you, and come back to leave a review and share what you and your kids thought about it!
For more high-energy indoor play places, try local trampoline parks and restaurants with free playgrounds, too.
HelloBaby
Kelly R: This not-for-profit Chicago gem invites local caregivers and kids under 3 to play together and joyfully connect with the community. HelloBaby holds classes, activities, and drop-in play in a safe and clean indoor play space with toys that are developmentally appropriate and nurture growing brains.
Chicago Children's Museum
Shila: Chicago Children's Museum has indoor playgrounds within the museum located at Navy Pier. One large playground can be found at the Kovler Family Climbing Schooner exhibit. It's complete with a three-story cargo climber, slides and bridges. A smaller, indoor playground can be found at the enchanting forest exhibit, Treehouse Trails. Cloudbuster, another exhibit, is a multi level climbing structure.
Little Hoppers
Kelly R: Young kids can enjoy attendant-supervised play at Little Hoppers while parents and caregivers relax in the cafe with a cup of coffee and some conversation. The kids play place includes a variety of toys and equipment for active and imaginative play!
Lincoln Park Zoo - Pritzker Family Children's Zoo
Kelly R: The Wild Sapling Play Forest and the Houston Family Play Treehouse in Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo within Lincoln Park Zoo are both great play spaces for children. The treehouse offers a year-round indoor nature-based play space for children.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Kristy Pepping: The Hawver and Lacy Families Nature’s PlaySpace at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an interactive experience that will connect little ones to nature in new ways.
My Kidzplay
Erin P.: My Kidzplay is a 32,000 square foot facility that features three levels of indoor play, including crawl tubes, slides, a pretend city, a ninja course and much more.
Edgewater Playhouse
Lisa R: Open Gym times at Edgewater Playhouse provide a clean and exciting space where children (from crawlers through 6 years of age) can explore the gymnastics studio and spend time playing with imaginative play toys.
Purple Monkey Playroom
Kristy Pepping: Purple Monkey Playroom, located in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood, is a small 1,500 square-foot colorful and inspiring spot for young children to play and explore.
Fit City Kids
Kelly R: Come explore this multi-level custom made soft play structure that spans just over 5,000 square feet! Crawlers have their own dedicated space with padded carpet and soft play blocks just for them!
Little Beans Café
Lisa R: Little Beans is your one-stop shop for everything that kids love. You'll find a pretend village that kids can play in for hours, a ninja course, a half court gym and karaoke room! They also offer a full service café.
The Exploritorium
Joseph Kelley: The Exploritorium is much more than an indoor playground. Make-believe in their costumed dress-up area; run your fingers through the water play area; climb a wall, play with trains, experience new heights in their two-and-a half-story tubes and tunnels, and much more.
Mini City on 21
Yoli B: Mini City on 21 is a parent-supervised indoor playground for children ages 6 and under. With their colorful custom designed play houses, imaginative pretend-play toys and spacious party rooms, everyone will love their time at Mini City.
Flying High Sports & Rec Center
Kristy Pepping: Flying High is a gymnastics gym that is nearly 30,000 square feet of indoor playground fun. Durng open gym or little tykes time, your kiddo can explore the 60 ft. inflatable obstacle course, jump in the foam pits, bounce on the trampolines, play on the gymnastics equipment, and more!
Park District of La Grange - Recreation Center
Lisa R: La Grange residents and non-residents alike are welcome to escape the weather at the town's main Rec Center. An indoor playground and designated toddler gym serve as a meeting point for little kids during select hours. Older children can also enjoy basketball and open gym times.
Waterlemon
Erin P.: Full of fun, beautiful and imagination-stimulating play zones and toys, Waterlemon is a great indoor play space for little ones!
Primary photo: Nelly's Playground
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.