Winter can be cold and long, but there are plenty of Chicago area indoor play spaces and play cafes where you can let the kids run around and have fun. Here are some of our top picks, and you can find more indoor play spaces, fun centers and amusement destinations in our Places to Go Guide.
![]() Purple Monkey Playroom Open play, classes, and more for ages 0-5 | ![]() FireZone - The Only Firehouse For Kids! Everything Firefighters, Fire Trucks and Rescue Fun. Parties, Playtime & More! | ||
![]() Play More at DuPage Children’s Museum Have fun, create quality family time, be active, and so much more! | ![]() Full service cafe and kids playspace Open play, events, classes, camps, parties and more! Open 7 days a week. |
FireZone
1100 National Parkway, Schaumburg |
(847) 824-3473
This firehouse for kids offers over 7000 square feet of
firefighting fun in an interactive environment that provides a uniquely fun,
hands-on look into the world of firefighting. The FireZone provides a safe,
clean, fun, and engaging environment for children to play in and explore, and
features a firehouse theme with real firefighters, fire engines, educational
displays, firefighter activity stations and programming.
DuPage
Children's Museum
301 N. Washington St., Naperville | (630)
637-8000
DuPage Children’s Museum is serious fun for the whole family. Create
a work of art in The Studio, build a masterpiece using real tools in the
Construction House, splash until your heart's content in AWEsome Water, let your
imagination run wild during one of the daily drop-in Story Times, and so much
more. Daily Drop-In programming provides learning and developmental benefits,
with Story Time, Music Time, Block Building, Open Studio and more.
Little Beans
Cafe
1809 W. Webster, Chicago | (773) 251-1025
Parents can
enjoy their coffee in the separate cafe, or at one of the tables inside the play
area. The play area is a cute little village with a grocery story, service
station, playhouse, school and more, with a corner for kids to cozy up with
their favorite books, puzzles or games. Little Beans also offers a wide range of
classes.
Little
Beans Cafe Evanston
430 Asbury Ave., Evanston | (847)
807-3731
This space offers open drop-in play for kids 0-6 years in the
Little Beans play area while kids 5-12 years will have access to age-appropriate
fun in the Big Beans play area. The fun includes a play village, Ninja warrior
themed obstacle course, half court gym, karaoke room with stage, interactive
floor gaming system, and a library and art room.
Purple Monkey
Playroom
2040 N. Western Ave., Chicago | (773) 772-8411
Purple Monkey Playroom is a bright, nurturing destination that invites
parents and caregivers to relax, connect with other adults, and enjoy free
coffee, tea and WiFi while little ones explore. The 1,500 square foot playroom
was designed with the education, enjoyment and safety of infants through
preschoolers in mind.
Ball
Factory
864 S RT 59, Naperville | (630) 445-8365
This indoor
play space lets kids and parents play together, featuring a 4 level play
structure with slides and obstacles, ball pit, ball blasting arena, interactive
floor, kids tractor area and Imagination Playground. There's a special Parent
& Tot gated area where kids under 4 can play. The cafe features a selection
of lunch items, a LAVAZZA espresso bar, iced coffees, fresh smoothies and
gelate.
Explore and
Much More
3827 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago | 773-880-5437
(KIDS)
Explore and Much More is a family-centered play space for children
ages 0 to 8, with exhibits and play structures that encourage active minds and
bodies. The play areas work fine and gross motor skills, as well as sensory,
tactile, visual and auditory skills. All areas encourage creativity and
discovery.
Gather
602 Davis Street, Evanston | (847)
859-2312
The mission of Gather is to build a community of support for
individuals and families by providing the space, materials and programs for
life-long creative learning, and individual and family wellness. This welcoming
studio in downtown Evanston offers a place to Gather for classes, workshops and
events for all ages and abilities.
Grounds for
Hope Cafe
2701 Maple Ave, Lisle | (630) 857-3355
KidStreet
PlayCenter is a great way to engage your children, with a 3-story playhouse for
ages 2-8, plus a WonderHouse for children ages 2 and under. Families can enjoy
quality food too, with locally roasted espresso and coffees, freshly made
sandwiches, soups and more, and high quality teas.
Growth Spurts
Play Space and Family Cafe
404 Linden Ave., Wilmette | (847)
850-9059
A casual and comfortable environment, delivering the play date you
always want to have, without being the host! They offer areas for sensory
exploration, block building, a Kid's Crooked House, art experiences, a train
table, dramatic play, and much, much more. Also available for private events and
birthday parties.
Peekaboo
Playroom
206 S. Marion St., Oak Park | (708)
848-4815
Peekaboo is an indoor playroom where children are free to create,
imagine and dream in a safe and calm environment. It is a place where parents
can relax and take joy as their children play.
Pickles
Playroom
2315 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago | (773)
293-7747
Pickle's Playroom is a multi-service Children's Activity Facility
that combines a large interactive playroom, an inviting cafe and a fun
children's salon. The space also offer a variety of classes to entertain kids of
all ages.
Sod
Room
1454 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago | (312) 922-3131
Sod Room
is a unique, eco-friendly, indoor playspace that is committed to providing a
healthy and meaningful play experience for children by selecting only safe,
sustainable and responsibly made toys and materials for the playspace. Sod Room
features recycled cork flooring, low VOC paint, and reclaimed wood and is
uniquely designed to utilize as much natural light as possible.
The
Treehouse
985 South Rand Rd, Lake Zurich | (847) 438-8887
The
TreeHouse was created for kids and designed for parents' comfort, convenience
and peace of mind. The 7,700-square-foot facility offers children a safe,
multi-level climbing structure with swinging bridges, enclosed slides, padded
mats and ramps, swings, and soft basketball court. Parents can relax in sight of
their kids, and enjoy food, a gourmet espresso bar, and Wi-Fi.