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.

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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.