Now that the weather is getting a bit colder and unpredictable, its time to explore some new places to play indoors.  Last week the girls and I headed over to the new indoor playspace on Southport, Explore & Much More.  We loved it.  It was designed by a children’s museum designer and it shows.  Everything is hands-on and kid-sized! The business is family owned and operated, which adds to the friendly, neighborhood feel.

The first floor has lots of apparatuses to climb on and explore, especially the cool wind section.  Downstairs is more of an imagination space (dress-up, train table, grocery store, etc.).  They also have a mini bounce house in the basement, which I had to drag my girls out of.  The space was clean, well equipped and full of fun.  We will definitely be going back.

I had a chance to chat with one of the owners, Anju, and she offered one of my readers TWO FREE PASSES.  Please email me at cindymccarthy@OnTheGoChicago.com if you would like to be entered in the drawing for two free passes, so you can check out this wonderful new playspace yourself.  I will draw the winner next Friday, November 5th.  Good luck!

• Where – 3827 N. Southport
• Cost – $12 ($9 siblings) all day pass
• Other serivces – classes and birthday parties
• Tips – Check out their arts and crafts class (free with admission) every Monday and Wednesday at 10:40am

As you know, I recently wrote about all the great indoor play options in Chicago.  Since then, I have been doing some additional research on inexpensive or free options.  I found a great one yesterday.

The girls and I braved the snow yesterday and went to the Tot Spot at Chase Park (4701 Ashland).  They have a great little indoor playground for only $3.  The room is not huge, but it was clean, had a great variety of toys and was not too crowded.  They also have plenty of free street parking.

Here is the skinny on the Tot Spot:

• Where – 4701 Ashland (Ashland and Lawrence)
• Age Appropriate -birth to 5 years
• Cost – Daily Pass $3, Membership (Jan 4-March 31) $35 or $350 a year, non walking siblings are free.
• Open Play Hours – Mon.-Fri. 9am-7pm, Sat. 9am-4pm, Sun. 9am-1pm
• Other Services Offered – preschool, classes and birthday parties

Let me know if you have any other great finds for indoor play.

With winter in full force, me and every other mom in the city are looking for indoor play options.  One can only spend so many hours in a basement…even the new Christmas toys have begun to lose their luster!

Following are some of Chicago’s best indoor playgrounds that are open to the public. I have not visited all of these indoor play areas, but have provided a brief review on the few we’ve explored.  If you’ve been to or go to any of these playgrounds, let me know your thoughts.

My Corner Playroom – I actually had my daughters 2nd birthday here last month (FABULOUS!).  The staff is friendly and very helpful, the toys are plentiful (even a mini roller coaster and indoor sandbox) and the parking is FREE! The location is not huge and is well stocked with toys, so it can get a bit tight when crowded.

• Where – 2121 N. Clybourn Ave. (Neighborhood – Lincoln Park)
• Age Appropriate -6 months to 6 years
• Cost – Daily Pass $15 ($10 siblings), Membership $50/month ($35 siblings), Punch Card $135/10 visits ($90 siblings), non walking siblings are free.  Free if attending preschool.
• Open Play Hours – Mon.-Thur. 8-9am, 1-6pm, Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 9am-12pm
• Other Services Offered – preschool, classes and birthday parties

Fantasy Kingdom – The play space is quite large and has MANY different stations to encourage your child’s creativity.  From trains and fire trucks to dress-up and a grocery store, your kids will have plenty to play with and room to run around. You can even bring your own lunch and snacks and enjoy them in their little kitchen.  Don’t miss the FREE entertainment most days at 10:30am (story time, music, arts and crafts).

• Where – 1422 N. Kingsbury (Neighborhood – Near North Side)
• Age Appropriate – 6 months to 6 years
• Cost – Fall/Winter/Spring: daily pass $12 (siblings under 1 free), 10 visit punch card $100, 30 day pass $65 ($35 siblings), 90 day pass $165 ($90 siblings), 180 day pass $265 ($145 sibling), 360 day pass $465 ($250 sibling); Summer: daily pass $12 (siblings under 1 free), 10 visit punch card $100, 30 day pass $45 ($25 siblings), 60 day pass $80 ($45 siblings)
• Open Play Hours – Fall/Winter/Spring: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5:30pm; Summer: Mon.-Fri. 9am-3pm
• Other Services – Birthday parties

Family Grounds Cafe – On one side of the play space they have tables and chairs to enjoy a coffee and on the other side they have a fairly wide variety of toys (trains, play house, stage, etc.).  They have activity leaders on the floor to assist the children, so I was actually able to enjoy my drink and catch up with some friends while my daughter played.  They are more popular than they have space, so you may have to wait to get in (I waited almost a half hour).  They are now offering a new premium membership to help alleviate this.  Only other downside is that you can not bring your own snacks, but their prices are reasonable and food is good.

• Where – 3625 N. Lincoln Ave. (Neighborhood – Edgewater)
• Age Appropriate – 6 moths to 6 years
• Open Play Cost – Daily pass $10.95 (non-crawling infants free with $4 purchase), $5.95 siblings, 10 visit punch card $98 ($54 siblings)
• Premium Play Cost – Walk-ins and reservations cost $11.95 (6.95 siblings), call 773.281.0785 to reserve a spot. Monthly Premium Play Membership $44 a moth ($25 siblings)
• Open Play Hours (up to 90 minutes) – Mon. 8am-6pm, Tue. – Thur. 1pm-6pm, Fri. 8am-8pm, Sat. 9am-1pm
• Premium Play Hours –  Tues./Wed./Thurs. 9am-10:45 or 11:15am-1pm
• Other Services – Birthday parties

Pump It Up – I’ve attended both a birthday party and open play in the JR room (kids 1-5 years).  The staff was friendly, the play area was clean and full of fun things to jump on, crawl through and slide down.  Although you can bring kids under two, I’ve found that my daughter was not really interested in this kind of play (inflatables) until she was a bit more independent.

• Where – 821 W. Eastman (Neighborhood – Near North Side)
• Age Appropriate – All ages (JR room 1-5 years)
• Cost – Daily pass $10 (siblings under 2 are free), 10 visit punch card $85. Open play is free if you are taking a class.
• Open Play Hours – Vary each day but are extensive.  Call to get that day’s schedule (312.664.7867)
• Other Services – Classes and birthday parties

Kid City

• Where – 1837 W. Grand Ave. (Neighborhood – Near West Side)
• Age Appropriate – 0 to 6 years
• Cost – Daily pass $12 ($8 siblings), 30 day play pass $65, 90 day play pass $120, 365 day play pass $420 (siblings are 30% off regular price)
• Open Play Hours – Tue.-Fri. 9:30am-6pm, first Sat. of each month from 9am-12pm.
• Other Services – Birthday parties

Hobbitland

• Where – 1504 N. Western Ave. (Neighborhood – Humboldt Park)
• Age Appropriate – 0 to 6 years
• Cost – Daily pass $12, $8 under 1; 10 visit punch card: $60 under 1, $100 over 1, $150 2 kids over 1, $175 3+ kids over 1; monthly membership $52 under 1, $72 over 1, $108 2 kids over 1, $144 3+ kids over 1
• Open Play Hours – Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 9am-1pm
• Other Services – Free classes daily with admission (story time, parachute, music, and arts & crafts)

Room2Play

• Where – 600  West Cermak (Neighborhood – Loop)
• Age Appropriate – Crawlers to 5 years
• Cost – 5 visit punch card $75, 15 visit punch card $180, 30 visit punch card $300 (under 6 months free)
• Open Play Hours – Mon.-Fri. 9:30am – noon
• Other Services – Classes and birthday parties

Day Frog

• Where – 233 E. Erie St. (Near North Side)
• Age Appropriate – 0 through 6 years
• Cost – Daily pass $15 (under 1 free), $11 siblings; 10 visit punch card $130 ($120 siblings), unlimited winter pass $795 ($355 siblings)
• Open Play Hours – Mon., Tue., Wed., Fri. 8:30am-7pm; Thur. & Sat. 8:30am-8pm; Sun. 8:30am-5pm
• Other Services –  Free classes with admission (yoga, story time, music, art, cooking, and parachute) and birthday parties

Bubbles Academy

• Where –  1504 N. Fremont St. (Neighborhood – Near North Side)
• Age Appropriate – 0 through 5 years
• Cost – Daily pass $10 ($3 siblings), 6 visit punch card $50
• Open Play Hours – Mon.-Fri. 2-3:15 & 5:30-7pm.  Schedule varies, so check website to confirm.
• Other Services – Birthday parties, classes and Friday night PJ Adventures

The Jungle Gym

• Where – 2760 W. 111th St. (Neighborhood – Washington Park)
• Age Appropriate – Walking to 8 years (non-walkers are free)
• Cost – Daily pass $8, free with class enrollment
• Open Play Hours – Wed. 6pm-7:45pm
• Other Services – Preschool, classes, birthday parties and Parents Night Out for kids