Also any comments about the Exploritorium in Skokie would be appreciated. It looks like if you have a 2 year old or younger, the kid gets in free but you have to pay $6. They are only open Mon, Wed, Fri, and Saturdays unfortunately.

Exploritorium

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by msmithivas)

Exploratorium is ok. I think the last time I was there with my 23 month old daughter, it was 4 bucks to get in. She was free and I paid for myself. They must've raised their rates. The rate is also more for non residents of Skokie. Keep your receipt to have in/out priveleges for the day. They also will rent out the exporatorium for parties. I don't know the cost or anything on that.

There is a two and a half story jungle gym with big corkscrew slides for the toddlers and older. I've crawled up there with my son. There is a costume area with a stage and "dressing room", toys, computer stations to bang on, arts and crafts area, a train table and a smaller play set (slide) for the younger ones. There is also a water play area with little ducks and other floatie toys. They have rain jackets for that area, but I find that they are usually wet on the inside too. If you think of it, bring a dry top for your kids to change into if they get wet. They do a "story time" with this guy who never seems to be able to hold my kids' attention. Probably because he is so terribly boring as a story teller.

My kids do enjoy going there and have a hard time leaving. If you go, get there early. It will get over crowded in my opinion. Avoid the place on school holidays as it gets totally overcrowded.

If you go, pay at the front counter and proceed down the stairs or elevator. Have fun!

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by BrianC)

I haven't yet gone because my daughter isn't old enough yet, but there's a place in Vernon Hills/Lincolnshire called Pretend Playground. It's $6 per adult and the admission price covers you all day. I think it's free for kids under 4(?).

Pretend Playground is indoors and has various areas: grocery store, hospital, etc. where kids can pretend play. I believe there are also seats scattered around for parents to sit and watch their kids. They also sell beverages (coffee, juice, etc.)

Their website is www.pretendplayground.com

- Jeff

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by jkogan)

More "for-pay" places:

A few weeks back I finally went and tried Fantasy Kingdom. It's located on Kingsbury just south of North and Sheffield in an industrial lofty building. There's free indoor parking and what you get for $12 (no in/outs) is a decent sized carpeted open area with various areas to climb in, dress up, ride in kids vehicles, play kitchen, etc. They also have a separate area for snacks and drinks. Decent place - it can get crowded with "Trixie" moms real fast.

Nearby is another competitor called Bubbles Academy which I believe also has an open drop in along with scheduled classes.

A bit further north on Clybourn is a similar, smaller place in the strip mall which houses Treasure Island called My Corner Playroom. Last I checked it was $14 but you can come and go as you please.

Finally, my wife discovered this one in the Lincoln Square area. http://www.funplayroom.org/ Open drop-in Tues, Fri, & Sat. Looks like they may offer a more developmentally oriented playspace for kids up to 3 years. I'd be up for trying this place in the near future as well.

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by msmithivas)

We joined My Corner Playroom for Zoe. She absolutely loves it. We started with a ten-session pass, and then got a membership for 3 months. She goes at least twice, and probably up to 4 times a week. The only downer is they have a day school M, W, F from 9-12:45, and during that time there is no open play. Her nap is at 2, so its a bit tough those days. They are also open on Saturday mornings for open play.

She has learned a ton going there. Sharing, taking turns, freedom to run around, etc. She told a boy last week that he had to wait his turn for the slide. We also saw her hold onto a toy someone else wanted, until the boy asked if he could have it, then she happily handed it to him.

We went to Fantasy Kingdom for a birthday party last year. It seemed nice, but a bit older (probably 2 1/2 - 3). Seemed like they had some nice dress up areas, good for pretending. We also like Gymboree a bunch, but they their open time didn't work with her nap schedule very well.

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by SmokinZBT)

Just stumbled on to a new play center website:
http://www.gobananasfun.com/events.php

It's in Norridge (near O'Hare). Key highlights:

Playgroup special on Tues & Wed 12-4PM. $5 gets you a lunch and unlimited rides.

Wireless hotspot on site.

Some new attractions I haven't seen before including kiddie bowling lanes, bumper cars, 4 level climbing maze, and for you old school video gamers out there: Donkey Kong and Galaga!

Even though the pictures on the site make it look like a sensory overload, I'm probably gonna make a trek out there to check it out soon.

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by msmithivas)

I am interested in hearing what you find there. When we lived in Norwood Park, my son was invited to a birthday party there, before it was called GoBananas. I forgot the old name. I believe it is next to the Norridge Theaters and a JoAnn fabric store. The kids had a blast. I questioned the cleanliness of it.

Brian

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by BrianC)

I wanted to respond to inquiries about Go Bananas in Norridge. Admission is free. There is a huge climbing area that is also free. Under 36" pay only $6.00 for unlimited rides...parents ride along from free. Tuesday and Wednesdays there is a Kid's meal/ride ocomb for only $5.00. They are having free readings by the Eisenhower Library on Tuesdays at 1PM also free.

www.gobananasfun.com

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by jerrold)

Finally stopped by GoBananasFun the other day. In short, nothing to write home about. I had to change Amanda's diaper and lo and behold, no changing table in the men's room! The floor was kinda wet and slimy so that wasn't an option either. I finally asked an employee where I could change her and she led me into the women's bathroom and said she's stand guard outside. Classic.

Most of the rides are geared for older kids (>4). Most of the games are geared towards buying tokens in exchange for tickets that can be redeemed for prizes. Think skeeball and other token-eating machines. There is a large 3-story climbing area that's free but again for the bigger kids.

If you're looking for an indoor amusement park, this is for you. But if you want something a bit quieter and sublime, take a pass.

(Posted on previous ChicagoDads.com site by msmithivas)