Indoor Play Places for Toddlers in Chicago's North Suburbs

Updated November 2026 with current hours, fees and holiday closures. These change, so check each website before you go.

When it is too cold, wet or dark to play outside, toddlers still need to climb, run and explore. Chicago's north suburbs have plenty of indoor options, from a top children's museum to low-cost park district play spaces and cozy play cafes. Here are our picks for children under 5.

Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview

2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview

Built for children from birth to age 8, Kohl has 17 hands-on exhibits, pretend play and an outdoor area for warmer days. It is open 9:30 AM to 4 PM Tuesday to Saturday and 9:30 AM to 1 PM on Sunday and Monday. Babies under 12 months are free, and families with SNAP or WIC cards pay $5 per person through Museums for All. See our full guide to Kohl Children's Museum with toddlers.

The Exploritorium, Skokie

4701 Oakton Street, Skokie

Run by the Skokie Park District, the Exploritorium is an imagination playground for young children. It reopened in October 2025 with a new three-level play structure, and it also has a Toddler Zone, a pretend-play area, water play and a giant light-up peg wall. Free programs with admission include a storytime on the first Tuesday of each month and sensory play sessions for ages 2 to 6.

• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM. Closed Thursday and Sunday.
• Admission: $7 for Skokie residents and $8 for non-residents, for everyone age 1 and up. Babies under 1 are free.
• Holidays: open 9 AM to 1 PM on December 24, and closed December 25, December 31 and January 1.

Play cafes and smaller play spaces

• Giggles Play, 328 Green Bay Road, Highwood: a Reggio-inspired play space with open-ended toys, creative stations and slides, for children under 8. Adults and older siblings are free.
• Bubbles Academy, 1736 First Street, Highland Park: open play, arts and music classes for children from birth to about 6.
• Funtopia, Glenview: known for obstacle courses, ropes and a big slide, with areas for young children.

Smaller play spaces often offer open play hours, classes and birthday parties. Many limit ages or ask families to book a time slot, so check before you drive.

Nature centers with indoor exhibits

Forest Preserves nature centers have warm visitor buildings with live animals and nature play. River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook has a discovery area where children can climb into an eagle nest and crawl through a fox den. It is closed on Fridays. See our guide to nature centers for kids.

Free and low-cost indoor options

• Public libraries: storytimes, play-and-learn rooms and toddler programs. Many have children's areas with toys and puzzles. See our guide to library storytimes.
• Park district open gyms and pools: parent-and-tot open gyms are common in winter, and indoor pools like RecPlex in Mount Prospect have tot pools. Check your local park district.
• Nature centers: Forest Preserves of Cook County nature centers are free. The Grove Interpretive Center in Glenview is free too.

Trampoline parks and bigger venues

Trampoline parks and indoor playgrounds in the area, such as Lava Island in Kildeer, are popular with older kids. Many have toddler times with smaller crowds. Check age limits and safety rules first, since busy jump areas are not a good mix for young children and big kids.

How to choose for your child's age

• Babies and new walkers: library baby times, soft play areas and quiet play cafes.
• Toddlers: children's museums, the Exploritorium's Toddler Zone and toddler open gyms.
• Preschoolers: museums, nature centers, climbing areas and toddler times at bigger venues.

Tips for indoor play in cold season

• Go early on weekdays to avoid crowds and germs.
• Bring socks. Many play spaces require them.
• Pack a water bottle and a snack for after.
• Check holiday hours in late December, when many places close or open short days.
• Wash hands when you leave, especially in cold and flu season. See how often daycare kids get sick.

Frequently asked questions

Where can toddlers play indoors in Glenview?

Kohl Children's Museum, Funtopia, The Grove Interpretive Center, the public library and park district programs are good choices.

What is the Exploritorium?

An indoor imagination playground at 4701 Oakton Street in Skokie, run by the Skokie Park District, with a three-level climbing structure and a Toddler Zone. Admission is $7 or $8, and babies under 1 are free.

Are there free indoor play places in the north suburbs?

Yes. Libraries and Cook County nature centers are free, and some park district programs are low-cost.

Indoor play at Children's Land

Our centers have indoor gyms and multi-purpose rooms, so children stay active even on the coldest days, and they head outside whenever the weather allows. Our toddler program serves children 15 months to 2 years. Find a location or contact us.

Related reading: Holiday Lights Near Glenview and the North Suburbs: 2026 Family Guide.