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 for great play cafes and play spaces to stay warm during the coldest months. And this is only a sampling! Check out our Amusement/Play Spaces page for dozens of suggestions for indoor play spaces, fun centers and amusement destinations.

Always call your destination in advance of your visit to make sure that open play is taking place on the day and time of your visit.

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DuPage Children's Museum: At the Intersection of Fun and Learning

DuPage Children's Museum is the time, the space, and the opportunity for children and their adults to take fun and learning to new heights! Build, wonder, discover, think, play, and more. Make a splash in AWEsome Water, create a work of art in The Studio, build with real tools in the Construction House, engulf the entire family in a giant bubble, let your imagination run wild during Story Time, refuel in Bean Sprouts Café -- the possibilities are endless. At DuPage Children's Museum, play allows kids to make new discoveries, explore new spaces, share experiences, and see themselves and their world in new and exciting ways. Laugh, learn, and love spending time together on a Museum adventure!
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Play, Imagine and Create at Little Beans Cafe!

Little Beans Cafe is a full service cafe and interactive playspace with locations in Bucktown and Evanston. Little Beans offers daily drop-in play, classes, camps, events, food/drink and more. Little Beans Chicago is best for kids 0-6 years and features an imaginative playspace. Little Beans Evanston is best for kids 0-12 years and features an imaginative playspace, a ninja course and a gym. For more information visit www.littlebeanscafe.com.

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Purple Monkey Playroom: Play Your Child's Way

Anchored by a lifesize tiki hut and punctuated by playroom staples such as a train table, Lego table, and slide, Purple Monkey Playroom provides 1,500 square feet of indoor, imaginative fun for the 0-5 set. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and WiFi while your little ones bounce, build, climb and play dress-up. Weekly "extras" such as sing-and-play are included with drop-in admission. Day passes and memberships available. Learn more..

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Play, Learn, and Grow at The Playroom in Lake Forest

The Playroom at LoMastro is an indoor playground and community gathering space in Lake Forest offering: open play, enrichment classes, PlayWorking (co-working + enrichment), Drop-off Playtime, camps, and parties. The Playroom is designed to encourage active and imaginative play, all made from the highest-quality materials that are environmentally friendly and safe for children. During Open Play parent/caregivers are free to play with their child or sit back and relax while supervising play. The Playroom is intended for children ages 1-8 years old. Siblings under 12-months are welcome at no charge. Non-Members are welcome to drop-in for to Open Play. Our Memberships are the best value for families! Multi-visit passes are available to members only. Unlimited Family Memberships automatically include unlimited visits to Open Play. For more information and to claim your Complimentary Open Play Pass visit https://www.playroomlf.com/.

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Present Place River North
314 W. Institute Pl, #2W, Chicago | (312) 943-0725
Present Place River North is a creative play space for 0-to-4-year-olds and relaxed workspace for their caregivers. Features and amenities include Oversized play set; Separate room for parties and classes; Imaginative, all-natural toys; Infant crawler area; Free coffee, tea, and wifi. Plus, an unmatched view of the train!

WeOrbit
1736 1st Street REAR, Highland Park | (847) 904-0028
WeOrbit is a kids' indoor play space, geared towards 6 year old and under, is dedicated to providing a strong foundation for early learning through active play, engaging activities and classes for both parents and children. We strive to provide a safe, clean and fun play environment for your little ones. Featuring a play structure, a soft play area for newborns, and a special toddler area where children can examine insect fossils, create a design on the weaving wall or construct a ball path on the magnet wall.

be kids cafe
2800 W North Ave., Chicago | (773) 697-9422
be kids cafe offers two spaces - a public coffee shop, and a private kids play space. Playtime at be kids cafe is on your schedule. Families are welcome to drop-in throughout the day, and can stay until the playroom closes. Day passes are good for a full day of play.

Little Adventures Cafe
1111 N Western Ave., Chicago | (630) 857-3355
Little Adventures is a children's indoor playground that features structures and a space for children to have fun, explore and let their imagination run.

Ball Factory
864 S RT 59, Naperville | (630) 445-8365
Ball Factory Playground offers a variety of play areas for kids to explore, including a gated toddler and baby zone. The space provdes an exciting setting for kids up to 12 years old, and parents and older siblings are encouraged to play with their little ones. Families can create long-lasting memories while kids are riding, shooting softballs, climbing, jumping, and sliding around. Hungry? Check out the selection of yummy foods and snacks for kids, plus delicious crisp salads and panini sandwiches for adults.

Gather
602 Davis Street, Evanston | (847) 859-2312
Gather's goal is to provide a space for growth, community, connection, and imagination. The play space includes an Art studio with large tables for painting, coloring, playing, and crafting; an imagination zone with items geared toward pretend play; and the "Nest," a home-y, calm space with toys catering to younger tots, as well as lots of books, and a big lego table. Gather also features drop-in music and language classes. You can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, plus snacks and other beverages for purchase.

KidStreet PlayCenter at Grounds for Hope Cafe
2701 Maple Ave, Lisle | (630) 857-3355
KidStreet PlayCenter is an Outreach ministry of Trinity Green Trails and provides a friendly, safe, and clean place for families to have fun and make memories together. PlayCenter is a great way to engage your children, while enjoying coffee with friends. The three story playhous for ages 2-6 and Wonderhouse for ages 2 and under give little ones plenty to explore. Special daily programming includes Music, Crafts, STEM, Bible Exploration and more. Check the web site for the daily schedule.

Kids Town
212 Stratford Square Dr., Bloomingdale, (630) 980-3000
Kids Town 2 is located in Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, and offers is a unique exciting and safe play space. Several themed play areas encourage children's imaginations and offer an unforgettable experiences. Kids Town 2 also has a convertible event space for celebrating birthdays, baby showers, and other special occasions.

Peekaboo
7007 W. North Ave., Oak Park | (708) 848-4815
Children between the ages of 0-6 years old can enjoy the variety of toys, play hide-and-seek in between the little house, read books in the book corner, play basketball in the indoor hoops, climb and slide in the clubhouse, build a city out of Legos and more.

Playroom Cafe
141 Randhurst Village, Mount Prospect | (224) 318-2108
A modern and unique 5,000 square foot space specifically designed for children 6 months to 6 years, or 48". The playground is thoughtfully outfitted with a variety of engaging equipment and toys that promote physical, constructive, creative and imaginative play. The Cafe offers a variety of coffee, tea, smoothies, ice tea, kids meals, paninis, salads, waffles and more.