ANYWHERE TO Take 19Month Old to Play??

Hi,
I just looked through the responses and saw that nobody mentioned the Exploritorium in Skokie (Skokie Park district). It's not too far from you and for non-Skokie residents you can get in for $10 ($6 for child $4 for adult, free parking). It is a wonderful place with so many different things to do, just bring an extra change of clothes and socks because they have water to play with.

Elk Grove Village's Park District has an indoor play area and merry-go-round. Search Jumps and Jiggles in a search engine and it will bring up all of the information. I believe that tickets are $3.00 per child (adult is free). Jumps and Jiggles has climbing areas, big soft blocks for building, cars to ride and other fun things to do inside. I would highly recommend this...and don't forget to wear your play clothes...Mommy's and Daddy's have fun too!

Oak Park has a small children's museum called WonderWorks, which is not far from you on North Ave. near North and Ridgeland. $5 per visit, or you can buy an annual pass. I like the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, about a 35 minute drive for you. $8 per visit or annual pass, which was worth it when my kids were under 7. There is also a place called Monkey Island off North Ave. in Melrose Park. About $6 a visit, but get there EARLY because it fills up quickly with bigger kids. We get there at 10 am on Sundays and play for a couple of hours. Have fun!

Hello_
Since I do not live in your area. Here are some suggestions for finding great indoor play areas. Check your indoor malls, park districts ,library, and nature centers, (for a charge check out Children's museums). Check out children's guides like Chicago Parent (they are online). The new playgroup that I just joined goes to some places I didn't know about. I highly suggest finding a playgroup on Meetup.com. I just wish I had done it earlier.
Out shopping? IKEA has play areas.
I have a McDonald's Playplace near my home- total godsend on a rainy, cold day.

These months are so difficult with a little one. I take my daughter to the local libraries in the area...most of them have fun little play areas in the kid's section and it's free! Most libraries will also have a baby or toddler story time each week for free. I also have taken her to the Elk Grove park district's Jumps and Giggles play area. It costs $3 and includes the play area (many plastic toys and a large climbing area) plus unlimited rides on their indoor carousel!

Kohl's Children Museum in Glenview is awesome - my son is 11 months, barely walking, and he LOVES it.

Stratford mall has two play areas for kids, also Woodfield has one, but that one is usually more crowded. Libraries, McD's play place - you don't have to eat there..

Hi,

JUst outside Macy's at Woodfield Mall there is a brand new play area for the kids...it's really nice and they keep it really clean! My 4 and almost 2 yo love it.

G.

There is a small foam play area at Golf Mill Mall.
The playplace at MsDonalds on Addison/Harlem is great for little ones. My daughter started playing in the tunnels there at 18 months.
The Exploritorium in Skokie is great, there is a fee that differs for residents/non-residents. It was $4 bucks for me & under 1 was free.
Woodfield is a great play area. I suggest going during the week. The weekends are ridiculously overcrowded.

I would recommend the Jumps N Jiggles in Elk Grove Village - it is a jump ball playground and there is also an indoor carousel. Across the street at the library, there is a great area for kids to play and interact - puppet theatre, legos, toys, etc. in the childrens section of the library.

M. in Elk grove

I live on the NW side and often take the Trek out to Woodfield...they have a play area by Macy's and it is awesome. I get there real early, around 10- get a coffee- sit and let my son go wild!! If he falls asleep in his stroller- if I can't get home he just naps there and I grab lunch.

Gold Mill also has a play area, but it is not as big.