Off the Beaten Path Spots for Indoor Play

Your nearest tollway oasis

• Address: Various
• Admission Charged: You have to pay the toll
• Website (with a list of tollway oases): Click here.
• Notes: I spent a very enjoyable hour with my nearly 2-year-old daughter at the Des Plaines Tollway Oasis last summer, and would not hesitate to go back on days I was really desperate to do something different. She had gotten car sick on the way into Chicago, luckily right by the oasis, so I pulled in to clean her up and change her. She loved watching the cars whiz by underneath, the planes from O’Hare roar by overhead and playing with the coin-operated “claw” machines. (She doesn’t even require a coin to have fun.) There are a few lunch options at that particular oasis, including of course, McDonald’s.

O’Hare Airport

• 773-686-3700
• Admission Charged: The charge for the closer parking lots is currently $4 for 3 hours or less.
• Website: http://flychicago.com
• Notes: This was suggested by an East Coast friend of mine who said the Washington Post wrote about how Reagan National Airport was a good spot to take your kids for some indoor playtime. The problem with O’Hare is I’m just not sure how much you can actually see and experience before having to go through security. Any feedback on this one is appreciated.

Sappora Playworld

• Inside Carlson Ice Arena
• 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
• 8l5-969-4082
• Website: http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/home/facilitiesandattractions/saporaplayworld/
• Notes: This is part of the Rockford Park District and is a 3-level indoor play world designed for children ages 5-12. There is also a “Tiny Tots” area that is a smaller version of the playworld, good for children 4 and under. Obviously Loves Park is quite a drive from the western ‘burbs, but if your are open to a roadtrip and want to try something different, it’s “off the beaten path.” Plus the prices can’t be beat: Non-residents pay anywhere from $1.50 to $4.50 depending on age. And it’s open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Of course call ahead before you head out in the car just to make sure!