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The Great Indoors: Indoor family fun for cold-weather months
The bowling room at Kings Lanes, Lounge and Sports at MB Financial Park in Rosemont.
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Updated: January 9, 2013 2:24PM
With three solid months of winter stretching out before us, cabin fever is sure to strike. When it does, find the cure by visiting some of the indoor play venues that follow.
Bowling
Two newer additions to the local bowling scene put a new spin on the sport: Pinstripes offers a triple threat of bowling, bocce ball and bistro fare in three locations: 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook (630-575-8700); 1150 Willow Road, Northbrook (847-480-2323); and 100 W. Higgins Road, Barrington (847-844-9300). The family-friendly venues also boast year-round patios with fire pits; find out more at pinstripes.com.
King’s Lanes, Lounge & Sports in MB Financial Park in Rosemont offers bowling, billiards and dining with a retro vibe. The lanes are open to all ages before 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends (kids 6 and older must be accompanied by an adult); in the evening it’s a hot spot for the 21-and-older crowd only. Game prices vary; shoe rental is $4 per person. Find it at 5501 Park Place (847-233-0099); kingsrosemont.com.
In addition, Brunswick Zone has 14 Chicago area locations offering bowling, billiards, video games and food; visit bowlbrunswick.com for the location nearest you.
Ice skating/roller skating
If you want to skate, no matter the weather, there are several indoor options.
The ice rink at CPD’s McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California, Chicago, offers open skate hours throughout the week. Cost is $4 for kids 12 and younger, $5 for 13 and older, $2 for 60 and older; skate rental is $3. Call (773) 478-2609 or visit chicagoparkdistrict.com.
In the suburbs, check out Seven Bridges Ice Arena, 6090 S. Illinois 53, Woodridge (630-271-4400; sevenbridgesicearena.com); Franklin Park Ice Arena, 9711 Waveland Ave., Franklin Park (847-671-4268, www.fpice); and Centennial Ice Rink, 2300 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette (847-256-9666, wilmettepark.org/ice).
The Chicago Park District offers open roller-skating to the public at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center, 1919 W. 76th St. Cost is $3 to $7 depending on day and time; skate rental is $3. The center also offers bowling and arcade games. Call (312) 747-2602 or visit usa-skating.com.
Also in the city, check out the Rink, 1122 E. 87th St. (773-221-1232, therinkchicago.com); in the suburbs roll to Fleetwood Roller Rink, 7231 W. Archer Ave., Summit (708-458-0300, fleetwoodrollerrink.com), Lombard Roller Rink, 201 W. 22nd St., Lombard (630-953-2400, lombardrollerrink.com) and Orbit Skate Center, 615 S. Consumers Ave., Palatine (847-394-9199, orbitskate.net).
Indoor water parks
Splashing in water is a great way to escape winter. Immerse yourself at Key Lime Cove, 1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, where guests can enjoy 65,000 square feet of aquatic fun. Slides, rides and lazy rivers comprise Lost Paradise Waterpark. Family getaway packages and discounts are available. (877) 360-0403 or keylimecove.com.
Splash down for day outings at Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark, 624 N. York, Elmhurst (630-279-1100, ext. 7150, thewavertonhotel.com; day passes are $20 for half day, $30 for a full day); Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park, 200 S. Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook (630-739-0272, bolingbrookparks.com; daily passes, $8 nonresidents, $6 residents with ID); and Water Works, 505 N. Springinsguth, Schaumburg (847-490-2505, parkfun.com; daily passes, $7 nonresident youth, $5 resident youth; $9 nonresident adults, $7 resident adults).
Inflatable play
Indoor inflatable play spaces have popped up all over the landscape. Pump It Up, which offers structured play, open play and “Jump N Art” camps, has five Chicago area locations: 821 W. Eastman, Chicago (312-664-7867); 684 W. Lake St., Elmhurst (630-941-7867); 1857 Elmdale Ave., Glenview (847-904-7867); 4995 Varsity Drive, Lisle (630-310-5700); and 11411 W. 183rd St., Orland Park (708-479-2220). Some locations have climbing walls. Cost and hours vary with location; visit pumpitupparty.com for more information.
Jump!Zone is another inflatable play chain with six suburban locations; visit jumpzoneparty.com.
WhirlyBall
A sport unto itself, WhirlyBall combines lacrosse, hockey and basketball with bumper cars. Anyone 12 and older who is 4 feet 6 inches or taller can play. Give it a try at 1880 W. Fullerton in Chicago, 800 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard, or 285 Center Drive in Vernon Hills. Call (800) 894-4759 or visit whirlyball.com for hours, fees and more information.
