Monkey Island

In the middle of winter, when the kids are starting to go crazy indoors and they need a place to run around, Monkey Island is a good option.  This facility is really big and has quite a few different options for kids.  The first room you see when you walk into the warehouse size building has 3 or 4 large bounce houses with slides, a decently sized toddler play area, and a large climbing gym with tube slides.  Kids need to take there shoes off to play on any of the equipment.  My daughters had a lot of fun bouncing and climbing in this first room.  My two year old was a little young for the climbing gym.  Sheer willpower got her up to the top so she could play with the big kids.  Given that, I would suggest bringing kids three and older to Monkey Island.  Especially since they have a policy (posted on big signs throughout the facility) that parents are not to go into the bounce houses with their children.  My younger daughter climbed up to the top of one of them to go down the slide and just froze.  I went up and got her - this was really the only option - and someone who worked there said it was no big deal to go in with little kids when it's not busy.  Younger siblings could have a good time in the toddler area but this area is not fun enough for the admission price so I wouldn't come with only a toddler.  There is a second huge room located in the back that has a couple more bounce houses, arcade type games, and a mini indoor soccer field.   

In the first room you can buy food that includes pizza, nachos, hot dogs, juice boxes, and coffee.  I'm just going to say we decided to eat somewhere else for lunch.  The website refers to the "coffee lounge" where you can hang out while your kids play.  This area is just a bunch of tables and folding chairs, not nearly as relaxing as a lot of the other smaller play place/cafes in the city.  You are not supposed to bring in outside food and drinks. 

Monkey Island is located at 2100 N. 15th Avenue in Melrose Park.  You may feel like you are driving through a bunch of warehouses and you can't be in the right spot but you are.  There is plenty of parking out front.  Price is $8.40 per kid and $4.20 per adult.  I hate when places like this charge for adults since they aren't doing anything but standing around and watching their kids.  Anyway, be prepared and leave the extra adults at home.

My girls had a great time when they were here.  It's a really great place to run around when it is too hot or too cold to go to the park.