Staying home for the holidays? Looking for some fun indoor activities you can do with your family? The North Shore is filled with fun indoor activities you can do with your children. Below are some of our favorites:
Bowling
Brunswick Zone
10 S Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: 847-498-3575
A nice, clean bowling alley. They also have cosmic bowling (during certain hours) with music videos. Tween and Teens come for the music, dancing in the lanes, and a chance to be broadcast on any one of three jumbo video screens.A full-service restaurant serves up pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and popcorn. Hours: Tue-Thu, Sun 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat, Mon 9am-1am. Cost: $4.29 per person, per game ($3.29 weekdays before 6pm). Shoe rental is $2.99.
Fatman Bowl
13860 Rockland Rd
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
847-362-1623
A kid favorite. Bowling bumpers available on request and shoes offered that fit feet of any size. Good size arcade on site for the non-bowlers in your family.
Pinstripes
1150 Willow Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: 847-480-2323
www.pinstripes.com
This 45,000 square foot indoor/outdoor facility has eighteen bowling lanes, six bocce courts, and very good Italian-American food.
Wilmette Bowling Center
1903 Schiller Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: 847-251-0705
This is a fun and laid back place. Nice staff and child friendly. Bowling shoes are available to rent. There are snacks, soda, and pizza to buy. They also have “bumper bowling” and light weight bowling balls for smaller children.
Important to note: No credit cards are accepted. Cash/check only.
Indoor Playgrounds
Exploritorium
4701 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847-674-1500 x2700
Great indoor playground complete with two story tube tunnels, water area, dress up stage, art area and computers. Mon, Wed, Fri:9-6 Sat:10-3
Closed Tues, Thurs, and Sun
Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60025
Phone: 847-832-6923
Appropriate for ages: 0-12
Mon 9:30-12, Tues-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-5; Members only 9-9:30 Mon-Sat
Cooking/Candy-Making
Georgia Nut Company
1742 Glenview Rd.
Glenview, IL
Phone: 847-724-8405
Hands on candy making.Class times are available 7 days a week. Please call ahead. Everything must be scheduled in advance.
Corner Cooks
507 Chestnut Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
847-441-0134
Kid events and classes are hands on and very interactive. Everyone gets to make their own treats and eat until their hearts are content.
Recommended for kids 9 years old and up.
Young Chefs Academy
2825 Pfingsten, Glenview
847-715-9474
Supervised hands-on cooking classes for young children
Day or an Afternoon of Beauty
Girlfriends Nail Boutique
1041 Tower Rd
Winnetka, IL
847-441-9464
Jacque, the owner offers manicures, pedicures, and hair design. The atmosphere is fun and cozy with big comfy chairs and couches. Open 7 days a week. Sun and Mon by appt. only.
Forever Young Nails
1100 Central Avenue
Wilmette
847-853-9700
Elegant but fun salon with a long row of fantastic heated, massaging pedicure chairs and smiling esteticians in uniforms.
Pottery Making/Art Experiences
Make A Messterpiece
2050 Tower Dr., Glenview
847-737-1487
Exciting new art experience for kids of all ages, located in the Glen Town Center
Click here for a great coupon!
Glazed Expressions Pottery
1515 Sheridan Rd
Plaza Del Lago
Wilmette, IL
847-251-4800
The Pot Shop Studio and Gallery
1224 Chicago Ave.
Evanston, IL
847-864-7778
Ice Skating/Broom Ball
Glencoe Park District Watts Center
305 Randolph
Glencoe, IL 60022
847-835-4440
Okay…this is technically an “outdoor” activity but it has a such a nice warming we couldn’t leave it out. The facility includes a hockey rink, studio rink, a concession stand, recreation room, and a program room. The recreation room, program room, and ice rinks are available for private party rentals. Broom ball parties are particularly popular. Call for daily ice schedule. A phone recording will tell you holiday, open skate, and black out dates.
Glacier Ice Arena
670 Lakeview Pkwy
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-362-1222
The Glacier Ice Arena is Illinois’ premier, state-of-the-art ice arena. Come watch a game, or skate in comfortable, modern surroundings. The Glacier features two NHL size ice surfaces and has been a place for families to have fun ever since. Skates are available in all sizes to rent.
Skatium Ice Arena
9300 Weber Park Places
Skokie
847-674-1500 x2900
Wilmette Centennial Indoor Ice Rinks
2300 Old Glenview Rd
847-256-9666
Winnetka Park District Ice Arena
490 Hibbard Rd.
847-501-2060
Northbrook Sports Center
1730 Pfingsten Rd.
847-291-2993
Glenview Ice Center
1851 Landwehr Rd.
847-724-2800
Indoor Swimming/Pools
Glenview Park District Splash Landings
2400 Chestnut Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
847-486-5372
Splash Landings is the Glenview Park District’s four-pool indoor aquatic complex. It’sopen year-round. Features include: Zero-depth activity pool with two water slides. Lap pool, spa, warm water therapy pool, locker room, family changing rooms, and swim merchandise. $5.75 daily walk-in fee. Call for public swim hours.
KeyLime Cove WaterPark and Spa
1700 Nations Drive
Gurnee, IL 60031
877-360-0403
A waterpark in the winter…can it be true? Chicago’s largest, family friendly, water resort with excitement for all ages. Your kids can splash the day away at our Lost Paradise Waterpark while you rejuvenate at the Paradise Mist Spa. Take a stroll through island-inspired retail shops for the perfect memento, then stop for an afternoon latte at Island Temptations. Gather the crew for dinner at the most kid-friendly restaurants in Chicagoland. Challenge the kids to virtual, interactive fun at the Riptide Reef Arcade before settling down in your luxurious stateroom or suite. Visit their web site or call Key Lime Cove for more information.
Other Indoor Possibilities
Nickel City
555 Waukegan Rd.
Northbrook IL 60062
847-559-8727
Arcade with 130 games that operate with only nickels. $2 admission fee. Open 7 days a week. 365 days year, Mon-Thurs 2-10, Fri 12pm-1 am, Sat 10 am-1 am, Sun 10am-10pm.
Pump It Up
1875 Elmdale
Glenview
847-904-7867
A playground for kids filled with inflatable jumping things, slides, and rock walls. There are two HUGE rooms where kids can play. Call ahead for open playtime schedule.
WhirlyBall Vernon Hills
285 Center Drive
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-918-0800
WhirlyBall is a team sport of 5 vs. 5 played in a high-tech bumper car, while trying to propel a whiffleball from your scoop to hit the center of a backboard. Facility includes climbing wall & LASERTRON. Catering available.
Walk-ins on a first come first serve basis so call ahead! Mon-Fri, 11am-1am, Sat. 12pm-2am, Sun 12 pm-12 am.
