Next Level Play Center
4.2(160)4.2 out of 5 stars, 160 reviews Chicago, IL
About Next Level Play Center
Next Level Play Center is highly praised as an effective way to tire out energetic children, particularly toddlers and those up to 8 years old. It offers a clean, well-organized environment where parents can relax or actively participate alongside their kids on the equipment. While valued for its reasonable pricing and friendly staff, parents should be aware of age-specific play challenges for adventurous toddlers and the presence of extra pay-per-play games.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with children who have abundant energy, needing a place to tire them out.Parents looking for a place where they can actively participate and play alongside their younger children (1-3 years).Birthday parties for children aged 2-8.Families with toddlers (e.g., 18-month-olds) and slightly older children (up to 8 years old).Parents who appreciate friendly and helpful staff.
Why families love it
- Clean and well-organized facility.
- Staff, specifically Daria at the front desk, provides incredible, kind, and inclusive service.
- Parents are permitted to go on the play equipment with their children, unlike some other venues.
- Effective at tiring out energetic kids.
- Friendly and nice staff overall.
- Empathetic and kind staff who provide excellent service (e.g., Daria).
Insider tips
- Be prepared to actively run around and go through obstacles with kids aged 1-3, as they will require assistance.
- For parents seeking relaxation, it's possible to supervise while children with 'too much energy' play.
- Budget for potential extra costs due to pay rides and games.
Good to know before you go
- If you have an adventurous 2.5-year-old expecting independent play on the main equipment without parent assistance.
- If you prefer venues without additional pay-per-play rides or games.
- If you expect extensive healthy or diverse food options at the snack bar.
- The baby area might be too small/unengaging for adventurous 2.5-year-olds.
- Children around 2.5 years old may be too small to independently traverse the main playgrounds.
- Value
- Entry is $10 for kids younger than 2, and $16 and something cents for children 2 and older. Snack bar prices are reasonable. Considered good value for the price of admission, though additional pay rides and games are an extra cost.
- Food
- A snack bar is available on-site with reasonable prices.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations mentioned in reviews.
- Safety
- No specific safety features like staff monitoring or wristbands mentioned, but staff are described as doing a 'good job' and the place being 'well organized' which implies some level of supervision.
What parents say
"I came here to give a raving review to the worker named Daria at the front desk! This place is fun for my son and for me who can relax a little bit when he has too much energy. Daria at the front desk gave us incredible service and was so kind and inclusive!! The owner manager needs to know if she deserves a raise as soon as possible!!!"
a month ago
"Very fun but better for slight older kids. I brought a 2.5 and (nearly) 5 year old and while the 5 year old was pretty ok on n her own, the 2.5 year old was a little too big/adventurous for the baby area but too small to really traverse the playgrounds on his own. I'd come back in the future."
11 months ago
"Great spot so your kids get tired haha! It’s not too big of a place fr, it’s pretty simple but for the price it’s good. The kids will enjoy themselves, if your kid is 1-3 years depending on how independent your kid is you’ll have to be following them around to help them get on/off things. But the good thing is they let us parents be with our kids not like some places that don’t allow parents to get on the equipment. But if you’re not ready to be running around behind your kid and going through the obstacles then u better off not going lol. They have a little snack bar as well, prices are reaso"
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More best indoor playgrounds in Chicago
Best Indoor Playgrounds Hyper Kidz Bolingbrook
4.7(2,154)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2154 reviews137 S Weber Rd, Bolingbrook
Best Indoor Playgrounds The Treehouse Play Cafe
4.8(209)4.8 out of 5 stars, 209 reviews985 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich
Best Indoor Playgrounds Kids Empire Chicago Kedzie
3.6(465)3.6 out of 5 stars, 465 reviews4938 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago
Best Indoor Playgrounds We Rock the Spectrum - Franklin Park
4.7(89)4.7 out of 5 stars, 89 reviews10123 Grand Ave, Franklin Park