FunKidsActivities

Next Level Play Center

4167 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60706, USA

Overview

Category:Best Indoor Playgrounds
Location:Chicago, IL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

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.

Key Highlights

  • 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.

Standout Features

  • Empathetic and kind staff who provide excellent service (e.g., Daria).
  • Allows parents to join children on play equipment, encouraging active family participation.
  • The center is clean and well-organized.
  • Suitable for birthday parties.

Perfect For

Perfect for 18-month-olds (toddlers) who had an amazing time.
1-3 year olds: Parents must be prepared to actively assist them on equipment; adventurous 2.5-year-olds may find the baby area too small and main playground too challenging for independent play.
2-8 year olds: Generally considered fun for this age range.
5-year-olds: Can be quite independent on the playground equipment.
Slightly older kids (above 2.5) are better suited for independent play on the main structures.

Ideal 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.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • 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.

Things to Consider

  • 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.
  • Parents of 1-3 year olds will need to actively follow and assist their children on and off equipment.
  • The presence of additional pay rides and games can lead to extra costs for parents.
  • Limited food choices at the snack bar.

Price & 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.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations mentioned in reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • A snack bar is available on-site with reasonable prices.
  • Food choices at the snack bar are limited.

🚗Parking Info

  • No specific information about parking mentioned in reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • No specific information about crowd levels mentioned, but one parent enjoyed relaxing while their son played, suggesting manageable crowds at least at some times.

🛡️Safety Features

  • 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.

When to Avoid

  • 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.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

Birthday Package 10 Kids

$400

Duration: 2 hours

Birthday party package for up to 10 children.

Includes:
  • Pizza, Water, and Juice for the Kids
  • Fully decorated tables (Tablecloth, plates & napkins)
  • 2 hours in a private party room
  • 2 Adults per child
  • Clean-up and help throughout your event
  • Ability to bring your own cake
Ages: 2-12 years old

Birthday Package 15 Kids

$500

Duration: 2 hours

Birthday party package for up to 15 children.

Includes:
  • Pizza, Water, and Juice for the Kids
  • Fully decorated tables (Tablecloth, plates & napkins)
  • 2 hours in a private party room
  • 2 Adults per child
  • Clean-up and help throughout your event
  • Ability to bring your own cake
Ages: 2-12 years old

Birthday Package 20 Kids

$600

Duration: 2 hours

Birthday party package for up to 20 children.

Includes:
  • Pizza, Water, and Juice for the Kids
  • Fully decorated tables (Tablecloth, plates & napkins)
  • 2 hours in a private party room
  • 2 Adults per child
  • Clean-up and help throughout your event
  • Ability to bring your own cake
Ages: 2-12 years old

Birthday Package 30 Kids

$800

Duration: 2 hours

Birthday party package for up to 30 children.

Includes:
  • Pizza, Water, and Juice for the Kids
  • Fully decorated tables (Tablecloth, plates & napkins)
  • 2 hours in a private party room
  • 2 Adults per child
  • Clean-up and help throughout your event
  • Ability to bring your own cake
Ages: 2-12 years old

🍎Food Policy

  • Pizza, Water, and Juice for the Kids (included in birthday packages)
  • Pizza for adults available for purchase
  • Bring your own cake allowed
  • Bring your own food for an additional $30
  • No food warmers, pots, etc. of any kind allowed
  • No smash cakes, streamers, confetti or silly string allowed
  • Alcohol is not permitted

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Signed waiver and socks are required for all party guests
  • Adventure-climbing products designed for unparalleled safety
  • Center receives maximum level of care and safety
  • Children must be supervised at all times
  • Party host must arrange adequate adult supervision

📅Booking Policy

  • A $200 non-refundable deposit is required for party bookings
  • Deposit will be applied towards the balance of the party package
  • If party is canceled, the deposit can only be transferred to a future party date (cannot be used towards open play)
  • All payments must match the name of the person booking with the name of the credit card used as a form of payment
  • Upon arrival, a credit/debit card is required for a payment pre-authorization (No Exceptions)
  • Confirmation call 48 hours prior to your party
  • 48 hours notice is required to downgrade your package (No Exceptions)
  • May arrive up to 15 minutes before scheduled reservation to set up and decorate the party room or drop decorations off a day before
  • May decorate the room with freestanding decorations, tablecloths, napkins, and plates
  • No decorations on the walls (financial responsibility for damages)
  • All parties are 2 hours in length
  • An additional $25 will be assessed for every 15 minutes if party room is not vacated after 2 hours sharp
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 3, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 5 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Nidia Escobar

Nidia Escobar

a month ago

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!!!

Monica Moore

Monica Moore

11 months 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.

Magali Ayala Ocon

Magali Ayala Ocon

a year 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 reasonable. $16 and something cents for each kid if they younger then 2 than it’s $10. Not bad at all, we recommend it’s a great place.

Jacquelyn Jancius

Jacquelyn Jancius

a year ago

Fun for young age kids 2-8 years old. We went for a few birthday parties. Was clean and well organized. Staff did a good job. As a parent I would appreciate if places didn't have the pay rides and games.

Chris Klein

Chris Klein

2 years ago

My 18 months old boy had so much fun playing here yesterday. It was our first time here and we had an amazing time! The staff were very nice and friendly! I hope they have better food choices though in the snack bar. But overall, the place looks clean and my toddler enjoyed our time there. Thank you

Contact Information

4167 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60706, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.2
Total Reviews160
Recent Reviews5