The Exploritorium - Skokie's Imagination PlaygroundLocation: 4701 Oakton, Skokie
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday: 12 - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Admission: $5 (Non-Resident) $3 (Resident)
YAY! YAY! YAY!
- Offers hands-on learning? Yes
- Engages an active toddler in play? Yes
- Provides interaction with other children? Yes
- Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
- Is clean? Yes
The Exploritorium had a great deal to offer: waterways play area, toddler playhouse, climbing wall, musical instruments, an elaborate treehouse made up of tunnels and slides, and a theatrical stage. I was surprised to learn it was built in 1985 as it felt very clean and new. It certainly doesn't have the run down look & feel of other children's play areas.
My son was completely obsessed with the model trains as were most of the boys. He played with them for a good half an hour before he even noticed the drums or slides. Then he was off! Sadly the play theater (complete with costumes) couldn't have interested him less. It was a really neat little area for any budding thespian!
The overhead structure of tunnels looked amazing, albeit a little too old for my son. While we were there, a boy did get stuck & it turned into a bit of a search and rescue mission for his father. Everything worked out ok, and his father pulled him out. But I was surprised that none of the staff offered any help. So I guess if you go, go prepared....
The Exploritorium has a little eating area and some vending machines. It also looked like you could find some privacy upstairs to feed a baby, but not in the play area.
I did find it a little on the small side so it could become overwhelming with too many kiddos. But fortunately, we had the place pretty much to ourselves from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
We will definitely head back on a snow day for some indoor fun.
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