On the Grow!

Growth Spurts

Address: 404 Linden Avenue, Wilmette

Open Playtime Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (with additional play hours on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons); Saturday: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Admission: $5.95 for each adult & child; pre-crawler children are free

YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• 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

If you live in Evanston or Wilmette or near the Purple Line, this is a great indoor play option for you! It appears to meet the needs of the local community, but it is not a destination spot.

First of all, it is small and parking is limited. Because most of the area is permit parking, we had to hoof it about four blocks in the sweltering heat. No bueno!

Second, the areas are not divided or sectioned off for crawlers. I can understand that they did not want to further reduce the size of the play space, but it does make it a little treacherous for the crawler set. The toddlers run roughshod over the open area, and you have to be hyper-vigilant to prevent your child from getting trampled. Plus, they have art supplies and a sensory table full of items unsafe for babies. Because it is totally wide open, you really have to watch your child(ren) like a hawk. Of course, you should always watch your kids. But now you're talking about protecting them from a barrage of toddlers hurling objects right and left. It just seemed less than ideal.

Third, their pricing model is per body. So adults have to pay, too. It is only $6 per person so it won't break the bank; just something to keep in mind.

And finally, you need to call ahead to reserve a spot. Sometimes you can walk in, but you never know if they have reached capacity and will turn you away. I don't know about you, but I find it a little hard to plan outings. I like a place where I can just drop in if the kids need to get out of the house or we feel like doing something different. It's more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants model, but it works for us!

And if you've tried an indoor play area we haven't reviewed let us know. We are looking to try something new!