Things to Do in Palatine

Soft play areas on floors of bright, padded tile. A slide filled with rushing water. A vibrant palm tree, suspending bouncing balls striped in neon yellow, pink, and purple. These are just some of the 10 attractions at Yu Kids Island, a year-round playground that lets children play inside, keeping them away from the elements and from establishing Lego empires. For parents and players in need of refueling, a vibrant blue-and-green cafeteria serves Lavazza coffee and hot chocolate. Playground staffers also set up complete party packages with playground access and all materials included, eschewing the need to book performing clowns or ponies dressed as clowns.

A chorus of electronic beeps sings across Kiddie Kingdom's 13,000 square feet, where more than 62 arcade games, redemption games, and small rides galvanize youthful excitement in both kids and adults. After stuffing their pockets with tokens, guests compete for high scores on modern video games and arcade classics, such as air hockey and skee-ball. These redemption-style games shower the most successful players in tickets, which can be exchanged at the King's Treasure Chest counter for small toys, stuffed animals, and sports balls.

Elsewhere, the aroma of housemade lasagna, chicken wings, and pizza tempts players away from the arcade and into the onsite Pizza King restaurant. Here, cooks hand toss dough for thin-crust, deep-dish, and stuffed pies. The Italian cuisine also delights guests in a 100-person party room, where birthday boys and girls open presents and spin a wheel to win enough tickets to send their stuffed animals to college.