The Deal

• $27 for a punch card good for five visits ($52.50 Value)

Admission grants kids aged 1–15 all-day access. Children younger than 1 year of age receive free admission, as do those older than 15 when accompanied by a child.

Chicago TreeHouse

A stay-at-home mom founded Chicago TreeHouse, a 7,700-square-foot indoor “unplugged” play space free of any distracting video games or other electronics. The play area is outfitted with slides, swings, bridges, and a multilevel climbing structure, and a soft basketball court allows kids to practice shooting hoops within eyesight of parents or guardians lounging in leather seating. During birthday parties, groups of kids can take advantage of amenities such as pizza, balloons, and lemonade. For everyday nourishment, TreeHouse’s full-service cafe replenishes energy with healthy bites such as veggies, yogurt, and cheese while parents enjoy more adult fare, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, and Zingerman’s Coffee.