It’s the time of year when the stir crazies can swiftly set in for kids and parents alike. Therefore, indoor playgrounds and inflatable facilities are more popular than ever.
In general, indoor play areas are for kids 12 years old and younger, but some are more focused on kids under 10. All of the facilities require parents or guardians to stay on location and for kids to wear socks.
Have fun, be safe and stay sane this winter, Milwaukee parents.
Milwaukee-area indoor playgrounds and inflatable facilities:
Big Backyard
2357 S. 106th St., New Berlin
(262) 797-9117
Kids can run, climb, ride, slide all year ‘round on Big Backyard’s play equipment, riding toys, playhouses and more. Parties and drop-ins are available. Open play is Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facility is available for private parties on Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $8 for the first child and $7 for siblings; $9 on Saturdays. Frequent punchcards and unlimited play passes are available.
Bounce Milwaukee
2801 S. 5th Court
(414) 312-4357
Bounce Milwaukee, the only indoor entertainment complex of its kind in the city of Milwaukee, is a two-story, 9,600-square foot space that features a 30-foot inflatable sports arena offering 10 different sports, an "adrenaline zone" inflatable climbing / slide structure, laser tag, indoor rock climbing, vintage video games, healthy, homemade food and a full bar. Check the website for pricing and hours.
Bounce Realm
4595 S. 27th St., Greenfield
(414) 281-8000
Bounce Realm offers indoor play space and inflatables for kids 12 and under. The facility offers birthday parties which can include games and mascots or just a lot of jumping around. The space is also open to the public Monday-Thursday from 3:30 to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per child (adults and toddlers under 24 months are free with one other paid admission). Tuesdays and Thursdays are $6.50. Admission is always $6.50 one hour before close.
Family Tree Haus
5080 W. Ashland Way, Franklin
(414) 423-1707
Family Tree Haus is a family-owned and operated indoor playground featuring slides, ropes, rock climbing, climbing structures and more. The cost is $8 for the first child; $6 for each additional child. The Haus offers birthday parties and open play. Winter hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family Tree Haus is closed on Mondays.
Flabbergast
W248 N5250 Executive Dr., Sussex
(262) 246-0711
Flabbergast features inflatables, a game room and a bungee run. The hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price is $9.95 on the weekdays and $10.95 on weekends. Parents are always free with one paid admission and toddlers ages 18-23 months are $4.95.
Helium Trampoline Park
16235 W. Beloit Rd., Brookfield
(262) 777-2100
A Brookfield family recently opened Wisconsin’s first trampoline park featuring 140 interconnected trampolines, a three-story rock climbing wall and dodge ball and basketball courts. Toddlers to adults can participate in the fun. The hours are Monday - Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Discounted toddler times and a teen-focused "Jumping Jam" is also available. Prices range from $6 to $16 depending on age and length of play time. Check the web site for more details.
Jump Zone
6544 S. 108th St., Franklin
(414) 409-7610
Jump Zone offers a plethora of inflatables, an obstacle course and more. Available for birthday parties and drop-ins, but times fluctuate so check the calendar for the latest information. The cost is $8 during the week and $10 on the weekends and, like the other facilities, parents are free with a paid admission. There are no drop offs of older children allowed at Jump Zone.
Just 4 Fun Playland
2100 Washington St., Grafton
(414) 375-4507
Just 4 Fun is a day care and indoor playground. Caregivers and children are invited to drop in between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday - Friday. The cost is $6.
Monkey Joe’s
2040 W. Bluemound Rd, Waukesha
(262) 549-3866
Monkey Joe’s was one of the first bouncy zones in metro Milwaukee. The facility offers birthday parties and open-jump time. The hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is always $9.99 and $5 for 2-year-olds and younger. Adults are free with paid admission. Frequent user cards are available.
Pump It Up
195 N. Janacek Rd., Brookfield
(262) 780-1010
Pump It Up is primarily a party rental space, but the facility does offer limited family jump time for kids ages 2-12 and their caregivers on Tuesdays and Thursdays form 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $9 for the first child and $7 for siblings. Playgroups with six or more children are eligible for discounts.
Up, Up & Play
2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
(414) 241-6746
Up, Up and Play encourages imaginative play. The massive, simple space contains a climbing / swinging structure and a play area for toys and floor puzzles. There is an open wooden floor for scooting around on carts. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost is $5 per child.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
