Giggles Play
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Giggles Play is highly valued for its uniquely curated selection of versatile, high-quality toys that actively promote creative, imaginative, and independent play for children from 10 months to around 7 years old. The owner, Jessica (Ms. Jess), is a standout feature, creating a consistently warm, welcoming, and clean environment where she actively engages with children and fosters a sense of community. It's a place where children can be engrossed for hours without getting overwhelmed or bored, making it a true local gem.
Key Highlights
- ✓Consistently described as a 'warm, welcoming environment' that encourages community among patrons.
- ✓Always 'so clean' and 'bright and clean', providing a hygienic play space.
- ✓Features a 'specially/gorgeously curated collection of toys' that are 'versatile', 'engaging', 'good quality', and 'promote independent play' and 'creative play'.
- ✓Owner, Jessica/Ms. Jess, is 'absolutely wonderful', 'so welcoming', 'loves giggling and playing with the kiddos', and is 'truly passionate' about child development.
- ✓Children, including a 2-year-old, were 'completely engrossed for two plus hours', exploring and using imagination without getting overwhelmed or bored.
- ✓Space is described as 'inviting, fun, safe'.
Standout Features
- ⭐The active, personable owner (Jessica/Ms. Jess) who interacts directly and positively with children and parents.
- ⭐A meticulously curated collection of high-quality, engaging toys specifically designed to foster imagination, creativity, and independent play.
- ⭐A consistently maintained 'bright and clean' facility.
- ⭐The option to pack and bring your own lunch for extended visits.
- ⭐Availability of a membership option for frequent visitors, particularly for younger children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider a membership if you have a younger child (e.g., 2-year-old) and plan to visit multiple times a week for cost-effectiveness.
- →Bring your own packed lunch or snacks, as outside food is welcomed.
- →Ideal destination for super cold or rainy days when indoor play and a change of scenery are desired.
- →Expect children to be engrossed for extended periods (2+ hours), allowing for sustained play sessions.
Price & Value
Offers a membership option for younger children who visit multiple times a week, suggesting good value for frequent patrons. The policy of allowing outside food/packed lunches helps parents manage costs by not requiring purchases from an in-house cafe or expensive snacks.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews, beyond a generally welcoming and community-encouraging environment.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and packed lunches are allowed ('Love that we could also pack our own lunch').
🚗Parking Info
- •Not specified in reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Reviews mention 'several other children and parents playing' with 'very welcoming energy and encouraged community', implying a comfortable crowd level that is not overwhelming. No reports of excessive crowding or specific peak times to avoid.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The space is explicitly described as 'safe'.
- •The environment is 'always so clean' which contributes to health and safety.
- •No specific details on active staff supervision beyond the owner's general interaction or physical security measures (e.g., locked doors, wristbands) were mentioned.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Daily pass
$20Duration: Full day
Perfect for occasional visits or first-time guests.
Includes:
- •Full day of play
- •Re-entry allowed
10-Pack Pass
$171Duration: Valid for 12 months
Great for regular visitors who want flexibility.
Includes:
- •Buy nine visits, get one free
- •Re-entry allowed on visit days
Basic Party Package
$600Duration: 2 hours of playtime + 30 minutes setup
Celebrate Your Special Occasion with Us! Host a completely private party at Giggles.
Includes:
- •2 hours of playtime in our space
- •30 minutes set up time before the party starts
- •Tables and seating for the children
- •Assistance from us to ensure a seamless experience
- •Bring your own food without any additional fee
- •Party add-ons available upon request (additional fees may apply)
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Santa Storytime
Seasonal (specific dates not provided)
Infants under 12 months and adults are free with a paid ticket. Space is limited.
Experience the magic of the season with storytime, visit, and play with Santa. Friends also get a Santa Hat, can enjoy a hot cocoa & cookie bar, and participate in a Storybook Exchange.
🍎Food Policy
- • Guests can bring their own food for parties without any extra fees.
- • Pizza and juice are provided for Parents' Night Out events.
- • Hot cocoa & cookie bar provided for Santa Storytime event.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Adult supervision is required at all times.
- • Guests are encouraged to read about rules and policies.
📅Booking Policy
- • Daily passes can be prebooked online.
- • Parties require booking for exclusive use of the space.
🚗Parking Information
- • One parking space is reserved exclusively for the birthday family on the day of their party.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Kristen Georger
a month agoWe love Giggles! My twins have been going since they were preschoolers and are still enjoying it as first graders! We love the warm, welcoming environment. It’s always so clean and my kids are free to use their imaginations to play with versatile toys. Jessica, the owner, is just absolutely wonderful as an added bonus! Such a great gem in Highwood.
Katie Marecek
2 months agoI have two children, ages two and six, and we always have so much fun at Giggles! The collection of toys at Giggles is specially curated to encourage lots of creative play. We began by going on special occasions (birthdays and days off school) and now that my older child is in school full-time, I purchased a membership for my younger child and we pop in multiple times a week. We always find new and exciting ways to play. The toys and equipment at Giggles are all engaging and good quality. The other patrons we've had the pleasure of meeting are friendly and kind. The owner, Ms. Jess, is so welcoming and loves giggling and playing with the kiddos too! You can tell she is truly passionate about providing a space for kids to learn through play, while also developing social skills. She keeps her space bright and clean! We absolutely love Giggles!
Alexa Wells
3 weeks agoYesterday was my first time at Giggles open play. It was awesome! Jess's space is so inviting, fun, safe, and clean. It was the perfect place to be when we needed a change of scenery from our home on a super cold day. Love that we could also pack our own lunch and just do our thing there for a few hours. We will 100% be back again. Don't miss this local gem!
Stephanie Sutton
2 weeks agoAs a career nanny, and a mom of 4 kiddos within 5 yrs, I was incredibly pleased with my experience at Giggles. I recently brought two children I care for (4 yrs and 10 months). There were several other children and parents playing. The energy is very welcoming and encouraged community. Having a play place like this is such a good idea!
Kelsey Ryvkin
a year agoI’m so thrilled to welcome Giggles Play to our community. Jess has built a beautiful space with a gorgeously curated selection of toys to promote independent play. My two year old was completely engrossed for the two plus hours we spent here. I was so happy to see my son exploring and using his imagination without getting overwhelmed or bored. It’s really the perfect balance for toddlers and young children. Highly recommend checking them out!