*** This review was written in 2013, for the most current hours, admission prices, and other information, be sure to visit Yu Kids Island online and connect with them on Yu Kids Island Vernon Hills on Facebook. ***
We were looking for something new to try with the boys, so we ventured to Westfield Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Don’t get so excited, it had nothing to do with shopping the post-holiday sales. We found a new indoor playground called Yu Kids Island for the boys to test out. From what an employee told me, it opened in December and I’ve got all the deets to share with you!
First off, location. This whimsical playground is located on the lower level of the mall immediately outside of Carson Pirie Scott. You cannot miss it. Probably for the fact that there will be a crowd gathered and strollers parked outside the entrance.
Once your kids notice this place, there’s no turning back. I heard kids begging their parents to go in, some did, some left having meltdowns. Once my oldest (3 1/2) saw the fun that was taking place inside, off he went. But, we had to pull back on the reigns a bit…there was a line to get in. The line wasn’t long, but we had to sign waivers, listen to the rules, pay, wait for wristbands, take off shoes…then finally they were able to step into a child’s paradise.
Source: J. Barrett
The color palette is vibrant pink, blue, green, and yellow swirls and stripes. It looked like it was straight out of The Lorax. The first thing you will see from the entrance are the spinning palm trees. The trees have hanging balls that the kids can hop on and go for a ride. Or, they can bop the balls into one another and run through them. A dancing balloon enclosure where fans blow big and small balloons around for the kids to chase. A water slide where no swimsuits are required. It’s a clear plastic slide with water running under the plastic. A bouncy water pillow. My 18 month old totally enjoyed had a blast on it. A white and clear typical bouncy house, nothing special about it, but of course kids enjoy it. Lastly, they have a hamster wheel that they kids can lay in and a spiral spinney thing for lack of a technical term. Basically, the kids try to grab onto it and avoid falling off.
Source: J. Barrett
If you have smaller kids, there is an enclosed play area with blocks, stuffed animals, etc…
They do offer birthday parties and one was going on while we were there. It wasn’t anything fancy, it was a child sized table placed in the corner of the play area where they served pizza. It was crowded due to the party. Once the were called to eat, then the playground was quieter.
One thing to note, no kids taller than 48″ are allowed to play on the equipment, so plan accordingly if you have older children so they aren’t bummed they can’t play. Socks on at all times. No outside drinks/food. They have a cooler with beverages to purchase.
Source: J.Barrett
Admission: Weekends are $12 for the 1st child, and $11 for additional children for all day play. Therefore, you can take a lunch/dinner break and go back again. Currently, they are running a promotion on passes. If you buy a 5x pass, you get an extra visit and 2 extra visits with a 10x pass. This is not on the website, it’s an onsite promo. The website has all other pricing info.
There is another location at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. From what I have seen and heard, it is a bigger facility.
Yu Kids Island
Westfield Hawthorn, Vernon Hills | (847) 680-3800
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