Ball Factory - Naperville

We have been here twice, once with a group and once with one friend. I will add pictures in future but don't currently have any.

The ball factory is an indoor soft play area designed for younger children with a host of equipment to climb up, slide down, hide behind and squeeze between.

There is also an air pressured soft, ball shooting area where kids can team up or stand alone to shoot balls at each other.

Also there is an area with ride on diggers and tractors inclusive of a small bridge to cross and plastic logs to collect.

There is one section specifically for children under 5. These younger children can use the whole ball factory, but only they can go in this one area. This helps to give them a safe place away from older kids who may be running and pushing.

Socks must be worn by kids and parents in all play areas.

Tween and older children can come to the ball factory but over the age of 13 is free as it is NOT designed for them.

There is a seating area for adults and private rooms for groups or parties. They have food and drinks with a reasonable variety.

As rated by parents:

9/10
Excellent for burning off energy! Unlike some places we have visited this was clearly designed for younger children and they do not charge for adults or kids over 13 because they know they are not likely to enjoy it.  I really appreciated this as do not like paying for my oldest to sit and do nothing (she is now 15). I liked the lay out and the number of places parents could sit and relax (tables and couches) while the kids ran off. My son was more than happy to play on his own only occasionally wanting help on the tractors. My middle child also had a good time and while her favorite area was the ball shooting zone, she did enjoy playing hide and seek in the play area also. The tractors and ride on equipment was too little for her really but there was enough of everything else to do. My oldest came only on one occasion and helped my son and did join in hide and seek but overall just sat with the adults. The food is very overpriced and the seating area was a bit dirty when we went both times. Also no toilet paper on one occasion, but the staff were friendly dealt with the issue of toilet paper quickly and the play area appeared to be well maintained. I felt the price was not too bad for what it is and great if you find a deal (groupon). I understand the sock rule but did have an issue where I had come with sandels and they would not let me as a parent go and collect my toddler as I didn't have socks on. they insisted I buy socks before I enter the play area despite going in only long enough to pick him up and bring him out.
Overall it was fun for them on both occasions. Excellent for burning off energy on a rainy or cold day. Defiantly a winter go to spot for the younger child.
I WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for children up to about 10 years old.

As rated by 12 year old

4/10
Initially we were not going to rate this from a 12 year olds point of view as they make it clear its not for older kids and do not charge for age 13 plus. However as she is not quite 13 and it does still charge for age 12 we felt we should give a review and rating still.
I kinda liked the ball shooting area and had fun playing hide and seek when there was a group of us. Other than that its not good for a 12 year old as its full of little kids and little kid equipment. Its kinda boring but did have wifi, so I sat with the adults and went on a phone.
I WOULD NOT go again and would NOT recommend for my age

As rated by an 8 year old

8/10
I liked the ball shooting area and trying to hit other people, the tunnel which wobbles is also really fun and I kind of liked the rest of the play area for hide and seek. The slides and things are a little bit more kiddy and I didn't think that was a lot of fun, but its better when you go with other kids so you can play games like tag and hide and seek. I like the ball factory but its not my favorite place as I think its for littler kids.
I WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for my age if you go with friends.

As rated by a 3 year old:

10/10
He loved the slides and tunnels, he loved shooting the balls and riding on the tractors. He was easily happy for a good hour and a half.
He WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for his age.

TOP TIPS

- Look for deals online.

- Eat before you go its very overpriced and some reviews are that the food is not good.

- Make sure you take socks or you will have to buy some.

- Adults also must remove shoes

Raging waves water park - Yorkville

Clearly, we didn't visit this in December! We went at the end of the season though in early September. It was just us as a family.

Raging waves is Illinois largest outdoor waterpark situated near Oswego and Yorkville. The park features a number of large slides with differing thrill factors, some for single riders, some you can go on with friends, a lazy river, wave pool, giant sand pit near the wave pool and two areas next to each other that are specifically designed for smaller children. One of these kids areas has a few slides for all ages and a zero depth pool while the other has both smaller and slightly larger slides, a bucket dumping water and a variety of dials that squirt and spray. This does not have a swim area but more of a splash pad.

There are two eating areas and places to buy food... you can not bring in your own.

We found the park to be well manned with friendly, helpful staff. While there are some signs of wear and tear in the pools, overall the park was clean and toilets stocked.

There are height restrictions for most of the rides including in the kids area! This can limit what you can take children on however prices do reflect height with toddlers (2 and under) being free and people under 48" being over $10 cheaper.

**Update to add they are continually expanding and now have a much larger kids area and new rides for older children.

As rated by parents:

8/10

This was a fun day out overall. All the kids enjoyed a variety of slides and pools and all got a good fun workout! Great to burn off energy and keep cool on a hot day! We as adults also enjoyed it... However despite the overall fun my son who was 2 at the time became quite upset that in one of the children's area he was not allowed to ride the only two larger slides, My 8 year old was only just big enough for them which made them somewhat pointless for the small kids area. We have been to other pools with slides in Naperville, Wisconsin and around the world where he was allowed to ride much bigger slides, so not to be allowed on the 'not very' big slides which are in the kids area was both disappointing and as a parent very frustrating. However he was allowed on all the small slides in the other kids area and did have a very good time on them, this kept him busy for a good couple of hours.

My middle child was allowed on most slides but again not on some which in other parks she has been allowed on. She did however enjoy herself, enjoyed the lazy river and wave pool.

My oldest was able to go on all and enjoyed herself, however in comparison to other water parks we have been to before she didn't feel it was as thrilling and after a couple hours came to sunbath instead. She was also disappointed that she initially was allowed to use the inner tubes in the lazy river but was later told she would have to rent them if she wanted to use one. Price wise I felt it was comparable to any waterpark for a day, we found a deal for $20 per person (with toddler free) and felt this was pretty good. However while entry is okay they sting you on charging for inner tubes, overpriced lockers and overpriced food. I always feel irritated you can not bring your own food in, but we did eat a large breakfast and took water. We bought fries and a drink only and they were overpriced, however not as badly overpriced as we were expecting. Overall it was a good day out but not one we would do more than once a year and only if we got a deal on the price. ** edit to add you can leave the park to eat and come back. We have made up picnics and ate them on the grass verges in the car park. They also provide some picnic tables outside in the car parking area for people who do not want to buy food inside. I though this was a nice touch.

I WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for the whole family. This is a FULL day out.

As rated by a 12 year old:

9/10

I had fun on all the slides but have been on bigger and better and was annoyed that they started charging for inner tubes half way through the day. I think it would be more fun going with friends but did like it and would go again. I really enjoyed the rides where you went in boats with other people.

I WOULD go again but not often and WOULD recommend for my age especially if you haven't really been to other water parks.

As rated by a 8 year old:

9/10

I really liked most of the slides especially the fast ones. I was disappointed I couldn't go on some of them as I have been on these in other places. I liked the fries we ate and I liked the little kids slides also (I played with my brother).

I WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for my age.

As rated by a 2 year old:

9/10 

He had a lot of fun running round to the slides and splashing about in the pool. He liked the sand pit and the wave pool also. The only thing he was upset by was not being able to go on some of the bigger rides in the little kids area.

He WOULD go again and WOULD recommend for his age

TOP TIPS:

- Have a late breakfast before you go and take water if you want to avoid spending a lot on food or take a picnic and eat in the carpark on the grass or at a table.

- Look for deals online OR get a big group together as bookings of 15 or more significantly reduces the price.

- Check out the height restrictions before you go so your kids know what they can and can't go on.

- Don't take valuables so you can avoid locker fees

- make sure you have sun screen etc.