We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park IL
[Reading time: 6 mins]
Gross motor play, sensory-based toys, imaginative play, a zip line: We Rock the Spectrum has all of this and more.
We often visit indoor play places that are either more focused for 6yo and younger, or more geared towards 7yo and up. A play place where ALL equipment can be enjoyed by kids of all ages are very few and far between. This is where We Rock the Spectrum fits the bill! Sure, there are many kid facilities where all ages can come and play, but more often than not, the sections are separated from each other for safety reasons. While I can definitely appreciate this, it can be difficult when you have multiple kids of different age ranges, because you can’t keep an eye on all of them at the same time.
We Rock the Spectrum is great because [with parental supervision] the fun equipment can be enjoyed by all! And the location is small enough to be able to keep an eye on all your kids, no matter where they’re running off too :)
Disclosure: Our family was invited and we received complimentary admission into We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park. I was not required to express a particular point of view, nor was I asked to write about our experience. The writing of this blog post was of my own choice and all my opinions are 100% honest. Furthermore, there are multiple We Rock the Spectrum locations; this post is specifically in regards to the Franklin Park IL location.
Photo owned by Kristel at On the Go with 4 Kids in Tow
Part of a non-profit organization.
Photo owned by Kristel at On the Go with 4 Kids in Tow
We Rock the Spectrum stands out from it’s competition, because it is part of the My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation. MBRTS is “a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps families receive the funding they need to participate in social skills, classes, private therapies and occupational therapy with specialized, sensory swings and equipment”. All funds donated to MBRTS are distributed to all of the We Rock the Spectrum locations nationwide, in order to provide an all-inclusive community to families.
Arriving to the indoor play place.
Getting to We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park is fairly easy and there is plenty of parking. However, the door entrance is off to the side, so just be sure you’re following the signs to get there.
Once you enter the facility, you’ll be greeted by one [if not both] of the extremely friendly owners! Beth & Todd reopened this WRTS location back in November 2023, and you will often see them and their CFO [their son Nicholas, Chief Fun Officer] on site. When we were there, Beth & Nicholas were unfortunately out, but Todd was such a great person to talk to and engage with, as he explained a lot about their facility and got excited about all the new things they have in store for WRTS in the future.
The foyer is a little small, but there’s enough room for a couple of families to pay for their admission and take off their shoes and coats to place in the cubbies. Don’t forget to take a look at their section of fun toys for sale too!
Gross Motor Play
What will immediately catch your eye as soon as you walk in, is all the fun gross motor play in the gym area of their facility. There’s a super fun zip line that goes into a crash mat for safety, a large trampoline, lots of swinging equipment, a rope climb and a climbing wall, monkey bars and so much more! There is so much to play with, my kids never got tired jumping from one thing to the next. All of the gym equipment [except for the zip line] truly is appropriate for all ages too - from my 2yo twins to my 5yo and my 7yo, all 4 of them, were able to go on most of the equipment [with parental supervision of course!].
For the crawlers, waddlers & toddlers.
Right off to the side of the gym, there is a separate area for the littles. Generally, I feel that areas like this should be separated and enclosed by a secured gate, but because of the way We Rock the Spectrum is set up at this location, and how the gym equipment can be used by kids of all ages, I really like that the baby and toddler area is only separated by a half wall. I felt that it gave the little ones their own area, yet it was still easy and inviting for them to leave the area if they wish, and to explore the rest of the play place.
There were so many toys in this section for my twins to play with! Sensory-based toys, a train table, costumes for pretend play, puzzles…. you name it!
Imaginative Play
When your kids want a little break from all the running, jumping and swinging, they can go to the imaginative play area where there is a puppet theater, play kitchen, a diner, a veterinary office, grocery and a hot dog cart. This little area was perfect for my kids when they needed to just take it down a notch and catch their breath!
What else is there?
Oh yes, there’s more! In addition to the motor gross play gym, the imaginative play and the separate infant and toddler area, We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park also has a little arts & crafts section, a calming room and a very large party room for private birthday parties and events!
Want to see more of our time spent at We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park IL? Check out my Facebook reel:
We Rock the Spectrum Facebook Reel
*All photos in this blog post are owned by Kristel at On the Go with 4 Kids in Tow
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