New play land opens in Aurora

Children in Aurora and Naperville needn't wait any longer for the snow to melt from their favorite playgrounds and parks.

Airtastic, a new indoor play land for youngsters, opens at 10 a.m. today at 850 S. Frontenac Road, just minutes southwest of the Westfield Fox Valley mall in Aurora.

Filled with 10 inflatable play areas, including a jousting station, an ocean-themed Atlantis play piece and an inflatable maze, owner Jacque LeBreck said her 15,000-square-foot facility will put any summer backyard barbecue to shame.

"It's been a craze recently to get these inflatable slides and bouncing toys for kids' birthday parties, but kids with winter birthdays have missed out," she said. "At Airtastic, we have 10 of the newest and coolest inflatables available to kids every day."

Inspired by the warm-weather favorites, LeBreck said she's opening the air-filled playground to pull kids away from their video games and televisions.

"Kids need to play more and be creative again, and that's exactly what we're giving them," she said. "And they'll be having so much fun that they won't even realize they're exercising."

In addition to the 10 inflatables, the venue also is equipped with two "age-appropriate" play areas to allow parents to play with the younger kids without having to worry about getting bounced over or into by jousting teens.

Group exercise classes and high-speed Internet are available for parents.

Kids can purchase play sessions in one- or two-hour increments or purchase annual memberships. But the entire facility also is available to rent for private parties.

Before today's opening, LeBreck said she already had more than 25 private parties booked for the coming months.

For more information on Airtastic Play Land, call (630) 752-9526 or visit www.airtastic.com.