The Big Backyard

The Big Backyard in New Berlin is a play cafe-style indoor playground built specifically for the younger crowd — think ages 0 to 10, with the sweet spot being toddlers and preschoolers. This is not a trampoline park with a toddler corner; the whole place is designed for young children, which means parents of little ones aren't managing big-kid chaos while trying to watch a crawling baby.

The play structure is multi-level with soft play elements, tunnels, slides, and climbing sections that kids 2-7 can navigate with growing confidence. Younger babies have floor space and softer zones. There's enough variety that most kids stay engaged for a solid 1.5-2 hours before you need to think about transitioning.

The café component means you can treat this as a full outing rather than a quick stop. Grab food, let the kids play, circle back for a snack, play more. The indoor environment is completely climate-controlled, which matters a lot in a Wisconsin January when outdoor options are frozen.

A few logistical notes that will save you a frustrated Saturday: the park is closed Sundays. And Saturdays close at 3PM — early enough that families who don't check the hours sometimes show up at 2:30 and get a shortened visit. The hours are a bit irregular overall (Monday closes at 4PM), so it's worth a quick check before heading over.

Overall pricing runs in the $8-15 per child range for drop-in, with parents often admitted free or at a reduced rate. For a family focused on the under-8 crowd, it's one of the most purpose-built options in the New Berlin/Milwaukee area.