Chicago is a metropolitan city in Illinois with more than 2.8 million residents. Local children's museums provide fun, educational adventures. Other children's activities in Chicago include local concerts sponsored by Chicago Kids, children's theater and the Festival of Toys at Chicago Children's Museum. Children's museums may offer special events throughout the year.
The Chicago Children's Museum is located at Navy Pier. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours are available on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can view permanent exhibits and participate in age-appropriate learning activities. Activities support general education, including early learning and the arts. Promoting creativity in children, hands-on exhibits include an inventing lab, waterways, skyline and kids town. The Chicago Museum features an IMAX theater showing new theatrical releases. Admission is free to museum members and children under the age of one. Non-member children and adults pay $10, as of February 2011. Admission on the first Sunday of every month is free for children 15 and under. Discounted rates apply to groups of 15 or more, with children under 12 admitted free. Thursday evening admission is free. The museum and exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
The Bronzeville Children's Museum is the first African American museum in the U.S. The museum is located on South Stony Island Avenue. Activities at Bronzeville Children's Museum are geared toward children ages three to nine. Featured exhibits include the African Americans in Green tour and It's Easy Being Green. Both exhibits teach children about conservation efforts. All tours last approximately one hour and center around African American history in Chicagoland. Admission to The Bronzeville Children's Museum is $5 per person, as of 2011. The Bronzeville Children's Museum is open daily, Tuesday through Saturday. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday.
Located 29 minutes from Chicago in Glenview is Kohl Children's Museum. Exhibits and activities are designed for children up to the age of eight. Kohl Children's Museum features indoor activities as well as Habitat Park, a two-acre outdoor exhibit. More than 17 exhibits are housed in the Kohl Children's Museum, including Adventures in Art, All About Me, Music Makers and Powered by Nature. Kohl Children's Museum serves food at the Cosi Café, provides lockers and a nursing station. Hours of operation are Monday 9 .m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.. Seasonal hours apply during the summer months. Admission is free for members and infants under 12 months. Adults and children pay $8.50 and adults over 55 pay $7.50, without a museum membership, as of February 2011.
Wonder Works is located 17 minutes from Chicago in Oak Park, Illinois. The 6,400 square-foot museum features hands-on exhibits designed for children up to the age of eight. Exhibits focus on creative play, arts, crafts and music. Featured exhibits include the organic garden, great outdoors, farm to market, North Avenue Art Works and Lights, Camera, Action! Wonder Works provides a party room for parties and hosts field trips. Advanced notice and prior booking is required to use party facilities. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5, as of 2011.
