Chicago Children's Museum
4.6(6,425)4.6 out of 5 stars, 6425 reviews Chicago, IL
About Chicago Children's Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum offers a vast array of interactive exhibits and creative play spaces that engage children in educational and fun activities, making it a unique destination for families.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with young children looking for a full day of interactive playParents seeking educational activities that promote creativity and learningBest suited for children aged 5-10 years, with limited offerings for ages 11-12
Why families love it
- Interactive exhibits like water city with raincoats provided
- Paper rocket making and launching area
- Engaging labs and activities
- Clean and well-maintained environment
- Friendly staff available for assistance
- Wristband system for reentry
Insider tips
- Arrive early to maximize time and avoid crowds
- Consider bringing snacks as the eating area is small
- Check for activity slots in advance to avoid disappointment
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak times like weekends or holidays when the museum may be crowded
- Limited activities for older children (11-12 years old)
- Small eating area that may not accommodate larger families
- Certain activities may require advance booking and can fill up quickly
- Crowds
- Weekdays, especially in winter, tend to have lower capacity (around 30%) compared to weekends.
- Value
- Admission included with the Go City Pass; vending machine snacks are affordable (e.g., pop tart for $1.25), providing good value for a full day of entertainment compared to other venues.
- Food
- Outside food is allowed; snacks can be eaten in designated areas.
- Accessibility
- The museum has features like bilingual signage (English and Spanish) and changing rooms, but specific accommodations for special needs were not mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Friendly staff monitoring activities for safety and cleanliness.
What parents say
"I arrived at 12pm on a Monday afternoon with my son. This located on Navy Pier. We had the go city pass. There are 3 lines: one for members, one to buy tickets, and one for pre purchased tickets. Check in was easy. The adult gets a wrist band that allows for reentry up until they close, which was at 5pm today. They do have an unattended coat room and lockers. The steps to the 2nd floor had numbers in English and Spanish, which I thought was pretty cool. One area is water city and they provide rain coats to protect clothes from getting wet. There is also a changing room as well. My son spend"
a month ago
"This museum is insane! You won’t be bored!, either your kids 🤣 we little came in at 10 am and end by 2 pm exhausted, is very big and some many different activities and themed rooms. We went a Wednesday, January winter time and the place was like 30% capacity."
2 weeks ago
"Very interactive. We spent 6 hours here! Kids loved it. I brought snacks in a bag to eat in their snack spot near the tinker area"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More new year's eve kids activities in Chicago
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Maggie Daley Park
4.7(8,296)4.7 out of 5 stars, 8296 reviews337 E Randolph St, Chicago
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Color Factory Chicago
4.8(1,157)4.8 out of 5 stars, 1157 reviewsWillis Tower, 233 S Wacker Dr Lower Level 2, Chicago
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Adler Planetarium
4.2(2,451)4.2 out of 5 stars, 2451 reviews1300 S Lake Shore Dr Grainger Sky Theater, Chicago
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Children's Garden
4.8(496)4.8 out of 5 stars, 496 reviews4100 IL-53, Lisle