Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
4.7(2,003)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2003 reviews Chicago, IL
About Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is highly recommended for families seeking an engaging, nature-focused experience that blends hands-on play with educational content. It distinguishes itself with multiple updated play areas, including water play and playgrounds, coupled with direct interaction with live animals (reptiles, invertebrates, butterflies) and outdoor nature walks, providing a comprehensive indoor/outdoor learning environment.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with toddlers and preschoolers looking for an engaging, hands-on learning experience.A full family outing (or nanny outing) on a day when you want a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.Children who love animals, nature, and active play.Parents seeking educational content delivered in a fun, interactive format.A clean and updated venue for a playdate or family visit.
Why families love it
- Features several new, beautifully created kid areas, particularly a notable play area on the first floor.
- Offers 5+ unique spots for children, including 2 dedicated playgrounds and 2 areas for water play.
- Boasts a popular butterfly garden and enclosures with small reptiles and invertebrates.
- Provides tons of educational content for kids to engage with, especially if parents read the material.
- Has many toddler-friendly areas, ensuring engagement for very young children.
- Allows for learning through play, fostering a fun and interactive educational experience.
Insider tips
- Plan to spend at least 2.5 hours, as children tend to be highly engaged and might not want to leave.
- For maximum educational benefit, parents should actively read the provided material to their children.
- Be aware that some taxidermy is present; if your child is sensitive, these areas can be mostly avoided.
- Budget for potential gift shop purchases, as items are noted to be overpriced.
Good to know before you go
- If your child is particularly sensitive to or easily disturbed by taxidermy, as it is present in some areas.
- If you are an adult visiting without children, as the ~$15 ticket price might feel slightly high given the focus on kid activities and the gift shop being overpriced.
- Certain taxidermy exhibits might be disturbing to sensitive children, though they can mostly be avoided.
- The gift shop is noted as being overpriced.
- Some dioramas are described as dated, although this doesn't detract from the overall positive experience for kids.
- Crowds
- No specific crowd level information or busy times mentioned in the reviews.
- Value
- An adult ticket is approximately $15. While an individual adult might find this slightly overpriced without children, the value for families with kids is considered high due to the abundance of unique, engaging, and educational activities. The gift shop items are noted as overpriced, which could add to the overall cost if souvenirs are desired.
- Food
- No specific food or drink policy mentioned in the reviews.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- No specific safety features mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"Very recommended if you have children. I don't, so the ~15$ ticket was maybe a bit overpriced. Kids have 5 or so unique spots to hit, including 2 playgrounds and 2 areas for water play, tons of small reptiles and invertebrates, a butterfly garden, birdwalk, and places to learn about the environment. There are tons of educational stuff for kids to engage with. The taxidermy could be disturbing to certain kids, but it can be mostly avoided. The gift shop is overpriced, but I always appreciate a souvenir. I personally don't regret the visit"
3 weeks ago
"We had an absolutely fantastic time!! There seems to be several new kid areas since we last visited a couple years ago. The new areas, especially the play area on the first floor, are so beautifully created. We were so impressed today!! We spent 2.5 hours there and my boys didn’t want to leave. ( 2 and 4 years old)"
3 months ago
"Great museum for kids of all ages. Butterfly experience. Dated dioramas. Good play areas for kids. Savanah and prarie walks outside through wild flowers. Nearby lagoon. Good exhibits on Chicago birds."
5 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More museum kids activities in Chicago
Museum Kids Activities Museum of Illusions Chicago
4.7(3,487)4.7 out of 5 stars, 3487 reviews25 E Washington St, Chicago
Museum Kids Activities Kohl Children's Museum
4.6(2,299)4.6 out of 5 stars, 2299 reviews2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview
Museum Kids Activities DuPage Children's Museum
4.4(770)4.4 out of 5 stars, 770 reviews301 N Washington St, Naperville
Museum Kids Activities Children's Museum of Art and Social Justice
4.2(15)4.2 out of 5 stars, 15 reviews2007 S Halsted St, Chicago