Chicago Children’s Museum

Three floors of fun for kids and their families!

There are so many ways to play at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier! Dig for bones on a dinosaur expedition. Scale a three-story schooner, from cargo hold to crow’s nest. Make a big splash in a squirting, pumping water playground (raincoats provided!). Tinker with real tools and materials in the ultimate DIY maker-space. Dress up as a firefighter, drive the truck and put out a “fire.” Paint, print, sew, sketch and sculpt in an authentic art studio. Construct a skyscraper, fish in a river, shop in a grocery store and much more. Chicago Children’s Museum is three floors of fun for kids and their families!

Special Hours

• October 5, November 2, and December 7 hours: 11am-5pm *late open

Chicago Children’s Museum offers a rotating calendar of programs in the Art Studio, Great Hall, Pritzker Playspace, and Tinkering Lab. Please visit program locations for session times and free passes. Space is limited. Free passes are available 1 hour before the workshop starts at each workshop location.

Current programming includes:

FEATURED EVENTS:

Play for All | October 5, November 2, and December 7
Chicago Children’s Museum’s Play for All initiative creates a community where play and learning connect for visitors of all abilities. Play for All invites children and families with disabilities and Chicago Children’s Museum members to come and experience CCM’s inclusive, multisensory exhibits and programs. The first 250 children and families with disabilities who register will receive free admission! Pre-registration is required for free admission. The museum opens up to the public at 11:00 AM. Play For All families are welcome to stay and continue exploring the museum all day. Learn More

Fiddle Fiesta: Music from Mediterranean Lands | October 6
Great Hall in Chicago Children’s Museum | 1:00PM
Join the musicians from historical orchestra Apollo’s Fire for a musical tour of the sunny lands of the Mediterranean – Spain, Italy, Greece, and Egypt. Dueling fiddles join with the medieval harp, cello, and guitar, as we discover the lively music and culture of this beautiful region. We’ll learn an ancient Italian dance called the Galliard, and everyone joins in on body-percussion! After the show, join the musicians for a hands-on “instrument petting zoo.”

Spider Seek-and-Find | October 9-31 
Cloud Buster at Chicago Children’s Museum
Some not-so-spooky spiders have taken up residence in the nooks and crannies of Cloud Buster, a 37-foot climbable sculpture at Chicago Children’s Museum! How many of these 8-legged friends can you find? Some may be hiding, while others stay in plain view. Just like you, they like to climb too!

Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Sunday, October 14
Second Floor Lounge at Chicago Children’s Museum
Story Lounge: 10am-5pm | Seed Ball Activity: 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Join us for our Indigenous Peoples’ Day story lounge and curl up with books that celebrate Indigenous children, families, history, and culture. Create a “seed ball” of wildflower seeds indigenous to Illinois that you can plant in your own neighborhood. Learn more below and check out a list of events around Chicagoland for family friendly ways to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Learn More

Art Studio

Workshop Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm

Special Workshop Times
Monday, October 14: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30
Thursday, October 24: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Paint Your Feelings | September 12-October 14 | All Ages
Explore color, brushstrokes, facial expressions and more to express yourself through painting!