Chicago Children's Museum
- Step-free access
Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 10
1 / 10
Why go
- Hands-on exhibits designed for children.
- 5,300 square metres of exhibition space.
- One admission covers temporary exhibits and permanent favorites.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- Dinosaur ExpeditionOne of the museum’s hands-on exhibits.
Know before you go
- Guests may eat and drink only in designated snack spots.
- Nursing is allowed anywhere in the museum.
- Strollers may stay with visitors or be left in the unattended coat room.
What's inside
- Three floors contain educational exhibits, public programs and special events.
With kids
- Children and families of all abilities, gender identities, races, ethnicities and sexual orientations are welcome.
Tips for your visit
- Navy Pier garages have 1,500 indoor parking spaces.
- When those garages are full, nearby alternative lots offer discounted parking.
Interesting facts4
-
The museum began in two hallways of the Chicago Public Library, then added trunk shows and traveling exhibits as crowds grew.
Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia -
Krueck and Sexton Architects designed a proposed Grant Park facility that was never built.
Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia -
650,000 visitors
The museum welcomes 650,000 visitors each year.
Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia -
After its expansion, the museum ranked as the fourth-largest children’s museum in the United States.
Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia
Shorts
-
Museo de niños | Kohl's Children's Museum en ChicagoDe Todo Un Poco Con Mayra
-
Weekend Day trip with #Metra to the DuPage Children's MuseumTrainsportation
-
Chicago Children's MuseumTravelWithTheRussells
-
Chicago children museum, Chicago, IL. Pt2. 2025Ty and mama
-
Chicago's Children's Museumborboletale
-
The Cloud Buster at Chicago Children's MuseumEducatingUP
-
Chicago Children's MuseumAUXI'zone
-
This is your reminder to get to the children's museum at Navy Pier in…Auntie's Castle
History
- 1982The Junior League of Chicago founded the museum in response to cuts to Chicago Public Schools programming.
- 1995The museum moved to Navy Pier and reopened as an anchor tenant with three floors of exhibits, programs and events.
- 2006The museum proposed moving to Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, with more than twice its exhibition space. The plan faced concerns about park open space and setting a precedent for other organizations.
- 2011Officials reaffirmed the Grant Park proposal, but fundraising lagged as estimated costs reached $150 million. In October, a renovation plan excluded the museum, and a park official said it would not move there.
- Late 2012The museum agreed to a 90-year lease with Navy Pier and planned to expand its space from 57,000 to 84,000 square feet, nearly half more.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access The whole museum is wheelchair accessible.
Sources: Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia · Chicago/Near North - Wikivoyage (see) · Chicago Children's Museum · Chicago Children's Museum · Hours, Tickets, and FAQ — Chicago Children's Mu… · Chicago Children's Museum - Wikipedia · Chicago Children s Museum: tickets (its own sit… · checked 3 Oct 2026
- Website
- chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
- Phone
- 3125271000
Questions and answers
Can I buy tickets online for Chicago Children’s Museum?
Yes. Tickets are available through the museum’s own website.
What restaurant is next door to Chicago Children’s Museum?
Chef Art Smith’s Reunion is right next door.
What are Chicago Children’s Museum’s opening hours?
It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.