VerifiedFixed locationChildren's Museums

Chicago Children's Museum

Name: Chicago Children's Museum
Address: 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, US
Telephone: (312) 527-1000
Price range: Admission is ticketed by residency and age, with discounts for some groups.

Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

Major children’s museum at Navy Pier with hands-on exhibits, toddler spaces, memberships, and excellent family planning support.

Plan This Visit

Best for

Very broad, with especially strong toddler and preschool appeal.

Hours

Monday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Price

Admission is ticketed by residency and age, with discounts for some groups.

Parking

Parking available

Visit style

Destination museum outing with multiple exhibit zones.

Birthday parties

Available

Profile

Strong profile coverage

Atlas Perspective

Editor's Take

A destination-style indoor outing with real depth for repeat visits, especially if you have younger children and value strong family amenities.

Atlas Perspective

Best Fit

Best For

Families who want a half-day or full outing rather than a quick play stop
Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers using Pritzker Playspace and other early-childhood exhibits
Visitors who value accessibility resources, family restrooms, and stroller-friendly logistics

Less Ideal For

Parents looking for a low-cost neighborhood drop-in
Families wanting a conventional climbing-structure indoor playground
Birthday-party planners, since the museum says it is not currently offering birthday parties

At a Glance

Venue type

Kids activity center

Age groups

BabiesToddlersPreschoolersBig kidsMixed ages

Play features

Museum exhibitsPretend playToddler areaSensory play

Family amenities

Food availableFamily restroomsStroller parking

Visit options

Drop-in visitsMembership availableClasses or events

Price range

Premium

Toddler-friendly

Yes

Operator type

Museum

Play model

Mixed open play + classes

Supervision model

Caregiver supervised

Max recommended age

Under 13

Structured classes or guided programming

Yes

Inside a larger venue or attraction

Yes

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Monday10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

TuesdayClosed

Wednesday10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thursday10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Friday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

TicketsAdvance tickets and member reservations are encouraged.

Entry RuleAt least one adult 18+ and one child are required for entry.

Last EntryFinal admission is 60 minutes before closing.

PlayspacePritzker Playspace sessions for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are run in timed 45-minute blocks.

Family Amenities

Strollers are allowed.Private family bathrooms are available.Nursing room and changing tables are available.

Pricing Snapshot

NotesMilitary discounts and membership options are also promoted on the official site.

SummaryAdmission is ticketed by residency and age, with discounts for some groups.

Admission

Label

Illinois resident

Price

$21

Label

Non Resident

Price

$25

Label

Under age 1

Price

Free

Label

Museums for All

Notes

Available for up to 6 people.

Price

About the Venue

Chicago Children's Museum is one of the region's top indoor family destinations, with interactive exhibits spanning babies through big kids and especially strong support for early childhood visits. Families come for signature spaces like the Pritzker Playspace, Kids Town, and other hands-on exhibits rather than a traditional single-room indoor playground. It is a higher-cost destination than a neighborhood play café, but it delivers depth, repeat-visit value, and some of the best publicly documented family amenities and accessibility supports in the category.

Atlas Perspective

Indoor Play Atlas Notes

Age FitVery broad, with especially strong toddler and preschool appeal.

Noise Levelmedium

Visit StyleDestination museum outing with multiple exhibit zones.

Energy Levelmedium

Parent ComfortHigh thanks to strong logistics, amenities, and published accessibility supports.

Booking Frictionmedium

Birthday Party Snapshot

BookingCheck the museum directly for any future changes to private-event availability.

SummaryThe museum states that it is not currently offering birthday parties.

Accessibility & Comfort

MobilityThe museum offers free adult and child wheelchairs.

RestroomsAccessible and all-gender restrooms are available on floors 2 and 3.

Additional NotesPersonal care assistants receive free admission.

Hearing SupportsAssistive listening devices, a hearing loop, ASL interpreters with advance notice, and open captioning are available for certain needs.

Parking And EntryAccessible parking is available in Navy Pier's West Garage, and the Family Pavilion entrance is accessible.

Sensory SupportsQuieter recharge areas, sound-reducing headphones, communication boards, fidgets, and storybook guides are listed on the official accessibility page.