Kohl Children’s Museum Kicks Off 25th Anniversary With Free Admission Day July 25

GLENVIEW, IL – Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago in Glenview kicks off its milestone 25th anniversary year with free admission for all guests on Sunday, July 25 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The celebration continues with a packed week of fun, interactive programming and musical entertainment that focuses on a different theme each day. The celebration culminates with a grand ice cream and cake party for all Museum guests, sponsored by Bobtail Ice Cream, Dominick’s and Tetra Pak, on Friday, July 30.

“During this landmark anniversary year, the Museum is both honoring its past and looking forward to the future,” says Sheridan Turner, President & CEO. “The Museum is perfectly positioned now to really promote and provide opportunities for complex play as a critical component in early childhood education. By doing so, we can continue to nurture a love of learning in young children for many years to come.”

The Museum’s founder, Dolores Kohl, created the institution to show teachers, parents, and caregivers the critical role of hands-on complex play in early childhood education. Originally housed in a former bowling alley in Wilmette, the Museum quickly outgrew its facility, and in 2005 moved to a much larger home in Glenview. The new $18.1 million site offers 17 engaging, on-hands exhibits, all exclusively designed for children ages birth to eight. The building itself is among the area’s most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, having earned Silver-level LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Kick-Off Week Schedule

Sunday, July 25 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. – “Free Admission Day”

• Kohl Children’s Museum kicks off 25th anniversary celebration with free admission to all during Museum hours on Sunday, July 25.
• Chicago Parent Goody Bags: 12 p.m.
  The first 200 guests will receive complimentary goody bags stuffed with prizes, coupons, and free magazine issues courtesy of Chicago Parent Magazine.
• “Readers are Leaders” performance by Miss Lori: 12 – 1:30 p.m.
  Sponsored by WTTW, this performance will include original songs, engaging activities, story readings, and a free children's book for the first 200 children in attendance!
• Block Play: 12 – 5 p.m.
  Explore the world of construction with oversized soft building blocks, perfect for children
  ages 1 to 4.

Monday, July 26 – “Science Day”

• Anderson Pest Solutions Insect Zoo: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  Children can see and learn about rare critters and crawlers in the Insect Zoo, presented by Anderson Pest Solutions. Under the supervision of an Anderson representative, children are able to safely hold and interact with giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches, and other amazing insects.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Appearance: 10 & 10:45 a.m.
  The Hungry Caterpillar, from children’s author Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, meets and greets with Museum attendees.
• Chicago Botanic Gardens Wiggly Worms: 2 – 4 p.m.
  Join experts from the Chicago Botanic Garden to explore a worm compost bin and discover where worms like to live and what they like to eat. Find out about worms’ jobs as decomposers. Plant a seed and use worm compost tea to give your future plant a healthy start.
• Bubble Juggler Geoff Akins Performances: 3 & 4 p.m.
  International Bubble Artist Geoffrey “Merlin” Akins creates moments of wonder and awe during his captivating and hilarious “Bubbleology” performance. Akins does the most amazing things with ordinary soap bubbles, such as intricate sculptures like Bubble Caterpillars, Ice Cream Cones, Snowman, smoke-filled Volcano Bubbles, the impossible Square Bubble, and a fully functional Bubble Merry-Go-Round.

Tuesday, July 27 – “Health and Safety Day”

• FireZone Fire Engine Exploration: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Climb aboard and safely explore a life-size fire engine on the tent pad at the Museum’s free parking lot.
• Little Legends Soccer Clinic: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Little Legends Soccer Academy visits the Museum to teach kids the fundamentals of soccer by their professional trainers.
• Gymboree: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  It’s time to get active! Representatives from Gymboree will lead children in physical activity with the help of music, balls, and a full-size colorful parachute!
• Operation Lifesaver: 2 – 3 p.m.
  Operation Lifesaver’s trained and certified volunteer speakers visit the Museum to provide multiple free safety presentations geared towards kids and families about public safety around railroad tracks.
• Smokey Bear Meet and Greet: 3 & 3:45 p.m.
  Smokey Bear, the United States Forest Service’s most well-known mascot, will visit the Museum to take pictures with kids and participate in the recently opened Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home exhibit, which encourages families to spend time together outdoors and inspires children to discover and care for the natural resources that sustain our world. The exhibit runs through Sept. 26.

Wednesday, July 28 - “Arts and Literacy Day”

• Free Family Photos by Cute as a Button Photography: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Museum attendees get the special opportunity to receive a free family portrait taken by Cute as a Button Photography, a boutique children photography studio.
• Blick Art Materials Activity: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
  Join Blick Art Materials as they create works of art for children of all ages. Blick artists will be on hand to help with fun art projects such as paper flowers, crazy-faced buttons and decorative wood shapes. Don't miss this excellent opportunity to spin the famous Blick Prize Wheel and win an array of excellent prizes.
• Writers’ Theatre Children’s Acting Workshop: 2 – 5 p.m.
  Join Writers' Theatre's teaching artists to explore the well-known children’s story Caps for Sale, by Esphyr Slobodkina. Using their bodies and voices, participants will bring the roles of the cap peddler, the silly meddling monkeys and other characters in the book to life.
• Clifford the Big Red Dog Appearance: 3 & 3:45 p.m.
  The beloved children’s character makes an appearance at the Museum to meet and greet with it young fans.

Thursday, July 29 - “Music Day”

• Karen Banks-Lubicz Concerts: 10 & 11 a.m.
  Karen Banks-Lubicz, a Ravinia teaching artist and Old Town School of Folk Music teacher, will lead young children on a musical journey of song and dance. Karen has been featured on two recordings from Old Town School of Folk Music, “Wiggleworms Love You” and “Songs for Wiggleworms.” She has played folk/rock in the band The Caulfields, and sung blues in The Undertakers, alternative/country with Urban Twang and pop-rock with The Davenports. She recently released a children’s CD, “Karen for Kids.”
• Mindy Hester & the Time Outs Concerts: 1, 2, & 3 p.m.
  Popular singer/songwriter Mindy Hester plays recognizable adult songs with kid-friendly lyrics. She will perform three family-friendly concerts that will have kids dancing and parents clapping. The band frequently plunders the melodies of famous songs to create clever parodies.
• Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat: 3 & 3:45 p.m.
  The curious little monkey and his owner the Man in the Yellow Hat visit the Museum for a special story time. Curious George has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of children and adults for 65 years, and will come to life at the Museum from Oct. 19 to February 5 with the exhibit, Curious George: Let's Get Curious! The exhibit will introduce young children to Curious George’s world and lead visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure.

Friday, July 30 - “Grand Celebration”

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Appearance: 10 & 10:45 a.m.
  The Hungry Caterpillar, from children’s author Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, will meet and greet guests.
• Cake and Ice Cream Party: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Sponsored by Bobtail Ice Cream, Dominick’s, and Tetra Pak, all Museum guests will enjoy cake, ice cream, and refreshments in celebration of the Museum’s 25th anniversary.
• Curious George Appearance: 1 & 1:45 p.m.
  Curious George stops by the Museum to take pictures with attendees.
• Clifford the Big Red Dog Appearance: 3 & 3:45 p.m.
  The beloved children’s character returns to meet more of his young fans.