Everyone at Play
The Museum’s 17 exhibits and 2 aces or outdoor explorations are specially designed to be inclusive of all children and adults regardless of ability, promoting the development of linguistic, cognitive, motor, and social skills. We collaborate with community organizations to invite families of children with special needs to explore the Museum while closed to the general public. This provides opportunities for calm and creative play.
Suddenly, right there was the experience I’d been hoping for all week. My son got to play along side his peers. Something he rarely if ever gets to do.
-Jill Uswajesdakul
Mother of Alex, child with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Read the full commendation
Program Dates & Registration
These programs occur on Sunday afternoons to be announced throughout the year. During the event you and your family members will have access to all exhibits. Museum staff and volunteers will be available for play support and guidance. A quiet room for stimulation breaks will also be available. Registration is required for safety and capacity reasons.
If you are the parent or caregiver of a child with special needs and would like to receive email notifications and invitations to Everyone at Play, please contact Cori Paulsrud.
Sun, May 31, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, June 28, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, July 26, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, August 23, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, September 27, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, November 8, 2026 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, January 10, 2027 from 2 – 5 PM
Sun, February 28, 2027 from 2 – 5 PM
Community Partners
- Advocate Children’s Hospital
- Arlington Pediatric Therapy
- Aspire Chicago
- JCFS Chicago Integrated Pediatric Therapies
- KGH Autism Services
- Mane in Heaven
- National Lekotek Center
- North Shore Pediatric Therapy
- North Shore University Health Systems Pediatric Rehab Services
- Northern Suburban Special Education District
- Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization
- Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association
- Pathways Center for Children
- The Place for Children with Autism
- Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy
- Tellin’ Tales Theatre
- Variety the Children’s Charity of Illinois
Sponsors
Everyone at Play is sponsored in part by the Edmond and Alice Opler Foundation, the Pajeau Children’s Foundation, and the Woodward Charitable Trust.
Resources
Parents Guide
The Museum has developed a Parents Guide to Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, in collaboration with North Shore Pediatric Therapy, to help parents and their children choose the exhibits they want to visit. The guide is available for checkout at the Admissions Desk or for download below.
Download in English Download in Spanish