January 2026 Blog: Building Community Connections
Not every family can make it to the Museum, but that doesn’t mean the Museum can’t come to them! Through our outreach programs, we aim to bring hands-on learning, creativity, and exploration to families across the Greater Chicagoland area.
At the Museum, we believe outreach efforts bridge the gap between families and joyful learning experiences, which foster connection and community building. All our programs are rooted in equity and accessibility and are tailored to meet families where they are, regardless of their physical, economic, or geographic needs. Whether it’s at the Museum or by bringing Museum experiences to the community, our goal is to ensure that every child gets the chance to experience the magic of Kohl Children’s Museum. Each of our programs addresses a unique need, but they all share the same goal: connection.
So, what programs does the Museum offer and who are they for?
- Everyone at Play is a free, afternoon event designed specifically for families of children with disabilities, where they can enjoy a calm, creative, and sensory-friendly Museum environment while it’s closed to the public. Join us for our next Everyone at Play event on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 2-5 pm.
- Similarly, Play Attention is a free, afternoon event for veterans, active-duty military personnel, first responders, and their families. We provide a safe, non-threatening environment for military families to enjoy quality family time. Come along to our next Play Attention event on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, from 2-5pm.
- Family & School Connections (KCM Access) is a free program that connects families and classrooms with Museum experiences through admission passes and field trip scholarships. A new addition to this program has been our series of free afternoon events, KCM Access Afternoon, which is meant for families facing diverse challenges that may limit their ability to visit the Museum regularly. Applications for eligible Pre-K to 2nd grade classrooms to receive in-school museum experience scholarships are open!
- Mobile Learning Lab is fun learning on four wheels! The Mobile Learning Lab operates in partnership with public libraries, park and school districts, and community organizations. Together, we serve children and families in Lake County by bringing free, high-quality learning experiences to their neighborhoods! Visit the MLL at one of its stops in Waukegan, Round Lake Beach, Zion, and North Chicago.
- Similarly, the Pop-up Museum provides high-quality interactive STEAM programming to children and families in under-resourced areas in Lake County by bringing our exhibits and programs directly to them! You can visit the Pop-up Museum at the Belvidere Mall until January 17th, 2026.
Community partnerships are crucial to this work, as they introduce us to the families they serve and help us build their trust. Our partnerships are based on reciprocity through hosting and attending events, like fundraisers, after-school programs, and resource fairs, to ensure families feel supported and valued. We look to collaborate with organizations who share our mission of creating inclusive and playful learning experiences for all families. Some of our trusted partners include Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Mane in Heaven, USO, Blue Star Families, Fleet & Family Support Services, Bear Necessities, Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Early Childhood Alliance of Niles Township, and more.
During the last fiscal year of 2024-2025, the Museum served hundreds of families by visiting 115 locations, hosting 13 free outreach events, distributing 52 family passes, and granting 101 free field trips.
This work would not have been possible without the immense contributions from our donors, valued, incredible staff and volunteers, and you, the families that believe in our mission. Thank you!
See you at the Museum!
Jasmine Pichardo, Education Specialist II