Membership
Museum membership means you support our mission of sparking a love of learning in young children. Members can redeem free general admission benefits every day for a 1-year period, and discounts on Museum events, parties, and cafe purchases.
Please note: all memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. The cost of membership to Kohl Children’s Museum is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The value of benefits received is insubstantial and the cost of membership is fully deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.
Members-Only Hours
PlayKCM level members and higher have access to members-only hours from 8:30 – 9:30 AM every day, as well as frequent free members-only afternoons or evenings.
Memberships make great gifts!
Purchase a membership for your family or as a gift for someone you love, and they can start enjoying all the membership benefits immediately. Or, purchase a gift certificate in the amount of a membership that you can present your recipient to use when they are ready to begin their membership. Call (847) 832-6600 for information on purchasing a gift certificate (a $5 shipping and handling fee may apply).
Renewing?
Select the level of membership below that you prefer. When purchasing, as long as you buy under the exact name (check your virtual membership cards) and e-mail address that we have on file, our system will extend your membership 12 months from your current expiration date so you don’t lose any time; however, cardholder changes or changes in benefit levels will take effect immediately regardless of the expiration date. E-mail info@kcmgc.org if you have any difficulties, or if something needs to be corrected.
Financial Assistance Memberships: Thank to generous donors, limited financial assistance memberships for guests receiving SNAP or WIC benefits are available for $25 annually. To apply, simply bring your EBT card or other proof of eligibility to the Museum’s front desk during regular operating hours. For more information on these memberships, call (847) 832-6900 or e-mail info@kcmgc.org. Discounted memberships are not currently available for families with children on IEP or related programs. Please see our Everyone at Play program.
Primary levels of individual membership:
PlayKCM - $185
1-year membership
Our PlayKCM membership includes:
- Free Admission: You can redeem 4 free general admissions every day to Kohl Children’s Museum.
- Cardholders: Two adult cardholders may be named for this membership; one of those adults must be present to redeem the free admission. A $20 fee may apply to make changes to these two cardholders mid-term.
- Receive 50% Off up to 6 admissions at more than 200 children’s museums nationwide (including Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier)
For a typical family of four, membership pays for itself by the third visit.
PlayKCM Plus - $225
1-year membership
Our PlayKCM Plus membership includes:
- Free Admission: You can redeem 6 free general admission every days to Kohl Children’s Museum.
- Cardholders: Three adult cardholders may be named for this membership; one of those adults must be present to redeem the free admission. A $20 fee may apply to make changes to these three cardholders mid-term.
- Receive 50% off up to 6 admissions at more than 200 children’s museums nationwide (including Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier)
- Receive 6 FREE daily admissions to 5 other Chicago-area children’s museums:
◦ DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville
◦ Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
◦ Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park
◦ Discovery Center Museum, Rockford
◦ Kidswork Children’s Museum, New Lenox
For a typical family of four, membership pays for itself by the third visit.
Benefits
We have many exciting things on the horizon for members, including:
- New special exhibits approximately every four months
- Free general admission to indoor exhibits during all regular Museum operating hours
- Frequent members-only afternoons and evenings
- Discounts to special Museum events and programs
- Discounts on birthday parties and facility rentals
- 10% discount on purchases at Bean Sprouts Café onsite
Membership Cards
NEW – Membership Portal to Download Member Cards
Our new online membership portal at members.kohlchildrensmuseum.org will allow members to:
- access and download membership cards
- update addresses or phone numbers
- access purchased special event tickets
Click Here to Access our Membership Portal!
A valid e-mail address is required to access the membership portal and download member cards. If you are a member and do not have your e-mail on file with the Museum, please click here for our member info web form.
“I would like to thank every member of the staff at the museum for all that you do. My son loves the museum and he never gets tired of visiting. We always end up spending several hours when we visit. I love to watch him play, learn, and interact with other children. Thank you to each and every one of you for all of your hard work and dedication. It is making a difference in my child’s life and in mine.” – K.R., Chicago
Corporate Membership
Corporate membership is a great way to show your employees how you value and promote work/life balance. We will help you find the corporate membership package that fits your employees best and showcase your encouragement for them to spend quality, active, creative play-time with their families in a vibrant, educational environment.
Corporate membership packages include free general admission for employees and a designated number of guests. Benefits are not applicable to special events or other Museum programming. Please call (847) 832-6895 or e-mail Meg Damato for assistance in setting up a corporate membership.
Current Corporate Members
Employees of the following companies can receive limited free general admission benefits. Unless noted, employees may bring proof of employment to Museum front desk to redeem their corporate membership benefits. Benefits may not be available for subsidiaries:
- Abbott
- AbbVie
- Baxter Credit Union**
- Baxter International
- Discover Financial Services
- Dover Corporation
- Grainger
- Heart Auto Care
- ITW
- Northern Trust
- Union Pacific
- William Blair**
**See your HR representative for special instructions on how to redeem benefits.
If your company is not listed, please contact your Human Resources department to indicate your interest in becoming a corporate member of Kohl Children’s Museum.
Gift Purchases
Gift certificates now available in any amount!
Check an entire family off your shopping list!
If you're searching for the perfect gifts for families with young children, look no further than Kohl Children's Museum! Purchase gift admissions, memberships, or certificates for your chosen recipients.
Gift Admissions – Now Available Online
Gift admissions are now available online! Tickets are valid for 1 year from date of purchase, and may be redeemed for adult, child, or senior admission. If your guests enjoy their visit, they can apply the tickets toward an annual membership and enjoy the Museum for a full year! Click here for more info or to purchase gift admission tickets.
Gift Memberships
Gift memberships provide fun and learning for a full 12-month period. Purchase a gift membership online and we’ll send immediate e-mail notification to your recipient with information on how to use it. Click here to purchase gift memberships. Important: Please check the box that you are purchasing the membership as a gift for information about the membership to be sent to your recipient.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are available if you want a physical gift to present to your recipients. They can be purchased in any amount. $5 shipping & handling is added for orders. Please call (847) 832-6600 to request a gift certificate.