Volunteer

Become a part of one of the nation’s best children’s museums by assisting us with your volunteer time and service. Since 1985, Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, a not-for-profit, educational facility, has been dedicated to “hands-on” learning and fostering innovative ways to nurture a love of learning in young children through play, exploration, and discovery. Kohl is one of the few museums in the country that has always focused on early childhood education – the fundamental, critically important learning that occurs from birth to age eight.

Ways to Volunteer:

Early Childhood Connections Celebrations Event Coordinator: Help with set up, food prep, greet the buses of people, assist with sign-in, provide information about the celebrations and the Museum, help with art studio set up and work with the Museum educators and teachers to set up their documentation panels. Also, need a photographer to take pictures of the events.
When: Saturday, February 23, March 2, March 23, and March 30; also Sunday, March 17 (you can volunteer for one specific date, a few dates or all of these dates! )
Time: Saturday 5 PM – 8:30 PM, or, Sunday March 17, 8 – 11 AM

Pop-Up Museum Floor Guide Volunteer: Be one of the friendly faces that help enhance each guest’s experience and learning through interaction in our new Pop-Up Museum exhibits. Engage children in open-ended “process” experiences through the encouragement of exploration of materials. Set and reset exhibit areas throughout the Museum’s operational hours. You will also help with keeping an eye out for lost children. Assist with answering patrons’ questions. We will have a staff Pop-Up Coordinator and facilitators to ensure the positive visitor experience along with you. Lots of room for you to interact with the children and exhibits.

Requirements: The ability to work with young energetic children, excellent customer service skills, bilingual Spanish (but not mandatory), and the physical ability to interact with children and families.

Where: Kohl Children’s Museum Pop-Up Temporary Museum @ Urban Edge Gallery, 220 West Clayton, Waukegan, Il 60085

When: Any Thursday or Saturday from February 2 – March 23 during free public admission hours
Thursday Shifts: 5 – 7 PM
Saturday Shifts: Between 10 AM – 4 PM (with various 2-hour shifts to choose from of 10 – noon, Noon – 2 PM, and 2 – 4 PM)

Spanish Translator Volunteer: Are you able to translate in Spanish? We are looking for a volunteer to help us with translation at our various Focused Field Trips (FFT) and at our Early Childhood Connections events. You would work alongside our Educators during these school trips to help translate for those that are Spanish speaking. Skills needed would be to translate English to Spanish and or Spanish to English; both written and verbal.
Weekday Shifts Only: Between 9 AM to 5 PM

Data Management Specialist Volunteer: Do you have good computer skills, especially with Blackbaud’s application? We need volunteers to help us with entering various data into our computer systems. Volunteers will work with staff in our administrative offices.
 Weekday Shifts Only: Between 9 AM to 5 PM

Floor Guide Volunteer: Be one of the friendly faces that help enhance guest’s experiences, and learning through interaction in our Museum exhibits. Assist the Museum staff by ensuring a safe and clean environment on the Museum floor. Keep an eye out for lost children and keep exhibits organized so that all patrons can enjoy the interactive exhibits!
Weekday Shifts: 9:30 AM – 12 noon or 12 noon – 3 PM
Saturday Shifts: 9 AM – 12 noon, 11 AM – 2 PM, 12 noon – 3 PM, and 2 PM – 5 PM
Sunday Shifts: 12 noon – 3 PM, 12 noon – 5 PM, or 2 PM – 5 PM

Birthday Party Greeter Volunteer: Work alongside Museum staff to ensure every child’s birthday is celebrated successfully! You will be sitting at our Birthday Party Table greeting the excited children and their families providing excellent customer service while checking in the guests, providing hand stamps, and answering any important question about party guidelines and or the Museum.
Saturday Shifts: 9 AM – 12 noon or 12 noon – 3 PM
Sunday Shifts: 12 noon – 3 PM

Art Adventures Volunteer: Mentor “future” artists in our Art Studio by helping children with their engaging projects, setting up new activities, and prepping materials for their projects. Seeking individuals with past experience working with young children in the arts.
Weekday Shifts: 10 AM – 12 noon or 1 PM – 4 PM
Saturday Shifts: 10 AM – 12 noon or 1 PM – 4 PM
Sunday Shift: 1 PM – 4 PM

Education Program Volunteer: Provide a helping hand to the educators who lead educational programs for school and camp groups. Volunteers will spend their time in our program rooms providing assistance during and after the activities. Seeking individuals with early childhood education experience.
Weekday Focus Field Trip Shifts: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Weekday Education Program Shifts: 2 PM – 4 PM

Master Gardener Volunteer: Master Gardeners apply! Come spend some time outside in our beautiful 2-acre nature park!
Weekday & Saturday Shifts: Between 10 AM to 5 PM.
Sunday Shifts: Between Noon to 5 PM

Special Events Volunteer: Be a part of a special event helping us with the different fundraising events during the year. Check back for event updates.

Volunteer Benefits

Learn and develop new skills
Meet and build a community of friends who share the love of learning
Gain experience working with children at special events, or work “behind the scenes”
Gain personal satisfaction giving back to the community
Develop or enhance professional skills for the future
Receive invitations to staff celebrations and other special events
Discounts at the Museum restaurant.

Volunteer Application

Thank you for choosing Kohl Children’s Museum as a place to volunteer. Please click “Apply Now,” below, to complete the application. After completing the application, our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you.

All applicants are required to attend an interview and training orientation as part of the application process.
The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years old.
A background check is required as part of the application process for all adult volunteers (18 years of age).
Parent or Guardian consent is required for all youth volunteers (16-17 years old).

Apply Now