Programming
All special programs are free with Museum admission on a first-come-first-served basis. No registration is necessary.
Art Adventures
Art Adventures are guided art activities that children and their caregivers can create together and either take home or replicate in the home.
These activities take place daily in the Adventures in Art exhibit from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. whenever the Museum is open.
Underwritten by:
Baby & Me
Baby & Me is a networking group for parents and their children up to 12 months, to come and meet others in your position – not just first time parents, but all those living with and caring for newborns, including grandparents and caregivers – to talk about what it takes to adjust to parenthood and a new baby in your life. A nurse representative from our partners at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussions on early childhood development and parenting topics. There is no charge to attend this meet-up group for adults and infants; however, regular Museum admission prices will apply for access to the Museum exhibits with additional children. This group will meet at the Museum every Monday from 9:30 – 11 a.m., whenever the Museum is open.
Please note: This session is not suitable for children older than 12 months
Underwritten by:
Children's Theatre
It’s time to let your inner actor out with Children’s Theatre. Through engaging performances, interactive storytelling, and partnerships with local theatre programming, you can explore the world of stage.
Underwritten by:
Fitness for All
Fitness for All activities are focused around getting and staying healthy. Whether it’s an opportunity to build your endurance, stretch your muscles, build gross motor skills, we’ll help put the “active” in interactive.
Garden Buddies (Seasonal Program)
Taking place every Friday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Habitat Park from May through October, this program lets children learn about seeds, weeds, worms, fruits and vegetables, and the joys of digging in the dirt and growing plants. Master gardeners from University of Illinois Extension and other local horticultural institutions lead sessions.
Kitchen Creations (Seasonal Program)
Calling all junior chefs! Join us at Kohl Children’s Museum for our Kitchen Creations program featuring farm-to-table food preparation and nutritious eating. Twice a month we will use a variety of ingredients and transform them into healthy snacks, salads, and more! Kitchen Creations will occur approximately every other Tuesday from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., May – October
Math Counts
Math Counts introduces children to the wonderful world of math in a fun, informative way. Enjoy a special storytime before engaging in fun activities that deal with the basic building blocks of math: sets and patterns, counting, numerosity, geometry – even algebraic thinking! Programming takes place approximately every other Friday from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Monthly Make Believe
The last Tuesday of every month, Monthly Make Believe gives you the opportunity to expand your imagination through dress-up, special theatre games, art programming, and other fun activities on a monthly theme!
Science Sleuths
Science Sleuths lets children become little scientists as they study evidence, make predictions, and test their hypotheses with the guidance of a Museum educator or local professional. Programming takes place approximately every other Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Story Time – K-3
Story Time takes place every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Walk into the pages of a different book every two weeks with our interactive storytelling led by Museum professionals. Early elementary age appropriate stories on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. are chosen based on age appropriateness but all ages are welcome to attend.
Underwritten by:
Story Time – Preschool
Story Time takes place every Monday at 11 a.m. Walk into the pages of a different book every two weeks with our interactive storytelling led by Museum professionals. Pre-school age stories on Mondays at 11 a.m. are chosen based on age appropriateness but all ages are welcome to attend.
Underwritten by:
Theatre Games
It’s time to let your inner actor out with Theatre Games. Through a variety of creative dramatic exercises, we will explore gross and fine motor skills, problem solving, listening and speaking skills, following directions, and building confidence. Theatre games takes place Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
Tinkering Tuesday
The Museum’s Tinkering Tuesday program encourages children to do what they do best – let their curiosity take over! Explore the world of engineering by building machines and creating processes, and then explore what happens when you make changes or do things differently. Programming takes place approximately every other Tuesday from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the Museum’s STEAM Cart at announced locations in the Museum exhibits. Photo courtesy of Anixter
Underwritten by:
Toying with Tech
Toying with Tech introduces children to the exciting world of technology in a developmentally appropriate way. Programming takes place approximately every other Thursday from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.