Chicago Children’s Museum

Chicago Children’s Museum is built for children who learn by moving, making and testing ideas. Babies and crawlers have dedicated play areas in several exhibits, while Pritzker Playspace is designed for families with young children. Ages 4 to 8 are the museum’s clearest sweet spot.

They can climb through Cloud Buster, dig for pretend dinosaur bones, design skyscrapers in Skyline and make projects in the Art Studio. Older children can take on engineering challenges in Tinkering Lab, where supervised activities use real tools and materials.

The museum is indoors at Navy Pier, which makes it a strong cold-weather or rainy-day choice. Strollers are allowed and may stay with you, go in the unattended coat room or use stroller parking near many exhibits. Families with babies get unusually useful support: nursing chairs, a nursing room, changing tables and private family bathrooms are all listed on the museum’s official baby and toddler page.

Accessible restrooms, quieter recharge areas and free sound-reducing headphones are also available.

Admission is charged to adults and children age 1 or older. Current prices are $21 per person for Illinois residents with proof of residency and $25 for nonresidents. Children under 1 are free.

Every group must include at least one adult age 18 or older and one child. Tickets use entry periods, and final admission is one hour before closing. Re-entry may be restricted when attendance is high, so settle lunch and snack plans before going inside.

Arrival takes more planning than a stand-alone neighborhood museum. Navy Pier has two large connected garages, but parking is first come, first served and can fill. CTA buses, including the 124 from Union and Ogilvie stations, stop at the pier.

Once inside, allow about two to three hours. Families who pause for every building, climbing and art area may need longer. Prices, programs and entry procedures can change, so check the official ticket page on the morning of your visit.