Kohl Children's Museum

Kohl Children's Museum is built for children from birth through age 8, not for families who want a quiet display museum. Its 17 hands-on exhibits ask children to build, pretend, create, move and test ideas. Exhibit names such as SpotHero Car Care, Whole Foods Market, Water Works, Pet Vet and Adventures in Art give parents a clear sense of the play style.

Daily programs add guided art and interactive stories without turning the whole visit into a scheduled class.

Most families should allow two to four hours. Tuesday through Saturday gives you the largest window because general admission runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday and Monday end at 1:00 p.m. Members receive an earlier 8:30 a.m. entry period every day. The museum does not publish a standard family visit length, so children who repeat favorite exhibits may need more time.

Habitat Park adds a seasonal outdoor piece. Children can ride trikes, follow winding paths, crawl through a tunnel, search for insects, climb and roll down gentle berms. The outer park generally operates from late March into early October and closes 30 minutes before the museum.

It can close for wet ground, a heat index of 90 degrees, poor air quality or electrical storms. The indoor exhibits still make the museum useful on a rainy day, but do not promise Habitat Park when the weather is unsettled.

Admission is $20 for adults and children ages 1 through 16, while infants under 12 months enter free. Online purchases take $2 off each paid ticket. Free on-site parking reduces arrival costs, and overflow parking is also free at The Glen Town Center. The North Glenview Metra station is about a half-mile walk away.

Bean Sprouts Café solves lunch without leaving the building. It publishes a children's menu, adult food and allergy guidance. Outside food is not allowed, apart from bottled water and lidded children's drinks.

The museum map identifies family restrooms, an infant area and a nursing station. It also marks a coats-and-strollers area, but parents who must use a stroller throughout the exhibits should confirm the current policy before visiting.