Chicago Children's Museum With Toddlers: A Parent's Guide

Updated November 2026. Hours and prices come from the museum's website and can change, so check chicagochildrensmuseum.org before you go.

The Chicago Children's Museum sits at the entrance to Navy Pier and fills three floors with climbing, building, water play and art. It welcomes children from babies to about age 10, and it has a space made just for the youngest visitors. Most families with a toddler spend two to three hours there.

Here is how to plan a visit with a child under 5.

Hours and admission

• Address: 700 E. Grand Avenue, Navy Pier, Chicago
• Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM to 2 PM. Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed Tuesdays. The museum adds extra days and longer hours during some school breaks and in summer.
• Last entry: 60 minutes before closing.
• Admission: $21 per person for Illinois residents with proof of address, $25 for non-residents. Adults and children 1 year and older pay, so babies under 1 get in free.
• Lower-cost entry: the museum is a Museums for All partner, which gives reduced admission to families with an EBT card. It also holds occasional Kids Free Days, which are announced on its calendar.

One rule surprises some families: every group needs at least one adult (18 or older) and one child. Adults cannot visit alone, and children cannot be dropped off.

Best spaces for babies and toddlers

Pritzker Playspace is the museum's early childhood room for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers. It runs as a drop-in space during set play blocks through the day, so check the schedule when you arrive and plan around it. To keep the floor clean for crawlers, adults and children take their shoes off before going in. Socks with grips help.

Treehouse Trails is a nature-themed area with a stream where children can catch pretend fish, a kid-sized climbing wall, and a newer infant area where babies can stretch out and explore. The museum names it as one of the most popular spots for young visitors.

Kids Town is pretend play built around everyday places and jobs. Two and three-year-olds often spend a long time here acting out what they see grown-ups do.

Water City is the water play area. Smocks help, but sleeves and shoes still get wet, so pack a full change of clothes.

Art Studio has hands-on art projects that change over time. Expect some mess.

Best exhibits for preschoolers

• Dinosaur Expedition: dig for bones and explore a dinosaur field camp.
• Kovler Family Climbing Schooner: a tall ship to climb, with rope nets and a crow's nest at the top.
• Tinkering Lab: building with real materials, with staff nearby to help.
• Castle: a large temporary exhibit that opened on May 23, 2026 and runs through January 10, 2027. Children can explore secret tunnels, a rope bridge, a tower, a throne room and a market, and pick from hundreds of costumes.

Four and five-year-olds can manage most of the museum. Two-year-olds usually do best with two or three spaces and a long stay in each.

A simple plan for a toddler visit

1. Arrive at opening. The first hour is usually the calmest, and you leave before nap time.
2. Start with the space your child will love most. For many toddlers that is Water City or Treehouse Trails. Energy runs out fast, and it is better to spend it where it counts.
3. Fit Pritzker Playspace into a play block. It is a good place to slow down when the bigger floors feel busy.
4. Take a snack break by the second hour. Hungry toddlers melt down quickly in loud rooms.
5. Leave while it is still fun. Two good hours beat four tired ones.

What to pack

• A full change of clothes, including socks, for water play
• Grip socks for Pritzker Playspace
• Snacks and a water bottle
• Proof of Illinois address for the resident price
• A small stroller or carrier for the walk along Navy Pier

Getting there and parking

Navy Pier has paid parking garages, and they fill on busy weekends and holidays. Families coming from the north suburbs often find weekday mornings easiest for both traffic and parking. Museum members get a parking discount or free parking depending on their membership level. CTA buses also stop at Navy Pier. The museum's Directions and Parking page has current rates.

Is it worth the drive from the suburbs?

For a winter day, a birthday outing or a day off work, yes. It is bigger than suburban children's museums, and Castle gives it something new through early January. For a shorter trip, Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview is built for children under 8 and makes an easy half day.

Frequently asked questions

What age is the Chicago Children's Museum for?

Babies to about age 10. With Pritzker Playspace and Treehouse Trails, it works well for children 1 to 5.

How much does the Chicago Children's Museum cost?

$21 per person for Illinois residents with proof of address and $25 for non-residents. Babies under 1 are free.

Is the Chicago Children's Museum open on Tuesdays?

No. It is closed on Tuesdays outside of special extended schedules.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes, but a small one is easier in crowded spaces. You will take shoes off for Pritzker Playspace, not strollers.

Learning through play at Children's Land

Hands-on play is at the heart of our toddler program and early preschool. Our centers have classroom libraries, multi-purpose rooms and indoor gyms, and children in our preschool program start going on field trips. Find a location or contact us.

Related reading: Indoor Play Places for Toddlers in Chicago's North Suburbs.