Kohl Children's Museum With Toddlers: A Visit Guide

Updated November 2026 with current admission and Kohlights dates.

Kohl Children's Museum, at 2100 Patriot Boulevard in Glenview, has 17 hands-on exhibits designed for children from birth to age 8, plus a two-acre outdoor area called Habitat Park in the warmer months. It is one of the easiest indoor outings for toddlers in the north suburbs. Go on a weekday afternoon or a sunny day for smaller crowds.

Here is how to plan a visit. Hours and prices change, so check the museum's website before you go.

Hours and admission

• Regular hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday and Monday, 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Some days have adjusted hours, so check the calendar.
• Closed: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Admission as of November 2026: $20 for children 1 to 16 and adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up. Babies under 12 months are free.
• Museums for All: families with a SNAP or WIC card pay $5 per person, for up to 6 people.
• Members: free admission plus early member hours from 8:30 to 9:30 AM.

At $20 per toddler and adult, a family of three spends about $60 per visit, so a membership often pays for itself if you plan to go more than a few times a year.

When to go

• Weekdays are usually quieter than weekends.
• Afternoons are often calmer than mornings, when field trips and toddler groups arrive.
• Sunny days are much quieter than rainy days, and great for Habitat Park.
• Sunday and Monday close at 1 PM, so plan a morning visit on those days.
• Plan around naps. A morning visit followed by lunch and a car nap works for many families.

What toddlers love

Exhibits change over time, but the museum is built around play that children can do on their own, with plenty of pretend play, building, water and art. Toddlers usually head straight for:

• Pretend play spaces, such as a child-size grocery store and kitchen
• Water play, where they can pour, splash and float things
• Building and construction areas
• Infant and toddler zones with soft surfaces for the youngest visitors
• Traveling exhibits that rotate through the year

Bring a spare shirt for water play. Many children get wet even with smocks.

Habitat Park

Habitat Park is a two-acre outdoor exhibit with nature-based, sensory activities. The outer area is usually open in the warmer months and may close in very hot weather, on wet ground or during storms. On a nice day, it is a great place for toddlers to run.

Kohlights in December

From November 27 to December 20, 2026, on select nights, the museum hosts Kohlights, a holiday light event designed for young children, with lights kids can change and play with. It needs a separate ticket for everyone over 12 months, and the museum closes a little early on those days. See our holiday lights guide.

Practical tips

• Buy tickets ahead so you can walk right in.
• Use the lockers for coats in winter.
• Nursing stations and family-friendly restrooms are available.
• Bring snacks and water, or eat at the on-site Bean Sprouts Café.
• Stay close. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Plan 2 to 3 hours. That is plenty for most toddlers.

Make it a Glenview day

The museum sits on The Glen in Glenview, near shops, restaurants and parks. For more ideas, see our guide to things to do with kids in Glenview.

Ideas by age

• Babies: infant areas, sensory play and a short visit before nap.
• Toddlers: water play, pretend grocery and kitchen, building zones.
• Preschoolers: traveling exhibits, art, Habitat Park and longer pretend play.

Frequently asked questions

What ages is Kohl Children's Museum for?

Exhibits are designed for children from birth to age 8. Toddlers and preschoolers get the most out of it.

Is Kohl Children's Museum free for babies?

Yes. Infants under 12 months get in free.

Is there a discount for families on SNAP or WIC?

Yes. Through Museums for All, admission is $5 per person for up to 6 people with a valid card.

How long should we plan to stay?

Most families with toddlers stay 2 to 3 hours.

Is there food at the museum?

Yes, there is an on-site café, and many families also bring snacks.

Children's Land in Glenview

Children's Land has four centers in Glenview: two on Milwaukee Avenue, one on Greenwood Road and Storytime Daycare on Waukegan Road. All are open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Ask each location which age groups have openings. Find a Glenview location or contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Daycare for 1-Year-Olds: What a Good Toddler Room Looks Like.