Hours of Operation
Current Hours of Operation
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am - 2pm
Tuesday: CLOSED
Friday through Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Special Hours
Winter Weeks of Play 12/23-1/5: Special programming and extended hours. View the full schedule here.
12/20-23; 12/26-30; and 1/2-5: Open daily 10am-5pm
12/24: 10am-2pm (early close)
12/25: Closed
12/31: 10am-2pm (early close)
1/1: 12-5pm (late open)
Play for All event, 1/4: 11am - 5pm (late open)
Final admissions are allowed no later than 60 minutes before the museum closes.
One adult (18+) AND one child are required for museum entry.
Admission
Adults and children 1 year and older
Illinois Resident* $21 per person
Non-Illinois Resident $23 per person
*with proof of Illinois residency.
Click here to purchase your tickets:
Member? Click here to reserve your tickets:
Tickets and member reservations will be available for entry periods.
You may enter the museum anytime within your selected pulse, and you may stay in the museum for as long as you wish until we close. For example, if you purchase tickets, or make a member reservation in Pulse 1, you may enter the museum anytime between 10:00 am and noon and stay for as long as you wish. If you purchase tickets or make a member reservation in Pulse 3, you may enter anytime between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm and stay for as long as you wish.
Museum re-entry may be restricted when guest and member traffic is high; please plan your visit around meal and snack times. We understand that it’s not easy to keep young children on tight schedules; this system gives visitors big windows of entry while allowing the museum to keep occupancy at comfortable levels for everyone.
Masks are optional. Review our complete list of the steps we are taking to ensure safety during a visit and what we ask of you during each visit.
Play for Less
Check in using the Go City pass, Explore More Illinois pass, Military I.D., EBT card, or WIC card in the general admission line. All discounts are provided at the museum, on the day of your visit, with no reservation required! See below for discount details.
Veterans and Active Military
Veterans receive one (1) free admission for themselves every day with the presentation of valid military status identification. Active military receive one (1) free admission for themselves and up to three (3) guests, child or adult, every day with the presentation of valid military status identification. Advance reservations are not required for a veteran and active military party visiting the museum. Stop at the tickets desk and our guest staff will provide you tickets for admission.
Museums for All
Chicago Children’s Museum is a proud Museums for All partner. We offer families that qualify for state food assistance and are in possession of an EBT card or WIC card $3 admission per person for up to 6 people when identification is presented in the general admission line. We accept EBT cards or WIC cards from every U.S. state and territory.
Note: The Chicago Public School-issued EBT cards and the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) cards are not eligible for this program. All Museums for All groups must include at least one adult and one child age 17 or younger.
Go City Chicago Pass
See the best of Chicago with Go City! Visit bucket list attractions, explore the city on a top tour, and discover plenty of hidden gems - including Chicago's Children's Museum. Save up to 50% on your chosen Chicago attractions, with the freedom to do what you want, when you want and without multiple entry fees or paper tickets! Simply download your pass, show your phone, and you're all set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of admission?
Admission for adults and children (1 year and older) is $21 per person for Illinois residents with proof of Illinois residency, and $23 per person for non-Illinois residents. Email customersupport@chicagochildrensmuseum.org with any questions.
Admission for children under 1 year old is free. Veterans and active military receive free admission every day with the presentation of valid military status identification.
Admission for families that qualify for state food assistance and are in possession of an EBT card or WIC card is $3 per person (up to 6 people) when identification is presented, as part of the Museums for All program.
What are accepted forms of ID to show proof of Illinois residency?
State-issued ID card or License
Illinois city/institution-issued Library card*
Illinois city/institution-issued employee ID card*
Current lease, mortgage agreement, or utility bill with an Illinois address on it*
Chicago CityKey Card
Illinois academic ID card
Illinois auto registration card*
Voter registration card*
Posted mail from the past 30 days with an Illinois Address*
*Forms of ID that do not include a photo must be presented with another form of photo ID.
What does the cost of admission include?
Chicago Children’s Museum is play in many variations—all included in the cost of admission—including temporary exhibits and permanent favorites. Visit our Exhibits page for more information on what to do while you’re here, or explore by your little one’s age:
Are strollers allowed in the museum?
Strollers are allowed at Chicago Children’s Museum. They may be left in our unattended coat room or remain with you during your visit. Many exhibits include adjacent stroller parking areas, but for those that don’t, we ask that you please refrain from leaving your stroller in high-traffic areas such as exhibit entrances and exits.
What types of accommodations do you provide for people with disabilities?
Chicago Children’s Museum believes an accessible and inclusive museum must address each visitor’s experience—making the entire museum space welcoming to all. See our Accessibility and Inclusion page for more information on:
Wheelchair accessibility (our entire museum is wheelchair accessible)
Therapeutic play guides
Assistive devices
Play For All events
If I need to reschedule, cancel my tickets, or refund my membership, what do I do?
Please contact customersupport@chicagochildrensmuseum.org to make any adjustments to your tickets or membership. There is a 10% fee applied to any refund or cancellation.
How do I redeem my Gift of Play E-Certificate?
Simply show your e-certificate when you check in at the front desk of the Museum to gain entry. Gift of Play tickets are good for up to one year from date of purchase.
Will my family be welcome here?
Chicago Children’s Museum welcomes all families and children, and we recognize that all individuals—grownups and children—experience the world in different ways. We strive to make sure that our space is comfortable and accessible regardless of ability, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
As we aspire to be a welcoming place for all visitors, we work to honor and nurture the fundamental values of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI). Our DEAI initiatives include LGBTQ, ability, and race and ethnicity inclusion.
Learn more about our efforts on our DEAI page.
Can I bring food and beverages into the museum?
There are specific snack spots available for guests to eat and drink in the museum, with the exception of nursing and bottle-feeding, which is allowed anywhere in the museum. Water fountains are open; bottled water is available for purchase.
What do I do if I lost something at the museum?
Please contact our lost and found at (312) 464-7678 for lost item inquiries.
Where should I park?
There are 1,500 indoor parking spaces available in Navy Pier parking garages.
When Navy Pier garages are full (indicated by electronic signage and traffic aides), there are alternate lots nearby offering $15 discounted parking, with validation issued by Navy Pier.
Chicago Children’s Museum members receive a parking discount or free parking on every visit based on their membership level. Learn more on our Membership page.
Can I host a birthday party or other event at Chicago Children’s Museum?
At this time, we are not offering birthday parties. We hope to be able to offer birthday parties in the future.
I’m with a nonprofit and/or public educational institution, and I would like to request a ticket donation from CCM for an upcoming fundraiser. How do I do this?
Please visit our Request a Donation page for more information.