About our programs

Chicago Children’s Museum offers a rotating calendar of programs in the Art Studio, Pritzker Playspace, and Tinkering Lab. Please visit program locations for session times and free passes. The museum also offers a calendar of special programs in Great Hall and all around the museum!

Space is limited in Art Studio, Pritzker Playspace and Tinkering Lab. Free passes are available 1 hour before the workshop starts at each workshop location.


Art Studio

Workshop Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Drawing Studio
January 8-February 17
All Ages
Explore drawing with your whole body using oil pastels, markers, boxes and our wall!

Collage Self-Portraits with Visiting Artist Derek Moore
January 20 (View more special MLK Day programming here!)
Ages 3 and Up
Work with Chicago Artist and Educator Derek Moore to create a self-portrait to celebrate the importance and value of children.


Pritzker Playspace

Session Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30

Closed for theme changeover
January 7-9

Lights and Shadows: Underwater
January 10-April 10
Explore movement, space, and light. Discover how different objects interact with light and cast shadows and colors in surprising ways!


Tinkering Lab

Workshop Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Engineers and Puppeteers
December 11-January 13
Ages 2 and Up
Design and build your very own puppet pal, then bring them to life on stage.

Closed for workshop changeover
January 14

Cardboard Lab
January 15-March 10
Ages 2 and Up
What can you create using cardboard? Can you make it strong? Soft? Smooth or bumpy? Explore cardboard like an engineer!


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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.