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.
Winter Weeks of Play
Special Extended Hours
December 20-23, 26-30, and January 2-5: Open daily 10am - 5pm
See special holiday hours and closures below.
Holiday Hours
December 24: 10am-2pm (early close)
December 25: Closed
December 31: 10am-2pm (early close)
January 1: 12-5pm (late open)
Special Programming
Join us for active play and winter warm-ups with partners from across Chicago, like Old Town School of Folk Music, Yin He Dance, and more. Move, dance, and play the day away!
Full Schedule
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 11:15-11:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 11:15-11:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
Note special hours on December 24. The museum will be open from 10-2 (early close).
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 11:15-11:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
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Active Play with Old Town School of Folk Music
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmFeel the music and explore creative movement with dance instructor Julianne Rice!
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Active Play with 40+ Double Dutch Club
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmHop, skip, and jump with the 40+ Double Dutch Club!
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Active Play with Ayodele Drum and Dance
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmFeel the beat and get your body moving with Ayodele Drum and Dance!
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Active Play with Old Town School of Folk Music
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmGet moving and find your rhythm with hip hop dance instructor Chello! Groove!
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 11:15-11:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
Note special hours on December 31. The museum will be open from 10-2 (early close).
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 1:15-1:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
Note special hours on January 1. The museum will be open from 12-5 (late open).
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Active Play Dance Party!
In Great Hall from 11:15-11:45Twirl, twist, and turn to some favorite family tunes!
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Active Play with Yin He Dance
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmExplore the art of classical Chinese dance with Yin He Dance!
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Active Play with Dance Avondale
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmPut on your dancing shoes for a creative movement session with Dance Avondale!
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Active Play with Old Town School of Folk Music
In Great Hall from 11am-12pmJoin Emily Zouras for a fun-filled family experience where grown-ups and kids can wiggle, jump, roll, and play together!
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
Holiday Dough
December 18-January 6
All Ages
Join in our annual dough sculpture workshop. Shape anything from pretend cookies to latkes, from dinosaurs to astronauts out of our handmade, scented play dough. Allergy alert: Flour, cinnamon, peppermint, cooking oil.
Pritzker Playspace
Session Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30
Going Places!
October 11-January 9
Explore planes, trains and automobiles; create your own imaginary small worlds and explore the world of maps!
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.
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