HUNTER’S NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: KOHL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org

If you’ve spent time with children on the North Shore, you know the Kohl Children’s Museum is a household name. First opening in Wilmette in 1985, the museum has been touching the hearts and minds of children (and their adults) ever since. Now located in The Glen—a popular, newer development in the heart of Glenview—the museum offers 17 permanent interactive exhibits, special daily programming, and outdoor exhibits for nature exploration, all designed for kids from birth through age 8.

As thought leaders in the early childhood education space, the Kohl Children’s Museum continues to innovate with creative learning opportunities that incorporate STEAM—yes, that’s STEM with an added “A” for the arts—concepts into play activities. And play is accessible to everyone at Kohl—their exclusive building was created with universal design so that people of all ages and abilities can be active participants in the fun.

The best part about visiting the museum with any child is there’s truly something to spark everyone’s interests: Pet Vet turns even the tiniest tots into veterinarians, City on the Move encourages Chicago-centric exploration through math and science manipulations, and Water Works is—you guessed it—all things H2O! The most popular exhibit with pint-sized patrons is the Whole Foods Market, where kids can “buy” and bag their own groceries while learning to make healthy food choices.

In addition to providing an interactive, engaging, and unique experience to daily visitors, the Kohl Children’s Museum is also dedicated to community engagement with underserved populations across the tri-state area, and to educating teachers to more effectively integrate STEAM-based education principles into their classrooms. The museum’s upcoming Touch-A-Truck Family Festival on Sunday, May 6th—where curious kids can get cozy with various vehicles of transport and function—directly supports ongoing outreach opportunities. For more information on the festival, or to purchase tickets, visit the museum’s website.

Planning your visit: free parking is included on site, with free overflow parking available across the street at The Glen Town Center. While the museum is most easily accessible by car, it can be reached by train if coming from the city or northwest suburbs: Metra’s North Glenview station stop on the Milwaukee District North line is approximately a half mile walk from the museum. Additionally, suburban Pace Bus route 423 stops at the museum Monday through Friday. For other transportation options, contact the museum directly.