Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview, IL

 UPDATED 2020

I've never met a children's museum I didn't like but the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview IL is simply the best. And what a life saver on a rainy day if you have youngsters aged between newborn and 8 years old.

The Kohl Children's Museum opened in Wilmette IL in 1985, just a few years before I moved to the North Shore from Los Angeles. I had an 18-month old and was lucky enough to discover it fairly quickly. My playgroup made regular visits there over the course of many years and when my daughter was born, I started all over again. By the time the museum moved into a new larger facility in Glenview, my children had outgrown it - but they still remember the little grocery store where they could pretend to purchase items - just like mom or dad!

The museum building itself is a LEED-certified green building with almost 47,000 sq. ft of inside space plus there is a 2-acre outdoor exhibit space. All public areas are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and are equally available to people with any level of physical, cognitive, visual, or auditory challenges.

Some reviews from satisfied parents:

"My children love the museum. As a parent, I love the education designed into the the exhibits. Great experience."

"Good place to take the kids on a bad-weather day. Most can find one or more exhibits to amuse them. My grandchildren spent 3 hours just making a fort with the large soft building blocks."

"Who knew hands-on learning could be this much fun? Kohls has lots of things for kids of all ages to do."


The museum has 17 permanent interactive exhibits plus temporary ones that change regularly- they are both hands-on and instructive. I've heard someone say that calling it a museum is a misnomer since it's more of an educational play place. Regardless, when the weather is frightful, this is a great option to keep your children busy for several hours.

Some of the permanent exhibits are: Adventures in Art, Baby Nursery, Habitat Park, City on the Move, Pet Vet, Hands-on House, and SpotHero Car Garage.  

See what I mean? It could take 17 trips to get through the main permanent exhibits!

Frightful or perfect weather - make it a point to take your kids to the Kohl Children's Museum - it can't get any more fun. 

Kohl Children's Museum
2100 Patriot Blvd (in the heart of the Glen)
Glenview, IL
847-832-6600

To learn more about he museum, hours, directions, or exhibits, please visit The Kohl Children's Museum

(Photos used in body of post are courtesy of the Kohl Children's Museum)

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