MomsTribute
The Kohl’s Children Museum, located at 2100 Patriot Boulevard in Glenview, Illinois, is a type of museum that is designed specifically for children to explore, learn, and play in an interactive and hands-on environment. While most larger cities house children’s museums which often have a variety of themed areas or exhibits that focus on different topics such as science, art, history, and culture, Kohl’s goes above and beyond with seventeen kid-approved permanent exhibits. Kohl’s also houses play areas, interactive exhibits, and educational programs that encourage children to engage with the exhibits and learn through play. Here are some of the kid-friendly favorites that my own children have enjoyed at Kohl’s over the years:
This exhibit allows children to explore a self-guided masterpiece. This exhibit features a monthly theme, typically entwined with the seasons. The drop-in art sessions segment of the exhibit are guided by the kid-friendly staff; visitors are encouraged to take home their unique pieces of art!
The baby nursery allows kids to explore the medical field while treating baby dolls with stethoscopes, pretend x-ray machines, and medical kits. Visitors are encouraged to learn how to change the baby dolls while allowing role play in becoming caregivers.
The kid-friendly building blocks located in the Build It Exhibit are life-sized for some of the visitors. While there are features like giant magnets to help children build stable structures, this exhibit allows children to “conceive, plan, and adjust engineering plans,” focusing on the STEAM principles.
This kid-friendly exhibit allows littles to count, touch, manipulate and explore the sciences. The City is based on Chicago, and the structures create patterns in peg-boards to entice the littlest of architects. Three train tables encircle this exhibit and allow children to understand the importance of train safety in a city or town.
This exhibit focuses on the art of problem solving with the goal of getting balls to fill a basket at the end of the experience. Video phones allow children to communicate with each other in separate parts of the exhibit. Using this technology, kids use pedal bikes and pump handles to make the movement needed to achieve the ultimate goal of moving the balls into the basket. Each experience in this exhibit is as unique as the participants.
At the Play Café, kids can create pretend meals for diners - from food prep to taking orders and operating the cash register, kids experience all parts of the restaurant experience. Role-playing the cook, cashier, server and diner allows children to step into others’ shoes and work with others as well.
The Pet Vet Station allows children to care for stuffed animal kittens, puppies, and turtles, all while donning white veterinarian coats! Children can examine “x-rays” of the animals to determine a treatment plan that is best for the pet ailment.
The Water Works Exhibit allows visitors to explore the scientific properties of water, learn about everyday functions of water, and manipulate simple and complex machines that help move and maintain water levels in different areas of the environment.
This grocery store is a favorite of the visitors and allows kids to be a stocker, baker, cashier or shopper. This imaginative and role-playing experience allows kids to sort and classify objects, match healthy items to shopping lists, and basic math!
It will open again on Monday April 3rd for Spring Break so now is the time for a plan to go to this Kid Friendly Adventure venue. For non-members, general admission at the Kohl’s Museum for children ages 1-64 is $19 for the day and if you’re bringing along Grandma and Grandpa over 65 years of age, it’s $18. On-line advance booking gives you a $2 discount for each ticket. Children under 12 months are free at all times but the best way to enjoy every aspect of the Kohl’s Children Museum is to purchase a family membership, so you can enjoy continued free access of the museum each time you visit. The museum has a daily schedule of special events which can be accessed online to help you coordinate the navigating around the museum without the need for rushing around to accommodate your littles’ nap time!
One of the main goals of Kohl’s Children’s Museum is to provide a safe and engaging space for children to explore and learn about the world around them. Kohl’s also offers resources and programs for families and educators to support children's learning and development. Birthday parties and private experiences are also available.
Amenities at Kohl’s Children Museum:
Dana H
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