Fall Inside the Kohl Children's Museum

Summer vacation may be officially over, but that doesn't mean the end of local activities for Glenview children.

At Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago, located in the Glen Town Center, the upcoming fall season typically means decreased attendance -- but that actually offers an advantage for visitors, said Dave Judy, the museum's communications director.

"I would say the fall is the quietest time of year to come to the museum and the best time," Judy said. "Especially on a nice, warm fall afternoon--Indian summer--it's going to be wonderful."

He described September through November as the "slowest three-month stretch," adding, "So if you want to come to see anything and not have to wait with no lines, no crowds, fall is the time to do it."

The museum at 2100 Patriot Blvd. lures about 330,000 visitors a year, Judy said. The facility, which caters to children ages 8 and younger, was established in 1985 in Wilmette. It eventually outgrew the space and moved to Glenview in 2005.

This year represents a two-fold anniversary – 25 years since the museum's inception and five years since the $23 million, 46,000-square-foot facility opened in The Glen.

An Anniversary Kick-Off Week was held in late July. This fall, museum visitors can look forward to a special exhibit starting Oct. 5.  Even the 10-5-10 date holds a special significance as the numbers equal 25, Judy said.

"It's going to be called, 'What Does 25 Look Like?' " he added. "And what it will be is different sets of 25 things.

"It's about size, quantity and some more abstract things, like what 25 pounds look like." Judy said. "Kids can also see these things and find them in the museum, so it's part scavenger hunt."

The exhibit captures the goal of the entire museum, which aims to avoid the "look but don't touch" approach of traditional museums and invite learning through an interactive, hands-on approach, Judy added.

"Very little is 'don't touch,' " he said. "Kids learn by doing--trial and error. They need to be able to figure things out."

The museum's regular exhibits include 16 permanent sites, including "City on the Move," which encourages interaction in math, science and technology; "Water Works," which offers a place where children can get familiar with the scientific properties of water; and nearly 2 acres of nature in the outdoor Habitat Park.

The facility is a hit with little ones no matter what time of year, according to some parents.

Barbara Pedersen's 3-year-old grandson Grael "loves it," she said during a recent visit. "He couldn't wait to get here."

Claudia Rams brought her 4-year-old daughter, Sophia, and Bella Martino, 6, from Tinley Park to explore the museum. 

"I love it," Claudia Rams said, adding that the girls learn while having fun. "It's amazing."

With summer hours ending on Aug. 30, the museum is now open from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Infants age 1 or younger enter free while admission is $8.50 for adults and children and $7.50 for those ages 55 and older. The museum will be closed Sept. 13 through Sept. 16 for clean-up week.

Looking for other kid-friendly activities at The Glen? Color Me Mine, 1855 Tower Dr., provides an opportunity to paint ceramics, and Make-a-Messterpiece, 2050 Tower Dr., provides a creative art studio space for children 12 and younger.

For additional family-friendly activity ideas at The Glen, call 847-724-2025 or visit the center's website.