Pritzker Playspace

Pritzker Playspace is a welcoming early childhood environment designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers. The Playspace operates as a drop-in space during designated play blocks. Families may enter as space allows to maintain a calm and comfortable environment for young children and caregivers. Entry may pause temporarily if the room reaches capacity.

Summer Hours:

  • 10:00am–12:00pm — Open for drop-in play

  • 12:00pm–12:30pm — Closed for facilitator break/reset

  • 12:30pm–2:15pm — Open for drop-in play

Thank you for helping us create a supportive and comfortable play experience for our youngest visitors!

Please note: to keep Pritzker Playspace clean for babies, please be prepared to remove your shoes before entering.

How Adults Can Support Playful Learning in Pritzker Playspace

  • Engage with the child by showing them the materials and modeling different ways to use them.

  • Follow the child’s lead if they show interest in a particular activity and play with them. Otherwise, initiate an activity. Let’s scoop these beans. Let’s stack these blocks. Let’s play with the objects on the light table.

  • Narrate the child’s experience. I see that you just put the ball in the basket!

  • Ask open-ended questions. What do you think will happen if...? What do you want to do next?

Discover more opportunities for growth in development and how to support children’s learning through play at Chicago Children’s Museum. Explore the Supporting Learning Through Play Guide here!