Man and boy work together on a crafting project.

About our programs

Chicago Children’s Museum offers a rotating calendar of programs in the Art Studio, Pritzker Playspace, and Tinkering Lab. Please visit program locations for session times and free passes. The museum also offers a calendar of special programs in Great Hall and all around the museum!

Space is limited in Art Studio, Pritzker Playspace and Tinkering Lab. Free passes are available 1 hour before the workshop starts at each workshop location.

Indigenous Peoples' Day at Chicago Children’s Museum - October 13

Second Floor Lounge, Chicago Children’s Museum 
Story Lounge: 10am-5pm 
Seed Ball Activity: 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm 

Join us for our Indigenous Peoples' Day story lounge and curl up with books that celebrate Indigenous children, families, history, and culture. Create a “seed ball” of wildflower seeds indigenous to Illinois that you can plant in your own neighborhood.

Art Studio

Workshop Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Whoop De Do World!
July 30-September 1
All Ages
Be a designer and create your own theme park ride model using paper, scissors, glue and other recycled materials!

Closed for new workshop preparation
September 2-5

Cartoon Friend
September 6-October 13
All Ages
What do you look for in a friend? Come design and draw a cartoon of your special pal! 

Pritzker Playspace

Session Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30

Earthly Wonders
April 18 - September 1
Discover the beauty of natural materials and all of the different ways they can be explored.

Tinkering Lab

Workshop Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Somos Ingenieros: Piñatas
August 12-September 21
Ages 3 and Up
Create your own piñata inspired by the creativity of Latino Families who were part of our afterschool program Somos Ingenieros (We are Engineers)! 

Closed for Workshop Changeover
September 22-23

Cardboard Lab
September 24-October 20
Ages 2 and Up
What can you create using cardboard? Can you make it strong? Soft? Smooth or bumpy? Explore cardboard like an engineer!

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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.