train table at main floor children's museum

The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Child-Led Play

Where Learning Begins Through Exploration

The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn is a place where children explore, create, and learn through hands-on experiences designed just for them.

We encourage parents to let their child lead the play—allowing their imagination and sense of discovery to guide their experience. While each exhibit aligns with key educational standards, to a child, it’s simply fun.

Through sights, sounds, textures, and movement, they interact with a world crafted just for them. More than just play—this is education through exploration.

SMALL CHILD PLAYING AT MUSEUM DURING TUMMY TIME

Plan Your Visit

KEY INFORMATION FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE

viewing entrance to museum on the interior

Hours & Admissions

Parking & Directions

Events & Programs

Exhibits

General admission tickets are only available in person at the museum.

Field Trip Forecast

Planning the best time to visit? Check our weekly Field Trip Forecast to see when the museum may be busier than usual.

Each week, we post a new Field Trip Forecast so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Upcoming Events

More Ways to Enjoy the Museum

having a birthday party at the children's museum of oak lawn

Birthday Parties

Celebrate a special day with hands-on fun. Book in advance to secure your party time.

boy and girl playing with sand at the childrens museum

Field Trips

Hands-on, play-based learning experiences designed for school groups. Reservations required.

little child playing with bloack at the oak lawn children's museum exhibit

Memberships

Enjoy unlimited visits, exclusive discounts, and reciprocal benefits at partner museums.

Play. Learn. Grow

"Play is the highest form of research." — Albert Einstein

Play is more than entertainment—it’s how children develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. At the museum, every experience is an opportunity to learn through exploration.

Repetitive play is essential to a child’s development. Each time they return to an exhibit, they engage with it in new ways, building on past experiences and developing skills that grow with them. A simple activity today becomes a deeper discovery tomorrow.

Encourage your child to lead the way—observe, interact, and watch them grow with every visit.

Play kitchen counter with cow print and red stools, sign says Moo-Moo Cafe

women founders of the Childrens Museum of Oak Lawn

About the Museum

What started as a simple idea from Carol Marsh, a mother living in Oak Lawn in the late 1990s, has grown into a beloved learning space that serves thousands of families each year. Through community support and a dedication to early childhood education, the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn has become a place where play sparks learning, curiosity thrives, and families grow together.