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Mon: Closed | Tue – Thu: 10a – 3p | Fri: 9a – 5p | Sat & Sun: 10a – 4pm
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Explore Our Exhibits
Hands-On Learning Through Play
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn is designed to engage, inspire, and educate through interactive exhibits that encourage imagination, discovery, and exploration. Each space offers unique opportunities for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, allowing children to learn through play.
The Race is On
The Race Is On invites children to explore the exciting world of gravity, motion, momentum, force, and energy through hands-on experiments. They can roll a ball down a ramp to test precision, race it along a roller coaster track to see if it has enough speed to reach the finish line, and even experience momentum firsthand with a quick trip down the slide. This high-energy exhibit encourages problem-solving, prediction, and active learning as kids discover the science behind movement in a fun and engaging way.
Water Adventure
Water Adventure invites children to explore the dynamic and ever-changing nature of water through hands-on play. They can make waves, experiment with floating and sinking, and watch as water flows and falls, engaging in a multi-sensory experience that stimulates sight, sound, and touch. This exhibit fosters curiosity, discovery, and an appreciation for one of Earth’s most essential elements. Made possible through the generous support of the J. Edward Mahoney Foundation.
First Responder Friends
First Responder Friends gives children the chance to step into the shoes of real-life heroes. They can try on firefighter gear, drive a fire truck, and participate in fire safety activities to learn how firefighters protect our communities. At the police car, kids will discover the many roles police officers play, from keeping people safe to enforcing laws, while role-playing and exploring. Through hands-on experiences, this exhibit fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and a deeper appreciation for first responders.
Health Quest
Health Quest invites children to explore the world of healthcare and wellness through hands-on activities. Kids can experiment with real medical tools like stethoscopes, test their heartbeat on a drum, and observe how it changes with movement and exercise. By engaging in interactive play, children develop a foundational understanding of health promotion, wellness, and the importance of making informed choices for a healthy future. Made possible through the generous support of Advocate Christ Hospital and the Edward and Alice Opler Foundation.
Friendly Market
At the Friendly Market, children will discover their familiar grocery store in new ways. Our kid-sized market is filled with all the elements of a real store, where kids can become a shopper, check-out clerk, or re-stocker. This interactive exhibit focuses on nutrition, food choices, and math skills, allowing children to practice real-world problem-solving while having fun.
Route 66 Travels
Take a journey along America’s most famous highway in this exhibit that introduces children to geography, travel, and exploration. From roadside attractions to fun facts about different states, this hands-on space inspires curiosity about the world beyond Oak Lawn. In partnership with the Heritage Destinations Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Illinois Department of Tourism.
Moo Café
Imaginative play in the Moo Café is a fantastic way to boost creativity, social skill and problem-solving all while having fun. Take a moment to pretend. You can be a chef, waiter, or customer all while practicing teamwork, communication and empathy as you take orders or create new culinary masterpieces. Counting orders, measuring ingredients and charging customers opens opportunity for early math. Whether it’s managing a busy café or serving up a "meal", children can develop essential life skills while enjoying a world of make-believe. Check out the Yelp page for the Moo Cafe and prepare to chuckle at the reviews! Here's one just for fun: "The service was a little slow, but it's to be expected with a bunch of toddlers running the kitchen. Try the bologna sandwich, it's pretty good." - Ashley P.
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Dream Theater
The Dream-A-Dream Theater encourages children to express their creativity through storytelling and performance. Young performers can use puppets, dress up in costumes, or take the stage, working together to create their own theatrical masterpiece. As they act out stories, they develop language skills, confidence, and teamwork, learning that the possibilities are endless.
Tuneful Treehouse
The Tuneful Treehouse offers multiple levels of adventure and discovery. Children can crawl through tunnels, climb steps, or take on the challenge of the rock ramp as they explore this interactive space. Along the way, they’ll find musical instruments to play, adding a rhythmic element to their journey. At the top, they’ll be rewarded with a new perspective and a playful hideaway in the attached playhouse.
Safe Haven Animal Shelter
Children have a natural curiosity about animals, and this exhibit allows them to explore the responsibilities of pet care through interactive play. They’ll learn about the importance of giving pets a home, providing proper care, and helping animals in need. Kids can work together to mend a broken leg, nurse an animal back to health, or discover which pets might be waiting for a new family. You never know what kind of animals you’ll find at the shelter!
Build-It Workshop
This ever-changing exhibit allows children to become architects, engineers, and creators as they explore the world of building and design. Whether they’re constructing ramps, designing and testing paper airplanes, or experimenting with construction tools, they’ll engage in hands-on activities that develop problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and an understanding of basic physics and construction. With new challenges and materials introduced regularly, every visit offers a fresh opportunity to build, test, and discover!
Tummy Time
Designed for infants and toddlers, this exhibit encourages little ones to explore their world using movement and all their senses. Spending time on their tummies helps develop arm and hand muscles, essential for fine and gross motor skills. Children can crawl, climb, and navigate obstacles, building early spatial awareness and pre-math skills, while caregivers comfortably observe and guide them through these important developmental milestones.
Airways
What happens when you push an object into a stream of air? In this exhibit, children experiment with airflow and motion by sending colorful scarves and balls through transparent tubes. They’ll learn about cause and effect, force, and movement as they watch objects of different densities respond to the wind in the towers.
Build Your Own Racetrack
Kids will design and test their own racetrack, experimenting with speed, gravity, and momentum. By adjusting angles and curves, they’ll discover the physics behind what makes a racecar go faster or slower.
Art Studio
The Art Studio is a space where young artists can explore, create, and express themselves through a variety of media. From painting and sculpting to working with recycled materials, children can experiment with different techniques to bring their ideas to life—perfect for a masterpiece destined for the home “Refrigerator Art Gallery.” This exhibit encourages creativity, sensory exploration, and hands-on learning, allowing kids to develop confidence in their artistic abilities while having fun.
Megan’s Maze
In loving memory of Megan Hurkes (1999-2009), Megan’s Maze is a vibrant, interactive ball maze designed to challenge problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking skills. Encased in a large, clear sphere, players must tilt and rotate the ball, carefully guiding a tiny wooden ball through an intricate maze of funky shapes, curves, and obstacles—including Megan’s name, beautifully woven into the design. The journey begins at starting point #1, requiring patience and precision to keep the wooden ball on track as it moves through the winding path.
Made possible through the generous support of the Megan Hurkes Scholarship Fund and the Weglarz Family.
America United (A Traveling Exhibit)
America United is a traveling exhibit that features two beam pieces from the World Trade Center, serving as a powerful symbol of remembrance, unity, and resilience. Through interactive elements and a Talk-Back station, visitors are encouraged to reflect on themes of friendship, helping others, and patriotism. This exhibit is made possible through the generosity of individuals and private foundations. As a traveling exhibit, availability may vary—please check with the museum for current display locations.
Multi-Purpose Room
The Multi-Purpose Room is a versatile space designed for a variety of uses. When available, families are welcome to use this space to enjoy lunch or a snack during their visit. The room provides a comfortable setting where parents and caregivers can take a break while their children recharge for more play and exploration.
This space is also available for private rentals, including:
Reservations are required for private use of the room. If you are interested in booking the Multi-Purpose Room for an event, please contact the museum for availability and pricing.
Special thanks to Jim and Joan Buschbach for their generous support in making this space possible.
Museum Gift Shop
Before you leave, stop by our Gift Shop for a fun selection of educational toys, books, games, and unique souvenirs that inspire creativity and learning beyond the museum! From sensory toys to puzzles to hands on activity sets, there’s something for every young explorer.
Every purchase you make directly supports the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, helping us maintain exhibits, provide educational programming, and keep admission accessible for all families.
Next time you visit, take home a little piece of the museum—and help us continue to grow!
Exhibit Availability Disclaimer
Exhibits are subject to change without notice as we enhance, modify, and improve the museum over time. Traveling exhibits may or may not be available prior to your arrival, as they may be hosted at another museum, school, or library. If it is essential to know which exhibits will be available on the day of your visit, please call the museum at (708) 423-6709 before arriving.