.png)
Mon: Closed | Tue – Thu: 10a – 3p | Fri: 9a – 5p | Sat & Sun: 10a – 4pm
The Museum will be closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 11th.
Our Story – The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
A Legacy of Play, Learning, and Community
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn began with a simple yet powerful idea—to create a space where children could learn through play. What started as a 900-square-foot room in an Oak Lawn Park District building has grown into a 12,000-square-foot museum that welcomes thousands of families each year.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our journey has been one of vision, dedication, and community support. Today, we continue to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and positively impact children’s lives through play-based education.
The Beginning – A Vision for Play-Based Learning
The museum’s story began in the late 1990s with Carol Marsh, a mother who envisioned a Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn. Through passion and persistence, Carol recruited business professionals and educators to form a volunteer Board of Directors, many of whom remain involved to this day.
The museum officially opened its doors in 2003 in a small community space. As interest grew, it became clear that we needed a larger home to fully serve children and families.
In 2004, Mayor Ernie Kolb approached the museum’s Board of Directors with a proposal: relocate to a newly developed space on 95th Street. This opportunity laid the foundation for what would become the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn as we know it today.
Growth & Expansion – Building a Space for Families
In 2006, a capital campaign was launched to prepare for the expansion. Moving from 900 square feet to 12,000 square feet meant developing new exhibits, interactive experiences, and an educational framework.
In 2007, we signed a lease agreement with the Village of Oak Lawn for our new space.
On July 27, 2009, we opened our doors at 5100 Museum Drive.
Since then, the museum has continued to grow, evolve, and engage with the community in meaningful and innovative ways.
Milestones & Impact
The museum has played a key role in shaping conversations about childhood learning, play, and education.
2013
Hosted a community discussion on the over-scheduled child, featuring panelists from Governor's State University and Oak Lawn Community High School.
2015
Formed a formalized Education Advisory Board, which reviewed and enhanced exhibits to align with learning standards.
2016
Partnered with Chicago Community Trust for our first "On the Table" discussion, emphasizing the importance of play in learning.
2017-Present
Became a participant in the Children’s Museum Research Network, contributing to national studies on museum-based learning.
2018
Collaborated with St. Xavier University to develop a learning framework that strengthens our museum’s educational impact.
2021-Present
Keystone Partnership with UIC.
2021-Present
Launched Wee Ones Wednesday, a therapist-supported playtime for toddlers and caregivers to explore developmental milestones.
2025-Present
Created an online hub linking parents to local services, tools, and programs that support their children’s growth and development.
.jpg)
Our Commitment to Children & Families
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn is a place for families to explore, learn, and grow together. Through carefully designed exhibits and interactive play, children develop critical thinking, conflict resolution, and social skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
As a standalone 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the museum is funded through admissions, birthday parties, and field trips—but this only covers 65-70% of our annual operating costs.
The generosity of our supporters allows us to:
Keep admission prices affordable
Provide high-quality, hands-on learning experiences
Develop new exhibits and programming for the community
Get Involved
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn is more than just a museum—it’s a place where families learn together, curiosity thrives, and play leads to lifelong learning. Whether you visit, volunteer, or donate, you become part of our story—a story that continues to grow with each child who walks through our doors.