Was searching for fun stuff to do in Chicago and the suburbs with a toddler and this place popped up for us! Perfect way to beat the heat wave! Wonderful selection of things to play with, though this isn't really a "museum". Because it isn't a museum, it does seem a little crazy that they charge for adults. All of the indoor play places I've visited in Phoenix (where I live) they only charge for the child. But my son had so much fun it was worth it! His favorite were the treehouse and the cars. Glad we came here! read more

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We visited this museum in Oak Park with our 15 month old grandson. He had a great time playing with so many different things. There were other families there, but it was not overly crowded. Many separate areas of play; a treehouse, veterinarian, kitchen, blocks, puppet stage...etc. fun place for young kids. read more

Fabulous small but very beautifully crafted children's museum in neighborhood Oak Park. Wonderfully attentive and engaging staff, lots of neat materials to interact with. Perhaps most ideal for tots ages 1-5 years old, maybe even 6-7 too. It was very full on the day I visited with a 18-month old new walker and he had a blast! The tree house area was a bit wild and over run with bigger kids, but all the other areas were clean, safe, and tidy. Bring socks for all visitors. There is a water fountain, but perhaps a water bottle too as there is a gorgeous outdoor nature space. Loved it!!!! read more

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$60 for three adults and one child. Outrageous. There were kids screaming everywhere; we go to children's museums and playrooms every weekend and I've never heard so many angry children. The space is very small and there isn't much to do. read more

This space is ideal for toddlers, there isn't much to do for kids older than 4 years old. While the space has a lot of potential it is unfortunately VERY dirty. The bathrooms are disgusting, the art room has sand, paint, and dirt all over the floor (yet it's a shoe-free facility), and the floor of the play space is totally littered with junk. Some amount of toys on the floor is normal for a play space. But it looked like not a single staff member had been through to tidy it up all day. Some parents were trying to clean it up because it was such a mess that kids couldn't walk through. All the staff were at the front desk looking at their phones. read more

Came here on a Saturday morning for my 6 year old nephew. Tons of activities for kids. He really enjoyed himself. read more

I used to explore this segment of North Avenue, as I found a few local businesses that have visited repeatedly. When I saw "Wonder Works Children's Museum" in Oak Park a few years ago, I didn't think much of it. Fast forward to Fall 2023, I am a mom of 2 kids, 2 year-old and 2-month old. All the past knowledge for being on foot a lot of times looking for things to do comes really handy. We came on a Saturday and there was an outdoor festival going on. Normally it might have some parking behind the building (I think?). Nevertheless, street parking wasn't hard to fetch. This "museum," in many reviewers' definition, didn't seem like a museum, as there is a lack of explanation at each play zone telling the educational value of it. That was totally fine! I must say this place would cater younger kids and often times they came to these types of places for some fun playtime. I also saw some "crawlers" and "sitters" with their parents. I thought it would be fun to bring both our sons in the future. We only brought our older son this time, and he had a blast moving through different stations that interested him: the cushioned blocks, the tree house, the mini postal office, the mini reading room, the fire station, the hospital, the fruit conveyor belt, the stacking blocks (his favorite), the piano, the scarf blower, and etc. Socks are required to enter and shoes are asked to come off prior to entering the play zone. There is a designated room for snacking and the sign indicating that it closes at 2:30pm (the museum closes at 3pm). We were there until the closing time and our son was hesitant to leave. It was good that he was able to enjoy himself to the fullest extent. However, I personally wouldn't pay the full price for the admission; the size of this venue just couldn't justify. We received a 50% discount for the reciprocal membership benefit as we presented our Chicago Children's Museum membership card to the front desk. The price we paid became more acceptable. The good thing was that an infant under 12 months could enter free, just FYI. There is an outdoor portion of the museum by the entrance which we didn't stop by. Overall, we were quite happy with what "Wonder Works" had to offer without going far. My partner and I both agreed that we could see ourselves coming back with kids again. read more

We got discounted rates as part of the Kohl Children's Museum membership, so it cost $13 total for my son and I (and my daughter was free since she's under 1). They have a lot of fun areas- tree climbing, dinosaurs, duplos, a stage for performing, cars, vets office, fire station, art center and more! There was also a small area for babies! We spent the better half of the day here, and my son definitely wanted to stay longer! They have a small four car parking lot in back, but street parking is easy and free, too! We would definitely return (especially considering the discount!). read more

This is a perfect little place for kids to play in when it's cold outside or too hot. We come here all the time since we love really close. The employees are always really nice! The place is clean and taken care of. If you buy a membership it's really cheap. They also do different events every once in a while. One of our favorite places. Perfect for kids 1-7 years old. Highly recommend!! read more

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Looks can be deceiving. You would never think you're stepping in to such a fun-filled experience. From the treehouse to the art room, there was lots to play with. The outdoor area was not quite child safe, so another mom and I lifted large wooden 2x4s and placed over a bench - as a canopy. Being as we were outdoors, with ample seating, we hoped to give the kids a snack. Apparently you're not allowed to eat outdoors. ‍ read more

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This is not the Wonderworks chain that has all the illusions and stuff. This is an independent playroom. My daughter had a great time there. They had a superhero theme going on while we were there. This place has a lot of play areas and tons of things to do. This is a no frills playhouse, filled with basic toys and gadgets. Not much high tech/interactive stuff here. They have a stage area (kids can put on different costumes), a climbing tree, two themed playrooms (firehouse and vet), a play market, building blocks and much more. They also have shadow puppet story time and an art room where you can paint and color. For an additional fee, you can even paint a flower pot. Admission is reasonable and they have a very small parking area. If you are not lucky enough to get one of the facilities parking spots, there is metered parking on the streets out front. The place is kind of small and can get tight, so I would recommend leaving the stroller in the car, if at all possible. We ended up leaving ours up front. The staff here was very friendly and helpful. And in my opinion deserve a parade, medal or something handling the amount of kids they do per day and with a smile. I would say that sometimes they need a play area referee, because some kids get "very excited" and their parents have not shown them proper playroom etiquette yet. I would block out about two hours of your day to visit here and throughly cover the place while you kid has a great time. And hopefully wearing them out in the process. read more

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What a cute playroom! My 2.5 yr old enjoyed exploring almost every part of this place. Trains, blocks, magnets, a conveyor belt, a tree, and many more. The two hour time limit was not enough for him but it was just right for me. The free butterfly gift at the end was a delightful surprise. Staff was warm and friendly. read more

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Lots to do. Climbing, blocks, puzzles, dress up and perform on the stage and so much more!

Perfect for kids ages 8 and below. This place is more of an indoor play area vs a museum. Nevertheless, it serves well as an indoor place where kids can play, explore, and let their imaginations run wild. $13 per person so a bit steep for 2 adults and 2 kids ($52 total). I wish they only charged parents $5 given that there is nothing to do here for adults. There are about 4 spaces in the rear of the bldg for parking. The rest is street parking. Keep that in mind if you have multiple children or schlepping bags and strollers. Inside, there are shelves where you can store your shoes. SOCKS REQUIRED! if you do not have socks, you can purchase one from the front desk. The play area itself is just one floor of fun activities and mini play areas for kids: post office, a store, a fire house, trees, from which to pick through, a police system, where you can see the fruits being transported, Lego blocks, a piano, a stage, a mini treehouse, and other toys kids can play with and explore. I saw staff going around the place and re-organizing toys throughout the day. I really appreciate that. My OCD self could not handle toys being disorganized. If you forgot to pack a snack, the front desk has some snacks for purchase. Overall, a good place for kids to explore and take out their extra energies. I would not recommend this place for kids over eight years old. They can also post a birthday party for you. Two. Thumbs up for this, place! read more

It's not really a children's museum as stated. It's an overpriced play pen for kids. Went yesterday for the first time and our experience was ruined thanks to these rambunctious boys. Not only were they completely out of control but they almost ran into my 2 year old daughter. Made the whole experience unbearable. They were whipping patrons while being pushed around in a push car made for a toddler. It seemed as if they were to old to be there since it's catered towards younger kids. And I saw one of them take the shopping cart and slam it into the vet room. Thank goodness no one was inside during that time otherwise someone could've really gotten hurt. The mother was out of sight. Probably looking at her phone instead of parenting her kids. Needless to say I will not be going back anytime soon. It's a shame too that the staff allowed it to happen. read more

My nephew would stay here for 5 hours if he could. There was just so much for him to do, and he actually enjoyed every station. I loved that the different toys and areas encourage creativity and fuel a child's imagination. I saw some kids who were barely crawling/standing to bigger kids like 8/9-year-olds. I didn't encounter too many rowdy kids and were able to spend a good amount of time in each station so my nephew was really happy. I lost something while I was there and the staff was able to help me locate it. Everyone seemed friendly, willing to help, and like being there or don't mind being surrounded by kids all day. I even saw one of the staff members playing hide & seek with some of the kiddos. read more

Just got back from the NYE celebration for kids at WW! Wow, kudos to WW for planning such a fun and organized party! Not a dull moment! The kids had the usual fun spots to visit. My little one loves the train table and my other little one loves the craft/art room. WW planned a parade, followed by the NYE sing-a-long and countdown. After the countdown the kiddos had lots of healthy snacks (popcorn, veggie straws, pepper slices, carrots, cheese n crackers, apple cider) in the snack room. All of this for just a small fee if you are a member. My kiddos are 4 and 6 and I thought they had outgrown WW but they still love this place. Thank you, thank you WW for entertaining our little ones. Quality NYE party. read more

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We are so fortunate to have a safe, welcoming play space for young children in Oak Park. The staff is very caring and conscientious about ensuring that all guests have a great experience. If you're visiting with multiple young children, Wonder Works smaller size makes it easy to visit with and keep an eye on more than one child. read more

this was a great place but clearly needs updating. Toys are broken. No puppets in puppet theatre. Most of the areas for pretend play are missing pieces. the stage is great but very few costumes. The fruit elevator is broken. The parachutes for the wind machine are ripped. It is a little disappointing. Definitely needs a redo read more

Went there once before, and my daughter had a wonderful time. Came back today during posted open hours, and it would appear that nobody showed up to open it? That was very disappointing. Shame as I was planning to buy a membership today. read more

The museum itself is fine but the last two times we visited in February my son came home with a cold, so there's no way they're cleaning appropriately to prevent COVID. read more

I feel at a loss on exactly how to review this place. While it is technically called a "children's museum," I read some reviews that had prepared me to have lower expectations than I would of a museum. And I will echo that advice. Don't think of DuPage, Kohl, or Chicago Children's Museum if you decide to come here. Think more along the lines of Kids Town in Wheaton, Kids Club in Schaumburg, or even Cafe n Play in Naperville (hi my name is Sam, and I am a play place junkie). So I'm trying really hard to see it for what it is, a play place with some activities that could be considered...educational. But with the deteriorating exterior that welcomed us, the hodge podge of shoes that seemed not to have enough space to occupy, and the dim lighting throughout the facility, I just can't consider myself a fan. Granted, we went during the NYE celebration, but I think the festive crowd probably improved the place more than anything. I do have to give Wonder Works credit though, as it was a pretty adorable celebration, complete with a parade and a countdown (and snacks!) I would like to return on an average (non-party) day, to see what the everyday atmosphere is really like. We had 5 adults to 2 children in our party, so I didn't experience the place the same way I would have had it just been the little ones and me. Would I bypass DuPage Children's Museum, where we are members, to come here? I would probably have to force myself. But maybe I will, for experimentation sake. read more

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Sweet and welcoming children's space with room to move, visit, play, create, build, dance...or take a moment alone. We hosted a birthday party here and it was a blast. The annual membership is a worthwhile investment. The space is smaller than a typical children's museum and I think that's a plus. It's nice to have the option of a less-hectic, familiar neighborhood space. read more

A great playspace! We've been in a handful of times now and love this place. I think what I love the most is that the price is similar to the prices of other play rooms we've been to in Chicago but it's much larger than most. It's $6 per person, adults or kids. Most playrooms we have been to are $9 per person or $12 per child so this place is a deal. However, it is definitely a play space, it's not a children's museum. But then again, you're not paying Kohls or Chicago Childrens' Museum prices. They have a small parking area in the back but we've never been lucky enough to score a spot. There's metered parking out front. read more

First time at Wonder Works. As a party entertainment company, we have been around everywhere. We loved our experience at Wonder Works. Clean, age appropriate exhibitions and we totally loved the employees! We did a show for the kids and the employees were dancing and having fun with the families. Really beautiful and intimate museum/ play space in Oak Park. read more

Wonder Works Children's Museum - Minnie from Happy Kids Chicago - Children's Museums Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Had a wonderful time there with my family. Professional . Great hosts in the party room. Clean. Face painters were awesome. Kids really like safety professional room where they dress up and the tree. With some more space maybe could add a sports room. The 1-3 year old girls in my family can throw and jump. read more

We love this place. I've been taking my 2 year old there for over a year now. It is a smaller place, but they have a climbing tree area, play area with a little fire station, grocery store, etc and a food conveyor belt. They have an area for cars and trains and building blocks, where they set up special workshop type specials once a week (I think), and art room, and a stage area where the kids can dress up and play with puppets. My daughter loves it, and the staff is always very friendly! read more

Hosted my daughter's 4th birthday party here and it was fantastic! I like that it's small and intimate setting, but what they offer is very engaging. Staff is attentive and helpful. I loved that we were assigned a party ambassador who did an excellent job communicating and setting up the room. It allowed me to be able to visit with guests. I would host another party there in a heartbeat. read more

This is a nice little "museum"(much more of a play place then other children's museums). It's one floor and basically a big circle which is nice if you have multiple children so you can always keep your eye on everyone. They do have an infant section but it's TINY. It's crowded with two baby in there...definitely wish it was larger because crawlers are easily stepped on by running kids. The museum is definitely geared towards toddlers (2-4/5) I think older kids would be bored(no water or wood shop). Overall it's a nice spot to kill an hour or two. The one time visit is a little expensive so we purchased the climb membership. That gives us access to 5 local museums for $150/year...great value!! read more

I purchased a groupon and decided to take my kids, 4 and 6 to somewhere we've never been before. As we walked in, we were greeted by a very friendly employee. The museum itself is rather small and I was afraid my 6 year old would lose interest fast, but then we discovered the sewing workshop and that quickly changed. My daughter sewed her first pillow and could not have been prouder. My 4 year old just enjoyed exploring the stage and grocery area. The price was right, it was incredibly inexpensive for the three of us to spend about 3 hours. What really stood out to me was how wonderful and friendly all of the employees were. I would definitely recommend it for a quick little adventure, just don't expect tons of bells or whistles. read more

I had the pleasure of volunteering here in the art room for several months last year, before going off to grad school again. The people that work here are wonderful and dedicated to helping children. I know from helping in the background that the staff do whatever they can to make everyones visit to the museum as enjoyable as possible. The museum is really well kept and cleaned every night by staff. The art room usually has a few activities going a day - popular activities are rotated, but they also plan new ones in advance to maintain interest. The activities are usually for all ages, and try to include at least one sensory art activity. The parking can be a little tight, so I recommend going as early as possible, or try to find a spot around the building, or on a nearby side street. read more

This place is great for cold weather days when you gotta get the kids out of the house. It's basically a giant playroom! The employees were very nice and everything was clean. And for being a business where you have to remove your shoes, it's nice that it didn't smell like feet like other places lol. Only a few things that were concerning. First off, it was very cold and the main windows on the North Ave side were covered in plastic. The stage has a gap between the stage and the wall that could be super dangerous for little feet to get caught in. And the back parking by the alley needs salt. Super slippery which was tricky when carrying little ones out to the car. read more

My daughters love this place, but I think because they are able to run around with other children and play with a few toys, but beyond that it's all it really is. I can see the staff is really trying hard to make exhibits and make fun interactions for the children but it really seems like they're resource strapped. As a member of the Oak Park community I was interested in helping perhaps volunteer or organize fundraisers for this, and called a woman named Mary who apparently runs the place several times, but she was overall pretty distant and surly, and never returned our call. So honestly, if the leader of the museum can't get her act together, I don't really much care to help. Still though, I take my girls there because they enjoy it, but otherwise, I'm pretty disillusioned with the museum and it's CEO's treatment of members. read more

I had many issues with this place including: Its not really a museum, but more of a run-down play space. They charge adults admission--maybe understandable for a museum, but not a play space. I'm not playing. There are not many activities. The bathroom toilet didn't work. Too many random staffers walking around not really doing anything. Too many rowdy larger kids running around unsupervised, causing general mayhem in an already somewhat chaotic environment. I only gave the second star because the kiddos I was with seemed to enjoy the treehouse thing--even when rowdy kids kept running and nearly knocking them out of it. read more

We had our son's 4th birthday party here, so I will review 1) the play area in general and 2) : the party THE PLAY AREA For a somewhat small space, there are lots of great separate "play stations" for kids to engage and have fun. From a climbing/jungle area to a book/reading area to a instruments/stage area to an arts and crafts room and all kinds of stuff in between. A child will not get bored here for hours and hours. And everything is open to everyone! Just jump in and start playing. Perfect for a rainy or cold Chicago day! Also, everything is clean, and the staff is around and attentive. THE PARTY There are several party packages to choose from, and the one we got allowed us access to the party room for two hours, a staff person, tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins and utensils (pick your color) and a clean-up crew. We provided our own food (pizza and cake--you can bring in what you want) and drinks. Although you only get the party room for 2 hours, guests have access to the whole facility for the entire day. There are no structured activities for the kids--just free play--but everyone was quite happy with that. It was a great time for minimal work and very affordable. read more

3.5 stars really Make sure your socks are clean and intact because everyone goes shoeless here. If you and the kid don't wear socks, you can purchase some at the front desk. WW is more of an imaginative play place. A tree house with tons of stuffed animals, a fire station, a police station, large building blocks, and a play stage with lots of costume choices. 5 kids and 4 moms spent an afternoon here. The kids loved it...I think mostly because they are all friends and would have fun anywhere. My son is 5 and unless we came here with friends again, he wouldn't be as interested. I have a feeling he'll probably grow out of this place in a year or two. #slowdown There is an art room that we used too--for $5 he got to paint two ornaments (present for grandma!). But there were other fun crafts for kids to do that didn't cost anything extra. Speaking of cost, always check Groupon...we scored a deal for $10 for two (yes, adults need to pay admission too) but with a gift code, our cost for two was actually $7. The space is small compared to DuPage or Kohls Children Museums. It's not as bright as either of the others too. The employees were nice and they were constantly working to clean up/return toys and clean floors. There's not much adult seating...the 4 of us sat at a kids table for the afternoon...maybe that's why my back is a little sore. read more

Fun and interactive play place for the kids. Lots of different areas to play in. Including giant size legos, wood blocks, tree house climbing zone, art center and more. Let the kids run free! One star lost because a couple of the activities were out of order and the JBL sound system was crackling throughout the space. Other than that the staff was super friendly and professional. We will be back! read more

This place smells like PEE. Between the smell and the music my head ached. And it has dirty old toys. Ick. The staff is wonderful though. Too bad they have to work here. The children liked it though, but it was more of a place for less than 6yo than for older children. read more

Wow. This place has totally deteriorated. The gift shop is gone, toys, displays etc are filthy and a total mess. It was so overcrowded and gross that we stayed a total of 15 minutes. They had 2 full school buses full of children too old to be there today. Seeing how rough some of these big kids were was pathetic. This place is meant for children between 1-3 only. I will not be returning. read more

I live in the city and ventured out here to try a new Children's museum (new to me). This place is bad. First of all it NOT a museum, its an indoor play area. Half the toys are broken and missing and ALL of the toys and dirty. I felt like we needed a family shower after this place. My kids had fun because they could run around and make a mess. I will never go back to this place unless I get a cooties shot first. read more