Wonder Works is a hidden gem in Oak Park. This children’s museum is nestled in North Avenue’s business district and is located across the street from Chicago and minutes away from surrounding suburbs such as River Forest, Forest Park, and Elmwood Park. Wonder Works invited us to come check out the museum with complimentary tickets; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wonder Works is great for families with young children, including infants and toddlers, as all the exhibits are on one level. The single level and openness give the museum a playroom vibe. Let’s dive right in!
Wonder Works Children’s Museum Exhibits
Wonder Works has eight exhibits: The Wall of Wonder, The Great Outdoors, Build It, North Avenue Art Works, Farm to Market, Lights Camera Action, Children’s Garden, and Becky Boyce Nature Play Space.
Wall of Wonder
The Wall of Wonder is a large wall made of foam located twenty to thirty feet from the entrance. The wall and blocks come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. This exhibit is good for learning and reinforcing colors and shapes, but also helps to lay the foundations for geometry and physics.
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors Exhibit features a large tree to climb (staircase) with a padded play area. There are also animals throughout this exhibit with animal sounds playing overhead. While not added in as an exhibit, there are also community staples in the form of playrooms adjacent to the Great Outdoors Exhibit. There is a Post Office, Library, First Responder Station, and veterinarian.
Each playroom is equipped with costumes and props for imaginative play.
Farm to Market
Farm to Market shows the children how food gets from the farm to the market. The conveyor belt is a museum favorite. Children can place fruits and vegetables on the belt to get sorted into baskets that are taken to the market. If you have a young gardener or farmer on your hands you can pair this exhibit with the garden to talk through the entire farm/garden-to-market cycle.
Farm to Market runs parallel to the community play areas. In a sense, it builds a little town or village for kids to explore and learn about.
Build It
Build It is one of the best overall exhibits for all ages. There are blocks and other manipulatives as well as a train table, activity mats, and plenty of vehicles.
This exhibit encourages both communal and imaginative play through STEM. Children can build, move blocks, drive trucks, and play with magnetic trains all while strengthening both gross and fine motor skills.
North Avenue Art Works
North Avenue Art Works is where the art magic happens. In this room, children can paint and enjoy creative play. The North Avenue Art Works also has a ceramic class where children (and adults!) can purchase ceramics to paint in the museum or at home.
Lights Camera Action
Lights Camera Action is a multifaceted exhibit. Not only are the children working through the various elements of “stage life” and behind-the-scenes work, but this exhibit does a fantastic job of showcasing the importance of all jobs and of opening children’s minds to new careers. In this exhibit, children work together to showcase their acting or musical talents.
Toys include costumes, musical instruments, a camera, lights, sound effects, a production board, and more. Because this exhibit is so hands-on and there is so much to choose from it can get a bit chaotic. This is the great place to discuss the importance of sharing, taking turns, and working together to achieve common goals.
Children’s Garden
Children’s Garden is where children can learn about the life cycle and the circle of life. They can learn how to plant vegetables and flowers, as well as the various native pollinators. Children can also learn about the relationship between humans and food, and learn explore more about their own relationship(s) with food.
Tours of the garden are given weekly; check the website or call ahead to find out more information.
Becky Boyce Nature Play Space
Becky Boyce Nature Play Space is a really cool space. Here children can enjoy a snack, water play, or play with an assortment of toys. As if being outside is not exciting enough, children can also learn about composting in the play space. For a city kid, learning to compost was a cool touch!
Parking
Wonder Works does not have a parking lot, but street parking is available. The museum is on a side street (Elmwood) that has a cul-de-sac, and patrons of the museum are free to park there.
More parking is available on North Avenue. North Avenue parking requires you to feed the meter. You can use coins, credit card, or the Passport Parking App.
Food
Wonder Works is a nut-free environment (more applicable for parties) and does not allow food inside of the museum. They do, however, sell snacks such as apple sauce, crackers, water, and juice boxes on-site. There is no cafe inside the museum and there very few restaurants close by.
Looking to grab a meal out after your trip? Melrose Park is about 15 minutes west on North Avenue (IL-64) and has a plethora of fast food options. I’d recommend eating before arriving at the museum and, depending on how far you have to drive, pack snacks for the ride home.
Hours
Wonder Works is open 10am – 3pm Sundays and Mondays, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and open 10am – 3pm Thursdays through Saturdays.
Check the website for closures, events and private parties, and holiday hours.
Prices
- General Admission: $13 for anyone over 1 year old.
- Veterans /Active Military, First Responders, Teachers/Educators, and Seniors: $11
- Museums For All: Families in possession of an EBT card or WIC are admitted for $3. Chicago Public School-based EBT cards are not eligible.
Updated July 2023; check the website for pricing changes.
Recommended Ages
I believe Wonder Works is best for infants through 4 years old. Most exhibits are built for smaller children who are conquering various gross motor skills. The exhibits are low enough for infants and toddlers to reach, but simple enough for 3 and 4-year-olds to understand.
The one exhibit my soon-to-be-kindergartener loved was “Lights, Camera, Action.” He thoroughly enjoyed learning the effects of each button and seeing them at play. The art and ceramics room might be a hit with older children; unfortunately, we were not able to get inside the art room on the day we visited.
Best Days/Times To Go
Wonder Works shortened its hours when it reopened after closing for Covid-19, which makes for larger crowds daily. If you have a toddler, the best time to visit is Toddler Time, which occurs at 11am every day the museum is open for operation. For all others, Mondays and Thursdays are generally the best days to visit.
Accessibility
Wonder Works is wheelchair accessible! There is one bathroom in the museum so during crowded times there can be a wait. The bathroom is handicap-accessible and has a changing table. Aside from the party room, there are no quiet areas at Wonder Works.
Wonder Works for Everyone is a play event for sensory-impaired children. The museum opens an hour earlier to allow for sensory-impaired play. Registration is required for these events, check the calendar to plan for the next ones.
Upcoming Special Events
Summer First Fridays
August 4, 2023 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wonder Works 20th Birthday
August 11, 2023 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tips for Your Trip to Wonder Works Children’s Museum
- Wonder Works is a shoe-free zone. Remember to pack socks for the entire family. You can also purchase socks onsite for $2/pair.
- The are no lockers. The museum has cubbies and cubicles for personal belongings. Because there is nothing to lock and store belongings it is not ideal to bring more than what you need.
- There are very few places for parents to sit. This encourages you to sit on the floor and engage with your child(ren). If you suffer from bone injuries or arthritis, or you’re simply not flexible, try to bring an older child or someone else with you who can move easily and keep up with the children. Most things are low to the ground, so the kids tend to move quickly.
- There is no partition between the entrance/exit door and the rest of the museum. Be mindful of this when your littles are around The Wall of Wonder and Great Outdoors Exhibits.
Want to keep the fun going? Check out all the amazing children’s museums near Chicagoland!
