Wonder Works Children’s Museum is a hidden gem in Oak Park. This children’s museum is nestled in North Avenue’s business district, minutes away from surrounding suburbs such as River Forest, Forest Park, and Elmwood Park.
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 and easy to have eyes on the little ones. Let’s dive right in!
Wonder Works invited us to come check out the museum with complimentary tickets; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wonder Works Children’s Museum Exhibits
This past fall, Wonder Works underwent a little refresh! As you explore each exhibit, you will notice signs on the wall with QR codes. Each link is tailored to the exhibit you are at and gives you an insight on the reasoning behind each area. This adds enrichment to each exhibit and demonstrates the different skills children are able to use during play. Be sure to check those out as you explore the museum.
The first thing you will notice upon entering Wonder Works is the beautiful color scheme throughout. The new color refresh gave everything a “softer” feel. Each exhibit area has a bit of color which felt very calming, yet fun. Some even have gorgeous murals that relate to the exhibit.
Wonder works offers 11 different exhibits:
- The Wall of Wonder
- The Great Outdoors
- Build It
- Art Works
- Wonder Town
- Lights Camera Action
- Prewalker Wonderland
- Children’s Garden
- Becky Boyce Nature Play Space
- Sensory Zone
- Light Lab
Wall of Wonder
The Wall of Wonder is a large wall made of foam and the first thing you are greeted with entering the museum. 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 house to climb (staircase) with a padded play area. “Willow” branches drape below as you explore the outdoors. Large soft blocks are left to build a large bee hive. You can knock the entire hive down and rebuild again. When all the pieces are together, you can use the little opening as a door and play inside the bee hive.
Each playroom is equipped with costumes and props for imaginative play.
Wonder Town
Previously Farm to Market, Wonder Works expanded and transformed the concept into Wonder Town. The “Farm to Market” conveyor belt, fruit stand, and sorting baskets still remain throughout the “town.”
Children can walk down the miniature town and explore the Daycare Center, Fire Station, Library, or Vet Clinic.
The Daycare center has plenty of baby dolls to care for; a fridge, cribs, dining table and rocking chair. Entering the Fire Station, you can grab a firefighter hat or a construction hat, grab a tool box and run wild with imagination. The Library, as you can imagine, is a cozy space to grab a book and snuggle up to read. Children can put on a lab coat and get to work in the Vet Clinic. There are soft and hard animals ready to be cared for!
Build It
Build It is one of the best overall exhibits for all ages. There is a open space for wooden block building and a few different Lego tables to create by yourself or together.
This exhibit encourages both communal and imaginative play through STEM.
Art Works
Art Works is where the art magic happens. In this room, children can paint and enjoy creative play. Art Works also has a ceramic class where children (and adults!) can purchase ceramics to paint in the museum or at home. This area is separate from the flow of the museum. This allows children to be a bit more focused on their creation.
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.
PreWalker Wonderland
Located by Build It, you will find PreWalker Wonderland. Its nestled in the corner of the museum by a very large window, which I found to be very calming and low stimulating for the little minds. The entire space is matted with a soft-block wall for the pre-walkers to climb and take steps without worry.
Sensory Zone
Sensory Zone offers rotating item sensory tables. Children can choose to indulge as much as they choose. The area has a nice rubber flooring for children to stand on without worry.
Light Lab
Light Lab is one of the new additions to Wonder Works. As you make your way though, you will notice the bright “Litezilla” near the stage. Litezilla is a large light peg board for children to create their best masterpieces. Adjacent to Litezilla, you will find a light-up table with colorful magna-tiles.
The last light exploration activity, is a large white screen with color projectors. As you step (or dance) in front of the white screen, you will witness colorful prisms on your body, as well as the colors projected on the screen.
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.
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 at Wonder Works
Although located on North Avenue, the entrance to the museum is in the back. This allows families to enter without worrying about the hustle and bustle of North Avenue.
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 at Wonder Works
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 a designated area for eating, snacks cannot be eaten throughout. 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.
Museum Hours
Wonder Works is open 9:30am -3pm Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and open 10am – 3pm on Sundays.
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays they open at 9am for passholders.
Check the website for closures, events and private parties, and holiday hours.
Wonder Works Prices
- General Admission: $15 for anyone over 1 year old.
- Veterans /Active Military, First Responders, Teachers/Educators, and Seniors: $13
- 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 March 2025. 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.
Not only was my three year old able to do everything, she truly enjoyed everything that was offered.
Best Days/Times To Go to Wonder Works
Wonder Works has a few days closed for field trips and school events. We planned our visit on a morning weekday at opening and found it to be less crowded. Weekends will be busier.
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.
At any point during your visit, the front desk offers noise canceling headphones for any child (or adult) who may be feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Upcoming Special Events
Dino Works begin March 20th-April 7th. This event is offered (for the very first time) free with guest admission. This will also mean it is free for members as well.
As you explore the museum, you will find dinosaurs throughout. Wonder Works teamed up with the Field Museum and have the chance to borrow one of their Dinosaur Skulls. This will be displayed in the hallway; guests can get a close look, but will be roped off.
As you play in different areas, you will find costumes, props and even life-like puppet dinosaurs throughout. There will be a variety of shows and stories to entertain all your dino-loving kids. Your child will even have a chance to be a paleontologist with the fossil digging kits offered!
In addition to Dino Works, they offer daily programing. During our visit, there was an option to participate in infant and toddler yoga! Be sure to check their page to plan ahead.
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.
- 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.
- I wouldn’t recommend a stroller; I brought my 6 month in a carrier I wore.
Want to keep the fun going? Check out all the amazing children’s museums near Chicagoland!
