What are the Museum Hours?

We are open between 10-3 every day of the week, except Thursdays and Saturdays, when we open at 9. We are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission ends 30 minutes before the museum closes. We occasionally close early for birthday parties and private play sessions. You can view the museum’s hours daily here. Please check our museum schedule before coming to make sure we are not closed for a special event or private party.

Do I need to schedule a time to visit the museum?

Reservations are not required. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis until we reach capacity limits to allow for safe play. If you would like to make sure the museum is not at capacity limit, you can call 708-383-4815.

What is your admission price?

Admission is $13 for each adult or child, and we offer a discounted $11 admission for active military individuals, teachers, first responders, and seniors. Infants under 12 months of age are free. Please present a valid ID at check in to receive $2 off.  Note: Without proof of a valid ID, guests will be charged the full admission price at check-in.

Can I purchase tickets with cash?

Yes. We accept cash and credit cards.

Can I purchase tickets on-site at the Museum?

Yes, we accept all major credit/debit cards and will be happy to help with admission at our front desk when you arrive.

Capacity Policy

The museum operates with capacity limits for everyone’s safety and comfort.  Should we reach our designated capacity, a sign will be posted on the front door to let visitors know and our website calendar will be updated. Before coming to Wonder Works, feel free to call 708-383-4815 to see if we have reached capacity. Please remember that the museum gets very busy on extreme weather days. If you come to the door and we have reached capacity, we will have a few timed tickets available for later entry that same day.

Types of Wonder Works Memberships Available

We offer two types of memberships: Wonder Works and CLIMB. Both are valid for one year and offer wonderful benefits including free admission to Wonder Works and discounts for special events and birthday parties. The cost of your visit will be deducted from the cost of membership if you purchase a membership on the day of your visit. Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. Memberships can be purchased on our website. To be eligible to discounts on birthday parties and special events, CLIMB memberships must be purchased at Wonder Works.

Reciprocal benefits through the CLIMB network of partner museums –

If you are a member at one of the participating CLIMB museums, you can receive free admission for a total of 6 guests when you visit Wonder Works. You must show proof of your up-to-date membership from your home Museum at check-in. CLIMB Partner Museums include DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville; Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, Oak Lawn; Discovery Center, Rockford; KidsWork Children’s Museum, Frankfort; and Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview. Note: Without proof of a valid CLIMB membership, guests will be charged the full admission price at check-in. CLIMB memberships purchased at other museums are not eligible for discounts on birthday parties or special events. 

Reciprocal benefits through the ACM Network –

With a membership from a participating American Children’s Museum (ACM), you can receive 50% off the regular admission price for up to 6 guests. You must show proof of your up-to-date membership card from your home Museum with the ACM logo at check-in.  Note: Without proof of a valid ACM membership, guests will be charged the full admission price at check-in.

I bought my membership at a CLIMB museum that is not Wonder Works, can I come to a Wonder Works members only event?

Only Wonder Works and Wonder Works CLIMB members can attend Wonder Works members only events.

Discounted Admission

Holders of WIC, LINK, or other federal or State EBT cards will receive admission for $3 per person for up to 4 guests. Must show EBT card at check-in. The card may not be used for the purchase of tickets.  Note: Without proof of a valid State-issued blue LINK EBT card, guests will be charged the full admission price at check-in.

Can I combine discounts?

Only one discount may be applied per visit.

Proof of eligibility will be required at check-in for guests using any of these discounts. 

Mask Policy

Face masks are optional while in the museum for your protection and the protection of those around you.

Is food allowed in the Museum?

Snacks and drinks are available for purchase for $2 and can be eaten in the snack room. All food must be consumed in the snack room as Wonder Works is a food-free museum.

Can I leave the Museum and come back later?

Once you have purchased admission for the day, you are welcome to leave and come back that day. Admission ends 30 minutes before the museum closes. 

Are cubbies or stroller parking available?

Yes. Storage cubbies, coat racks, and stroller parking will be available.

What safety protocols is the Museum taking to keep everyone safe?

The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority. To help provide the safest play experience possible, we’ve enhanced our already robust procedures:

Frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces and washrooms.

Exhibits, Common Areas, and Loose Parts will be sanitized throughout the day.

Costumes, stuffed animals and puppets are washed daily. 

Wonder Works is a shoe-free facility.  All visitors must wear socks. Socks are available for purchase.

Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the Museum.

Three UV Light Air Scrubbers were installed in the museum’s air filtration system.

Face masks are optional for all.

CDC guidelines for cleaning are being followed.

We love to share everything but germs.

Any guest exhibiting signs of illness may be prevented from attending. If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, please use your best judgment before coming to Wonder Works.

Photo Policy

Photos and videos can be taken by Wonder Works staff for use on our website, press and social media. If you’d like to opt out, please let us know.

Animal Policy

With the exception of emotional support or certified service animals, pets are not allowed at Wonder Works. Pet pictures are always welcome however!

Can I have a party at Wonder Works?

Yes. You can have a party during the museum’s open hours or a private party with the exclusive museum access for you and your guests. Parties during museum open hours are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1-3PM for groups of up to 20 adults and children. Private parties can be reserved on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4-6PM for groups of up to 40 adults and children. Both types of parties are open to both members and non-members. For more details, please see our parties page or contact the museum by email at info@wonder-works.org or by phone at 708-383-4815.  

Can I serve food at a Wonder Works party?

The Wonder Works party room is open again! Party hosts can serve food for up to 25 individuals (including the hosts) in the party room. All food must be eaten in the party room as the rest of Wonder Works is food-free. Party hosts are responsible for food clean up and disposal. 

Can my school or childcare group visit on a field trip?

Yes. Field trip reservations will be available on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Please email info@wonder-works.org or call the museum at 708-383-4815 to schedule a field trip. 

We are a small school or daycare, can we come to the museum on a regular day instead of booking a special field trip? 

Small groups are welcome to come to Wonder Works at any time but admission may not be possible if we are operating at high capacity. Daycare and school groups of more than 12 individuals that come to Wonder Works during museum open hours must attend a mandatory orientation session upon arrival and the adult to child ratio within the group must be 1:4 to ensure proper supervision. During museum open hours, the snack room will be shared with all other visitors and will not be available for exclusive use of any daycare or school group that comes to Wonder Works during museum open hours. 

Parking

Limited parking spaces are available in our newly repaved parking area, near the museum entrance. There are also some spaces on North Avenue. Some of the parking regulations on the neighborhood streets near Wonder Works may have changed. Please check signs/meters before parking.

Do I need a ticket for special events like Dino Works or Gear Works?

Yes. When Wonder Works Museum is hosting a special takeover event such
as Dino Works or Gear Works, it is closed to anyone without a special
event ticket.

How do I purchase a special event ticket?

The link to purchase special event tickets can be found at
http://www.wonder-works.org/events

I am a member, do I get an event discount?

Our members receive discounts for our special events. The discount is
listed on the event page. Only Wonder Works and Wonder Works CLIMB members are eligible for event discounts. 

Are these special events tickets refundable if I cancel?

We accept special event ticket cancellations up to 24 hours before the
date of the ticket. Please call us at 708-383-4815 to cancel for a full refund.

My friend offered me her tickets, can I use them?

Our special event tickets are non-transferrable. Please have your
friend call us to cancel her tickets and you can then purchase them
online. All tickets must be purchased directly through Wonder Works
Children’s Museum.

Do I need a ticket for the adults attending the event?

Yes. Tickets are required for each guest, children and adults

Can I purchase a gift card to Wonder Works Children’s Museum?

We now have digital Wonder Works Children’s Museum gift cards available for purchase. These gift cards never expire and can be any amount from $10 to $500. The gift card can be used towards any Wonder Works’ goods or services – even birthday parties. Please see our gift card page for more details and to purchase a digital gift card.