Kohl exhibit keeps kids engaged and learning
Baby, it's cold outside. If cabin fever in your house has hit its limit, don't despair. We have a world-class children's museum in our own backyard. Glenview's Kohl Children's Museum is ranked one of the top 10 children's museums in the nation by Parents magazine. “Build It!”, a new exhibit celebrating the simple joys of classic building blocks, is stacked with fun and a great way for kids to get creative.
Step inside Kohl's newest temporary exhibit and you'll find kids are having a ball just playing blocks. That's right ... no electronic gadgets or buttons to push, just blocks ... wooden ones, foam ones, every kind of block. What's the attraction? In our digital age, lots of parents have turned their back on the block. Maybe they're afraid blocks won't stack up to the tablets, apps and computer games promising high returns in math, science and problem solving, even for the pre-school crowd. Don't knock the block off the toy list just yet, says Stephanie Bynum, Kohl Children's Museum vice president of programs. “Block play has distinct educational outcomes. Children get to classify, measure, count, use fractions and gain a better understanding of depth, symmetry and space. Block play in a group setting also provides opportunities to practice social skills, such as sharing and collaboration.”
Now, I can't tell you exactly what my 6-year-old daughter learned during our visit, but I can vouch for how much fun she had. If your child's anything like mine, even though the block exhibit might be sneaking in some math concepts, the highlight will probably be playing in the big foam block area — building forts and towers, then jumping in them and knocking them down. As with all children's museums, the goal is for kids to learn, but to have fun doing it!
A variety of stations allow children to do just that, working with different sizes and types of blocks. There's the Shadow Boxing station, where kids can build structures and cast shadows using directional lights. As they move the blocks and lights, they'll learn how angles of light change shadows. Another station includes mural-size blueprints of the Chicago skyline to inspire budding architects. Kids can use blocks of different shapes and sizes to create some of Chicago's most iconic skyscrapers.
Of course, we also stopped by the Kohl classics during our visit. Each year more than 300,000 visitors enjoy Kohl's 16 permanent exhibits. There's the Potbelly's exhibit where kids get to serve up fun. Who knew running a sandwich shop could be a game?! Kids learn about cooking, currency, cleaning up and customer service. My daughter also delighted in picking out all the groceries by herself at the pretend grocery store and creating aqueducts at the water table exhibit. A sure hit with toddlers is the baby nursery and adjacent pet vet center, where kids can give babies and animals check-ups and loving care. Another favorite is the Hands-On House. Only a kid could get a kick out of drywalling and roof repair. But that's the joy of childhood, right?!
The best children's museums ignite imagination and kindle creativity, sparking a life-long curiosity for learning and exploring. In this digital age, Kohl Children's Museum remains charming in a simple way that celebrates childhood and the benefits of imaginative play. “Build It!” highlights the toy that's still synonymous with creative play, harkening back to a time before a vast sea of electronic screens began competing with kids' attention.
“Build It!” runs through May 3. The Museum is open on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $11 for children and adults and $10 for senior citizens. Children under age 1 and members are free.