Museum of Science and Industry for Toddlers? What Age Is Appropriate?

I'm sorry to disagree with everyone... I took my 5 and 6 yo children there, and really had high expectations, which were not met. The idea factory was fine, but only one level. My kids enjoyed the planetarium much more. There was a lot of stuff to "look" at at MSI, not really much to touch or do, except for the one area. My son was really excited about natural disasters, but for all the hype last year, they only had wall displays about it; really very little hands-on. Of course, I had just taken them to the DuPage Children's Museum for the first time, which they absolutely loved, even more than the Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview. I can't say I'll be taking my kids back to MSI for a few years, at least.... Sorry to be the wet blanket of advice....

We LOVE MSI for our almost-3-year old. The best place ever is the Idea Factory down on the ground floor. We could spend hours there. Seriously... HOURS. Also downstairs the Farm area is very cool for little ones - lots to climb on and see. Huge tractors, baby chicks, etc. Also great are the model trains if your kid likes trains. And you can walk through and into trains and airplanes, sit in cars, etc.

Field museum has elements that are good for kids - especially the new Crown Family Center down on the first floor. My toddler (and me too!) is especially appreciative of the bathrooms there, which are large and family-friendly and even have a small toilet that is just his size.

I agree - plantetarium is just not for younger ones. I tried it too, and we didn't spend too long there.

My 3 yr old loves the planetarium and has found plenty to do there.

The MSI has an entire room for babies and children (under 10) - the Idea Factory but it is closed til the 27th. Lots of water to play in, balls, space to run. The rest of the museum is perfect for 3 year olds too - mine loves the trains, the planes, the farm area, the chicks and the toymaker bit (we never make the toy).

The coal mine is very loud so not good if you have a sensitive child.

The IMAX is also good if they can sit still for 40 mins or so.

The Field Museum also has a kids room downstairs, where they can pick corn, play in a Pueblo, do arts and crafts and dig for dinosaur bones. It is very good.

We also love the Nature Museum, the Conservatories and the zoos.

We take our kids (just 4 and just 2) to Science and Industry the plane and the trains are a big hit as well as the basetment area where they can go in a real tractor, see how fertilizer is made (fun for them!) and the chick hatchery is there too...lots and lots to do - those are our kid's favorites. The Shedd is great for obvious reasons and the Field even has a really cool kids play zone (where you go in on the back side) that our kids love...all are great - just don't plan on getting to look at much yourself - lol! Have fun!

I took my son when he was 2 1/2 and he seemed to really like it. He didn't understand most of the "experiments" you can do there, but he like to just move the parts he could. There's also an old airline jet that youcan walk through and sit in. He liked to pretend that we were going on a trip. So he had fun and I would say that any 3 y.o. would enjoy it. Not to mention the trains! Big hit there!