KCCoC Children’s Museum Celebrates Successful Grand Opening

A Meaningful Celebration of Korean Culture Welcomes Children, Families, and the Community

The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago (KCCoC) successfully celebrated the grand opening of the KCCoC Children’s Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Many children, families, and community members attended the event to celebrate the opening of the first Korean children’s museum in the United States.

The newly opened KCCoC Children’s Museum provides an engaging space where children can learn about Korean traditions and everyday culture through play and hands-on experiences. Designed especially for children ages 3–10, the museum also offers opportunities for parents and caregivers to participate and enjoy the experience alongside their children.

The museum features eight interactive stations inspired by everyday Korean life, including food, clothing, and housing. Children can explore traditional Korean dining customs and etiquette, as well as a variety of Korean greetings, from the familiar baekkop insa (a polite bow with hands placed on the abdomen) to the traditional deep bow, keunjeol. Through the cultural concepts of Jeong (affection and human connection), Hui (joy), and Heung (excitement and shared enthusiasm), children can discover the importance of community, consideration for others, gratitude, and respect. The museum provides Korean American children with an opportunity to discover their cultural roots while offering children and families from diverse backgrounds a welcoming introduction to Korean culture.

A Well-Attended Opening Ceremony Featuring Popular Hangul Activities

The opening ceremony began with a special performance by children from the Chicago Korean Dance Company, followed by congratulatory remarks, an introduction to the museum’s operations, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Museum tours, a refreshments reception, and a cello performance were also part of the celebration, allowing attendees to share in the excitement of the museum’s opening.

Hangul activity stations hosted by the Korean Education Center in Chicago, led by Director Sunjin Song, also attracted considerable interest. Many attendees participated in the hands-on activities, experiencing the Korean alphabet and Korean culture firsthand.

KCCoC hopes the Children’s Museum will become a place where children and caregivers can learn and connect, as well as a cultural and educational space where families from diverse backgrounds can come together and build connections through Korean culture.

Special Hands-On Programs Offered During the First Month

To celebrate the museum’s opening, special hands-on programs will be offered during the first month, providing families with additional opportunities to explore Korean traditions and culture.

One featured activity is a traditional bojagi wrapping experience led by the Chicago Hanbok Research Association. Members of the association contributed to the museum’s storytelling theater station by creating and dressing puppet dolls in traditional Korean hanbok. For this special program, KCCoC has also commissioned custom bojagi wrapping cloths featuring patterns inspired by Hunminjeongeum, the original text introducing the Korean alphabet.

Children and their parents will have the opportunity to practice traditional wrapping together and experience the joy of expressing gratitude through a thoughtful gift.

Another featured activity is a Gwanno Mask craft program sponsored by the Gangwon Art & Culture Foundation. The program introduces children to cultural elements associated with the traditional Gwanno Mask Drama of Gangneung, a distinctive part of Korea’s regional cultural heritage. Through these special activities, children and families can experience and enjoy a variety of Korean traditions in an engaging, hands-on setting.

Regular Operations Begin October 23 — Family Visits and Group Field Trips Available

The KCCoC Children’s Museum will officially open for regular operations on Friday, October 23, 2026. Individual and family visits are available by advance reservation, and group field trips for approximately 20 participants can also be arranged.

Schools, educational institutions, and children’s groups are welcome to schedule group visits, giving children opportunities to learn about and experience Korean culture together. KCCoC looks forward to welcoming local residents, Korean American families, and children and educational institutions interested in Korean culture.

Museum Information

Advance reservations are required for all visits. Please visit the group field trip webpage for additional information and application details.