Kids Science Labs

Until I had little ones, I had no idea this place existed. Now after attending a few toddler focused classes, I am happy to give a huge seal of approval. KSL is a true neighborhood gem! Phenomenal modern facility. Perfect location. Enriching and exciting programming for kids. Love that KSL makes learning so much fun. Goooo science!

My 2 year old son adores his KSL classes. The South Loop KSL teachers and space are truly as good as it gets. I hope that I can find a pre-​school for my son that comes close to such a «gold standard» in early childhood education. I am very impressed and highly recommend KSL.

Absolutely fantastic option for summer camp! My daughter was so excited to go every morning and learned so much — she had so much to tell us at the end of the day. The projects she brought home were very creative, imaginative, and sometimes quite elaborate and she still works with them at home weeks later. She will definitely be back next year!

I work in elementary education and our school was fortunate enough to partner with Kids Science Labs last year, and will be doing so again this year. For a portion of the year, our 4^th grade students took field trips to the lab every week to conduct experiments and engage in the sciences. It was the highlight of their week. They couldn’t wait for Thursdays to roll around to visit the lab and get to work. Each week was engaging, fun, and the teachers found a way to connect the experiments to our student’s everyday lives.
We now consider Kids Science Labs an important part of our curriculum and can’t wait to see what they have in store for our students this year!

My children love KSL South Loop. They enjoy KSL and look forward to going every Saturday. I absolutely love this program and the customer service is outstanding ! KSL rocks for fun and learning!
Kimberly J.

Kids Science Labs is one of the most amazing places our family has had an opportunity to be part of — and our soon-​to-​be-​six-​year-​old son absolutely LOVES it. He’s enrolled for several weeks this summer, as we did last summer, and was attending sessions once per week after school during the regular school year. He says things like, «I can’t wait to see what we’ll make tomorrow.» And his confidence is growing because he can explain things to us, which he does with incredible interest and energy. The hands-​on approach and creativity fits his learning style so much that he doesn’t mind learning.
He talks about the instructors — and those relationships make the learning experience so much more rich, and he’s clearly absorbing so much. When he came home starting conversations about everything from the different types of engineering to the purpose of white blood cells and red blood cells to how science plays a role in magic tricks — we knew that KSL was living up to its promises and exceeding anything we’d imagined.
Before another parent told us about KSL, everywhere else we’d looked seemed only to focus on children in 3^rd grade or above. That was frustrating to us because we’d been searching for a way to nurture our son’s natural interest in how things are made and how they work. Because of KSL, our son didn’t lose precious, valuable time to better understand and embrace how science is all around us — including all of the cool stuff he likes to do.
If you’re looking for a way to invest in your child’s future in a way that will pay dividends far beyond anything you can imagine, KSL is the place. You’ll wish you’d known about it sooner.

I am not the type of parent who writes reviews (good or bad) but when I find something extraordinary… something that exceeds my expectations, I really feel as if it is my obligation to share the information.
First of all, KSL is a financial investment in your child (ren) that is sooooo worth it!!! I have a seven year old son who loves summer camp here. We pay $ 475 week for the camp and after care but the benefits are invaluable. My son is a straight A student who could have cared less about science. He gets good grades because that is what is expected in my home. Each week is a different theme and when he comes home from camp, he is excited to show me the items he created and how they work. For example, last week was «Spy» week. My son made such items as a flashlight and a catapult! Not only is he learning by doing, but he’s learning about scientific principals such as velocity and electricity in the process. The only issue I have now is where to put all of his creations!!!
The staff also needs to be recognized. They all appear to be enthusiastic about their jobs and the children they teach. The staff greets my son every morning with smiles and he doesn’t even bother to look back to say goodbye after dropping him off and he hates to leave when I pick him up! By the way, my son has already asked me if he can come back next summer! In just two weeks, I have already noticed a huge difference in how my child is thinking. So for that, my answer to his question is a huge resounding «YES!» Don’t tell him this, but I am also considering letting him take classes there at least once a week :)
Lastly, to be fair, I think KSL is a wonderful place for young children to about the age of 11 years old. They are housed on the 3^rd Floor of a Chicago Park District Property and the restaurant on the 1^st Floor (Spoke and Bird) is also a great place to dine/​unwind with your child afterwards to talk about their day (I just had to throw that in there).
To end this super long review, you will not be disappointed by choosing KSL. I only wish KSL was around when I was growing up!!!

I cannot praise Kids Science Labs highly enough. My daughter has attended for about 18 months now since she turned 3 and this is far and away her favorite class. The incredible enthusiasm of the teachers translates into a fantastic learning experience for the kids — my daughter talks about velocity, impact and all sorts of other concepts in a practical way (e.g. that car has some velocity!) I love that they have a project to take home (and often play with for some time — we still have our toaster, chair, toolkit and face with lungs!). Ms Namu in particular is amazing, we love her so much and as a mother of a daughter it’s great to show her that science isn’t just for boys!

My 6 year old son absolutely looooves KSL! He is a hands-​on, interactive little guy and absolutely enjoys the multiple projects that speak to his learning style and feeds his creative juices and curiosity. After each class, he is always eager to share what he created and how it works. Our only issue… where to keep all of these wonderful science projects he makes every week. My family purchased a small trophy case to rotate in and out different projects on a monthly basis. Throw them out? No way. he always comes back weeks later to ask, where’s the cellphone I made, where’s my lock box and bank card, where’s my soap I need it for my bath, where’s the chest I made? I need to pump blood through my heart…
If you want to introduce your kid to critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation early, start with KSL!!!
Thank you to the always kind and welcoming KSL family. They are kid-​friendly!!!

Our entire family LOVES Kids Science Labs in the south loop. My 2 older children have been taking classes during the school year, and attending summer camp there for over 2 years. They beg to keep going back. My younger son finally got to join the fun this year, he has be requesting to go ever since my big boys started. He is over the moon excited about the program. He jumps in the car ready to go whenever it’s on the schedule. It’s not just science, but fun, hands on, experience based science; the kind children adore. And the teachers are amazingly engaging. All 3 of my kids have «Scientist» on their list of future professions, one enthusiastically claims he’ll be an Engineer when he grows up.
My kids have enjoyed learning from Mr. Smit, Mr. Richard, Ms. Joanna, and Mr. Zach. They have explored the human body, aspects of and the process of inventing, electronics, physics, the natural world, chemistry, and outter space just to name a few. All of these teachers go out of their way to engage the kids and meet their need for inquiry. I always pick up my children feeling they’ve just had a fantastically fun and enriching experience, and they are always brimming with excitement to tell me about what they did while they were there. They enjoy being there so much they never want to leave. Literally.
Not only are the staff wonderful with children, but their parents and caregivers as well. We have had countless requests and special circumstances throughout our time with the program and all the staff are consistently patient, understanding, flexible, and kind; always going above and beyond to help us out.
It is impossible for me to over gush about this place. I feel incalculably lucky that my children get to be apart of their program. Thanks Kids Science Labs!!!

Teachers and staff are so welcoming and environment is always so inviting! My son Reginald wakes up every Saturday excited to go to class and create something spectacular. Ms. Namu has opened up a whole new world for my son and a love for Science.

We absolutely love the Kids Science Lab — South Loop. From the friendly staff who greets and welcomes my daughter to the owner speaking when we pass him on the street — this is a gem.
The teachers are all engaging, and they take the time out to explain more complex projects to the kids. We’ve only had experiences with two teacher (Ms. Namu and Mr. Smith), but so far so wonderful.
We adore Ms. Namu, and she takes time out to talk with the parents after class. My daughter and her classmates have a deep appreciation for her, too. I look forward to the Thursday afternoon class, along with my daughter.
As for the one-​star comment, I will say that the owner seems less personable than the rest of the staff, but that really isn’t the case. He’s seems like a quiet guy, but he obviously knows what he is doing. My daughter is a year younger than the class cutoff (she was 3.25 when she started the class), but that has never been a problem for us, as my daughter is able to follow along with the class and actively participate. (I’m pretty certain she would not have cried if she was removed from the class and placed in another.)
*I should also add that I bring my infant with us when we drop off and pick up, and sometimes he hangs out there, and the staff is so welcoming to him — emphatic squeals and all.

If I could give Kids Science Labs more then 5 stars, I would. My kids (9 and 6) first started there over the summer with a few weeks of camp. The loved it! Everyday they came home with new projects and told us all about what they learned and how they could apply their new knowledge to everyday life. When told them that we decided to send them to after school classes this year, it was as if we told them we were going to Disney World. That is how excited they were. Every week, Wednesday (the day of their class) is always their favorite day because they have KSL at the end of the day. I have never encountered the staff of a children’s program that is more patient and kind then the people who work at KSL. The owner, in particular, has taken extra time at the end of classes to specifically help my daughter with a project that she was struggling with. Not only did he help her but he was unbelievably patient. Amazing. I can’t say enough about Kids Science Labs!

Probably the coolest and most awesome activity for kids. Not only do they learn but they have a tremendous amount of fun. Like ice cream with sprinkles on top. As a parent you can actually drop off and do something. And the teachers follow up with you too!

I have a 9yr old daughter and a 6yr old son and listen up parents… they both LOVE this place, they ask me to sign them up! If they’re asking for a science class then you know it’s amazing! I can’t say enough good thing about KSL! As a parent I feel they are in a safe environment, having fun and learning so much!
Thanks KLS!!!

Kids science labs is my 4 year old’s favorite place. Every Saturday he wakes up happy knowing he’ll be going to his science class. He runs into the lab immediately, not even looking back at us. Every class is different and surprisingly the little boy has learned quite some things from the structure of the human eye to why people get eczema. We also celebrated the little boy’s 4^th birthday here, together with almost 30 of his day care and neighborhood good friends. I have to say this was the best birthday party I have ever been to. It was fun, engaging and very creative. Kids were shouting in excitement constantly. the coke volcano show was the climax of the party and the Ksl staff were able to get everything under control and finished up on time. It was a perfect party my son was so very happy. And apparently it was not just us liking it so much, a number of the parents at party inquired KSL about birthday parties right off the bat. KSL rocks!

Amazing program; all instructors are knowledgeable and friendly; my kid had a fantastic time this summer

I wish I could give six stars!!! Kids Science Labs South Loop is a breath of fresh air! My son is a science enthusiast and never wants to leave!
I’m always looking for challenging programs for my son and KSL exceeded my expectations. Walking into the South Loop facility is a wonderful experience. KSL is designed for project-​based learning and lots of critical thinking. Every day, my son came home enthusiastic about a creative, self-​built, scientific project. One day, My son actually took a ride in a student built airplane!
Shegan and his staff are the most professional group I’ve met and have truly created a challenging, creative environment. KSL is miles ahead of any science program in the city! Thank you KSL!

BEST Field-​Trip EVER! Seriously!!! I’ve been teaching in CPS for 11 years and I’ve been everywhere… every museum, botanic garden, zoo, and theater. My experience with KSL in the South Loop was beyond amazing.
Organizing field-​trips is usually a nightmare. However, I had numerous email and phone conversations with Keith prior to the big day. KSL worked with us to establish a student fee that was manageable for our 95% low-​income student population.
Our day consisted of a 70-​minute science investigation of viscosity. The scientists leading the classes were AMAZING. They had incredible energy and I loved how they greeted us outside as the buses pulled up. My 4^th grade students were engaged before even leaving the bus! Add the plastic covered tables, white board walls for writing, numerous liquids, green gloop, ear wax and pipe cleaners and «this is sooooo awesome» was definitely an understatement.
After our viscosity investigation, Keith and Shegan brought the entire group of 80 students together and led an interactive conversation about entrepreneurship. Prior to our trip, I had spoken with Keith about a possible connection to our novel study on the Steve Jobs biography — Thinking Differently. Being the co-​founders and entrepreneurs of Kids Science Labs, Keith and Shegan, blew us away with this final component of our field trip. They shared with us the process of creating a successful business and the kids were soaking up every word. Their humor and sincerity really resonated with everyone involved.
We ended the trip with an outdoor picnic in the park behind KSL. It was a chilly day and Keith and Shegan offered up one of their rooms for eating… but we opted to head outdoors instead.
I really hope I was able to convey how truly wonderful and unique this opportunity was for me and my students. We can’t wait to go back! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Awesome staff. Great fun and learning for the kids. Great idea and concept, however, wish it was a bit less $$.