Igniting Curiosity Through the Power of Play

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has ignited the curiosity of children through hands-on experiences coupled with the power of play. No matter a child’s age or interest, they will find a range of seasonal and permanent hands-on exhibits.

Nature abounds with the grow-it gallery, seasonal butterfly house, farm animal experience, and the agriculture and nature lab. The Dakota Language and Culture exhibit, illustrates, we are all related. Financial Literacy and the Engineering Explorers lab encourage kids to put on their thinking caps. Yet in contrast, a Tree-of-Forts provides a place to climb about, as does the infant and toddler play porch, influenced by local author Maude Hart Lovelace the beloved Betsy-Tacy series.

With all the challenges brought about by the pandemic, we are committed to children’s healthy growth, development and learning through good old-fashioned playtime. Through school field trips, community outreach programs and rotating exhibits, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota provides the opportunity for all local kids to:
• LEARN through experiences that are challenging and thought-provoking, creative and participatory, adventurous, and fun.
• LAUGH, relax and let go after the many stressors associated with the pandemic
• RECONNECT, following unprecedented levels of isolation from family, friends, and the community.