Curiosity and Imagination Rule at Mankato’s Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Address: 224 Lamm Street, Mankato, MN 56001
About Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
It’s one thing to learn about butterflies or local agriculture in a book or inside a classroom, but it is a different thing entirely to experience them for yourself. Opening the doors of their permanent location in 2015, The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota was built on the principles of fostering educational experiences and highlighting play opportunities that both teach and inspire.
No visitor is too young to experience the magic of the museum, with events and exhibits designed for babies and kids from birth to 10 years old.
Pollinators at Play
Pollinators play a crucial role in numerous aspects of our world, including food production and plant diversity. The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is highlighting the power of pollinators at their new exhibit, Pollinators at Play. Kids can observe butterflies throughout their entire life cycle at their seasonal Butterfly House and Caterpillar Nursery.
The museum also features a “Pollinator Explorers” program from June through August on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The program allows kids to immerse themselves in the world of pollinators and take a closer look at nature.
Coughlan Quarry and Tree of Forts Climber
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota places a great emphasis on hands-on learning and play, and one of its most popular exhibits is the Coughlan Quarry. It features a crane, a large sand pit, and a conveyor belt, allowing kids to move building blocks from one side of the quarry to another.
If your kiddos need to run off some energy, be sure to find the Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts Climber. This is not your average indoor climbing playground! It is full of fun challenges and features for visitors, featuring a vertical tunnel and an inclined suspension bridge.
Weekly Kids Programming
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is not just an excellent place for your kids to learn; it also provides many opportunities for them to connect with other kids. The museum offers a wide range of weekly programming for all age groups.
Their Baby Play program is tailored for babies and toddlers from 0 to 36 months, designed to help them socialize and explore new play items. It is held every Tuesday morning. On Wednesday afternoons, the North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile stops at the museum to host story time. More information about weekly programs can be found here.
Museum Highlights
- Dedicated children’s museum with more than a dozen interactive exhibits focused on art, science, agriculture, and more
- Weekly kids programming
- Birthday party and celebration rentals are available
- Curiosity Camps
- Free admission days
Know Before You Go
- Website
- Hours: Closed Mondays, Open Tuesdays thru Sundays
- Admission: $13 per person, Free for children under the age of 1
- Lockers available for daily storage, $1 for non-members, free for museum members
- Check social media for updated schedule and latest updates
All images provided by Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota.
Related Article: 13 Best Museums in the Twin Cities for Kids (Babies to Teens)
Mary McGuire is a mother of two young girls and freelance journalist based in the Twin Cities. Her current interests include searching for lost pacifiers, cleaning up crushed Cheerios, and sharing everything our great state has to offer with other families. Born and raised in Edina, Mary has worked in broadcast television for more than a decade at TV stations across the country.
