Climb, Create & Discover at the Great River Children’s Museum

Why This Children’s Museum is Worth the Drive From the Twin Cities

Address: 110 8th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301

About Great River Children’s Museum

The Great River Children’s Museum in St. Cloud was designed with a deep understanding of how kids learn through play. Its eight permanent exhibit areas are crafted to inspire creativity, physical movement, critical thinking, and connection to Central Minnesota’s culture and environment.

A Space Built for Discovery

Inside, the museum spans an expansive, thoughtfully designed layout featuring distinct children’s play areas. Here’s a closer look at the key exhibits.

Discover, Create, Play: Inside the Exhibits at Great River Children’s Museum

Central Minnesota welcomes its new hub of discovery and family fun—Great River Children’s Museum, where eight immersive, hands-on exhibit areas let kids playfully explore science, art, and community.

Climber to the Clouds

Soar over 30 feet high on this amazing climber as you explore massive clouds and learn about weather. Kids can generate thunder, catch wind with kites, and race through tunnels—while toddlers and younger visitors enjoy a separate mini-climber, slide, and an ADA-accessible balcony on the second floor.

Community Connections

Enter a vibrant role-play wonderland that reflects central Minnesota life. From shopping at a farmer’s market and performing on a mini amphitheater, to cooking in the Global Café and sorting mail at the post office, children engage in collaborative, pretend play that fosters empathy and cultural awareness.

Great Explorations (Ages 0–3)

A bright, enclosed space designed for the littlest learners. It’s packed with textures, lights, sounds, toy kitchens, walking bridges, “busy boards” (sliders, spinners, and gears)—igniting sensory development and playful learning alongside caregivers.

Great Big River

Celebrate the mighty Mississippi at this impressive water table. Kids can race boats, build dams, care for wildlife, and generate energy via a water-powered turbine, experiencing first-hand how water connects ecosystems and communities—and why protecting it matters.

Everyday Engineering

Explore core engineering principles through engaging stations: a construction zone, magnetic gear walls, pulley systems, colorful light walls, and mesmerizing air tubes—all designed for interactive, cause-and-effect learning.

Headwaters

Escape into a serene woodland setting that mirrors the Mississippi headwaters. With a constantly changing day/night cycle, kids can canoe, fish, learn indigenous star stories (Dakota, Ojibwe, Greek), play with flashlights, and gather around a storytelling campfire.

Tinker Workshop

A rustic-making studio for creating, building, painting, and printmaking. The space includes tools and benches, inviting caregivers to guide budding makers as they craft and proudly display their creations—supporting hands-on STEM and art exploration.

Oxbow Outdoor Exhibit

An outdoor sensory garden perfect for sandbox fun and active play. With talking tubes, musical flowers, stepping stones, lily-pad cymbals, and shaded benches, it blends open play with natural discovery—ideal for family relaxation and exploration

Every exhibit at the Great River Children’s Museum is built with accessibility, imagination, and education in mind. Whether it’s a baby’s first sensory play or a preteen’s engineering project, this children’s museum is a go-to destination for family fun and learning in Central Minnesota.

Know Before You Go to Great River Children’s Museum

Website
Hours: The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Sunday (Monday closed), with opening hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on most days and extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
Parking is available in a dedicated parking lot on-site