School is out, the weather is hot and humid, and you’re already running out of ideas to keep the kids engaged this summer. Sounds like the perfect time to plan a visit to Minnesota Children’s Museum.
If you’ve been to Minnesota’s biggest and best children’s museum before, then you might already know about the long list of things to do and discover at the museum: The four-story climber and giant spiral slide; the pretend town with fire station and post office; the sunken shipwreck and the sudsy car wash.
Even for those that have a favorite activity or exhibit at the museum, there’s always something new to see or do. Here are two exciting new things at the museum that you’ll definitely want to check out this summer.
Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out
If you’re a fan of the hit Disney and Pixar animated film, Inside Out, then there’s a new special exhibit at Minnesota Children’s Museum you won’t want to miss. Open through Labor Day, Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out lets you join your favorite characters as you learn about the important role emotions, memory and imagination play in our everyday lives.
Focusing on the five core emotions featured in the film – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear – the exhibit is filled with hands-on experiences that explore how we recognize emotions in ourselves and in others. Turn your most important memories into your own glowing memory spheres, use the emotion mirrors to explore how different feelings are expressed, step into Headquarters and take command at the control panel, and more.
As a bonus, be sure to walk around the gallery and check out the original concept artwork from Pixar to learn more about how the movie’s characters were created. And don’t miss the giant Bing Bong statue in the back corner for a great photo opp!
The Mud Zone
Remember as a kid how good it felt to squish a big clump of mud and watch it ooze through your fingers? Did you ever make mud pies, even though maybe you knew you weren’t supposed to? This summer, your family can experience that same joy of playing with mud at the museum.
The Mud Zone is a sensory-rich experience that has taken over part of The Backyard (one of two outdoor spaces at the museum). Start at Mud Headquarters, where you’ll get your hands dirty mixing up dirt and water to create your mud. Then, bring your mud over to the two giant mud kitchens, where you’ll find a full set-up of real kitchen tools to help you build the mud pie, mud cake or even mud sculpture of your dreams.
For those feeling extra adventurous, try out one of the four mud catapult stations, each with its own unique target to take aim at. Experimenting with the mud launchers is a great way to keep those creative thinking and problem-solving skills sharp!
Is The Mud Zone messy? Yes. But it’s also tons of fun! If you’re worried about the mess, there are smocks available and a large sink with soap and running water is just inside the door. But there’s a good chance your child could still get dirty, so embrace the mess and bring an extra change of clothes and shoes just in case.
Emotions at Play and The Mud Zone are just the tip of the iceberg of all the fun happening at Minnesota Children’s Museum this summer. Both of these new experiences are included in the cost of regular admission.
Plan your summer visit now and save on admission when you buy tickets online ahead of time.
Or, become a member and get free museum admission for your entire family for a full year!
