PLAY. It's what we do.

MUSEUM HOURS

Daily Admission: $13/person

ADMISSION: $13/PERSON over 12 months

A joyful gift for curious children

Museum Gift Cards

Winter Break

Maker's Series

Join us for daily hands-on crafts, games, and creative activities that spark curiosity and keep the winter spirit alive all break long! Each event begins at 9am and lasts throughout the day (or until supplies run out).

Ignite your child's curiosity with

Early Out Camp

Early Out & Summer Break

A membership to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota includes unlimited access to the Museum’s galleries during regular business hours, special discounts in the Museum gift shop, and invitations to exclusive members-only events for less than $13 a month! The Museum offers a variety of membership packages to suit the needs of individuals, families, and groups.

Browse the Museum’s membership packages to find an option that works best for you. Contact Museum staff for further details.

Become a member of Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota and enjoy unlimited family time!

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 2025

Lions Club KidSight Screening

The Mankato Lions Club will visit the Children’s Museum on November 20, 2025 from 4:00-6:00pm for FREE vision screenings for Museum members or paid admission guests. Lions KidSight USA is a nationwide program bringing Lions clubs across the country together to ensure our children receive eye screenings and follow-up care when needed.
20 Nov - 19 Mar
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
March 2026

Tales with Tasha

Join us on the Lauri Kuch Memorial Stage for a lively 30-minute interactive story time designed to spark imagination, creativity, and early learning. Guests are invited to actively participate through storytelling, puppet play, and hands-on small world activities that bring stories to life. What you can expect during the program. Shared reading, expressive puppets, songs […]
19 Mar
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Raptor Center visit the Children's Museum in Mankato fun activity for kids families

Raptor Center

Experts from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center will guide participants through raptor identification. Learn about raptor habitats, key adaptations that make raptors different than other birds, and a few fantastic success stories of what is possible when we come together to protect wildlife and their environments. This presentation-style program lasts around 45 minutes and […]
19 Mar
11:00 am - 11:45 am
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Exhibits

At the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, each exhibit is intentionally designed as a robust educational resource that contributes to the well-being of children and the community. Our exhibits are created with an understanding of children’s development and based on local settings and landmarks with play potential for children, their parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers to explore, think, discover, learn, and enjoy.

Explore

Children learn best through hands-on play.

Discover

The Museum environment captivates children with a wide variety of interactive exhibits.

Think

Young minds need challenges and experiences to grow!

Learn

Exhibits are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and imagination.

Enjoy

Not only is play an incredible source of fun, but it is also crucial to children’s well-being.

Explore Exhibits Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts cargo nets climber treehouse Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota

What people are saying about CMSM

The Museum will be closed on Sunday, March 15.

Due to the Winter weather in our area.
Stay safe!