Our Mission:

Ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment

PLAY. It's what we do.

MUSEUM HOURS

Daily Admission: $13/person

ADMISSION: $13/PERSON over 12 months

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!
Ignite Your Child's Curiosity With

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 2025
The Power of STEAM Part 6 Math_Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota

STEAM Explorers

STEAM brings together a powerful combination of skills, techniques, and experiments! Join us weekly on Friday mornings to explore a variety of STEAM related child-led play activities!
13 Jun
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Pollinator Explorers

Join us at CMSM in the Butterfly House to learn more out the importance of pollinators! Interact with the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly and explore the Minnesota native nectar and host plants that feed and home our butterfly friends!
13 Jun
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Mayo Clinic Healthy Habits all summer long at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota

MCHS Healthy Habits All Summer Long

In partnership with the MCHS Family Medicine Residents, join us on the first Friday morning of each month during the summer for activities based around having fun and staying healthy and safe during the warm summer months. Event topics: June 13th: Summer Safety July 11th : Move and Groove August 8th : Eating Healthy and […]
13 Jun
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Summer Curiosity Camp – Whirlwind Explorers

Join us for an awe-inspiring summer filled with opportunities for children to use their curiosity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity! Our 3-day camps will all be a summer highlight! Whirlwind Explorers – June 17th-19th Campers will be “blown away” with the opportunity to explore all things “up in the air”! Join us and team […]
17 Jun
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Pollinator Explorers

Join us at CMSM in the Butterfly House to learn more out the importance of pollinators! Interact with the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly and explore the Minnesota native nectar and host plants that feed and home our butterfly friends!
17 Jun
9:00 am - 11:00 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

Impact Stories

“”“”

"A Place for Everyone"

“The Children’s Museum is a place where everyone can and be welcome and find some thing that they’re interested in. If you’ve never been here, I’d say get down here right away!”

“”“”

"I can’t explain how grateful I am for the Children's Museum"

“I love that my kids can come to the Children’s Museum, be creative and imaginative and make friends in the process. We visit weekly and every time we leave each of my four kids has made a new friend.”

What people are saying about CMSM

January 24, 2025, 10:00am:

The Museum will be closed Sunday, April 20.

We will reopen Tuesday, April 22.

The Museum will be Closing at 2pm on
November 16 for a Private Event