Ag Education Day 2026 | FREE Museum Admission all day!

Join us on Saturday, May 30 from 9am to 4pm for one of our favorite events of the year: Ag Education Day at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota! This is a free and fun-filled day for the whole family to get up close and hands-on with the agriculture industry right here in Mankato, and we truly cannot wait.

Explore Ag Education Day at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato - FREE Admission

Whether your family has deep roots in farming or your little ones have never set foot on a field, this day was made for you. Here’s everything you need to know.

This event is completely free for all visitors. No admission or membership required to attend the event or explore the Museum!

From Seed to Store

Ag Education Day is all about tracing the incredible journey of our food, from a soybean or kernel of corn planted in the ground all the way to the meat you find in your grocery store cooler. Greater Mankato businesses from across the ag industry will be on-site, each representing a different step in the process and guiding families through their piece of the story with a safe, interactive activity.

And yes, there will be BIG equipment. Real machinery will be on display and ready for exploration for curious children and their grown ups! Trust us, the looks on children’s faces when they stand next to a full-size piece of farm equipment are absolutely priceless.

Explore Tractors and Farm Machinery at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato - FREE Admission

What to Expect on the Day

Ag Education Day promises an awe-inspiring environment filled with exploration, discovery, and a whole lot of fun. Local experts will guide visitors and answer every question your curious crew throws at them, making our local agriculture industry real, exciting, and genuinely cool.

A few things to look forward to:

  • Hands-on, interactive activities led by local agriculture professionals
  • Big, real equipment from every stage of the ag process
  • Museum access included all day alongside the special event
  • A day that’s great for children of all ages, from infants to toddlers to older children too!

Explore farm machinery at Ag Education Day at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato - FREE Admission

Why We Love This Event

Southern Minnesota is farming country. Agriculture is part of who we are as a community, and Ag Education Day is our chance to celebrate that in a big, hands-on, joyful way. For many children, this is their first real look at where their food comes from and the incredible work that goes into getting it to their plate. That kind of connection is something we love making possible.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, it’s also completely free, which means every family in our community can be part of it. That’s what we’re all about.

Explore seed to table farm agriculture at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato - FREE Admission

Plan Your Visit

Saturday, May 30, 2026 · 9:00am to 4:00pm
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
224 Lamm Street, Mankato, MN 56001

Come ready to discover, explore, and maybe develop a whole new appreciation for the farmers and businesses that feed Southern Minnesota every single day.

Ag Education Day Sponsors

Ag Education Day wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you for helping us bring this free experience to families across Southern Minnesota!

Plan your visit here — we can’t wait to see you on May 30!

Share This Post

More To Explore

CMSM Blog

Planting Common Milkweed & Pollinator Blend

Pollinator Blend Harvested nectar plant seeds from CMSM’s beautiful Butterfly House take home a pack to enjoy a piece of the museum in your home garden! Seeds may include but not limited to; California Giant Zinnias, Cosmos, Coneflower, Marigolds, Wild Bergamot, Blazing Star, Mexican Sunflower, Daisy, New England Aster, Black-Eyed Susan, Giant Sunflower, Dwarf Zinnias

Read More »
Sandbox in the Dotson Back 40 at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato
CMSM Blog

Warm Weather Sensory Activities

Sensory play is beneficial to children all year, and in the cold months of winter, making messes indoors feels worth it on some of the longer days. But summer provides the perfect opportunity to engage in sensory play with children, because you can take the messes outside! Sensory play not only captivates their imagination but

Read More »

The Museum will be closed on Sunday, March 15.

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