The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. Learn
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota holds a special place in our hearts. The Glen A. Taylor Foundation is committed to the launch of the newest permanent exhibit, Taylor Farm. The distinguishing factor that sets CMSM apart and showcases their expertise lies in their remarkable ability to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning
Christi Wilking and her family have been members of the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) for six years and part of the Ignite Society since the beginning. Her passion and enthusiasm for CMSM originates from her experience as a mom with her two boys, Gavin (10) and Ethan (7). Those treasured memories with her
MANKATO, MN – The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) has been awarded an $18,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to support collaborative programming. Funds from the grant will support several initiatives at the Museum, including access programs such as Gateway to Play memberships and Sensory Awareness Playtimes, community partnerships, and a
Mankato, MN — The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) is proud to celebrate its 8th birthday since opening at its current location on May 1, 2015. The Museum has been dedicated to igniting the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment. “Less than 20 years ago,
It’s not that CMSM Board Secretary Heather Von Bank isn’t a little scared when her 8 year old son dons his goggles and camo helmet, rolls a sleeping bag out at the top of the second floor stairs, and hollers “hey, wanna go for a ride?” to his 10 year old brother. It’s that she
“When I was considering joining the Ignite Society, all I had to do was reflect on the absolute joy and pure concentration on the faces of several of my great-grandchildren, moving from activity to activity as three older generations of my family watched them play at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota.” Sandy Parks is
Karen Wahlstrom has been with the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota since its inception. As a retired ECFE teacher, she knows the Power of Play and the impact it has on families all around the region. As an Ignite Society Member, she said the impact of the Museum for her is not only felt in
For Lisa Keyes, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a place to honor and remember her beloved mother, Darlene Janovy. Lisa is a proud member of the Ignite Society all the way from North Carolina. She grew up in Mankato where her father was a professor at MSU and her mother, a beloved early
Bob and Jean Preston have been members of the Ignite Society for two years now. Their passion and vision for the future are just some of the highlights for them when it comes to being a part of the Ignite Society. “We felt this was a good way to donate to the Children’s Museum and
The Butterfly House at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is opening for the season on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The timing couldn’t be better – it coincides with National Pollinator Week! History of the Butterfly House CMSM has long supported Monarch butterflies in outdoor spaces, particularly the Prairie’s Edge Exploration Area. It was all
The weather is finally getting warmer after another long Minnesota winter, area farmers are busy planting their fields with this year’s crop, and kids are growing more excited by the day for the last day of school. With summer break just around the corner, you may be greeted with a tinge of hesitation – wondering
January 24, 2025, 10:00am:
We will reopen Tuesday, April 22.