fbpx
Messy indoor play at home with kids
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

Indoor Messy Play with Kids

Making a huge mess with paints or clay or mud in the backyard or the driveway is easy to do in the warm months. We encourage it at the Museum in our Mud Kitchen! But when the weather is not so delightful, the thought of making huge messes inside for the sake of play is

Read More »
Baby Play programming at the Childrens Museum in Mankato
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

New! Gateway to Baby Play Memberships

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has been committed to access for all since it was no more than an idea in a mom’s head. A place for all children to play, and as a result, learn and grow. We believe all ages benefit from time spent playing, specifically with us at the Museum! Which

Read More »
Digging in the Grow it Gallery at CMSM
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

The Benefits of Play, Part 1: Social Emotional

We will never stop sharing how very valuable play is to the development and growth of all people (not just kids!). We will also never stop sharing the incredibly LONG list of benefits play offers. In this series, we will look at those benefits more in-depth, including how caregivers can foster the growth both as

Read More »
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

2022 Year in Review

This year marked the eighth year in our current location, and we think 2022 was the best year yet! The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is growing and changing, while still maintaining a focus on PLAY. Our impact in the community is far-reaching, and we could not do it without all of your support. Let’s

Read More »
Winter Play outdoor explorers at the Childrens Museum in Mankato Minnesota-2
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

Winter Play: How to Enjoy the Outdoors All Year Long

Something new we’re trying at the Museum this year is keeping the outside play areas open during the cold winter months. What is Minnesota without snow-building, mitten-wearing, and rosy cheeks? The weather isn’t going anywhere, so it is important we teach our children to enjoy it. If we find joy in the snow and cold,

Read More »
Pop up programming for group visits at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

Spotlight on Group Visits

Two things we clearly emphasize at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota are our commitments to play and to our community. One of the most impactful things we offer for the playing community is group visits. Over 5,000 of our visitors this year came through our doors as part of a group.  These group visits

Read More »
11 Reasons Why A Museum Membership is the Best Gift this Holiday Season
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

11 Reasons Why A Museum Membership is the Best Gift this Holiday Season

Every time of year is a good time of year to get started as a member at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, but right now, families are wondering what to give their kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and other children in their lives for the holidays. You see the suggestion over and over again in

Read More »
giving thanks to our members and visitors
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

A Time to Give Thanks

It’s a rare treat when the first snow comes the same week we set up the Northwoods Winter Cabin at the Museum. The exhibit is in full swing (in its new location! Have you seen it yet? Stop in soon!), and as we watch the children love it the same as they have every year,

Read More »
CMSM's new brand with updated logo and tagline
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

A Brand Refresh for CMSM

If you stop into the Museum–or if you look around this very website!–you’ll notice we’ve been busy making some changes.  The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota adopted a slight refresh of our graphic identity which is emblematic of the bright future ahead. The new brand elements also sync up this updated website. “Play. It’s what

Read More »
Toddlers and Transitions
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

When It’s Time to Leave: Toddlers and Transitions

Time spent playing at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is always time well-spent. Some families come and stay all day. Some groups visit for three hours. Some of our regular families stop in for just an hour sometimes, to break up the day or on their way to another activity (an excellent perk of

Read More »
children socializing and playing together making friends in mankato
CMSM Blog
Emily Heinis

What is Play?

We talk about Messy Play, Nature Play, Playwork, play as a family, Risky Play, and so much more. We quote our Mission Statement which centers around the “Power of Play,” and we consider the ways children play when we design an exhibit or even just a one-day, pop-up program. Sometimes, folks can be so tied

Read More »