Programs & Events
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is all about hands-on play and unique programs and events. Read below to learn more about what is happening in the Museum galleries. If you would like the Museum’s upcoming events delivered to your email address, click here to sign up for our mailing list!
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota reserves the right to change the programming plans. Please watch this website and Facebook page for updates.
Check out the new fall hours here!
- Family Series: Viva Vivaldi
Saturdays, 3:00 pm
September 15 & November 17 2018
January 18 & April 20, 2019Join Mankato Symphony Orchestra at the Children’s Museum for Viva Vivaldi, a series of four shows designed to introduce children to the delights of classical music. The show will be performed on Saturday afternoons and will feature musicians, actors, storytelling, and musical activities. Come to the Museum an hour ahead of the performance and play at no cost!
Mark your calendars for September 15 and November 17, 2018 and January 19 and April 20 of next year.
During the week of each Family Series show, join us at the Museum for a special program, Igniting STEM Learning Through the InterPLAY of Music-Science-Math, funded by the Xcel Energy Foundation. This program is included with daily admission or Museum membership.
- Dig It! – September 22
Saturday, September 22, 9 am – 4 pm
Join us for an earth-moving fundraiser that puts you in the driver’s seat!
Together we’ll move, haul, lift, and explore construction equipment, with the help of expert operators.Learn more about the event here.
- Drama Kids at the Museum – September 29
Saturday, September 29, 9:30 – 10:15 am
Ready to dip your toe into children’s drama?
Join Ray Smart, Director of the Mankato area Drama Kids program for a morning of fun drama activities in a trial class at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, September 29 from 9:30 to 10:15 AM.
Activities are geared towards children ages 4-5, and older siblings are welcome. No pre-registration before the day of the class is required, and participation is included in the cost of admission to the Museum or with Museum membership. Adult caregivers will be asked to join their children for this class and enjoy drama fun together.
Have questions? Please contact Mia Forslund, Education and Program Manager.
*Group size for this class may be limited to 15 children. Pick up your ticket for the class at the Museum’s front desk the morning of the class to snag a spot.
- Harvest Festival
October 2018
Make fall memories at the Children’s Museum at our fourth annual Harvest Festival! Come play in the toddler straw maze, play in the corn and soybean pit, meet and greet a variety of animals that will come for a visit, and learn a lot about harvest. Come back soon for more information!
- What’s in the AgLab? Animal Poop!
What’s the Scoop on Animal Poop?
September 4 – 30
Animal poop can tell us many important things about what animals eat, where they’ve been, or the state of their health. Come to the AgLab to explore our farm animal and wild animal displays, and more!
- Who’s in the Alltech Farm?Come back soon to see who’s visiting the Alltech Farm!
- Toddler Wednesday
Wednesdays, 10:00 am
Please arrive early to reserve your spot.September 5
MusikGarten with Anja ScheidelSeptember 12
Guests from Pediatric Therapy Services
September 19
Building Blocks
September 26
Parachute Play
- STEAM in the Loft
Thursdays, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sundays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
September 6, 8 & 9
Animation Studio: Back to School Style – Climb into the Loft to create a stop-motion animation movie all about going back to school.September 13, 15 & 16
Sounds and Songs of the Season: Exploring Summer (and Fall) Sound Effects – Let’s explore sounds, sound vibrations, and how songs make songs! Experiment with an assortment of materials that can produce different sounds and sound effect, then make your own song for the season. This program is part of the project funded by the Xcel Energy Foundation, Igniting STEM Learning Through the InterPLAY of Music-Science-Math.
The Museum closes early for a private event on Sunday, September 16, which affects Sunday Loft hours: the program for that day is scheduled for 12 – 2 pm.
September 20, 22 & 23
Building Mini Mankato – Make your way to the Loft and contribute to the construction of our own mini city using found and familiar materials.September 27, 29 & 30
Robot Takeover – Robots are running the Loft this week! Join us as we program them to help us. - Tabletop Activities
Available daily, Tuesday through Sunday, in the Kato Engineering Explorers’ Lab
September 4 – 9
Spielgaben – Come practice threading and lacing!September 12 – 16
Sounds and Songs of the Season – Experimenting with tuning forks and wind chimes and making melodies that celebrate the last bit of summer.September 18 – 23
Loose Parts – Sorting pom-poms that help develop fine motor skills.September 25 – 30
Stamping – Come use leaves to make your fall-themed prints. - Bookmobile Visits
Wednesdays, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
The North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile will stop at the Museum every Wednesday from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Check out some new materials, or return any area library books. During the Bookmobile’s visit, Amy will come into the Museum for a storytime in one of the galleries.
- Baby Café
Thursdays, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
New mothers and mothers-to-be interested in breastfeeding are encouraged to visit the Mankato Area Baby Café. Baby Café is a national network of breastfeeding drop-ins, combining breastfeeding information with a relaxed, informal environment where mothers can chat and learn about breastfeeding from skilled practitioners and each other. Mankato Area Baby Café is made possible by Mayo Clinic Health System.
For more information, call 507.594.2967.
- Farmers for America – October 22
Monday, October 22, 7 – 9 pm
Join us at the Children’s Museum for a screening of Farmers for America: Young People Stepping Up followed by a panel discussion. The event is free of charge, but attendees are required to RSVP to reserve a spot. The event is intended for adults, as well as students age 15 and beyond.
Click here to watch the movie trailer.
- Special Needs Accessibility Playtime – October 26
Friday, October 26, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Children with special needs or sensory challenges and their families are invited to a playdate at the Museum on Friday, October 26, during a time when fewer visitors will be present. Explore the Museum from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at no cost thanks to the sponsorship by Southern Minnesota Autism Coalition.
To help prepare your child for this playtime, check out the Museum’s social story: “A Trip to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota.”
- Yoga at the Museum – September & October
Join us for a second season of Yoga at the Museum in September and October, on Tuesdays from 5:15 – 6:15 pm.
September 11 – October 16
Tuesdays, 5:15- 6:15 pm
$30 for all sessions with preregistration
$10 per session, drop-inRegister here today!
All levels welcome. Please bring your own mat. Classes are intended for adults, but children 10 years and older are welcome to register and participate with a registered adult.