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.
Thursday, May 30, 10 am
The American bison is the largest mammal of the Great Plains and it played an integral role in the livelihood of many American Indian tribes. Explore the “Build-a-Bison” activity and learn how this animal is built to live in harsh conditions, and find out the difference between bison and buffalo, as well as conservation measures being used to save the American bison.
This program is included with Museum membership or daily admission.
What’s Underfoot?
May 2019
Have you ever thought about the ground you walk on every day and all that lives underneath it? Come explore our soil box to see root systems, layers of soil, and insects and animals that live underground.
Wednesdays, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30 am
Toddler Wednesday is a weekly program geared towards the Museum’s youngest visitors. Children are naturally curious, and in these sessions, that curiosity is embraced and nourished. Toddler Wednesday enhances Museum experience by encouraging children to move around and take a closer look at things that are going on. There is no worry about making it through the whole session, or showing up at the very beginning. Your child will sometimes get into it and enjoy the program, and sometimes they won’t, which is perfectly okay!
As you arrive and check in, pick up your “ticket” at the front desk, then take it to the Rotary Education Center at the beginning of your session. Toddler Wednesday program is included with Museum membership or daily admission.
May 1
Special Toddler Wednesday hours: 9:15 & 9:45 am
Happy Birthday, Children’s Museum! – Come celebrate the Museum’s 4th birthday! Participate in celebratory activities and stick around for the big gift unwrapping at 10:30 am!
May 8
Nature Walk – Spending time outside is essential to our health and well-being. Join us for a nature walk and a scavenger hunt. This program is created in partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System.
May 15
Parachute Play
May 22
Pediatric Therapy Services – Join our guest for a morning of activities.
Thursdays, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sundays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Climb into Cecil’s Imagineering Loft and enjoy STEAM programming on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. These programs are designed with children age 6 and beyond in mind, but everyone is welcome to play and learn in the Loft! Included with Museum membership or daily admission.
May 2, 4 & 5
May 9, 11 & 12
Capturing Kindness and Friendship through Collage – What does kindness mean? How can we use incredible art forms to show what our friends mean to us? Climb into the Loft to check this out!
May 16, 18 & 19
May 23, 25 & 26
Weather Wonders – Climb into the loft for some hands-on experience with weather patterns and their effects.
Available daily, Tuesday through Sunday, in the Kato Engineering Explorers’ Lab
May 1 – 12
Stamping – Stamp a card for a friend or another dear person to show them that you care.
May 13 – 26
Doll Washing Station – Take a bath! Scrub, rise, and dry Lego dolls until they’re squeaky clean.
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.
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.