Fall @ CMSM

The Museum is full of fun activities for kids to enjoy this Fall!

Nature-Based Play

Our outdoor area is a great place for children to explore nature! With a large grass area, climbing opportunities your kids will burn energy!

Programming + Events

There's always something happening at the Children's Museum! We have a schedule full of interactive, educational, and fun events and weekly programs designed for kids of all ages.

Indoor Exhibits

Need to escape the chilly fall air or rainy day blues? CMSM's indoor gallery has many kid-favorites like the Tree of Forts climber and the new Taylor Farm Exhibit.

Fall Programming

Play-Based Learning Activities for Kids

Looking for fun activites to do with the kids in Mankato? The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota offers several weekly programs specifically designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children to keep them engaged and exploring no matter the season.

Print off the Fall Calendar Here

TUESDAY

for the thinkers

— STEAM EXPLORERS

9am – 11am | STEAM brings together a powerful combination of skills, techniques, and experiments!

for babies

— BABY PLAY

10am – 11:30am | Join us on the Infant and Toddler Play Porch! With a goal to support first-time parents or those who are caring for an infant, the Museum staff – who have a background in and a passion for early childhood development, will offer content specific to our birth to two age range. Although topics such as sleep, development, feeding and parent-child bonding will be selected and promoted for each session, parent questions will often take center stage and steer the conversation to wherever it is most useful for families. 4th Tuesdays: Mayo Clinic Health Systems Family Medicine and Pediatric providers on site

for the artist in every child

— ART EXPLORERS

1pm – 3pm | Children are creative by nature, and our Art Explorers weekly program in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft, is designed to support that natural creativity by introducing kids to new mediums, concepts, and the environment to explore and express themselves through art. Drop in anytime during the program to participate.

WEDNESDAY

for toddlers + preschoolers

— YOUNG EXPLORERS

9:30am – 11am | Projects and activities are inspired by place, seasons and nature, play schemas and child development. On the 2nd Wednesday each month throughout the year MCHS Family Medicine and Pediatrics providers support program activities by sharing tips and information during sessions, and being available for questions while CMSM staff lead the program’s hands-on activities for children.

SONGS & STORIES

On the last Wednesday of the month during Young Explorers you can join us in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft for a special program of songs, stories and bilingual guest readers! Sessions start at 9:30 (songs and rhymes), 10 (bilingual story time), and 10:30 (Literacy activities).

for the adventurous

— OUTDOOR EXPLORERS

1pm – 3pm | This program is for all age groups that are visiting the Museum. Join us outside to play as we explore the wonders of nature every Wednesday afternoon! Activities facilitated by a CMSM Play Professional. We will be outside, dress accordingly.

THURSDAY

for the artist in every child

— ART EXPLORERS

9am – 11am | Children are creative by nature, and our Art Explorers weekly program in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft, is designed to support that natural creativity by introducing kids to new mediums, concepts, and the environment to explore and express themselves through art. Drop in anytime during the program to participate.

for the thinkers

— STEAM EXPLORERS

1pm – 3pm | STEAM brings together a powerful combination of skills, techniques, and experiments!

FRIDAY

for toddler to pre-k

— LITERACY EXPLORERS

9am – 11am | A time to foster early literacy skills through play! This program is designed as a come-and-go experience that is child-led based on their interests. Join us Friday mornings from 9-11am to experience literacy through signing, talking, reading, writing, and playing!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

for problem solvers

— MATH HAPPENS

12pm – 4pm | Join volunteers from the MathHappens Foundation in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft to explore mathematical thinking through puzzles, crafts, games and more. Activities are designed for children aged 2 and up.

Upcoming Events

October

November 2025

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January 24, 2025, 10:00am:

The Museum will be closed Friday, July 4.

We will reopen Saturday, July 5.

Continue

The Museum will be closed on Thursday, October 2 to prepare for Ignite the Night

Learn more and get your tickets here!

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