Building A Sense Of Place
The Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota has had a long relationship with the Mankato Area Foundation. As The Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota prepares to open in its permanent home in 2015, Executive Director Peter Olson gratefully noted, Mankato Area Foundation has been a key partner in strategically placing their support just when we needed it the most to be able to take that next big step forward.
Beginning nearly a decade ago with a grant to look at the possibility of having a childrens museum, Mankato Area Foundation has supported the vision of providing offerings for families with young children in Mankato that were affordable, educational and available to enjoy year round. For that reason, the Foundation funded the feasibility study that helped an enthusiastic group of volunteers determine if the dream of a childrens museum in this community was a viable initiative.
When the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota began their capital campaign, Every Penny Counts, they needed a video to share with potential donors. Mankato Area Foundation funded the 4-minute video and the dollars spent were multiplied many times over in the capital campaign.
Who We Are
Location
Renewing Extends Your Membership One Year
Current members can extend their memberships expiration date by 12 months at any time during the year. Call 651-225-6000 for more information.
Special Exhibits
Step into the 3D world of four well-known paintings as each is brought to life like never before.
May 20 Sept. 3, 2023
Hands-on and digital experiences focus on the five emotions featured in the film: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear. Visitors learn to recognize emotions and explore ways that we express and manage our own emotions.
All Play Membership Benefits
Special Events At The Children’s Museum
Join us in Cecils Imagineering Loft for a make-and-take art experience. We will explore and create
Join us in Cecils Imagineering Loft to meet up with other LEGO® enthusiasts and participate in
Join us in the loft for a hands-on STEAM activity facilitated by a CMSM Play professional!
With a goal to support first-time parents or those who are caring for an infant, the
Young Explorers is a weekly program open to all guests but specifically geared toward 2-5 year
Bring your coats, hats, and mittens and join us outside to play in the CMSM courtyard
The North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile makes weekly stops at the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota
Join us in Cecils Imagineering Loft for a make-and-take art experience. We will explore and create
Join us in Cecils Imagineering Loft to meet up with other LEGO® enthusiasts and participate in
Join us in the loft for a hands-on STEAM activity facilitated by a CMSM Play professional!
With a goal to support first-time parents or those who are caring for an infant, the
Young Explorers is a weekly program open to all guests but specifically geared toward 2-5 year
This work is funded in part with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, with additional assistance provided by the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Privacy Overview
Don’t Miss: The J Paul Getty Museum
The Childrens Museum Of Southern Minnesota Remains Busy During The Holiday Break
MANKATO, Minn. – The Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota is in the middle of a busy week while schools are off for winter break. The museum says the week between Christmas and New Years is one of their busiest times of year, and that they can see upwards of 600 children visit in a single day.
The Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota staff said that they fill their schedule with both indoor and outdoor winter activities to keep the kids sharp when theyre away from school.
Its nice to give them some type of structured activities that they get to create all the fun and structure of, but that they kind of have an experience that gives them a routine at the museum or different opportunities that are around the community to do, said Kim Kleven, vice president of play and learning.
The Childrens Museum is also offering a New Years Eve event, but will be closed on New Years Day.
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Perks Valid For One Year
Plus Perks benefits must be redeemed during the 12-month period of the membership. Perks not redeemed during the term of the Household Plus Perks membership expire with the membership.
Keep Your Unused Benefits! Renew prior to the membership expiration date and youll receive all of your remaining Plus Perks benefits. Call 651-225-6000 for more information.
Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Photo identification is required at check-in. Minnesota Childrens Museum reserves the right to make changes to its benefits structure at any time without notice.
Regular Hours
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Support the museum with a recurring donation!
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Discounted Admission At Childrens Museums And Science Centers Nationwide
Free or discounted admission at participating childrens museums and science centers across the U.S. via the Association of Childrens Museums Reciprocal Network and the Association of Science and Technology Centers Travel Passport Program*.
*Institutions within 90 miles of Minnesota Childrens Museum, including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Bell Museum, The Bakken Museum and The Works Museum, are excluded.
Children’s Museum Of Southern Minnesota
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Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a children’s museum located in Mankato, Minnesota. It features regularly scheduled art and science activities.
Indoor exhibits include an interactive quarry, a tree made of tree forts, and a vertical wind-tunnel. The museum offers seasonal farm exhibits outdoors during the warmer months.
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Childrens Museum Of Southern Minnesota
Experience the Power of Play!
Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota
A Mankato premier-attraction, The Childrens Museum offers activities and exhibits for all ages.
Children can engage in hands-on learning activities and play at both indoor and outdoor exhibit areas.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum offers programs and events geared towards children, families, and adults.
- TuesdayWednesday: 9 am 4 pm
- Thursday: 9 am 7:30 pm
- Friday-Sunday: 9 am 4 pm
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Give The Gift Of Membership To A Family In Need
Help us make the Museum accessible to all children and families. Purchase a membership for a family that cannot afford one. Open up a world of possibilities to all children in our community!
- Membership benefits are nontransferable, nonrefundable, and do not include birthday party or school group visit.
- All Memberships begin the date they are purchased and expire one year from that date, unless renewed or extended.
- Membership benefits are subject to change without prior notification. Benefits become valid as of the Membership purchase date and persist for the duration of one year.
- damages resulting from the use of such Membership or participation in Museum activities. Such waiver and release applies to all who gain access to the Museum through use of Membership.
Questions? Contact Nick Linell Associate Director of Memberships and Technology at or 344 9107
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Looking For Your Membership Card
eMembership Cards for your Membership can be found on the eMembership Card App on the Apple App Store or . Simply download the app, search for the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota, and select Find My Membership Card. When visiting, select Show My Membership Card. Physical card can be requested at our Front Desk.
Daily Admission Is $10 Per Person Ages 1+ Year
Children under the age of 1 year old receive free admission.
Discounts are available for members of the military, and those who qualify for our Access programs. Memberships are another great way to save on admission!
All memberships include unlimited access to the Museum during regular hours plus additional benefits.
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Tips For A Great Trip
Our advice and helpful information to make your visit one for the memory books.
- A typical visit is 1-3 hours. Give yourself plenty of time to explore.
- Our exhibits are designed for children, newborn to age 10.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver, age 16+. All adults must be visiting with a child.
- You can leave and come back the same day. Just let front desk staff know you plan to return.
- Lockers are available to store items you dont want to carry. Lockers are free for members, or $1 for non-members.
- Pets are not allowed in the Museum. Service dogs are always welcome.
- Please note: the Museum is not an allergen-free environment.
The Museum is closed on the following holidays:
- Independence Day
Winter Weather Policy
For the safety of our guests and staff during severe winter weather, the Museum will close for blizzard warnings and extreme cold/dangerous temperatures. Closings related to winter storms or winter storm warnings will be announced via Facebook, email, and on our website as soon as they are determined.
