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Even if a formal shutdown order is lifted by state authorities, she added, it isnt clear when parents and museum goers would regain the confidence to resume museum outings and other public gatherings.
Leaders of the Science Museum of Minnesota on Tuesday also put out a fundraising plea as they announced a shift to online-only programming, while temporarily laying off 87 percent of its more than 500 employees.
The museum shut its doors on March 13 following the guidance of state officials.
Closing was the right decision for the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and visitors, but it is creating a financial hardship during our busiest time of the year, CEO Alison Brown said in a statement Tuesday. Temporarily laying off employees was a tough decision. It is unfortunately necessary as we consider the long-term viability of the museum.
The layoffs take effect on April 2. The Science Museum has been paying employees at their wage rate since March 13 and will continue to pay medical benefits through April 30.
Science Museum Of Minnesota
This is actually in St. Paul, but it is worth the short drive. It is 4 stories of hands on fun for you and the kids. Each level offers something different and you could spend all day here exploring the museum.
There is the quackery museum, which has a collection of unique and quacky things that people have invented was one of our favorites. Along with the news center where the kids could pretend they were news anchors and actually see themselves on TV as well as the giant astronaut where you could super-impose your face on the astronauts helmet so it looked like you were the giant astronaut! We also spent a lot of time at the Hydraulics lab.
When you are there, dont miss the IMax show! We saw the one about the National Parks and it was fantastic. The shows change, so check into what show is playing before you go.
We also visited the Mummy exhibit which I thought was cool, but the kids werent that interested in. Exhibits change too, so check to see which one will be there when you go.
Can you see how you could spend a whole day here? We kept having to tell the kids we have to move on or we werent going to see everything before they close!
Length of time: All day
Kids: Great for all ages. For the older kids they can actually figure out how things work. For the younger kids they will love touching all the buttons and building things.
Food: They have an eating area, but no food is allowed throughout the museum.
Learn more at:
Science Museum Of Minnesota Summer Camps
Each summer the Science Museum offers a host of week-long summer camps with various science-y themes. This popular program is known to sell out. I know families who use this program in place of summer daycare, signing up for different programs throughout the summer. We include annual details here: Twin Cities Summer Camps: Science & Tech Camps.
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Science Museum Of Minnesota Virtual Field Trips For Families
The museum staff have pulled together some fun online options to keep our families learning virtually from home. Take advantage of their Science Is Learning toolkit page to learn about diatom, archeology and dinosaurs. Bigger kids may enjoy reading articles on the Learn page. Either way, you could take “virtual field trips” on your favorite subjects and then culminate the learning with a visit to the museum.
Birthday Parties At Smm
The Science Museum traditionally offers full-service birthday parties with packages that include admission to the museum for all guests, a private room, a hands-on science activity, decorations and set up & clean up. For an extra fee, the museum will also provide a cake. In the summer of 2018, the museum added outdoor birthday parties that include games and activities outside. Kids of all ages will love celebrating science in the sun with friends before exploring the museum! Birthday Parties are currently on hold, but check back later. We believe they will be offered again, soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
What are people saying about children’s museums in Twin Cities, MN?
This is a review for children’s museums in Twin Cities, MN:
“We came during the Smithsonian Free Museum day so we did get free admission. If you are expecting this place to be like Children’s Museum, you will be disappointed. To be fair, The Works doesn’t compare itself to the Children’s Museum in any way. All activities are geared towards the Engineering field and for the most part, they did a good job.There are 2 floors that has different projects the kids can do from building cars to creating structures with cardboard. This place is geared towards 6-12 year olds in my opinion. Anyone younger than those ages are basically paying $8/person to run around which is really not worth it.If you have kids ranging in age from 6-12, take them here. Expect to spend at least 2 hours here.”
Daily Admission Is $9 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 a great way to save on admission!
All memberships include unlimited access to the Museum during regular hours plus additional benefits all for only $9 a month!
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Were Here To Turn On The Science
Through education, in-person experiences, online learning, and everything in between, the Science Museum of Minnesota is dedicated to collaborating with our community to create a world where everyone has the power to use science to make lives better.
With the help of our visitors, volunteers, staff, and community partners, were using science to figure out how our world works. Between our interactive exhibits, collection with over two million objects, and continuous scientific research, we believe theres always something new to discover.
St Anthony Falls And Stone Arch Bridge
A beautiful place to take a walk out over the water to see the waterfall which is a large part of Minneapoliss history. Plus you can see the Mill City Museum from here.
Length of time: it would only take 30 minutes or so to walk the whole bridge, but could be longer if you choose to linger and take in the buildings and the waterfall.
Kids: Great for kids since there are no cars on the bridge just people walking and bikes.
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Mississippi River Visitor Center
Inside the lobby of the Science Museum is the National Park Service Visitor Center for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which is open free of charge. Mississippi River exhibits and National Park Rangers are available to help people learn about and experience the Mississippi River. The visitor center is also equipped with resources to help plan trips to any of the more than 390 national parks.
Gianna’s Top 3 Smm Favorites
1. The Omnitheatre Experience
I thought everyone would be a bit nervous by this gigantic and odd theatre, but I was clearly wrong. If a 3-year-old will quietly sit through a 45 minute documentary about Maya, you know they’re doing something right.
2. The Musical Stairs
The kids were halfway done the stairs before I realized what I was hearing. So back up the stairs we ran. Then, down. Then, up. Down and up and down. Chris stood on the steps and swung his foot back and forth without touching the stairs to make the music. Everyone loves when Daddy is being funny.
3. The Sound Lights
When we ran under these lights, we heard piano notes and sounds of nature. Maybe there were more sounds, but we didn’t encounter them. Go enjoy some time with your family! It’s a great way to beat the heat and spend some great time together as a family! It worked well for us!
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The Works Museum Is Committed To The Safety Of Our Visitors And Staffto Help Stop The Spread Of Covid
- Masks are required for all visitors ages 5 and older, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Masks are strongly encouraged for visitors ages 2-4.
- Do not visit the Museum if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, cough, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms in the last 72 hours, or have had a known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Plan to practice social distancing from visitors outside your household.
- The basement lunchroom will be closed to public visitors. Plan to eat meals/snacks before or after arriving, or use our picnic bench outside.
- Visitors may purchase tickets online in advance to limit contact at the front desk.
Were Making Discoveries Every Day
Science is a tool we use to look at the world and analyze whats happening in it. Our scientistswho study everything from ancient, truck-sized snakes to microscopic freshwater diatomsare using science to make new discoveries in Minnesota and around the world.
At two million objects, artifacts, and specimens strong, our collections provide billions of data points that tell stories about the natural world over millennia.
Shark teeth, moccasins, pinned insects, dinosaur bones, pressed leaves, and millions of other objects help our scientists and visiting researchers get to the bottom of questions big and small. What was life like for Indigenous people 10,000 years ago in Minnesota? How does the structure of a bird brain influence its behavior? By observing, analyzing, and experimenting, theyre finding answers one project at a time.
Find out more about their work, dig into the areas of research we cover, and make your own discoveries.
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Summer Camp Registration Is Now Open
Engage your kids in science and engineering summer camps at The Works Museum! Featuring new camps each season, as well as favorites like LEGO Robotics, Code Camp, architecture, and more. Our summer camps for kids at The Works are ideal for girls and boys ages 5-13. Find camps exclusively for your PreK budding engineers, camps for girls such as our Rosie Revere Engineer and Code Camp for Girls, camps using the LEGO WeDo construction set, and add-on Friday Fun Days. Summer camp season at The Works Museum is alive with enthusiasm and creative engineering.
New this summer! In addition to our Bloomington camps, were offering a select number of camps at Minnesota Childrens Museum in Saint Paul. Learn more below.
All Play Memberships And Tickets Available To Income
Qualifying families may purchase a one-year All Play scholarship membership for $39. Any family receiving benefits through EBT, WIC or a free/reduced school lunch program is eligible for an All Play membership. The museum also offers single-day All Play admission tickets for $3 each.
The museum offers discounts on memberships through various partner organizations. | See Discounts
Upcoming Exhibits
Discover a shipwreck, practice scuba skills and explore towering cliffs.
Opens Winter 2022Take a trip to the Island of Sodor, the land of Thomas, Percy and many other useful engines.
Household Membership Benefits
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Anytime Free Online Resources From The Science Museum
SMM provides a lot of free, fun extras that families can grab online anytime. These freebies include:
The Science is Learning – Virtual Tookit
Find hands-on activities to encourage science at home, like printable puzzles and coloring sheets, experiments and DIY activities.
Omnitheater Extras
Families can dig a little deeper into the topics of the current movies before or after a screening. Find interviews, videos, extra facts and more.
Science for All
Dig deeper into SMM’s permanent exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different? with videos that explore the topic and conversation starters for around the dinner table, including the 10-minute drama, The Idea.
Education Resources
Aimed at educators, families can also view use materials created to provide resources for learning, such as online lessons and learn from home ideas.
Childrens Museum Of South Dakota
Courtesy of Children’s Museum of South Dakota
Kids across the country will have to spend time learningand playingindoors so many museums, like the Childrens Museum of South Dakota, have developed curriculum, webinars, and blogs for at-home studying. Seize the Play invites kids to pick a topic and then complete the challenge. There are many activities to choose from like making puffy paint, creating fizzy bubbles, baking prairie breads, building an indoor fort, paper making, and more.
Good to Know: Theres a special page just for grown-ups where parents can gain access to extra resources like reviews, activity suggestions, and more.
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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.
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
Admission
All exhibits open for play
Masks are required for all visitors age 5 and older, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Masks are strongly encouraged for children ages 2 to 4.
Anyone who is sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to the museum.
Support the museum with a recurring donation!
The Strong National Museum Of Play
Courtesy of The Strong Museum of Play
Even though The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York is closed, you can still visit virtually through an online tour of the first and second floors. Click arrows and make your way through the various exhibits and galleries. Learn by exploring online exhibits: Pinball in America, History of Play on Two Wheels, The Oregon Trail, American Board and Card Game History, and The History of Valentine Cards.
Good to Know: makes it easy to see the interior and exterior of The Strong National Museum of Play.
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Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center
The Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center is an informal learning environment for young people between 11 and 18 years old. The mission of the KAYSC is to “empower youth to change our world through science”. Although there are some volunteers in the KAYSC who are too young for jobs, most of the teens in the KAYSC are actual museum employees, engaging in activities ranging from staffing the Cell Lab on the museum floor to engaging in community activism around urban agriculture and climate change. The teens are guided and mentored in science, technology, work, and life skills by the adult staff.
Explore The Minnesota History Center
Minnesotas premier historical museum offers an interactive, visually stimulating glimpse of the states history and people, presenting exhibitions that are organized around both theme and period.
Visit the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post for a closer look at the region’s history / Brady Willette, courtesy Minnesota Historical Society
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The Escape Game Minneapolis
If you are looking for a unique and fun indoor activity to do with your family be sure to check out The Escape Game! We werent sure if it would be kid friendly but it totally was. You are put in a room and have 60 minutes to figure out how to get out. Dont worry the game master is there to help you.
We really enjoyed doing this together as a family and loved how the kids were able to help us out with the clues and were part of solving them. We ended up making it out of the room in time! Check out our post on: The Escape Game for more information and to book your escape game!
Length of time: 90 minutes you are in the room for 60 minutes but with the check in process and all that it should be about 90 minutes.
Kids: It was such a fun activity to do as a family! Our kids were 12,10,10 and 8 when we did it and it was the perfect ages!
Food: No food available
Learn more and buy your tickets at:Escape Game Tickets
Childrens Museum Of Houston
Several virtual events are available for children through the Childrens Museum of Houston website. During the time of school closures, families can take part in virtual story-times , toddler playtime, and more. Mr. Os O Wow Moments, for example, walks kids through science experiments that they can complete at home. Educator Moments give kids structure for activities they can do with caregivers via Facebook Live.
Good to Know: Visit the museums website for a list of virtual events.
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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.
Amazing Things To Do In Minneapolis With Kids
When we think of Minneapolis, we automatically think of Mall of America. What we learned on our last trip is the Minneapolis area has so much more than just the Mall! We were pleasantly surprised by all the outdoor activities that they had and the amazing museums. There were a lot of great things to do in Minneapolis with kids, here is our list of faves.
Below we share our favorites in and around this upper midwest city. Take note that Minneapolis along with Saint Paul make up the Twin Cities. Youll find a ton of family fun, outdoor nature and yummy ice cream!
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