Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota

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Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota Ignite a lifelong love of learning by engaging children's natural curiosity in interactive ways!
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The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is full of opportunities for discovery, development, and hands-on play. The Museum is many things: a mission, a place, and an organization -- but it is entirely devoted to serving children, families, and the greater community. Opened in May of 2015 at its fantastic, and permanent location in Mankato, Minnesota, the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota features exhibits, activities, and spaces to engage all ages. From the Betsy Tacy-inspired Play Porch to the mind-inspiring attractions of the Whiz Bang exhibit, and with a towering Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts Climber so tall that it burst through the roof, there's plenty to do and see -- all within a safe, inviting, and comfortable space. The Children's Museum of Minnesota exists thanks to the support of dozens of businesses, hundreds of families, many wonderful volunteers, and the entire Greater Mankato community. Tens of thousands of visitors have already enjoyed the Museum at its previous locations since 2009. With the continued help and enthusiasm of all who have supported us, we can't wait to put smiles on many more faces -- for generations to come.

09/28/2026

The toddler maze and scarecrows are back for the season! 🍂

Take your creativity even further with Art Explorers Studio! In addition to our weekly Art Explorers program, we're exci...
09/28/2026

Take your creativity even further with Art Explorers Studio! In addition to our weekly Art Explorers program, we're excited to offer two full-day studio experiences each month during the school year. Led by a licensed art educator and practicing artist, these immersive sessions invite children and families to dive deeper into the artistic process through hands-on exploration. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of mediums, including clay, printmaking, papermaking, sculpture, and more, while developing skills, confidence, and creative expression in a supportive studio environment.

Upcoming Dates:
October 4 and 6
November 1 and 3
December 6 and 8

Times: 9am-4pm

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The Museum offers weekly programs for all ages! These programs are included with Museum admission or membership and are ...
09/26/2026

The Museum offers weekly programs for all ages! These programs are included with Museum admission or membership and are offered in a casual come and go style. Join Baby Play to practice tummy time and meet other parents, listen to a story on the stage or get curious at STEAM Explorers - there's always new ways to play here at the Museum.

For more details check our website:
https://www.cmsouthernmn.org/programming-events/

Thank You, KDOM! A heartfelt thank you to KDOM Radio welcoming the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota on-air to sha...
09/24/2026

Thank You, KDOM!

A heartfelt thank you to KDOM Radio welcoming the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota on-air to share our mission and talk about Ignite the Night: Power Up!

We appreciate your partnership and all you do to keep our community connected! Take a listen here: https://windomradio.com/kdom-podcasts/

Thank you, ISG for your partnership and commitment to the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota!As an organization foc...
09/24/2026

Thank you, ISG for your partnership and commitment to the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota!

As an organization focused on shaping vibrant communities, we know first-hand, ISG understands the importance of investing in the next generation. We're grateful for your support of hands-on learning, exploration, and play.

09/24/2026
Shoutout to North Risk Partners - Mankato, MN for making our lockers and windows shine! ✨ On Monday, these volunteers sp...
09/23/2026

Shoutout to North Risk Partners - Mankato, MN for making our lockers and windows shine! ✨ On Monday, these volunteers spent their time scrubbing and polishing so families can enjoy a fresh, bright welcome every time they visit. Thank you for sharing your time and hearts with us!

It's the kind of behind-the-scenes work that makes a huge difference, and we're so grateful they chose to spend their time with us. We loved having you here!

Want to volunteer with your group, team, or workplace? We'd love to have you! Reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more. ✨

09/22/2026

So what is Ignite the Night, anyway? We get asked this a lot, so here's the short version!

On Thursday, October 1, twelve teams of six grown adults get sixty minutes, a mountain of loose parts and a theme they won't see until the clock starts, and they build something that lights up the room. Refs keep the peace (mostly), judges pick the winners, and the crowd can pay $100 to freeze a rival team for five full minutes with Pay to Pause.

Every ticket helps support the Museum's mission to ignite curiosity, foster learning, and create opportunities for children to grow through play.

Limited tickets are left! Get yours here: https://www.cmsouthernmn.org/ignite-the-night/

Address

224 Lamm Street
Mankato, MN
56001

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15073860279

Website

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