Minnesota Children's Museum

Had a great experience with the Family I have a 9 ,7 and 2 year old. What a great time we had fun for all. We ended with lunch at Mickey's Diner.

The ONLY reason I can't give it a full 5 stars is that the cafe is constantly filthy. We come pretty often so yes it's VERY common. I get that kids are messy, but keeping it like this is wild.

We always get the yearly pass! It’s a trek from the south metro but honestly it’s worth it for a full day of activities and all in one place. We went to the Halloween event this year and although their socials stated they were sold out with limited tickets available for walk-in. We walked in and there were consistently 2 people in line (which moved fast as they were properly staffed). The staff member who helped us get tickets advised that the tickets weren’t really limited as it’s hard to turn away kids with costumes! We checked in, it was definitely busy so keep your littles close. They had their normal play stations open along with trick or treat at every corner handing out handful of candies. They also had extra activities like make your own Chex mix, Halloween bingo, build your own glow in the dark crown, light up ghosts (out of modeling clay), build a spider ring, etc. It’s always fun for the kids and they had curious George theme in their seasonal playroom.

I grew up going to the children’s museum, and now I have been bringing my 1 year old for something to do in the winter. I am leaving a 1 star review purely because I am extremely unsatisfied with the renovation. The Children’s museum was the only place I ever went as a kid that provided such a great space for role-play. For example the ant hill, the box loading zone and the town were some core exhibits that used to be 10/10 children’s museum staples and are either not there anymore or extremely watered down / made super fluid and chaotic. In fact, everything they put in instead is so random and open ended - it feels much more over stimulating. I understand that research has been leaning toward open ended play, but the way the Children’s museum has taken it just isn’t effective. What the children’s museum provided before was a space for kids to role play in an environment that replicated the adult world, but designed in a way to make sense to a kid. Can we allow for open ended play at home instead? Where we don’t have the resources to make super awesome role play exhibits like a child sized town or ant hill? Kids have always liked to “play pretend” and the children’s museum had the resources to take this to the next level. I’m genuinely so bummed these core exhibits are gone and that they have been replaced with randomness. I love the children’s museum and genuinely hope they can make it even a fraction of how it used to be. Please please please read this review children’s museum and take note!

We frequented about once a month when my daughter was between 2 and 5 and now that she is 9 we are down to every three months to explore the rotating exhibit and art experience. The scrambler and laser area are favorites. The art room has recently changed (2024).