It’s getting to the time of year when extreme weather limits activities for kids. Gone is the carefree time of year when you can send your kids outside to play without the arduous process of bundling them up.
An outstanding thing to do with your kids indoors is to take them to a children’s museum, or any museum in general. There are numerous benefits children receive from a trip to a museum. Plus, they have a lot of fun!
If you haven’t been, there is an incredible resource in your backyard if you live in the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Children’s Museum is an amazing resource to your family.
Why Should You Take Your Kids to a Children’s Museum?
There is plenty of research 
that demonstrates the immense benefits of taking children to museums. Not only will your children make incredible memories, but they will also experience in-depth learning and spark their imaginations. Children will learn new things about the world around them, experience new topics, and have quality family time.
Children will gain new experiences in a rich environment that is designed perfectly for learning. Youngsters get the chance to explore hands-on and interactive exhibits. Children’s museums create stations and areas where kids can take ownership of their interests and learning and explore in a way that fits their learning style. This experience will aid in critical thinking and allow them to connect to the world around them.
You don’t have to take your children to a children’s museum for them to have beneficial experiences. If you take your kids to an art museum, you will be giving them a chance to explore new feelings, emotions, or thoughts and how they relate to life and art. The creativity they witness all around them can inspire a lifelong appreciation and may spark their own desire to create.
Bringing a child to a museum puts them on an equal learning level with you as their parent. Together, you can learn and question and explore new ideas. This type of learning is a unique thing for children, as they are used to always being taught by the adults in their lives. Children don’t often get to learn stuff WITH their parents.
One of the most obvious advantages of taking your kids to a museum is the family time you get to enjoy. Not only will you learn new things together, but you will also share conversations and stories. You will get to play with your kids without the distraction of things that need to get done around the house. You will also get to foster a love of learning and experimenting with your children.
What do You Need to Know About the Minnesota Children’s Museum?
The Minnesota Children’s Museum is located at 10 W Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. Visit their website here.
Their hours are
- Sunday 9:00 am-5:00 pm
- Monday, closed
- Tuesday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
- Wednesday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
- Thursday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
- Friday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
The cost of admission is $12.95 for everyone from one year old to 101 years old. Museum members and babies under one are free.
To make use of public transit to get to the museum, take the Green Line to the 10th Street Station. There are also several bus lines that work. If you plan to park, use the World Trade Center Ramp. If you bring your parking ticket to the box office, you will get a discount, $6.00 for three hours and $1.00 for each additional half hour.
The Minnesota Children’s Museum offers these helpful hints: bring socks and a change of clothes. Socks are required if your kids want to play in The Scramble. And with two exhibits in which children might get wet, an extra set of clothing is a good idea.
There are no lockers available at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, so plan on keeping all your things with you during your visit. There is a cafe on site that provides food and snacks. The Minnesota Children’s Museum is a part of Blue Star Families, as well.
Exhibits at The Minnesota Children’s Museum
There are a variety of exhibits you will get to experience during your visit. Between the permanent attractions and the temporary exhibitions, there are always exciting and fun things to explore.
A favorite of members and regulars is The Scramble. This attraction is best for children five and older, but parents should be the judge of what their children are capable of doing. In The Scramble, your kids will get to climb up an incredible four-story play structure. Your kids will burn energy on the slides, ropes, and catwalks in a fun maze. Remember, socks are required.
If you want to have a fun time without climbing and jumping, check out the Creativity Jam. There is a percussion playground on which to explore sound and music. Your kids can paint their faces, or yours, with special crayons. They can even experiment with technology and create a stop-motion video story.
If you have younger kids, ages three and under, check out Sprouts. This incredible playland is specifically for the young learners in your group. They can experiment with water through tubes and whirligigs, play with doors and drawers and not get in trouble, and be active on toddler-sized ramps and stairs. There is even a nursing room.
The Imaginapolis is the perfect place for kids to play completely unhindered and use all of their imagination. Kids will be able to build forts, stack arches, and climb into columns. They can explore a forest made from pool noodles or a giant structure that looks like a worm. Children can create the own story, and manipulate lighting to enhance it.
These are just a few of the exhibits to explore with your children when you go to the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Not only will they be having fun, but they will also be absorbing new information the entire time. Make time to engage with your kids and teach them the value of learning and new experiences.
Go to The Minnesota Children’s Museum Today!
A museum is more than just a good indoor activity. It provides lifelong benefits to you and your children. Check out the Minnesota Children’s Museum today and create memories to last a lifetime.
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