Attractions

Habitot Area at Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul

by Linda K (minnemom) of Travels with Children

As the cooler weather approaches, it’s time to start thinking about indoor places to visit.  One that my kids ask to go back to, time and again, is the Minnesota Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.

There’s plenty to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and it’s all interactive for kids.  Check in and pay your admission, and then head up to the second floor, where you can visit the World Works gallery.  This is always my kids’ favorite–the older ones love to move foam blocks on the assembly line or work the model crane, and the youngers love the water tables and bubble area.  Next door is an art area, where kids can be creative with different themes and materials.  Then it’s around the corner to Our World, where the kid-sized community includes a grocery store, mail route, restaurant, clinic, music studio, and a bus that the kids can “drive.”

Making a Thunderstorm at Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul

Upstairs there are more exhibit areas:  Habitot is designed for babies and toddlers and includes diaper-changing and baby-feeding areas; Earth World allows kids to climb in a giant anthill and make their own thunderstorm; and the seasonal Rooftop Art Park allows kids to paint the rocks with water and explore nature and art while overlooking downtown St. Paul.

The museum also has two galleries that have traveling exhibits.  In the past, we’ve seen Sesame Street, Curious George, and Fairy Tales, and the current offerings are Ball-0-Rama and Hmong at Heart.

Throughout the day, there are many special activities going on:  story time and “big fun” on the mezzanine, music sessions, face painting, art projects, and more.

The biggest problem for visitors is good for the museum itself; it’s so popular that it’s very crowded at times.  If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, don’t go on the third Sunday of the month, when admission is free.  Instead, try for a Habitot Tuesday when there are no groups scheduled in the museum.

The best part about a children’s museum is that children experience their world through play and hands-on activities without realizing how much they’re learning.

Do you have a favorite children’s museum?  What do you like about it?

Photo credits: minnemom