Our family has had an annual pass for several years and both of our boys love coming here. Their favorites are the big slides and laser game. They also enjoy the variety of rooms/areas and rotating exhibits that the Minnesota Children's Museum has. Great place for kids of many ages! read more

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Always such a fun time here! My kids are 5 and 7 and have been coming here for years. We got the membership so it's worth it. We don't live too far so we can come quite often. They usually have deals around the holidays. $20-$30 off so that's what we usually do for memberships. Parking is pretty simple here, I like that they have a ramp, it does cost a few dollars and you have to get it validated but it beats having to find street parking. It's usually not too crowded when we go so finding parking is not bad. The ramp goes right to the elevator. We like how they have multiple levels of fun. They switch it up enough that the kids like exploring the new exhibit. They like their familiar exhibits too. We usually spend 2-3 hours here and it tires the kids out. If it's your first time there you may want to bring extra clothes and shoes in case the kids get wet. They have a few areas where kids can play with water and depending on how messy the kid is you might need spare clothes. My kids love the art exhibit and always spend a lot of time creating masterpieces there. They also have a baby area so if you have little ones feel free to bring them! They do have a small cafe with snacks and drinks so if you do get hungry you can buy food. There is also a subway right outside the museum. A lot of people will pack lunches and snacks and you are free to eat in the museum. It's a nice location by lots of restaurants so if you want to go out after it's a good option too. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Lights - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

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You're met with smiling faces, staff eager to serve and help. We joined for Free First Sundays and had a blast! There are lockers available that take $1 in quarters, and you can get change at the desk. The exhibits are fun, and colorful. The entire place is filled with laughing children, screaming sometimes, but having a great time. The cafeteria is overpriced, but the food is pretty decent. You also have the option to bring your own lunch/snacks. There is ramp parking across the street, and street parking is FREE on Sundays! We had so much fun and look forward to going again. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

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Lovely children's museum! Great way to get the wiggles out and lots of different spaces depending on the age of the kiddos. I haven't been here in over 2-3 years and I couldn't believe how they changed the majority of the spaces there. Very impressed. My son loved the more sciencey area on floor 1 as well as the Imaginopolis area. Also loved the shipwreck, someone is studying up on those at home. He also loved the cool candy land esque area on the 4th floor where you have to solve a puzzle. You can spend the entire day here or lots of hours here. I do wish the cafe was a little more staffed and or had seif checkout cause it took roughly 20 mins to get through the line for a couple of drinks. They have a connecting parking garage where you can walk through the bridge/walkways over to the museum without having to go outside. Great for winter time or rainy days. It's not free. They also have pay for lockers to store stuff during your visit as well. read more

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A great place for kids to stretch their mental capacity and be overloaded with sensory activities. They have a great room for birthday parties. I like that they have a new theme each quarter or so to make it interesting for kids Ave families with memberships. It's a nice gateway for families needing a break to enjoy indoor activities. Membership prices are reasonable for a family of 4 for $169 currently for a year! read more

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We LOVE the MN childrens museum! They do a great job of keeping things clean, new exhibits on rotation, friendly staff. The best place to go for cold or rainy weather days to play. read more

This is a great place to bring the kids! There are so many floors and so much to do that it's hard to cover in one trip. A membership pays for itself quickly if you go as a family or have multiple kiddos. There are all the popular main staples, like the car wash, slides, grocery store, and pet shop to keep everyone busy! There's typically a rotating exhibit going on as well. You can bring in your own food to eat or order from their cafe for a meal, drinks, or snacks. They also have a store to purchase toys, stuffed animals, and more memorabilia. * parking is not provided or free, but they will partially validate if park in the connected ramp and walk over via the skyway walk Pro tip: 1. Go towards the end of the day or member nights to avoid such large crowds, field trips, and group traffic 2. Securian hosts a free attendance Sunday once per month if you just want to check it out read more

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This place is AMAZING. Great place to spend time with little ones, both in Winter and in Summer. They have all the things a kid would want to play and learn with, outdoors and indoors. I love how well designed each room is. I feel so lucky to have it nearby. Well worth getting the membership. Just don't get the coffee there. TERRIBLE HORRIBLE COFFEE. read more

No better place for kid play in the city imo. With such variety in activities and play types. Each level of the building showcases different child enriching exhibits. Your child's sure to enjoy each one. Also, once a quarter the exhibit on the fourth floor changes to a new exhibit. read more

Block party today with lots of FREE outdoor activities for everyone. Lots of prizes, dance party, bouncy slides, and free popcorn from CandyLand read more

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This isn't a children's museum. It's a glorified play cafe without the baristas. Absolutely nothing cultural or scientific or anything about learning through play as advertised. It's just a bunch of play equipment and very crowded. For a city of this size and one with tons of corporate sponsorship opportunities - I am appalled at the lack of vision and execution for this museum. First off - very unwelcoming reception area. When you walk into the Indianapolis Children's museum you are transported into a world of wonder. In MN you are in a queue in a small hallway next to a cafeteria. Second, the first play area we came across was for ages three and under. There was what look like a bridge (but it wasn't?? Hard to explain because hit made zero sense) made of wood and covered in plastic vines. The vines were stapled to the wood and visibly coming loose. Fantastic for a toddler to wiggle off with their little fingers. Third - there were absolutely zero placards to reference any learning. My almost four year old can read a little or at least know there is something to read and we read to her. Everything we encountered was either a toy or piece of equipment to jump on, roll through etc. Zero learning opportunities. Maybe gravity???? Lastly - restrooms were dirty an hour after the museum opened. Just not cleaned from the previous day?? We didn't bother to look at any other areas after we visited three. Basically we paid to use the restroom and left for an early lunch at 10:30am. If you are on the board of this museum.... Please rename it to 'Minneapolis Play Cafe' OR take a field trip to other cities' children's museums for better examples of learn through play. read more

My son (who is 3) received a membership here from his grandma and it's been quite a hit. There are enough things to do that so far each time we go it's a bit of a different experience. His favorites so far are some of the regular exhibits like the cat washing station, the fire truck, and the ping pong ball zone. I'm really happy there is a place like this in the city. read more

Good place for the kids to explore their artistic skills, sensory outdoor space, and learn the history of places like Lake Superior. When I took my kids for the first time the front desk was not very family friendly. The exhibits look a little outdated and boring. For example, the Imaginopolis exhibit, which features disco lights, a small obstacle course, and an area filled with foam tubes meant to be shot into a basket and dumped, is a rather disappointing display for kids looking to have fun and learn about something related to Minnesota. Not only that but the other exhibits looks like they could use some TLC and some more advanced features to make it a learning and fun experience for the kids. Lastly, the cafeteria looks very outdated and the price of food makes me not want to stay there anymore than I have to. In conclusion, I love that this museum is for kids but I think it could use some revamping, a friendly atmosphere starting from staff and better exhibits than the exhibit called backyard. I would recommend the Minnesota historical society with free entry every Thursday night. read more

We always have an amazing time at the children's museum! 3 floors packed of fun. Definitely could spend hours and hours here. Love that they have a theme'd room they change out every couple of weeks. We loved the monster theme this summer and the inside out exhibit earlier this year! My kids are 4 and 1.5 years old and it's fun for all ages (even adults). read more

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We visited the museum for the first time with our 18 month old and had a blast! Our daughter loved the water tables and got completely soaked, so definitely bring waterproof shoes and a change of clothes. There were so many great areas for imaginative and creative play. My only complaint is the early closing time. It's tricky to get in enough time before lunch/nap, so i wish we could stay longer in the afternoon. read more

We love the Minnesota children's museum. It is a perfect place to clock in lots of good playing time during the cold winter months. We recommend I'm getting a membership if you plan to visit more than twice a year. It is completely worth it. Our daughter love the toddler area, the art studio. They also have a interactive room that change the themes every few months. read more

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Great place to spend with kids. I had reciprocity with my regional membership. Only problem is I went to the prior location when I was a kid and it doesn't feel as special. I think it's the affect of growing up. Like watching a movie you loved as a kid and wondering now why it was that good. The magic of childhood is over. Thanks for bringing me the sadness and longing for being young. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - For those with Trypophobia watch out! - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

nothing like the website, dirty, plenty of staff no one maintaining the restrooms, play areas, no one disinfecting anything, art room old paints, markets etc, every area a need of up keeping especially for the price you pay. First and last time. read more

We've always had a great time coming to the Children's museum! New in summer 2023 my boys really love the mud kitchen! All of the other exhibits are entertaining as well. Other favorites are the scramble (bring socks) and the main street exhibit (Firetruck, mail, etc). They also generally will spend about 20 minutes in the art area. Tips: 1) Bring snacks 2) Bring a change of clothes incase they get wet 3) I've been told Mondays are the least busy, but i always try to go right when it opens or close to when it closes 4) If you go on Sundays, there is free street parking! read more

This is such a fun place to bring the kiddos! It is more for the younger tots though. Ramp parking is across the street and you crossover in the skyway. It's all marked well with signage. At the entrance, there are lockers for jackets and bags so you don't have to worry about carrying that stuff around. Every station is very interactive and unique. It's even entertaining for us, the adults. Of course kids love water and art so they have a couple stations where they can put on a raincoat or apron and play. Beware, this can get messy! My nephews favorite part was the car wash. It is really great to interact and watch the kids have fun. It's also important to remember that it's not a day care and parents need to watch their kids. They also have a little food court for lunch. The museum changes theme rooms all the time so there's something new to go see. They also have events and even exclusive events if you have a pass. I can't remember the exact price buts it's very reasonable and probably worth it to get one if your kids enjoy it. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

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Ok wow, I think I love the Children's Museum more than my child. I'm just so so impressed with each immersive and creative exhibit. As a new parent, I look forward to going here often, and maybe bringing my son with ;P My kiddo is just 11 months old and not walking yet, but we had a blast. We mostly stayed in the Sprouts room, where he especially loved the splash table (raincoats included) and climbing mats. We walked around all three floors and I was like a broken record, "WOW!" "Cuuuuute!" "Oh wowwww!" Current exhibits: Storyland (playspaces based on classic stories, The Scramble (multi-level playground), Our World (career simulations), The Studio (hands-on workshop), Forces at Play (big interactive car wash and ping-pong ball rockets), Sprouts (for kiddos under 3), Creativity Jam (giant legos), Super Awesome Adventures (laser tag, rock climbing and more), The Backyard (gardens and sculptures), Tip Top Terrace (outdoor sensory garden and city planning), and they are currently building the Shipwreck exhibit which is opening this winter 2021. Covid precautions: I am so impressed and grateful for their current health and safety policy. All guests 5+ years old are REQUIRED to wear masks. There are several hand sanitizer stations, and I saw staff sanitizing the areas. There were bags in the Sprouts area to add individual toys that needed sanitizing. read more

Wowie Zowie, This is a fantastic Children's Museum! Little known fact, I actually worked in the Indianapolis Children's Museum (which is the largest in the world) and I also did programs at the Science Center of Iowa.. Now that I'm a father of a 3 1/2 old I frequent places like this as a dad and not a worker.. But I can tell when a places is run well and has cool things to do! This place is amazing! Quite possibly the best Children's Museum I have ever been to in my life! So many hands on experiences that both dad and son thought were pretty amazing! My son got to play spaceman, mountain climber, car washer, mail man, chief, fireman, builder, mission impossible lazer negotiator, painter and more! This place is so fun and a parent's dream come true.. He wanted to stay and play in every area for a long time! Heck my younger sister said stay away from the water part, he will get really wet.. NAH it's fun and he didn't get wet at all! The food in the cafe part is a bit pricey but the admission into the museum at 13 bucks is a huge steal.. I can't wait to go back! Oh my son would say the same! read more

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I am so happy we discovered this place! We were bored one Sunday afternoon, not many places were open, and didn't know how to entertain our 1 year old so we looked up places on Yelp and found the MN Children's museum! We came here just to give it a try and it was just so precious to see our toddler have so much fun! As he climbed stairs, moved around toys, and explored different shapes and textures, we could almost see his brain cells forming! We signed up for a membership because we knew this was a place we could come during the winter to allow him to let off some energy as well as learn. So thankful to have this place so close to our home! read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - The Landing - Coloring Area - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

Such a fun and open environment for kids to mess around! All the exhibits are exciting and interactive and the kids are open to do whatever they please. It was worth having a membership so you only have to pay once and come in whenever you want and the kids can go have fun quicker ((: They have a section for kids under the age of 3 which is very helpful for moms with small children and don't want older kids to affect their children's play time. The only complaint I have are the kids. There are many kids who are very rude and non compliant with other kids. We went to the town exhibit and were trying to throw boxes down the post chute because the kids find that fun. When we went to go do that, a girl stopped us and said that she's the boss (of the postal office) and that only she could do it. I wasn't about to let a little kid try and tell me or my niece that I wasn't allowed to do something. So I of course said no, my niece will do it. When I wasn't paying attention she kept taking all the boxes from my nieces and were being very rough with them. Granted, they are under 4, they still should be allowed to interact as much as the other kids. This isn't the first time this has happened and this is not the museums fault but maybe somehow the museum could monitor the behavior and push sharing? If not, parents need to teach their children manners. Other than the altercation in the town exhibit, the museum is a wonderful place for kids to explore. read more

This is GUARANTEED Kid Fun in St. Paul, MN! Well, I guess if ya got shy kids, then it might be a bit of a struggle? We met up with family here and our age range of kids was from 5 to 12y/o. First visual was the HUGE Sid the Science Kid (GREAT SHOW!) sign hanging out front, which certainly got my young squires hyped up. Parking is ACROSS the street but connecting skyways help avoid the traffic and the cold. Friendly guest relations as we obtained our "proof we paid" stickers. There is an honor system coat room to shed the layers, which is frees up MY arms and minimizes garment loss in the galleries. However, all this was movin' TOO slow for the revved up young'uns. "Now can we go, please?" "NOW can we go?" "PLEASE?!?!" Hah! Today's lesson: PATIENCE! After that, off we went, big'uns trying to keep control of the lil mustangs! Rightfully so, there are LOTS of smiles all over this building with 5 stories of activities! Some with more manners than others. Some with better parental control than others. The MANY things to do here were better enjoyed when fairness presided. But that's life, right? I SO LOVED when kids from different walks of life could smile and work together. It's JUST BEAUTIFUL to see harmony at work!!! So after full exploration, except for the "Habitat" (4y/o & under only zone), there were a few favorite galleries: "WORLD WORKS" Gallery was EASILY the fave play zone of our lil crew. Everyone wanted to return here first after finishing the initial go around. Functioning crane (mechanized coolness!), human powered assembly line (kids were movin' & groovin' here!), and the water works zone tested young minds in all different fun ways. And still more to do in this gallery that promoted creative fun play. "EARTH WORLD" Gallery was the other return request. "Be An Ant" had costumes and fun crawl spaces that kept them role playing for quite some time. Even played hide & seek for a bit. And that Turtle Shell?!? Simple joy that was so entertaining! We EASILY spent 3 hours here roaming the many galleries. Lots of energy depleting activities and creative play options. The Rooftop Art Park is closed from October to April so we missed out on that, unfortunately. Food options are pretty simple inside and today's coffee wasn't making any fans, so consider loading up prior to arrival. There are hand sanitizers all over which was a nice touch. Our lil crew really had a blast, I'm sure yours will, too ;) read more

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I have four sons - ages 4 to 11 and they all LoVeD it!!! There are several stories and tons of hands on activities! The price is a little high but it's definitely worth a visit (or membership if you live somewhere close). Their favorite exhibits were the air and balls, and the post office area. We will go back! read more

I think this place is fantastic for ages 3-5 specifically! not as much for the very littles to do but still a great way to spend a day especially when it's too cold to be outside read more

The museum was so much fun for my daughters. We went on the weekend and it was busy so next time I'd prefer to go during the week to avoid the crowds. The toddler play area (Sprouts) is fantastic and definitely not something you want to miss. The Scramble is also amazing and my daughter had a blast doing it with me. read more

Reviewing our experience from February 2020. Great place for the littles to burn some steam. Highlights for us: There is a three story climbing area with slides. Separate smaller climbing area for 2 and under. A car wash-if your little loves playing with water bring a change of clothes. Aprons are provided but water is everywhere. City themed free play area. The post office has working conveyer belts for boxes that go to a 2nd floor. There was a art room to play with clay (not for taking home). The emphasis at this museum is really learning through different ways to play. There is a small food court with mediocre food for a premium price at the gift shop. read more

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What a great place to spend the day! There are so many different things to do. Each level provides different experiences for your child and all of them are great. Some are permanent and some of them rotate and keep it fresh. There is also a small cafe if you need to take a break or lunch. It's very affordable as well read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

This is a nice museum for younger children. We got to visit in the summer and it was nice to go out to the outdoor area they have with plants and some sitting. read more

Must check out! I almost did not take my kiddo as he is just under 2. Reviewing the website made it seem as if he would be too young to enjoy all the activities and spaces. He LOVED it, every floor and space he was able to tinker and play. In my opinion most area is for ages 6 and under. He did get wet, soapy and we did manage to stay away from the face paint. I would recommend wearing comfy clothes and something you wouldn't mind getting wet or dirty! Price was kinda speedy for the day. $12.00 per each person and kiddo. If we lived in the area I would recommend a season pass(totally worth it)! $159 for the year for two adults and all children in the household (I think). read more

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This place is a bust. I wouldn't pay $40 for tickets and parking to take my son to a playground, or a mall, but that's essentially what this place felt like. The exhibits are outdated and uninspired. Even the ropes course, a highlight, can't hold its own against many (free) ropes courses at local parks. For what it's worth, the Wallace & Gromit exhibit (Aug '22) was a total letdown. Toddlers might find something useful here, but I don't recommend taking kids ages 5+. read more

I had no idea this place existed or I would have been here sooner. Somebody mentioned this as a great activity for my toddler aged grandson and it was a fabulous day for everybody. We met up with a couple other little friends and they just had a blast. My grandson really enjoyed each and every station. I asked what his favorite was and he said, " I liked all of them!" They have a place to grab a coffee or a drink, snack, or meal. The people that ate all said the food was good and prices were not too shabby. If you have a few kids it would probably be cost prohibitive unless you purchase a membership or you can check into any specials they may have. I do believe it is free one Sunday a month. Your child will more than likely get soaked in the water features so it would be smart to take a change of clothing for them. read more

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So much fun today that we bought the Premium Membership Package ($189 annually). The parking situation on Tuesday is not the best, the parking ramp was $10 with the MCM parking discount (yikes!) Next time we may check out the green line as our means of transport. read more

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This is where children's dreams come to fruition! Every city should have such a stage!! Here I first learned an appreciation of the arts and theater! I take my sons there whenever in town. This place is amazing! read more

We have so much fun here. This is my son in a spaceship & Earth can be seen from a distance. I want to say more but Yelp limits characters. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - My little boy has a blast here at the Minnesota Children's Museum! They offer a discount for low income families for $30 a year. - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

If you have kids, young relatives or just babysitting a young one and want to find something to do, the museum is a good place to bring kids of any age to enjoy some exhibits that they can run free in and enjoy with other children around as well. If you live and work on MN check to see if your company participates in the MERSC program since you get discount for tickets. I just showed them my business card as proof to get $2 off each ticket (7.95 with discount). They change up the exhibit on the 2nd floor every once in awhile, this time around it was a creativity jam for the kids. The boys had a blast. Our oldest has been here a few times but it was the twins' first time and they did not want to leave when it was time to go home. They have a little area downstairs that has tables to eat at but only vending machines and no cafe. I think it would be a good idea for them to invest in something like that if they can, a lot families leave during lunch time and for us, even though your pass is good all day until 5pm, there really isn't a lot nearby that is open on the weekend that you can go to within walking distance and the come back to. read more

Brought my 10 month old here when dad was traveling for the weekend and wasn't sure if he was too little to really enjoy or understand the museum. He had a great time interacting at the "stations" and also other tikes that were there. Kids under 1 are free, so $10.95 for my admission + $4 for parking and the cost of a 6 inch Subway sandwich was well worth the entertainment that was provided for the little guy and all the priceless pics. The nursing room was tiny and smelled like poo, no wonder I saw so many women nursing in public here. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

Beware of toddlers running everywhere. This active hive is a blast for children and adults of all ages. The volunteers are helpful, smiling and friendly and adults should go ahead and participate in the many activities available. I crawled into the ant tunnels with my granddaughter and then wondered how I could get back out when I saw the small tunnel. I made it through but ten more pounds on the frame and I would have had to back out over active preschoolers aggressively exploring the tunnel wearing their ant smocks. This is one of the great treasures of St Paul and it's no surprise folks travel many distances to visit the Children's Museum. read more

Minnesota Children's Museum - Let the mind explore. - Children's Museums Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota