Parking for all Museum guests is available at no charge.

Host: As the party host, you are welcome to come to the Museum at the scheduled start time of the party to check-in, store belongings, and get ready to greet your party guests. Please enter through the main entrance and check in at the front desk.

Guests:  Party guests should also use the main entrance to the Museum, then proceed to check-in at the Front Desk. All guests of the party must check-in with the party even if they are Museum members.

As the party host, you are welcome to come to the Museum at the scheduled start time of the party to check-in, store belongings, and get ready to greet your party guests. The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota’s birthday party package includes the use of our private Community Room space for the duration of 2 hours.

One the celebration time is complete all belongings/décor/food must be removed from the party room. If you are the party host, please come to the Front Desk to pay after the party is done. The final amount will be determined based off the number of guests that attended your party. Please note that guests of the party include all adults chaperoning their children.

The Museum requires a minimum 1 adult chaperone for every 4 children attending. The party host is responsible for making sure all children are ready to go and picked up by their caregivers at the end of the party. Pro tip: It is helpful to specify the pick up time on your party invitations.

Suggested Timelines:

With a 9:30 – 11:30 AM celebration space
9:30 am – arrival and set up (birthday party décor, party favors, cake, etc.)
9:45 am – It’s party time! Guests can enjoy the Museum or celebrate in the Community Room
11:00 am – suggested clean up time
11:30 am – The community room time has come to an end. If you are the host, head to the front desk to check-out. Guests can continue to enjoy the museum following the party!

With a 1:00 – 3:00 PM celebration space
1:00 pm (please note there may have been a celebration in the space before you and Museum staff needs time to sanitize) – arrival and set up (birthday party décor, party favors, cake, etc.)
1:15 pm – It’s party time! Guests can enjoy the Museum or celebrate in the Community Room
2:30 pm – suggested clean up time
3:00 pm – The community room time has come to an end. If you are the host, head to the front desk to check-out. Guests can continue to enjoy the museum following the party!

Birthday celebrations are the BEST! We want your child’s birthday theme to come to life all while keeping the room an Museum safe for all guests!

You are encouraged to bring your own decorations and party favors. Mylar balloons may be brought in, but must be kept in the celebration space. No decorations may be attached to walls, ceilings or exhibits.

Please Note: Latex balloons, piñatas, confetti, bubble machines, glitter, rice, silly string, dry ice, sparklers, fog/smoke machines, and candles or fire related items are prohibited within the Museum.  All décor and party favors must stay within the party room.

Homemade food, desserts and beverages are not allowed for celebrations held at the Museum. Exceptions may be permitted to accommodate special dietary restrictions, and for religious reasons. Any food and beverages for the party must be purchased through a licensed kitchen/caterer/store. Alcohol is prohibited.  Please contact us at info@cmsouthernmn.org before the day of the party if you have questions or concerns about food and beverages.

The Museum is not responsible for any damage to Museum or personal property caused by the party host or party guests. The Museum is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Please do not eat, drink or chew gum in the exhibit areas.
The Museum’s amazing exhibit areas offer exciting play experiences for visitors of all ages. Please help us keep our exhibits clean and fun for everyone by not eating, drinking or chewing gum in them.

Use Respectful language.
Profanity, harassment, threatening language, and physical interactions will not be tolerated. Keep this a safe space for all children to play.

Stay with your group.
We ask that all birthday guests stay with their group and adult chaperone(s) while at the Museum.

Please walk in the Museum.
There are children of many ages enjoying the Museum. We thank you for using walking feet to help us keep all visitors safe.

Photography is allowed within the Museum.
You are welcome to take photos in the Museum. Please be respectful of other visitors when you take photos inside exhibit areas and Museum spaces. The Museum is not responsible for any damage to or loss of personal cameras or equipment brought into the Museum.