CMSM Blog

This year marked the eighth year in our current location, and we think 2022 was the best year yet! The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is growing and changing, while still maintaining a focus on PLAY. Our impact in the community is far-reaching, and we could not do it without all of your support. Let’s

Something new we’re trying at the Museum this year is keeping the outside play areas open during the cold winter months. What is Minnesota without snow-building, mitten-wearing, and rosy cheeks? The weather isn’t going anywhere, so it is important we teach our children to enjoy it. If we find joy in the snow and cold,

Two things we clearly emphasize at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota are our commitments to play and to our community. One of the most impactful things we offer for the playing community is group visits. Over 5,000 of our visitors this year came through our doors as part of a group.  These group visits

Did you know one of the most unique things about the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is the abundance of “loose parts”? The money in the bank, the stones in the quarry, the seasonal pieces in the wind tunnel: these items make the Museum interactive and more immersive for the children. But by far the

Every time of year is a good time of year to get started as a member at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, but right now, families are wondering what to give their kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and other children in their lives for the holidays. You see the suggestion over and over again in

It’s a rare treat when the first snow comes the same week we set up the Northwoods Winter Cabin at the Museum. The exhibit is in full swing (in its new location! Have you seen it yet? Stop in soon!), and as we watch the children love it the same as they have every year,

If you stop into the Museum–or if you look around this very website!–you’ll notice we’ve been busy making some changes.  The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota adopted a slight refresh of our graphic identity which is emblematic of the bright future ahead. The new brand elements also sync up this updated website. “Play. It’s what

Time spent playing at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is always time well-spent. Some families come and stay all day. Some groups visit for three hours. Some of our regular families stop in for just an hour sometimes, to break up the day or on their way to another activity (an excellent perk of

We talk about Messy Play, Nature Play, Playwork, play as a family, Risky Play, and so much more. We quote our Mission Statement which centers around the “Power of Play,” and we consider the ways children play when we design an exhibit or even just a one-day, pop-up program. Sometimes, folks can be so tied

Play is the foundation of everything we do at the Museum. It’s in our mission statement: The mission of the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment.  One of the concepts we talk about a lot is risky

When you walk into the Museum for the first time or the ninetieth time, the sensory experience is amazing. Machines whirring, children laughing, and a visual feast of fun in every direction. One of the unique and exciting things about the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is its openness. From one spot, you can see

Welcome to Part Two of A Day in the Life of a Playworker! If you missed Part One, please go back and read it here. We spoke with Guest Experience Manager and Playworker, Wyatt Miller, about what Playwork is, who it’s for, and what their goals are. You don’t want to miss his very insightful