While we are all super excited for the big changes we have coming at the Museum, we also continue to experience smaller growth and development all the time! Right now we’re excited for the upcoming installation of the first outdoor musical instrument in our music garden. When the grassy area was added to our Mayo
The excitement hasn’t stopped on the Dotson Back 40 since we opened the Mud Kitchen (and even celebrated International Mud Day!) and encouraged kids of all ages to get messy. Parents can feel at ease when we let our kids explore and get mucky and grubby at the Museum instead of at home. Don’t worry,
Most people have a memory of a favorite pet from childhood. If they didn’t have one of their own, they might conjure up thoughts of a grandparent’s, neighbor’s, or friend’s pet they loved at some point in their lives. We think of how cute they are when we look at them, how soft they might
The Butterfly House at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is opening for the season on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The timing couldn’t be better – it coincides with National Pollinator Week! History of the Butterfly House CMSM has long supported Monarch butterflies in outdoor spaces, particularly the Prairie’s Edge Exploration Area. It was all
What is Process Art? I am Rachel Gemlo, a Program Facilitator here at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. My background is in early childhood education and studio arts. I recently gave a presentation on process art at the FACS to the Max conference at Minnesota State University, Mankato. While preparing my presentation, I discovered
The weather is finally getting warmer after another long Minnesota winter, area farmers are busy planting their fields with this year’s crop, and kids are growing more excited by the day for the last day of school. With summer break just around the corner, you may be greeted with a tinge of hesitation – wondering
Spring has sprung here at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, and like the leaves on the apple tree in the Dotson Back 40 we are all about growth! On April 20th Museum CEO Louise Dickmeyer announced the purchase of the half-acre lot adjacent to our existing building and grounds. Long time Museum supporters
The DIG IT! exhibit actually began in 1998, after the St. Peter tornado. My son, Hans, was 2 years old. He learned about the construction industry first hand as we walked around town and sat in every bulldozer and excavator we could find. We watched people show up for each other as the town rebuilt
How much do goats eat? Will those chickens lay eggs? What’s growing in the garden beds? What is the difference between hay and straw? If you enjoy visiting the Alltech Farm Animal Experience and learning about agriculture, The Little Farm Hand Program is for you! Would you like to know where we keep our feed
Children and parents: we need your help! For both the young and old, the internet has become a vital part of our daily lives. We want to know how you use it. Do you know how it works? This is your opportunity to be involved in the exciting behind-the-scenes process of developing an exhibit! We
CMSM Closing for 4 Weeks in Response to COVID-19 In adherence with Governor Walz’s latest Stay Safe MN order in response to COVID-19, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota temporarily closed, effective November 18. The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will continue to follow guidelines set by Governor Walz, and will reopen as soon as it
We’ve missed you. So. Much. It is with immeasurable joy we announce that the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will be reopening at 9am on October 1 on a limited schedule and with new safety protocols in place. Before you plan your visit, please read through the full COVID-19 Reopening FAQs here, but I’ll highlight