Summer @ CMSM

The Museum is full of fun activities for kids while school is out for summer vacation!

Nature-Based Play

Our outdoor area is a great place for children to explore nature! With water play, a mud kitchen, the butterfly house, and more, your kids will be begging to come back all summer long!

Programming + Events

There's always something happening at the Children's Museum! We have a schedule full of interactive, educational, and fun events and weekly programs designed for kids of all ages.

Indoor Exhibits

Need to escape the heat or rainy day blues? CMSM's indoor gallery has many kid-favorites like the Tree of Forts climber and the new Dairy Barn/Ag in Motion exhibit.

Summer Programming

Play-Based Learning Activities for Kids

Looking for fun activites to do with the kids in Mankato? The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota offers several weekly programs specifically designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children to keep them engaged and exploring all summer long.

Print off the Summer Calendar Here

TUESDAY

for the curious

— POLLINATOR PROGRAMMING

9am – 11am | Learn more about all of the important pollinators in our area, specifically the painted lady and monarch butterflies.

for babies

— BABY PLAY

10am – 11:30am | Join us on the Infant and Toddler Play Porch! With a goal to support first-time parents or those who are caring for an infant, the Museum staff – who have a background in and a passion for early childhood development, will offer content specific to our birth to two age range. Although topics such as sleep, development, feeding and parent-child bonding will be selected and promoted for each session, parent questions will often take center stage and steer the conversation to wherever it is most useful for families. 4th Tuesdays: Mayo Clinic Health Systems Family Medicine and Pediatric providers on site

for the artist in every child

— ART EXPLORERS

1pm – 3pm | Children are creative by nature, and our Art Explorers weekly program in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft, is designed to support that natural creativity by introducing kids to new mediums, concepts, and the environment to explore and express themselves through art. Drop in anytime during the program to participate.

WEDNESDAY

for toddlers + preschoolers

— YOUNG EXPLORERS

9:30am – 11am | Projects and activities are inspired by place, seasons and nature, play schemas and child development. On the 2nd Wednesday each month throughout the year MCHS Family Medicine and Pediatrics providers support program activities by sharing tips and information during sessions, and being available for questions while CMSM staff lead the program’s hands-on activities for children.

SONGS & STORIES

On the last Wednesday of the month during Young Explorers you can join us in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft for a special program of songs, stories and bilingual guest readers! Sessions start at 9:30 (songs and rhymes), 10 (bilingual story time), and 10:30 (Literacy activities).

for the adventurous

— OUTDOOR EXPLORERS

1pm – 3pm | This program is for all age groups that are visiting the Museum. Join us outside to play as we explore the wonders of nature every Wednesday afternoon! Activities facilitated by a CMSM Play Professional. We will be outside, dress accordingly.

THURSDAY

for the artist in every child

— ART EXPLORERS

9am – 11am | Children are creative by nature, and our Art Explorers weekly program in Cecil’s Imagineering Loft, is designed to support that natural creativity by introducing kids to new mediums, concepts, and the environment to explore and express themselves through art. Drop in anytime during the program to participate.

for butterfly fans

— MONARCH LARVA MONITORING PROGRAM

9am – 11am | Learn how to identify milkweed as well as eggs, caterpillars, and pupae of monarch butterflies and be a citizen scientist by helping us monitor and collect data on butterflies in our area for a collective project

FRIDAY

for the curious

— POLLINATOR PROGRAMMING

9am – 11am | Learn more about all of the important pollinators in our area, specifically the painted lady and monarch butterflies.

for school age kids

— STEAM FRIDAYS

9am – 11am | Join us on Friday mornings for some outdoor STEAM in the Dotson Back 40! This come and go program will feature all your favorite ways to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. *Not on MCHS wellness days*

Upcoming Events

December

January 2026

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Prairie's Edge Exploration Backpacks
available June – September

Prairie's Edge Backpacks

Prairie’s Edge Backpacks include exploration tools designed to encourage children to discover the outdoors. Available for 2-week check-out with a $25 refundable deposit. Inquire at Front Desk.

Learn More

The Museum will be closed on Sunday, December 28

Due to the Blizzard Warning in our area.
Stay safe!

Continue

The Museum will be closed on Thursday, October 2 to prepare for Ignite the Night

Learn more and get your tickets here!

Got it!