Emily Heinis

MAY THERE ALWAYS BE JIM GILL!  We are so excited to have partnered with author, musician, and child development specialist Jim Gill to bring the Southern Minnesota community an opportunity to work together and create a piece of art! On Tuesday, February 21 from 1pm to 2pm, the Museum will host a live VIRTUAL concert

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota was founded in 2006 by community members, educators, and business leaders who wanted a safe and inviting place for children to play, learn, and grow. With hard work and the dedication of many team members over many years, in 2015, the current location opened and continues to grow.  On

Lower stress levels, better sleep, increased learning. At the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, we’re always listing the benefits of play, but this week, we’re looking at a part of play that truly appeals to all ages: music!  We have had many musical events at the Museum, and 2023 will bring many more. Everyone knows

Making a huge mess with paints or clay or mud in the backyard or the driveway is easy to do in the warm months. We encourage it at the Museum in our Mud Kitchen! But when the weather is not so delightful, the thought of making huge messes inside for the sake of play is

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has been committed to access for all since it was no more than an idea in a mom’s head. A place for all children to play, and as a result, learn and grow. We believe all ages benefit from time spent playing, specifically with us at the Museum! Which

We will never stop sharing how very valuable play is to the development and growth of all people (not just kids!). We will also never stop sharing the incredibly LONG list of benefits play offers. In this series, we will look at those benefits more in-depth, including how caregivers can foster the growth both as

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,