Minnesota Children's Museum facts for kids
The Minnesota Children's Museum
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| Former name | Minnesota's AwareHouse |
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| Established | 12 December 1981 |
| Location | 10 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US |
| Type | Children's museum |
The Minnesota Children's Museum is a super fun place in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It's a special museum just for kids and families! Here, you can explore, learn, and play in many exciting ways. The museum has exhibits about Minnesota's nature, areas for younger kids to develop skills, and creative spaces for problem-solving. They also host cool traveling exhibits from all over the world.
Contents
Museum History: How It Grew
Early Beginnings in Minneapolis
The museum first opened its doors on December 12, 1981. Back then, it was called Minnesota's AwareHouse. It was located in downtown Minneapolis. Many families loved it right away. About 80,000 people visited in its first year!
Moving to Bandana Square
Because so many people visited, the museum quickly needed more space. In 1985, it moved to an old blacksmith's shop. This new spot was in Bandana Square. They turned the old building into 18,000 square feet of awesome galleries. But by the early 1990s, the museum was growing too big again.
Finding a New Home in Saint Paul
In September 1995, the Minnesota Children's Museum moved to its current home. This new, much larger building is in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. It has a huge 65,000 square feet of space for exhibits and programs. Some of the most popular exhibits from Bandana Square moved with it. These included Habitot, the Crane (now in World Works), and the Maze (which became a giant anthill in Earth World).
Recent Updates and Renovations
Over 6 million children and their families have visited the museum since it opened. In 2012, the museum planned a big update. They started renovations in late 2015. On December 5, 2016, the museum closed for a major $30 million renovation. When it reopened on June 7, 2017, it had a new layout. It also featured 10 brand new exhibits. Plus, they added a cafe, more bathrooms, and elevators.
Explore the Galleries: What Can You Do?
The Minnesota Children's Museum has many exciting areas to explore. Each gallery offers unique ways to play and learn.
- The Scramble: This is a giant four-story climbing structure. You can climb high and then zoom down a huge spiral slide. There's even a 40-foot high catwalk!
- Forces at Play: Get ready for action here! You can launch ping pong balls and explore how things move. There's also a wacky car wash and tons of bubbles.
- Shipwreck Adventures: Dive into an "underwater" world! This adventure is based on a real shipwreck. You can pretend to explore the ocean floor.
- Imaginopolis: This is a space for imaginative play. Right now, it features the Cosmic Junkyard. You can build and create anything you can imagine.
- Sprouts: This area is perfect for babies and toddlers (ages 3 and under). It's a sensory play space where little ones can explore safely.
- Creativity Jam: This gallery is all about being creative. It currently features The Play Lounge. You can relax and get inspired here.
- Our World: Step into a vibrant pretend town. You can visit a fire station, a post office, and other fun places. It's great for role-playing.
- The Studio: This is a changing maker space. You can try different art and building activities. Currently, it's an Invitation to Draw.
- The Backyard: This is an outdoor exhibit that feels like a natural world with a twist. It's open during warmer seasons.
- Tip Top Terrace: Another outdoor exhibit, open seasonally. It has a big frame house, a sensory garden, and a musical playground.
- Special Gallery: This space often hosts amazing traveling exhibits. These exhibits come from museums all around the world.
