Minnesota Children's Museum

Tonight we visted the Minnesota Children's Museum. Even though it's only 4 blocks away they had busses for us because it is rainy and cold with a threat of SNOW in the early morning hours.
This museum is at the top of my list. The building has a great look from the street and is even better inside. We were greeted by Taiko drummers which made us think of everyone at the API event tonight. The entry to the museum is a tall atrium with the stairs on one side and a wall of windows on the other. Beautiful flying fish hang from the top floor of the atrium. Food was being served on the 2nd and 4th floors so we made our way upstairs for some yummy appetizers. We sat in a cityscape to eat and enjoy the atmosphere. We both noticed the second floors of the buildings had open windows and room vignettes. (Sorry I can’t post photos but I need a USB with this laptop.) We explored the buildings and saw the grocery store, post office, restaurant, a picked fenced house and a gallery with great Chinese style lanterns.

We moved on to the Changing World Gallery which currently hosts an exhibit on China. One of the installations included blocks to build the Great Wall of China—very cool playing with those. Before leaving the second floor we explored the World Works Gallery which had some really great bubble and water installations. One water exhibit allowed the visitor to adjust the water pressure by opening or closing valves. If enough water filled a clear tube the ball inside would be pushed through the tubes and shot out at the end to start the cycle over again.

After Angelica completed a salad spinner painting in the Curiosity Center we headed to the fourth floor to see the dinosaur installation which included 2 digs. One was for very young children and another for older children was filled with recycled rubber. There were also two huge dinos here which kids would really love. We met up with Justine and Janet from Gyroscope in the dino room and had a fun chat. The best part of the 4th floor was Earthworld. At the entrance we all had the opportunity to don flannel hats and coats for a souvenir photo of us participating in a real Minnesota experience; ice fishing. On Tuesday you’ll be able to see Angelica’s copy. Earthworld features the forests and prairies that make up Minnesota terrain. Prairie Ants was a wonderful crawl through exhibit that would appeal to young and older children. Habitot was also on this floor and Angelica and I found it disappointing. Perhaps it’s time to refurbish but this area did not look as inviting as the rest of the spaces.

Before leaving we ventured onto the Rooftop ArtPark in the rain. There was a tent, heaters and a fire pit but it was in the 40s tonight and just too cold to stay out there long. I’d love to see raised garden beds up there that children could plant and harvest. All in all a great children’s museum and a fun evening.

Renee