This post is sponsored by Minnesota Children’s Museum
7 Benefits of a Minnesota Children’s Museum Membership
Holiday season is a time for giving, and what better gift can you provide your children or grandchildren than the gift of curiosity, creativity, and endless exploration? A family membership to the Minnesota Children’s Museum offers a world of benefits, making it a perfect choice for a holiday gift that keeps on giving!
Unlimited Access
One of the primary advantages of membership is unlimited access. Members can visit the museum as often as they like for an entire year, allowing children to revisit their favorite exhibits and discover something new each time. This flexibility ensures that your family can make the most of the museum throughout the year.
Cost-Effective
For many families, a membership can be much more cost-effective than paying for individual admissions. It’s an investment in your child’s education and development that will pay off in the long run. For a family of 5, a membership pays for itself in less than two visits!
Special Discounts
Members receive discounts on special events, summer camps, and more. This makes it easier to engage your children in enriching experiences while staying within your budget.
Member-Only Events
The museum hosts exclusive members-only nights, creating a unique and intimate experience where members can explore the museum during non-public hours.
Reciprocal Benefits
Your membership doesn’t stop at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Members can enjoy free or discounted admission to over 200 children’s museums across the country through the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) reciprocity program. The Plus Perks level museum membership also includes free or discounted admission to hundreds of science centers and museums across the U.S. through the ASTC Passport program.
Playing at Minnesota Children’s Museum is more than just fun
Perhaps you’ve heard the quote, “Play is the work of the child.” This quote by Maria Montessori is supported by dozens of studies on what childhood play does for a young mind. Play is central to a child’s development. When your child plays, it gives them many different ways and times to learn.
There is – quite literally – always something new!
There are 11 exhibit spaces for children (and their adults) to explore.
Some of our favorites include:
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- The post office in Our World. Kids LOVE sending packages up and down the conveyor belt.
- The green screen and laser maze in Shipwreck Adventures (you can easily spend 30 minutes at the green screen)
- The giant spiral slide in The Scramble (kids went down probably 20 times)
- The ball launchers and fog bubble table in Forces at Play (pretty sure they built these with adults in mind, lol)
- And the water table in Sprouts (water + kids = winning combo)
What’s in Store at Minnesota Children’s Museum for 2026
In addition to permanent exhibits like The Scramble, Imaginopolis, Our World, Forces at Play, and others, Minnesota Children’s Museum is always bringing in new hands-on fun and memorable experiences for families.
Minnesota Children’s Museum is gearing up for another exciting year in 2026 with a lineup of new exhibits and activities to engage young minds and ignite their curiosity. Here are a couple of the already-announced upcoming special exhibits:
Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails!
January 17 – May 10, 2026
The world’s most beloved blue engine is rolling into St. Paul! Inspired by the popular children’s series and featuring engines and destinations from Thomas & Friends™, this interactive exhibit engages children and families in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences.
Monsters on Vacation
Summer & Fall 2026
Where do monsters go on vacation? To the beach, of course! Join a batch of friendly monsters as they kick off their flip flops, put on their sunscreen and enjoy a day of fun! Make the most of your beach day as you maneuver through the monster obstacle course, show off your best dance moves at the underwater disco, patch up monster-sized boo-boos at the lifeguard station and more. What kind of monster friends will you make?
Address: 10 7th St W, St Paul
Family Play Hours: Visitwww.mcm.org/hours for current hours
Save on the Gift of Play!
A membership to Minnesota Children’s Museum is the ideal holiday gift for children. It offers boundless opportunities for hands-on exploration, fostering a love for learning, and encouraging creativity! Plus, I think we can all agree that there is no better place to spend a chilly day in the Twin Cities this winter…
USE PROMO CODE TCFAMILY25 to SAVE $25 on a GIFT MEMBERSHIP or $3 OFF GIFT TICKETS!
>>> PURCHASE YOUR GIFT MEMBERSHIP HERE! <<<
Fine print: Offer expires 1/16/26. Valid on Household level and above gift memberships and regular-priced gift tickets only. Limit 10 gift tickets. Not valid with other offers
