Minnesota Children's Museum

Home » Visitor Information » Special Events

Special Events

Check out what's new at the Museum!

Special events and activities at Minnesota Children's Museum offer more ways to get your little ones laughing and learning. From music classes to special guest Story Time readers, the Museum's special events keep your kids discovering new experiences with family fun activities year-round.

Reading Adventures Special Programming Series

Select Days through February 4

In celebration of Minnesota Children's Museum's newest exhibit, Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites, we are exploring the many ways that books ignite our imaginations. Rub elbows with local illustrators and authors, sing a story with MacPhail Center for Music, and embark on reading adventures with Children's Theatre Company.

Register for MacPhail's Family Music Class at Minnesota Children's Museum

Tuesdays, January 24 - March 13, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Pre-registration is required.

Pair your Tuesday morning play time at Minnesota Children's Museum with a fun and interactive Family Music class taught by MacPhail Center for Music. The class will feature activities for adults and children (infant through 4). Children will gain exposure to melody, rhythm, and a wide variety of musical instruments. Every class will include plenty of singing, movement, instrument exploration, children's literature, and hands-on creative play.

Times
Tuesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
8 week sessions begins January 24 and ends March 13, 2012
Classes are 60 minutes long and meet once per week.
Tuition
Museum Members $138.60 first child, additional children $75.60 each
Non-museum Members $212 first child, additional children $116 each (Non-Member price includes tuition plus Museum admission for each day of class).
Ages
Birth - 4 years with parent/caregiver

All families are encouraged to arrive early or stay after class to play at the Museum. Class will be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met.

FEBRUARY

Storyteller Kevin Strauss

Saturday, February 4, 10 a.m.

Kevin Strauss's Amazing Animal Show

Ever wonder why deer have antlers, or why spiders spin webs? Laugh and clap as you listen to funny folktales and animal stories from around the world with professional storyteller and children's author Kevin Strauss.

How To Be Your Child's Favorite Storyteller with Storyteller, Kevin Strauss

Saturday, February 4, 11 a.m.

Children love to hear stories, but with busy schedules, many parents do not have the time or energy to make up new stories every night. After this workshop with professional storyteller Kevin Strauss, you'll know how to easy it is to find, learn, and create stories that your children will remember for a lifetime.

13th Annual Children's Dental Health Day

Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

February is Dental Health Month. Join us for the 13th Annual Children's Dental Health Day sponsored by the Museum and Saint Paul District Dental Society. Parents will get a chance to talk to real dentists and learn important facts about children's dental health, while kids get to meet the tooth fairy and other characters, pretend to be a dentist using a real dentist's chair and tools, and get free products to keep their teeth healthy (while supplies last).

Love "Stinks" at Our Yucky Valentine's Day Party!

Saturday, February 11, 4 - 8 p.m.

This Valentine's Day Party won't be filled with lovey-dovey, kissy-huggy activities-instead try a mushy, squishy, slimy, slushy, ooey and gooey Yucky Valentine's Day! Bring your little valentines to see Grossology and take part in some extra gross fun including meeting real live and real yucky "Love Bugs" with the Bell Museum! And, how would you like some fake scabs or snot this year? Also, join in a FREE cookie decorating activity for members, $1 per non-member.

Toy Experts Needed for Play Testing!

Friday, February 17, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Students from the University of Minnesota's Toy Product Design Class need your help to create great toys! Learn about the process of designing new products and vote for your favorite ideas. The students will present poster boards of their ideas in February, bring "sketch models" in March, and early stage prototypes in April. Play testing dates are Fridays, February 17, March 9 and April 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

KidWind Blade Design Challenge

Saturday, February 25, 1-3 p.m.

Are you wind-wise? Find out during this hands-on wind energy challenge. See how wind is converted into energy as you explore kid-sized wind turbines and design and prototype your own blades. How much power your turbine produces depends on how you design your blades.

MARCH

Macy's Playdate

Tuesday, March 6, 1-4 p.m.

Macy's cardholders receive FREE admission from 1-4 p.m. and a delicious snack. Non-card holders receive $2 OFF general admission during the same time period. All attendees receive access to a special drop-in activity.

Toy Experts Needed for Play Testing!

Saturday, March 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Students from the University of Minnesota's Toy Product Design Class need your help to create great toys! Learn about the process of designing new products and vote for your favorite ideas. The students presented poster boards of their ideas in February and will be bringing "sketch models" in March, and early stage prototypes in April (April 6).

How People Make Things- Behind-the-Scenes with Manufacturers

Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at two key methods of manufacturing with local businesses during our get a behind-the-scenes look at two key methods of manufacturing with local businesses during our How People Make Things special programming series, sponsored by Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association. See how Toymakers from Doodletown Toys, inc. assemble wooden toy planes and then assemble your own wood creation in our "Woodshop."

Super Pet Saturday: Dog Tales and FutureVet Camp

Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

FutureVet Camp sponsored by Banfield Pet Hospital

Drop-in to Dog Tales from 10-11 a.m., where your child can cozy up with a favorite book and a registered therapy dog and practice reading and telling stories aloud in a comfortable environment.

Then, join us for FutureVet Camp at 11:30 a.m., and meet a veterinarian and a friendly therapy dog "patient." Learn about choosing and caring for pets at home and about how veterinarians care for pets in their work. The program will conclude with a mini-graduation complete with goodie bag, diploma and stethoscope for each child (while supplies last).

Saturday Evening Gross Out! Already Been Chewed: The ABC's of Digestion

Saturday, March 24, 4-8 p.m.

Bring your budding scientists to see the fascinating (and slightly disgusting!) Grossology exhibit and then take part in some extra-special and extra-gross hands-on science activities. On March 24, learn how your body takes a delicious meal and breaks it down into nutrients you use to keep you moving and grooving through hands-on experiments and demonstrations.