The Best Children’s Museums Around the Twin Cities: A Family Guide

If you’re looking for an activity that’s fun, educational, and perfect for a rainy day, you can’t go wrong with a children’s museum. The Twin Cities are home to several fantastic museums where kids can climb, build, create, experiment, and learn through hands-on play.

Whether you have a curious toddler, an energetic preschooler, or an elementary-aged child who loves science and discovery, there’s a museum that’s a perfect fit for your family. Many also offer memberships that quickly pay for themselves if you visit more than once a year.

Here’s a guide to some of the best children’s museums and interactive learning centers around the Twin Cities, including what makes each one unique, recommended ages, admission information, and helpful tips for planning your visit.

1. Minnesota Children’s Museum

Location: St. Paul

If you’re only planning to visit one children’s museum in Minnesota, this is probably the one most families choose.

Recently renovated, the Minnesota Children’s Museum is filled with multiple floors of hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to explore through imaginative play, movement, creativity, and problem-solving.

Highlights

• The Scramble four-story climbing structure
• Water play area
• Imaginative town
• Maker space
• Construction Zone
• Art Studio
• STEM activities
• Outdoor seasonal play

Kids are encouraged to touch, climb, build, splash, and experiment throughout nearly every exhibit.

Best Ages: 1–10

Time Needed: 3–5 hours

Admission: Paid admission (members receive unlimited visits)

Parent Tip

Bring a change of clothes for younger children—the water play area is one of the museum’s most popular attractions.

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2. The Works Museum

Location: Bloomington

Perfect for kids who love building, inventing, and solving problems, The Works Museum focuses on engineering, creativity, and STEM learning.

Unlike many museums where exhibits are simply viewed, children actively participate by constructing projects, experimenting, and testing ideas.

Highlights

• Engineering activities
• LEGO® building
• Robotics
• Building stations
• Hands-on experiments
• Rotating exhibits

Many exhibits encourage teamwork, making this a great destination for siblings.

Best Ages: 5–12

Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Admission: Paid admission

Parent Tip

Check the calendar before visiting—The Works frequently offers special workshops and STEM events.

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3. Bell Museum

Location: St. Paul

Although not technically a children’s museum, the Bell Museum is one of the best places for curious kids to learn about nature, science, astronomy, and Minnesota wildlife.

Highlights

• Planetarium
• Wildlife dioramas
• Hands-on exhibits
• Fossils
• Interactive learning stations
• Outdoor learning spaces

The museum beautifully combines natural history with interactive experiences.

Best Ages: 6–15

Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Admission: Paid admission

Parent Tip

Reserve planetarium tickets in advance—they’re one of the museum’s most popular experiences.

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4. Science Museum of Minnesota

Location: St. Paul

The Science Museum offers one of the largest collections of interactive exhibits in the Midwest.

Families can easily spend an entire day exploring science, engineering, biology, physics, and technology.

Highlights

• Dinosaur fossils
• Human Body Gallery
• Interactive experiments
• Mississippi River exhibits
• Engineering displays
• Omnitheater
• Traveling exhibits

Older children and teens especially enjoy the advanced exhibits.

Best Ages: 5–16

Time Needed: 4–6 hours

Admission: Paid admission

Parent Tip

Arrive early if you plan to see an Omnitheater movie because popular showtimes often sell out.

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5. Bakken Museum

Location: Minneapolis

The Bakken Museum blends science with history through fascinating exhibits focused on electricity, inventions, and medical technology.

It’s a hidden gem that many families overlook.

Highlights

• Interactive science exhibits
• Electricity demonstrations
• STEM activities
• Historic inventions
• Beautiful gardens

Kids love the hands-on experiments that encourage curiosity and discovery.

Best Ages: 6–14

Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Admission: Paid admission

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6. Historic Fort Snelling

Location: St. Paul

Although it’s a historic site rather than a traditional children’s museum, Fort Snelling provides an immersive educational experience that many families enjoy.

Children can:

• Explore historic buildings
• Watch demonstrations
• Learn about Minnesota history
• Participate in interactive activities
• Meet costumed interpreters

Best Ages: 7+

Time Needed: 3–4 hours

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Quick Comparison Guide

Attraction	Best Ages	Time Needed	Indoor	Great For
Minnesota Children’s Museum	1–10	3–5 hrs	Yes	Active play
The Works Museum	5–12	2–3 hrs	Yes	STEM lovers
Bell Museum	6–15	2–3 hrs	Mostly	Nature & astronomy
Science Museum	5–16	4–6 hrs	Yes	Science enthusiasts
Bakken Museum	6–14	2–3 hrs	Yes	Inventors & curious minds
Fort Snelling	7+	3–4 hrs	Mostly outdoor	History lovers

Memberships: Are They Worth It?

If your family visits museums several times each year, memberships often provide excellent value.

Many include benefits like:

• Unlimited admission
• Discounted guest tickets
• Gift shop discounts
• Free parking (at some locations)
• Invitations to member-only events
• Reciprocal admission to participating museums nationwide

For families with young children, a membership often pays for itself after just two or three visits.

Tips for Visiting with Kids

Visit Early

Children tend to have the most energy in the morning, and exhibits are often less crowded shortly after opening.

Pack Snacks

Some museums have cafés, but bringing a few snacks for afterward can help avoid meltdowns after an exciting day.

Dress Comfortably

Many exhibits involve climbing, crawling, or active movement, so comfortable clothing and athletic shoes are ideal.

Follow Your Child’s Interests

Rather than trying to see every exhibit, let your child spend extra time where they’re most engaged. Sometimes one exhibit becomes the highlight of the entire day.

The Twin Cities are home to an incredible collection of museums that inspire children to learn through exploration and play. Whether your child loves climbing giant play structures, building robots, discovering dinosaurs, experimenting with science, or learning about Minnesota’s history, there’s a museum that’s perfect for them.

The best part is that every visit is different. Rotating exhibits, seasonal programming, and hands-on activities encourage families to return again and again.

So the next time you’re looking for a family outing that’s educational, entertaining, and weather-proof, consider spending the day at one of these fantastic Twin Cities museums. Your kids will have so much fun they won’t even realize how much they’re learning.