Minnesota Children's Museum

One of the best days out we've had here was a trip to the Minnesota Children's Museum.

Growing up in London, lots of our school trips were spent in Museums. The Natural History

Museum, the Science Museum, the V& A to name a few. Everything was so old or expensive or both that you had to keep your distance. You couldn't touch anything, in case you set off an alarm and alreted security (which for elementary school kids brought its own share of entertainment. Everything was amazing, but the distance meant you never quite got to experience it.

Not so with the MCM. Designed for kids from 6 months - 10 years, the MCM is the ultimate interactive fun learning experience for kids.

"Hi George!"

Special exhibits are not ancient dinosaur bones or Victorian costumes, its the Curious George display, or the Sesame Street exhibit (which was a trip down memory lane for us parents too). Everything was supposed to be touched, pulled, squeezed, painted and explored. So we did.

1...2...3...

After a game of golf with Curious George, Tia drove a bus, and Zoe became a firefighter. Then Tia cooked in the restaurant and made ice cream (its always ice cream, never broccoli!)

The Fire Chief!
Then Zoe explored Minnesota's prairie, ponds, forests and caves with Daddy. Tia and Mommy went to Sesame Street and said Hi to Big Bird and Elmo and Rosita. Neither of us wanted to leave!

"Mommy! Look! It's Big Bird! He's really BIG!"

But there was still more to explore. Daddy, Zoe and Tia went inside an anthill and met the Queen Ant.

Saxton Ants

Mommy and Tia moved some clouds and made a thunderstorm. Zoe went down the beaver slide, and Tia crawled under the aquarium.

I can go down the beaver slide all by myself!

But time was running out. The King and Queen of the Musuem (who looked a lot like the staff on the door when we came in but anyway) were having a parade so all the children and their parents could say good night to the Museum. And we were invited! So Zoe and Tia got ribbons and shakers and danced and jumped and waved and sang. Then we said goodnight and went home.

Tia at the King and Queen's Parade

This ribbon is a very complicated business...

It was a fantastic time, and there's lots more of the Museum to see. But because it's free on the 3rd Sunday of every month, we know we'll definitely go again. Very soon!