Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Announces Spring Break Programming Lineup

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota invites children and caregivers to experience a week of playful discovery during its upcoming Spring Break programming. Designed to spark curiosity and inspire joyful learning, the next few weeks will feature hands-on activities, special guests, and interactive experiences that encourage children and caregivers to explore, create, and learn together.

Throughout the weeks, families can engage in a variety of experiences that highlight the mission of the Museum is to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment. From encounters with live animals and creative artmaking to health-focused activities and playful introductions to financial literacy, Spring Break at CMSM offers meaningful opportunities for children ages 0–12 to discover the world around them while building important life skills.

All events are included with general admission or a Museum membership. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver, and adults must be accompanied by a child.

SPRING BREAK EVENT LINEUP:

Thursday, March 19 | The Raptor Center Visit | 11 – 11:45 am
Meet three live raptors and a majestic eagle during this unforgettable wildlife presentation. Children will learn about birds of prey, conservation, and Minnesota wildlife.

Friday, March 20 | Teddy Bear Clinic | 9 am – 12 pm
The Teddy Bear Clinic is an engaging, hands-on experience designed to help children feel comfortable in medical and dental settings while promoting age-appropriate health and wellness education. Facilitated by local medical staff from Mankato Clinic, Orthopedic Fracture Clinic (OFC), River’s Edge Hospital, Javara, Monarch Healthcare Management and Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry. Children, attending the clinic will receive a new teddy bear serve as the “patient.” While supplies last!

Thursday, March 26 | Free Kids Dental Screening | 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Children and caregivers are invited to participate in free dental screenings for children, promoting healthy habits and preventative care in a welcoming, child-friendly setting. Screenings will be facilitated by dental hygiene students from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Thursday, April 2 | Bunny Eggventure | 4 – 6 pm
Celebrate Spring with real bunnies from Pet Expo! Families can enjoy photos with live bunnies, participate in an egg hunt, and create spring-themed crafts.

Friday, April 3 – A Day About Dancing with Mankato Ballet Company | 1 – 3 pm
Children can explore movement, creativity, and expression alongside dancers from the Mankato Ballet Company in this interactive dance experience.

Wednesday, April 8 | Payday Play Day | 9 – 11 am and 1 – 4 pm
Held on Mankato Area Public Schools Early-Out days, Payday Play Day is a hands-on learning experience at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota designed to introduce children ages 0–12 to basic financial concepts through the power of play. During the event, the Museum transforms into a series of interactive stations where children can try different “jobs,” earn play money, and make decisions about how to use it, whether spending on needs and wants at a kid-friendly store or choosing to donate to a nonprofit. Through these playful experiences, children begin exploring concepts like earning, spending, saving, and giving, while caregivers gain simple ways to start conversations about money at home. Sponsored by: US Bank, Abdo, Eide Bailly and First National Bank.

Thursday, April 9 | Therapy Dog Visit | 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Spend time with certified therapy dogs and learn about the important role animals play in supporting emotional well-being, presented in partnership with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Thursday, April 16 | Germs, Germs, Germs! | 4 – 6 pm
Presented in partnership with Rivers Edge Hospital, this Healthy Me program teaches children about hygiene, germs, and staying healthy through fun, interactive demonstrations.

“This year’s Spring Break spans several weeks across our region, so we were excited to schedule a wide variety of experiences to serve different school districts during their time off. As always, these experiences are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help children and caregivers create meaningful moments of discovery and memories that last a lifetime,” said Rachel Gemlo, Director of Play and Learning.

For more information, visit www.cmsouthernmn.org.