- This is a hosted post, we had the opportunity to attend the children’s museum in exchange for me sharing it on Mommie isn’t Made of Money. All opinions are completely my own.
Confession: I am Not a fan of sitting at home with the kids. Between making a gigantic mess in no time flat, the whining, and wanting constant screen time, I try to get out of the house during the summer months every chance I get. We’ve been spending a majority of our summer outside on our beautiful playset, building in our sandbox, playing in our grass area, going on walks, or hanging out at our favorite local parks. Then the heatwave & mosquitoes arrived. I hate mosquitoes just as much as I hate s**w. That is why we love Children’s museums.
But one thing I am a fan of is making lists.. LOVE lists… I would get nothing done if I didn’t have my lists, and Children’s museums, completely LOVE them. Here are 8 reasons why we fell in LOVE with the Children’s Museum of South Dakota on our recent visit.
8. They serve SDSU ice cream.
You don’t know what SDSU ice cream is?? Well you are in for a great treat. Before South Dakota State University became a D1 school they were known for a few things, one was their dairy barn that served fresh homemade ice cream that was made there on campus.
When you walk in the doors to the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, immediately to your left is a beautiful sunlit cafe serving both kid friendly and adult friendly food. If the delicious food and homemade ice cream wasn’t enough look up and see the beautiful artwork in their cafe.
7. They offer both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
In the midwest, the weather is a little on the unpredictable side at times, that is why it is extra nice that there is plenty to do both inside and outside the Children’s museum. From outdoor splashable exhibits where you can wear your play clothes (or a swimsuit), to plenty of space indoors to run and use up some energy on a frigidly cold (or hot day.)
** Note we did not go near the water play because it was hot the day we visited and I knew my kids would not want to do anything else but play outside in the water. 🙂
6. There is something for everyone.
Whether you are a 6 month old baby. a 2 year old farm boy, or a 62 two year old history buff, there really is something for everyone to do.
5. They showcase an important part of South Dakota history, through hands-on learning.
4. It is made for kids.
There is plenty of room to run, play, and explore both indoors and outdoors and best of all they 500% understand that it is made for kids. Want to dress up in a cowboy costume from one of the exhibits and wear it your entire visit at the museum?! Go for it. Want to just spend the day snuggling reading the variety of children’s books (both fiction and non fiction) throughout the different exhibits? Go for it.
My son enjoyed scaring his Gigi (my mother-in -law) that came with us on the adventure several times throughout the visit with the toy snake.
3. They refurbished before refurbishing was cool.
The children’s museum is located just off of mainstreet Brookings in an old elementary school. In the creation of the different exhibits they have used alot of the preexisting materials that were used in the original elementary school.
2. They have two giant animated dinosaurs.
Honestly, they may have initially terrified my two oldest children initially but they warmed up to them before we went home and still talk about them fondly after our visit.
1. It’s Affordable.
At $7.50 /person for age 1 and over, it doesn’t break the bank. But, they also have reduced daily rates and memberships for those who qualify.
There is not much you can do for $7.50/person that will get you out of the house having fun for hours. I would strongly encourage getting there when it opens because you will want to allow plenty of time (if not multiple visits.)
** I would strongly encourage bringing extra clothes if you like water play (they offer both indoor and outdoor),or even outdoor exploring.
Check out their awesome website or their facebook page for more information on visiting for yourself and also for extended learning activities before or after your visit.
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