In the charming town of Brookings, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota sits like a shining beacon on a hill as it provides the answer to every parent’s age old question “Well, what should we do with the kids today?†Straying from the typical ‘Quiet!’ and ‘Don’t touch!’ type of museum, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota focuses on encouraging its visitors to do the opposite; play, imagine, interact, make noise, and learn while having fun.
Upon checking in at the front desk, parents are encouraged to let the children lead the way and explore to their heart’s content. However, parents and grandparents should be forewarned: The adults will want to play just as much as the children as the interactive exhibits draw visitors of all ages into their playful allure. The mainstay exhibits beckon visitors to venture into life on South Dakota’s beloved prairie, experience interactively how food arrives to our grocery store, shop in a kid-size grocery store, mail letters at the post office, fix up a car, work at a cafe, explore fitness activities, discover the zany fun of water, create sound with instruments, construct a masterpiece of art, and so much more. During outdoor season, visitors can gallivant around the museum’s vast outdoor exhibit which includes two alarmingly realistic dinosaurs! Additionally, the museum offers Café Coteau as the little ones (and big ones) will surely work up an appetite.
All exhibits, including the museum’s ever changing Traveling Exhibit all share a common theme in that they provide a very core philosophy of the museum: “a welcoming, fun and entertaining environment which helps spark learning through imagination, creativity, and discovery.â€
Admission to the Children’s Museum of South Dakota is $6 per person. Visitors also have the option to become members which offers one flat fee for unlimited visits and other discounts and perks. Located in the heart of Downtown Brookings, the award-winning museum is just off I-29 and a mere 57 miles from South Dakota’s biggest city of Sioux Falls.
