Ever since they had the chance to check out the brand-new Great River Children's Museum in Downtown St. Cloud, my kids have been begging to go back. With the weather looking soggy for the next forever week, I have a feeling we will be visiting again soon!

The first thing you notice when walking in is the combination of natural light and colorful murals/decorations that set the tone for a fun, positive and energetic day of hands-on education.

 

Dave Overlund
Dave Overlund
Dave Overlund

We spent over four hours at the museum when we went for the first time, but we easily could have stayed for twice that long. We spent a great majority of our time in the "Great Big River" exhibit, which was a really fun interactive model of a river with dams, cyclones, currents and more.

PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
attachment-IMG_2600
attachment-IMG_2600
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM

There were plenty of areas to explore for both my two-year-old, who loved the river exhibit and the area specially dedicated to toddler play, and my seven-year-old, who loved the Climber to the Clouds and Everyday Engineering exhibits.

PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
Climber to the Clouds - PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
attachment-fa829900-225f-4551-b129-64a28230ed9b
attachment-fa829900-225f-4551-b129-64a28230ed9b
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM

The Headwaters exhibit, featuring a night scene and a campfire, was also a HUGE hit with both kids. They fished, canoed and built a campfire with stuffed logs.

PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM

 

If the weather allows, don't forget to check out the expansive outdoor play area as well. If it's raining... you have an excuse to go back!

PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM
PHOTO: DAVE OVERLUND, TSM

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