My family and I visited the Minnesota Children’s Museum this Saturday for opening day of the NEW Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails Interactive Exhibit! This new exhibit is at the Minnesota Children’s Museum from June 14 – September 21.
The opening day festivities included guest appearances by Choo Choo Bob and Engineer Paul from the locally produced Choo Choo Bob Show. They performed some fun songs that the kids enjoyed dancing to – including Thor! Thor was so excited he got to meet them and get a picture with them! Sir Topham Hat also stopped by for storytime with the kids.
The new Thomas exhibit was super fun. As soon as we walked in both Heidi and Thor were busy with fun activities.
Thor loved the huge train table, and he got to “fix” Percy’s wobbly wheels in a nearby display.
Both Heidi and Thor loved feeling like a real train conductor with Thomas, a big climb-on display that made choo choo and other sounds. There were also videos and a Thomas & Friends galleria.
Heidi really liked the ticket booth!
There was much more in the display, too – you have to see it all for yourself!
One thing that’s really cool is the exhibit is also a STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) -focused exhibit that is “designed to engage children, ages 2 through 7 years, and families in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences.”
The exhibit incorporates foundational STEM practices that encourage thinking mathematically, making comparisons, experimenting to solve problems using a variety of methods and tools, thinking creatively and reflecting on actions and results.”
So not only is the exhibit fun, but it’s educational!
This June 19th is Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails exclusive family night, where all children ages 2 and under are FREE! (Pre-registration is required.) Limited tickets are $30 per person but includes a LOT such as a pizza party, another Choo Choo Bob performance, and a take-away gift.
Otherwise, everyday admission is $9.95 for all ages. Visit the Minnesota Children’s Museum website for more information and remember, admission is free the third Sunday of the month!
(Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to visit for opening day of the Thomas & Friends exhibit, but all opinions are 100% mine as we always enjoy visiting the Minnesota Children’s Museum!)
