Monsters on Vacation Is Now Open at Minnesota Children’s Museum

This post is sponsored by Minnesota Children’s Museum as part of my year-long partnership. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for a fun family outing this summer, you’ll definitely want to add Monsters on Vacation at Minnesota Children’s Museum to your list! Plus, enter my GIVEAWAY for free tickets at the end of this post!

We recently had the chance to visit the museum’s brand-new special exhibit, and it was such a fun experience. My stepson had an absolute blast exploring every corner—from feeding the hungry tree monsters to dancing on the underwater disco floor. There were so many opportunities to climb, move, imagine, and simply enjoy being a kid.

One of the things I appreciate most about Minnesota Children’s Museum is how welcoming and inclusive it feels. As a parent to a child with Down syndrome, I know how meaningful it is to find places where every child can engage at their own pace. Throughout our visit, my stepson was able to explore, play, and participate in ways that worked for him, making it an experience our whole family enjoyed.

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A Beach Vacation… for Monsters!

Created by Minnesota Children’s Museum, Monsters on Vacation is making its world premiere in St. Paul before touring children’s museums across the country.

The exhibit transforms the museum into a monster-filled beach vacation where kids are invited to play alongside friendly monsters through imaginative, hands-on experiences.

Some of our favorite highlights include:

• Feed the Tree Monsters by sending foam fruit up into the canopy (just be ready when it comes raining back down!).
• Monster Obstacle Course, where kids can crawl, climb, and squeeze their way through a giant monster fish.
• Underwater Dance Floor, complete with lights, music, and monster costume fun.
• Lifeguard Station, where little visitors can care for monsters with bumps and scrapes.
• The Scream Booth, a fun place to safely let out those big monster roars.
• Octo-Tot Spot, designed especially for little monsters under 3.

More Than Just Play

While the exhibit is full of laughter and adventure, it’s also designed with an important purpose in mind.

Monsters on Vacation encourages children to recognize, express, and manage big emotions through imaginative play. Whether they’re dancing, pretending to care for an injured monster, or letting out a big scream in the Scream Booth, kids are practicing valuable social-emotional skills in a playful, judgment-free environment.

I love that the museum has found a way to make these important life skills feel completely natural through play.

Plan Your Visit

The exhibit is open now through January 10, 2027, giving families plenty of time to experience it.

And if you’re planning a visit, don’t forget to use my exclusive discount code:

TCFM

• Save $3 off each admission ticket
• Save $20 off a museum membership

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re already members like so many local families, Monsters on Vacation is absolutely worth checking out. It’s imaginative, interactive, and full of opportunities for kids to move, play, express themselves, and create memories together.

If your family loves hands-on adventures, friendly monsters, and places where every child can feel included, I think you’ll have a monster-sized good time!

Make It a Monster-Themed Day

If your family has monster fever this summer, why not make a whole day of it? After spending the morning climbing, dancing, and exploring at Monsters on Vacation, head to the theater to catch Minions & Monsters, which opens July 1.

We had the chance to attend an advance screening, and it made for the perfect monster-themed outing! Pairing an interactive museum adventure with a fun family movie is an easy way to keep the monster excitement going all day long.

GIVEAWAY

I’m giving away 2 sets of 4 tickets to the Minnesota Children’s Museum so you can see “Monsters on Vacation” and the rest of the museum with your family! Giveaway ends Monday, July 6th at 9pm. Two winners will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. Tickets are valid through August 2027 and will be mailed to the winners. Enter below!