WHAT MAKES
PLAY SO POWERFUL
“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.”
– Fred Rogers,
American children’s
television host
Miles A.
Willmar
WHAT MAKES PLAY SO POWERFUL?
We believe play has the power to spark children’s learning, strengthen families, and build community connections. Our mission is to create experiences that fuel that power.
THE POWER TO
SPARK
LEARNING
Research shows time and again that when children play, they develop invaluable skills that will be used throughout their lifetimes. Here are just a few of the skills sparked by play:
Cognitive development: concentration, problem-solving, and information evaluation
You can see these skills in action when a child builds tall structures that may wobble and topple in an impressive crash — then sort out the physics and structural integrity of each build again and again.
Social skills: collaboration, communication, and understanding different perspectives
Whether challenging one another in a race to the top of our Climber to the Clouds exhibit or asking, “What are you eating?” in the Community Connections Global Kitchen, every interaction has the potential to spark new friendships and create an opportunity for skill building.
Physical and emotional development
As children meander (or bolt!) from exhibit to exhibit to find their favorite activities, they’ll discover experiences that will delight and inspire — and some that may puzzle or frustrate. Each experience sparks development.
Creative expression and innovation
The museum is the perfect place for children to tap into their curiosity. So many learning opportunities come from asking the simple question, “What if we did this?”
THE POWER TO
STRENGTHEN FAMILIES
Strong families help develop strong children. Our goal is to strengthen families by creating quality, joyful experiences that build family memories through play and learning.
Some of these experiences allow children to play at their own pace. Others take place in a more structured environment. With thousands of square feet of exhibit and program areas to explore, we offer a spectrum of playful learning.
CAREGIVER PROMPTS TO SUPPORT YOUR PLAY
There are many ways that caregivers can support or facilitate play, even when taking a moment of rest for themselves. We’ve created caregiver prompts that support you in whichever role you wish to play. The prompts are located throughout the museum and are accompanied by the icon below.
Encourager
To support exploration and free play
Observer
To watch and learn about your children in a museum environmentPlaymate
To enjoy learning together, having fun, and being silly togetherEmotion Coach
To help with social interactions and emotional regulationFacilitator / Guide
To ask questions, share stories, reflect with a child, and add informationEach role is important and helps your child with different aspects of learning. Whichever role you play, the most important outcome is creating joyful experiences that bring your family closer.
THE POWER TO BUILD
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Great River Children’s Museum celebrates our region’s rich tapestry of family experiences and cultural traditions. We are committed to making all families feel welcome and able to play.
Our core exhibits create awareness and understanding of our larger community through Meet Your Neighbor stations, diverse art work, the Global Cafe, symbols and commonly heard non-English languages on museum signage, and the integration of traditions that make our region unique.
In addition, we strive for accessible spaces, so all children can engage fully in exhibits and activities, promoting social integration and mutual understanding.
By embracing inclusivity of backgrounds, traditions, and learning styles, Great River Children’s Museum empowers all children to explore, learn, and play together. This creates a sense of belonging and makes learning that much more powerful.
