Duluth Children's Museum
Duluth Children's Museum
3.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Duluth Children's Museum offers children, parents and grandparents an experience they can't find anywhere else. With interactive exhibits and special daily programming that invite children and young adults to participate and explore their world, the Duluth Children's Museum has established a framework for science learning that is consistent with STEM education - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The museum hosts a variety of exhibits, such as the Dino Dig and Soaring Satellites, that spark learning in many areas of education-from art to science and technology
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
57 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
16
Average
9
Poor
12
Terrible
5
Steiner26
Saint Michael, MN93 contributions
Dec 2021
A brand new experience with the new Duluth Children's Museum. Just opened in August 2021, this new location features a ton of fun for younger kids. Focused more towards the younger ages, our two year old spent 2.5 hours and only left because they were closing for the night. At only $5, this is a great short stop for locals or visitors with kids to burn off some energy on rainy or cold days.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Several years ago, they lost their space (which was already small) and moved into a MUCH smaller space. It's hardly a toddler playground now. The name isn't accurate or appropriate anymore.
Hard to find and best avoided. Staff also seems to be less than the family type.
Hard to find and best avoided. Staff also seems to be less than the family type.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DWAYNE H
Saint Paul, MN10 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Very cute but my 9 year old was done with this in 15 minutes. Nice for very small children only. Head south to Saint Paul for a great children's museum. What you see in the picture is it.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim W
22 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We were in Duluth for vacation on a rainy day with my 10 and 6 yr old, so we thought we would check out the museum. We got discounted tickets at our hotel, which was $6 per person instead of the $9 they apparently charge. Once getting checked in, we entered the first floor of the museum. There were lots of plastic structures where you could place golf balls and see how the golf ball moved through the structure (it would arc or spin or maneuver down a "track"). A few of these actually measured the speed of the ball for comparison, which I thought was cool. There was a structure like a train, a "cow" you could "milk" (just some fabric for the udders) and an area with some extremely small rocks where you could "dig" for fossils. The small rocks were all over the floor of the room and not enough of them in the fossil area to have to dig anything. In the corner, there was a cool looking bone fossil and either a tree sample or a cool rock. The problem was that there was no area to read what they were. No mention of what animal the bone came from and what on earth the other item was. No explanation in the golf ball dropping about anything whatsoever. (I was expecting something on gravity or kinetic/potential energy or acceleration, etc. But there was nothing at all.). I did see a binder with some dinosaur info hidden in a corner, but it seemed to be more of an activity center than a museum. And golf balls were bouncing around everywhere...
On the second floor, there were other types of activities and a bit more education. There was a wigwam with some Native American information, an infinity mirror and two way mirror, a "theater stage" where small kids seemed to enjoy dressing in costumes, a bank teller area, a ship, an area to learn about cartoons, a "sail boat", a carpet "field" to plant plastic vegetables, a magnetic wall with pvc pipes to maneuver a golf ball, a large connect four game and a few other areas. My kids played with the magnetic wall and pvc pipe, made cartoons and enjoyed the mirrors for a bit. They wanted to play with the bank but all of the money was gone. My 6 yr old wanted to plant the field but the plastic food was all gone. The entire time we were there, we didn't see one staff person come through and just before we left, my youngest found all the toys and bank money stuffed underneath the ship. No one on staff added any type of knowledge or supervision and unfortunately when we were there, most of the parents weren't engaged with their kids. We gave it 2/5 because I can't fault a business because parents weren't involved, but the problem is the staff wasn't either. If I had younger children (i.e. 2-4ish), it would have been more suited to them but with the lack of overall education available, I would hesitate to call this a museum.
On the second floor, there were other types of activities and a bit more education. There was a wigwam with some Native American information, an infinity mirror and two way mirror, a "theater stage" where small kids seemed to enjoy dressing in costumes, a bank teller area, a ship, an area to learn about cartoons, a "sail boat", a carpet "field" to plant plastic vegetables, a magnetic wall with pvc pipes to maneuver a golf ball, a large connect four game and a few other areas. My kids played with the magnetic wall and pvc pipe, made cartoons and enjoyed the mirrors for a bit. They wanted to play with the bank but all of the money was gone. My 6 yr old wanted to plant the field but the plastic food was all gone. The entire time we were there, we didn't see one staff person come through and just before we left, my youngest found all the toys and bank money stuffed underneath the ship. No one on staff added any type of knowledge or supervision and unfortunately when we were there, most of the parents weren't engaged with their kids. We gave it 2/5 because I can't fault a business because parents weren't involved, but the problem is the staff wasn't either. If I had younger children (i.e. 2-4ish), it would have been more suited to them but with the lack of overall education available, I would hesitate to call this a museum.
Written 5 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShannaS8
Platteville, WI141 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
We made the 75 min trip to try this museum, as we typically take our 20-month old to Eau Claire Children's Museum. We were very disappointed. First level: shovel some bean-type things around some stationary bones, and a stone castle with a chair and some random costumes thrown in a pile. (Ew.)
Second floor: more to do but it's very disjointed and not very engaging. There's random tables with some things to do but it doesn't hold kids' attention long. The ship with the slide is fun, but actually dangerous; there aren't high enough walls to keep kids from falling off. To climb up the structure to the top of the slide, kids have to climb up stools it looked like they bought at Walmart. (They move.) Seemed too dangerous for small kids. My husband questioned if it was up to code.
It was also very messy; components of each area were thrown all over the entire museum. The one staff person we saw on the second floor was playing by himself with some magnetic sand...So strange. Tidy the place up a little so people can enjoy themselves!
Not worth the money and we won't be back. Make the trip to Eau Claire for a memorable museum experience!
Second floor: more to do but it's very disjointed and not very engaging. There's random tables with some things to do but it doesn't hold kids' attention long. The ship with the slide is fun, but actually dangerous; there aren't high enough walls to keep kids from falling off. To climb up the structure to the top of the slide, kids have to climb up stools it looked like they bought at Walmart. (They move.) Seemed too dangerous for small kids. My husband questioned if it was up to code.
It was also very messy; components of each area were thrown all over the entire museum. The one staff person we saw on the second floor was playing by himself with some magnetic sand...So strange. Tidy the place up a little so people can enjoy themselves!
Not worth the money and we won't be back. Make the trip to Eau Claire for a memorable museum experience!
Written 14 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jared G
Atwater, Minnesota, United States1 contribution
Aug 2014 • Family
I NEVER review things, but if I can prevent one visitor from being disappointed I will have gotten something from our visit. The entire museum is approximately 2,000 s.f. and the things offered here can be found at any local playland. If you're looking to get an experience similar to that of a McDonald's but willing to pay $50 for a family of 4 without the meal, this is perfect for you!
Written 19 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
niffyroo
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States14 contributions
We stopped here while we were in town for Bentleyville and the Polar Express. It was a huge letdown. A stock market simulation? Exhibits on investments? Really?? They only had 3 things my son was remotely interested in: the train table (which had no track on it because no one had the foresight to glue the pieces down like every other museum/store with a train table), the castle and dress up (lost interest after 5 minutes) and the digging for fossils (which were already uncovered so no mystery there!!). The museum is very small and made out of an old warehouse which is pretty cool, but it just totally lacks in activities that would make it worth th purchase price. My son was ready to go in an hour after paying $13. We could have gone to the zoo for less and I wish we had. Back home I spend $5 for admission at an indoor play land and my son can happily be there for 5 hours. If admission was $5 per child and adults got in free, it would be a worthwhile stop for the kids to burn off some energy. At the current prices, you're much better off going elsewhere.
Written 25 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeNathan9249
Saint Paul, MN6,024 contributions
Oct 2019
We brought two five year olds who loved this place. I'd describe it a more like a series of creative play areas than a museum. There is one "exhibit" of the kind I'd expect to see in a museum - a model of a Woodland American Indian House, next to a canoe, wit an explanation of how and why American Indians harvest wild rice. Kids can play in the model house and adults can read the brief explanations of wild ricing.
Otherwise, there are a series of places to play - such as a boat, small airplane, stage, treehouse and 2 slides of different sizes, a "maker space" with different tools and adult guidance about how to use them, and several other play/active learning stations (one involving magnets, one involving constructing a path on a wall that allows a ball to move along the path that youngsters create.
There also are demonstrations of different activities - yoga was being demonstrated on the day we were there.
Price is an issue. It's $9/person (children under 3 are free). That's no problem for many people - but for some families it is an issue. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more children. I plan to check with some folks working with low income families about a contribution to help low income youngsters enjoy this place.
My sense it's great for 3-8 or 9 year olds. I think many older kids would be bored. But we saw many kids in the 3-8 age group who loved it, along with our kids.
Otherwise, there are a series of places to play - such as a boat, small airplane, stage, treehouse and 2 slides of different sizes, a "maker space" with different tools and adult guidance about how to use them, and several other play/active learning stations (one involving magnets, one involving constructing a path on a wall that allows a ball to move along the path that youngsters create.
There also are demonstrations of different activities - yoga was being demonstrated on the day we were there.
Price is an issue. It's $9/person (children under 3 are free). That's no problem for many people - but for some families it is an issue. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more children. I plan to check with some folks working with low income families about a contribution to help low income youngsters enjoy this place.
My sense it's great for 3-8 or 9 year olds. I think many older kids would be bored. But we saw many kids in the 3-8 age group who loved it, along with our kids.
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassie_Travel_Queen
Superior, WI53 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
I have been bringing my kids here for many moons now and I would hardly call it a museum. More of a play place for kids under 6 years old. So this far it's been ok. Beyond boring for patents who have seen/done the same things over and over. But.. A good place to waste some time or spend on a rainy day.
I have two daughters now who are 4 and 9, it is only appealing to my 4 year old still these days.
The exhibits downstairs change about 2 times a year which isn't enough if you have a membership. Seeing the same old stuff gets well, old. The exhibits upstairs have hardly changed either over the years. A few new things but not enough.
Cost: FAR to expensive. Parents should be half price along with children older than 6.. or 8 even.
If you're a tourist, this is a cool rainy day place to check out and spend some extra money with a coupon (hopefully) from your hotel. Otherwise, skip it.
Once our membership runs out, we won't renew.. :(
I have two daughters now who are 4 and 9, it is only appealing to my 4 year old still these days.
The exhibits downstairs change about 2 times a year which isn't enough if you have a membership. Seeing the same old stuff gets well, old. The exhibits upstairs have hardly changed either over the years. A few new things but not enough.
Cost: FAR to expensive. Parents should be half price along with children older than 6.. or 8 even.
If you're a tourist, this is a cool rainy day place to check out and spend some extra money with a coupon (hopefully) from your hotel. Otherwise, skip it.
Once our membership runs out, we won't renew.. :(
Written 27 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melmel79
Anoka, MN177 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Super friendly staff. The lower level of the museum I think is geared toward the older ages with plenty of activities for 'making' things and exploring games and activities like origami and juggling. Our 2 year old had no interest in any of that but she loved the exhibits upstairs and spent quite a bit of time going up and down the slide on the indoor playset.
Under 2 years old, they are free. 2 years old and up is same price as adult $9 - so it was $27 dollars for all three of us. Probably would have been better if just me or my husband had gone in with her - for the price, to save money. I'm more than willing to pay $9 for my child to play/explore but $27 was too much in our opinion for a one-off visit. I would suggest taking your child/one adult and if your child really takes to the museum and likes what they have to offer and you live in the area then consider a membership which is much more cost effective and allows you free admission for 2 adults and all children in house (much better deal) for a year.
As one of the younger ones - the indoor playset was a hit and the exhibit where you play with balls and foam pieces that fly up in the air currents was a winner. The rest didn't hold her attention very long and the bigger kids were mowing her down a bit. In the end we were there a little over an hour.
All in all I probably wouldn't go back because there are indoor playsets (which is what she was primarily interested in) for less. When she's older and can appreciate or participate in more things available at the museum that may justify the cost more...or a membership.
Under 2 years old, they are free. 2 years old and up is same price as adult $9 - so it was $27 dollars for all three of us. Probably would have been better if just me or my husband had gone in with her - for the price, to save money. I'm more than willing to pay $9 for my child to play/explore but $27 was too much in our opinion for a one-off visit. I would suggest taking your child/one adult and if your child really takes to the museum and likes what they have to offer and you live in the area then consider a membership which is much more cost effective and allows you free admission for 2 adults and all children in house (much better deal) for a year.
As one of the younger ones - the indoor playset was a hit and the exhibit where you play with balls and foam pieces that fly up in the air currents was a winner. The rest didn't hold her attention very long and the bigger kids were mowing her down a bit. In the end we were there a little over an hour.
All in all I probably wouldn't go back because there are indoor playsets (which is what she was primarily interested in) for less. When she's older and can appreciate or participate in more things available at the museum that may justify the cost more...or a membership.
Written 17 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are they at a new permanent location, or is this just temporary? I'm shocked by the poor reviews, but I'm hopeful they may be upgrading their permanent location somewhere else. Maybe just the temporary museum is a bit of a disappointment. Could this be true?
Written 5 June 2015
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