Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota opens in Mankato

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Mankato's new Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota continues its grand opening this weekend. The doors first opened Friday after a decade of planning and fundraising.
The $5 million museum is located in a converted city bus garage. It features a tree fort and a variety of hands-on exhibits, including a quarry. The layout is designed to allow parents to keep tabs on their kids as they move through the exhibits.
"We wanted someplace where a parent could come in, and if they have more than one child, they're able to pretty much see everywhere," said Frost, an early childhood parent educator.
The museum fills a need for parents who wanted more indoor activities in the area, especially in the winter. Frost said the museum is still trying to raise another $400,000 to finish a water exhibit.
The grand opening celebration runs through Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The museum's regular hours begin Sunday.
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