Best Art Exhibits For Kids In Minnesota
Children enjoy being creative and using art to express themselves. As art in all forms is incorporated into classrooms and schools, children are increasingly exposed to the importance of art in our culture. Finding the right art exhibit to bring your kids to may seem like a difficult task. Children often dislike "hands-off" museums and long lectures on art history. Luckily, Minnesota offers many fun exhibits that appeal to kids and encourage their love of creativity.
(credit: Tom Kingrey/Minnesota Children's Museum)
"Rooftop ArtPark"
Minnesota Children's Museum
10 W. 7th St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 225-6000
www.mcm.org
Date: May through early fall
Summer is the best season at the Minnesota Children's Museum because the rooftop is open for exhibition. Using natural resources and the elements of nature, the "Rooftop Art Park" allows children to be creative with nature. Kids can paint with water on rocks or make designs with sand. A small garden helps children explore different plants and herbs that can be grown outside. Children will also enjoy climbing on a play structure and looking at cool tile mosaics on the rooftop. A small hut offers children a chance to do some crafts of their own. Check out the rooftop exhibit before it closes for the season.
"The Art of Victor Khromin"
The Museum of Russian Art
5500 Stevens Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 821-9045
www.tmora.org
Date: Through October 25, 2014
The Museum of Russian Art is currently exhibiting the unusual and fun art of Victor Khromin. Khromin combines painting and sculpture to create three-dimensional works that appeal to all tastes. His oil paintings are done on molds of household objects such as buckles, wheels and keys. Children will enjoy trying to guess which objects have been used to craft his art. Kids will have the chance to learn about Russian culture and art when they explore the rest of the museum.
Sculpture Garden
Walker Art Center
725 Vineland Place
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 375-7600
www.walkerart.org/garden
Date: Open year-round
One of the most popular attractions in Minnesota is the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. Kids and adults love walking through the 11-acre garden to enjoy the fantastic and amazing sculptures located throughout the area. Part of the Minneapolis Park system, the Sculpture Garden is a free activity meant to be enjoyed and loved by all visitors. The "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture, a famous landmark of Minneapolis, is located in the garden along with many other massive works. Check out artist-designed mini-golf during the summer or visit the Walker Art Center across the street after your tour of the Garden.
"Kids Create!"
Duluth Children's Museum
115 S. 29th Ave. W
Duluth, MN 55806
(218) 733-7543
www.duluthchildrensmuseum.org
Date: Ongoing
"Kids Create!" is an exhibit in the Duluth Children's Museum that allows kids to explore their own artistic talents and use their imagination to create projects of their own. A favorite among visitors, this exhibit contains an open space and numerous materials that encourage children to fill an empty canvas. Children are encouraged by staff to create and are allowed to take completed projects home. Materials and themes change throughout the year, so visit this exhibit often.
(credit: CBS)
Family Day
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 3rd. Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-3000
www.artsmia.org
Date: Second Sunday of every month
Every month, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts hosts a free family day for the community to enjoy the arts in a friendly and kid-friendly setting. Events change each month but there is always music, education and an introduction to the museum. Kids can tour the museum by participating in a "treasure hunt" of the galleries and learn about artists and cultures that contribute to the museum. There are also hands-on events that allow children to create art of their own or participate in activities such as yoga. Representatives from the community are also on hand to discuss other opportunities to be creative in Minnesota.
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for eight years. She loves covering all things Minnesota and her work can be found on Examiner.com.
