Going to the 'Zeum

This post is basically free advertising for the new kids' museum in Brookings. Really, it's impossible to have anything but praise for it. It's that good!

Everyone had told me that the Children's Museum of South Dakota was really impressive, and they were exactly right. It is so professionally and creatively done that it's a kids' paradise. We bought a membership on our first trip - and we've already more than paid for it. The kids both love it. Whenever we come within a block of the museum, Sebby starts saying, "I want 'zeum! I want 'zeum!" He gets so excited by the activities inside that he forgets all about me and dashes off to whatever attracts his attention. Whenever I reach that panicked stage of "Where in the world is Sebby?" I can usually find him in the water room.

Misha gets into everything too, and he can make use of all the features that Sebby is still a bit young for, like the clay day and soap-carving lessons.

The soap snowman!

The inside still retains its old-school feel of Central Elementary while bursting with rooms full of various experiments. In addition to the water room and the art area, kids can (to name just a few) "fix up" a little car, make sand designs on a turning wheel, explore a sod house and a teepee, relax in the baby-safe nature room, experiment with music and sound, and climb to the clouds.

Another hugely popular area is the farm, where children can do everything from collecting eggs and milking a cow to picking corn, tomatoes and carrots to fill their wheelbarrows to take to market. The conveyor belt transports all the veggies to a big bin, from which kids can sort them into cartons to be sold at the store. Misha loves sorting the produce, while Sebby loves loading his grocery cart!

In the fenced outdoor section of the museum, even more awaits. The museum's mascot, Mama T-Rex, peeks from behind the trees and roars, wiggling her scrawny arms and swishing her enormous tail. Her furry baby answers her call from his cave, with enough realism to prompt Misha to ask, "Is it real?"

But the dinosaurs are just one part of the outdoor features. A river winds through the grounds, with nicely-placed stepping stones to jump onto. Shooting fountains, enticing tunnels, landscaped gardens, and a sandy dino-dig spot invite the kids to come and play.

In short, the kids' museum makes a wonderful addition to Brookings, and we are, like everyone else, making good use of it.