Northeast
Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings – Children will be ecstatic when they are able to jump, dance, play and imagine at this museum – and parents will be too since all the while their children will be learning! Kids can discover the prairie and how it has shaped the lives of those that live here, or create their own home and learn what makes a community. They can get all wet while learning the properties and characteristics of water by using buckets, pipes, and valves. Children can even turn into “mini explorers” while investigating South Dakota’s prairies, Badlands, Black Hills, and Missouri River. Children of all ages are able to enjoy this great South Dakota attraction.

Dakota Discovery Museum

Southeast
Dakota Discovery Museum, Mitchell – The culture and history of the Upper Great Plains comes alive at the Dakota Discovery Museum. Art galleries, a history gallery, a restored 1886 Italianate home, and a 1914 railroad depot all bring visitors back in time. Children can experience life on the prairies through cultural activities at this museum.

Central
South Dakota Tractor Museum, Kimball – This unique museum displays historic tractors and farm machinery to visitors. It’s located south of Interstate 90 at exit 284. In addition to tractors, visitors will also find an old windmill, a barn filled with horse-driven equipment, an old jail cell and other antiques. The museum is open during the summer months Monday through Saturday 9-5, and Sunday from 1-5. The museum charges no admission fee, but donations are welcome.
South Dakota Discovery Center & Aquarium, Pierre – This is a “science playground for the whole family.” Dozens of interactive exhibits and science activities will great the family upon arrival. Children will learn characteristics of electricity, magnetism, physics and be able to view many species of fish that call South Dakota’s Missouri River home.

Western
Wall Drug Store, Wall – Not only is Wall Drug known as the “#1 Roadside Attraction in America” and for it’s amazing donuts and 5-cent coffee, but also for it’s world-class collection of western art estimated to be worth more than $3 million. The histories of not only this unique family business, but also great South Dakota events are prominently displayed throughout the hallways. 

Art collection in Wall Drug's dining area

 A complete listing of South Dakota museums can be found here and an extensive listing of South Dakota events can be found on our events calendar. It’s never too early to plan your trip to South Dakota, and for you South Dakotans, it’s always fun to explore what’s in your own backyard.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings is one of South Dakota’s newest premier attractions. This museum, which allows children to explore hands-on exhibits, is one of South Dakota’s Great Places.

Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of South Dakota

The museum opened on Sept. 12, 2010, and was the first children’s museum in South Dakota. The museum strives to promote learning for children of all ages. Children can make music, build, climb, dance, discover their inner artist and just be a kid.

Kids can discover the prairie and how it has shaped the lives of those that live here, or create their own home and learn what makes a community. They can get all wet while learning the properties and characteristics of water by using buckets, pipes, and valves. They can even turn into “mini explorers” while investigating South Dakota’s prairies, Badlands, Black Hills and Missouri River.

“Mama,” a full-size, 25 feet tall and 60 feet long, permanent, animatronic T. rex and her animatronic baby boy, greets visitors upon arrival at the museum. “Mama” is the only life size animatronic T. rex on display in the United States.

The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m, and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $6.00 per person, ages one and up.

For more information about the museum visit www.prairieplay.org, call 605-692-6700, or stop by at 521 4^th Street in Brookings, S.D.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles.  

Information for this release was obtained from The Children’s Museum of South Dakota website.�
Photo: Children are able to “make music” at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Children’s Museum of South Dakota.