SPARK

SPARK The Children's Museum of Rochester, MN. SPARK enriches the lives of children and families through interactive experiences.

SPARK provides a place where visitors can learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), cultural connectedness, and health and well-being in a collaborative, open environment. As a 501(c)(3) community-supported non-profit organization, SPARK relies on the support of individuals, corporations, foundations, volunteers, and community members.

This Week at SPARK!We’re kicking off STEMtember at SPARK! All month long, we’re celebrating Science, Technology, Enginee...
08/31/2026

This Week at SPARK!

We’re kicking off STEMtember at SPARK! All month long, we’re celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with hands-on activities that encourage kids to experiment, build, problem-solve, and discover. Plus, our Maker Space has transformed into a Mad Scientist Lab for even more STEM-inspired play!

Please note: SPARK is CLOSED tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2 for annual museum maintenance. We’ll be back and ready to play on Thursday!

Thursday, September 3 – Toddlers 3 & Under Play FREE
10:00–10:30AM: Music Together®
3:00–4:00PM: SPARK Park: Gemstone Mining

Friday, September 4
11:00–11:30AM: STEM Friday: DIY Bouncy Balls
3:00–3:30PM: Mud Painting

Saturday, September 5
11:30AM–12:00PM: Family Yoga
3:00–4:00PM: SPARK Park: Obstacle Course

Sunday, September 6
10:00–10:30AM: Books & Beakers
3:30–4:00PM: Magic Name Reveal

All programs are included with daily admission or membership. Come experiment, create, and discover with us as we kick off a whole month of STEM fun!

We’re nearing the end of SPARK Park season, but there’s still time for some outdoor fun!We’ve had a blast outside this s...
08/29/2026

We’re nearing the end of SPARK Park season, but there’s still time for some outdoor fun!

We’ve had a blast outside this summer exploring, playing, and trying new things, including making slushies in a bag last week! Be sure to enjoy some time in SPARK Park during your next visit while the season lasts.

A big thank you to The Davey Tree Expert Company for making SPARK Park and all of its beautiful flowers, plants, and greenery possible!

Thank you to all of our members who joined us for our August Special Member Morning on Wednesday! 🧁In honor of SPARK’s 6...
08/28/2026

Thank you to all of our members who joined us for our August Special Member Morning on Wednesday! 🧁

In honor of SPARK’s 6th birthday, we celebrated the sweetest way we know how, decorating cupcakes together! Thank you for celebrating another year of play, learning, and discovery with us. We’re so grateful to have our members as part of the SPARK community!

Not a member?? Check out membership packages now! Our birthday month deal is still going that gets you a month free!

A big thank you to First Student for bringing a school bus to SPARK this weekend! Kiddos had a great time climbing aboar...
08/24/2026

A big thank you to First Student for bringing a school bus to SPARK this weekend! Kiddos had a great time climbing aboard, exploring the bus, and seeing what it’s like to ride.

With the first day of school right around the corner, this was an especially fun opportunity for little ones who may be riding the bus for the very first time to get a sneak peek and become a little more familiar with the experience.

Thank you, First Student, for helping us get excited for back-to-school season!

This Week at SPARK! 🧁We’re wrapping up Birthday Month with one more week of celebration! From decorating cupcakes and ma...
08/24/2026

This Week at SPARK! 🧁
We’re wrapping up Birthday Month with one more week of celebration! From decorating cupcakes and making mini piñatas to DIY pinwheels and a slushie experiment in SPARK Park, there are plenty of ways to join the birthday fun. Don’t forget to stop by the Birthday Bake Shop in the Maker Space before the month comes to an end!

Tuesday, August 25 – Grandparents Play FREE
10:00–10:30AM: Coping Copilots
3:00–4:00PM: Therapy Dog Visit: Stella 🐕‍🦺

Wednesday, August 26
9:00–10:00AM: Special Member Morning: Decorate Your Own Cupcakes! 🧁
10:00–10:30AM: Paper Popsicle Activity
3:00–4:00PM: SPARK Park: DIY Pinwheels

Thursday, August 27 – Toddlers 3 & Under Play FREE
10:30–11:00AM: Healing Rhythms 🎶
3:00–4:00PM: SPARK Park: Slushie in a Bag

Friday, August 28
11:00–11:30AM: STEM Friday: Floating Liquid Rainbow 🌈
3:30–4:00PM: Layered Paper Cake Activity

Saturday, August 29
11:30AM–12:00PM: Family Yoga
3:00–3:30PM: Mini Piñatas 🪅

Sunday, August 30
10:00–10:30AM: Campfire Art 🔥
3:00–3:30PM: Mini Piñatas

All programs are included with daily admission or membership. Come help us send off SPARK’s 6th Birthday Month with another fun-filled week!

Have you been to Toddler Thursday at SPARK?Every Thursday, our littlest visitors take over! Children ages 3 and under re...
08/19/2026

Have you been to Toddler Thursday at SPARK?
Every Thursday, our littlest visitors take over! Children ages 3 and under receive FREE admission, the Tot Spot is open, and we have special toddler-friendly programming and visitors throughout the day.

One of our wonderful longtime partners, Healing Rhythms, regularly joins us to bring music, movement, and plenty of fun to Toddler Thursdays. We’re so grateful for the joy they continue to bring to our youngest visitors!

This Thursday, come dance with Just For Kix - Rochester, MN, from 10:00 - 10:30AM!

Toddler Thursdays are made possible by the generous support of Bill and Mary Bowman

This Week at SPARK! 🎉Birthday Month keeps the party going as we celebrate 6 years of SPARK! This week brings a fun mix o...
08/17/2026

This Week at SPARK! 🎉
Birthday Month keeps the party going as we celebrate 6 years of SPARK! This week brings a fun mix of birthday favorites and back-to-school activities, including donut decorating, ice cream science, a special bus visit, and plenty of opportunities to create and play. Don't forget to visit the Birthday Bake Shop in the Maker Space while you're here!

Tuesday, August 18 – Grandparents Play FREE
10:00–11:00AM: Therapy Dog Visit: Bernie
11:00AM–12:00PM: Bricks & Minifigs Rochester, MN LEGO Hour
3:30–4:00PM: DIY Crayon Bookmarks 🖍️

Wednesday, August 19
9:00–10:00AM: Member Morning
10:00–10:30AM: Puffy Paint Donut Decorating 🍩
3:00–4:00PM: Therapy Dog Visit: Stella

Thursday, August 20 – Toddlers 3 & Under Play FREE
10:00–10:30AM: Just For Kix - Rochester, MN 💃
3:00–4:00PM: Handprint Crayon Box

Friday, August 21
11:00–11:30AM: STEM Friday: Ice Cream in a Bag 🍨
3:00–4:00PM: Back-to-School Bag Tags

Saturday, August 22
10:00–11:00AM: Back-to-School Bus Tour 🚌
11:30AM–12:00PM: Family Yoga
2:00–2:30PM: Space Explorers: What Are Stars?

Sunday, August 23
10:00–11:00AM: Handprint Cupcakes 🧁
3:00–4:00PM: SPARK Park: Jell-O Dig

All programs are included with daily admission or membership. Come celebrate, explore, and squeeze in some end-of-summer fun with us at SPARK!

08/13/2026

TONIGHT! August 13. Find us at Little Thistle for Thistle Thursday!

From 4:00-8:00 PM, grab a refreshing beverage and give back while you sip. A portion of the evenings proceeds will go directly to SPARK!

PLUS! We’ll have an exclusive giveaway featuring some of our favorite SPARK Shop items and SPARK swag, especially picked for the grown-ups joining us.

Grab your friends grab a drink and raise a glass to play, learning, and supporting SPARK. There will also be Firebrick Pizza truck serving up slices!

A huge thank you to Little Thistle for supporting SPARK and the children and families we serve. We’ll see you tonight! Little Thistle Brewing Firebrick Bread Wood-Fired Pizza

Thank you again to everyone that made Play It Forward 2026 possible! From our volunteers and staff, to sponsors and vend...
08/10/2026

Thank you again to everyone that made Play It Forward 2026 possible! From our volunteers and staff, to sponsors and vendors, to every person that attended - thank you for an amazing event!

Address

1201 12th Street SW
Rochester, MN
55906

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+5072183100

Website

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