Recently, Teddy had a day off of school so I decided to take him down to the Works Museum in Bloomington. Right when we walked in the door we spotted a massive Rube Goldburg-like sculpture made of more than 100,000 K'Nex pieces. The 2-story tall structure, designed by a University of Minnesota student, is carefully designed to deliver balls throughout it's mazed design. Teddy was mesmerized watching the marbles being elevated, rolled, turned, and dropped throughout the engineering masterpiece.
There was one large space on the main floor filled with various engineering activities for kids to explore. Teddy designed a racecar and tested its speed down an elevated ramp. He become a stealth ninja while navigating his way through a sensor-lined maze. He experimented with lights and mirrors and a giant kaleidoscope. He traversed his way along the small tables filled with blocks and magnetic tiles, attempting each guided challenge along the way. Teddy spent a good deal of time playing in the brick building area. Hundreds of Styrofoam bricks were available for kids to build huts, forts, and towers.
Upstairs was a workshop area with table activities like catapults and toothpick towers. They offer a wide range of family classes in this space for kids ages 9 and up. The classes seems pretty cool and include some impressive skill lessons such as soldering, stop motion animation, and pottery.
Hours and Admission
School Year Hours
Through 6/10/18
Monday, Thursday, Friday – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – 12 p.m.– 5 p.m.
Holidays and Special Dates
Monday – Thursday, 3/26-3/30 – Extended Hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 4/1 – Closed for Holiday
Monday – Thursday, 4/2-4/6 – Extended Hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, 5/28 – Closed for Holiday
Admission
Admission is $8.50 per person for adults and children. The Experience Gallery, Pop-Up Engineering, and Explore It! monthly events, are included in your admission. Children two and under are free.
We offer a military discount of $2 per family member off admission with a military ID.
