Need a new play space to explore with your crew? Check out the Wonder Workshop Children’s Museum, a small non-profit, hands-on learning museum offering interactive play and learning spaces for children and their families. The museum has various indoor and outdoor educational programs and activities in the arts, sciences, and humanities.
Mom’s Guide to the Wonder Workshop Children’s Museum
Location
Wonder Workshop Children’s Museum is located at 506 S. 4th Street in Manhattan.
Hours/admission
Visit the museum Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children 2 and under can enjoy FREE admission to the museum. Children ages 3-18 cost $5, and adults cost $7, but during the holiday season, adults are FREE! Memberships are available here.
Mom Tip: If interested in a membership, take advantage of The Wonder Plus Membership that includes 50% reciprocity at over 150 Association of Children museums (ACM) nationwide.
Exploring the Exhibits at Wonder Workshop
The museum features a set of rotating exhibits so keep in mind that the adventure may change each time depending on how frequently you visit. Although the space is a bit small, they sure pack in a lot of fun throughout the building and do a great job of maximizing the play space. On our most recent visit, my boys loved coloring pictures and watching them come to life on a giant projector screen. They also spent a lot of time in the front area building different tracks for racing balls as well as a play diner area.
Mom Tip: If the weather is nice, plan to spend some time outside. There is a slide and climbing wall as well as other wooden structures to explore. The area is spacious enough to get a little time to yourselves if you visit at a time when the inside area is crowded.
Wonder Workshop Events
Check out the calendar for special events throughout the year. The museum regularly offers Pre-K STEAM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. for kids ages 3-5. Make sure to register in advance to secure your spot! The cost is $5 and members are free.
They also regularly offer Discovery Days on days there is no school for USD 383. Spend the day hiking, making art, performing experiments, playing games, going on field trips, and much more! The cost is $33 for members and $38 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required and scholarships are available.
But there is more! The Wonder Workshop also offers a summer camp, a teen mentorship program, and they even offer birthday parties!
Family Features
There is a bathroom if someone needs a potty stop, but do note there is no specific nursing location. Since the museum is rather small, nursing a little one during your visit may be a bit challenging, so definitely plan accordingly.
Mom Tip: Consider spending the whole day out with your crew! After playing and exploring at The Wonder Workshop, walk down the street to grab lunch (and our favorite treat: the milk and cookies flight at Radina’s Bakehouse before spending the afternoon at the Flint Hills Discovery Center, which is also a short distance away! Parking is limited at The Wonder Workshop, so you could park closer to Radina’s or the Discovery Center and walk over.
