Children's Museum of South Dakota, Brookings

I would rate this place a 10+ if I could. Its 1.5hr drive with my big family. But the amount of fun the children are able to have there, and their parents to join with them is priceless! There is so many things to do. You definitely need a whole day there! It's a museum but also they get to do activities in every category area! Grocery shopping with real size items (boxes for example, they are empty) .. all produce products are really realistic! Painting, café shop, fixing cars, science related, post mail office, dinosaurs outside! And they can even go splash in the small pond outside! So many things to do, it's to much to list. Staff is extremely friendly. There is also a cafeteria inside the building when you get hungry. Or there is close by near fast food areas or restaurants near by. Yearly membership is also available which is a plus.

We have been bringing grandchildren here for years, starting about age 1, the exhibits and activities are wonderful, truly wonderful, for YOUNG children; but there isn't much to interest middle-schoolers and teens. I recommend this destination for children under the age of ten. We were there today with preschool-aged children, after 4 hours they still had not been in half the rooms/exhibits, and had a wonderful time. But twice now I have seen pre-teens in there and they have trouble entertaining themselves there.