- Attraction: The Works Museum
- Location: 9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
- Industry: Museum
- Website: https://www.theworks.org/
When your child starts taking apart the toaster to see how it works, you know you’ve got a budding engineer on your hands.
The Works Museum transforms that natural curiosity into hours of educational excitement, where touching everything isn’t just allowed—it’s encouraged.
This unique hands-on engineering museum invites kids to build, create, and problem-solve their way through interactive exhibits designed specifically for ages 5-12.
Located just 10 minutes from the Mall of America, The Works Museum packs serious STEM learning into its 40,000 square feet of space.
Founded in 1995 by software engineer Rebecca Schatz, who was inspired by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, the museum has grown from a small gallery exhibition to become a premier destination for families seeking educational entertainment that actually engages young minds.
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Keep Exploring →Engineering Adventures That Captivate
K’NEX Car Racing: You’ll watch your child become a master automotive engineer as they design and build custom racing cars using K’NEX pieces, then test their creations on timed racetracks. The competitive element keeps kids coming back to refine their designs and beat their previous speeds.
The Giant K’NEX Ball Machine: Prepare to be mesmerized by the museum’s crown jewel—a towering 23-foot tall kinetic sculpture made from over 115,000 K’NEX pieces. This mechanical marvel, built by Austin Granger and recognized as the second-largest K’NEX ball machine ever created, features 850 feet of track where balls travel up elevators and cascade down through 12 different pathways.
Build-Your-Own Structures: You’ll find your children completely absorbed in the building blocks section, where they can construct epic towers, bridges, and architectural marvels using various materials. The open floor plan gives them plenty of space to think big and build even bigger.
The House Exhibit: Kids get to explore real-world engineering through this interactive house display, where they can experiment with plumbing systems, practice tiling walls, examine insulation, and understand electrical engineering concepts. You’ll love how it connects STEM learning to everyday life experiences.
Coding Adventures: The programming station lets young visitors control robotic mice through coding challenges, introducing computer science concepts in an accessible, game-like format that has kids problem-solving without realizing they’re learning.
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Discover MoreSensor Maze: This interactive challenge course responds to light, sound, and movement, creating an engaging experience that combines physical activity with technology exploration.
Atmosphere & Learning Environment
Open Floor Plan: The museum’s spacious single-level design makes supervision easy while giving children freedom to explore independently. You can easily keep track of your young engineers while they move between different activity stations at their own pace.
Hands-On Philosophy: Everything here is designed to be touched, manipulated, and experimented with. The museum’s “nothing is off limits” approach creates an environment where children feel empowered to explore and learn through trial and error.
Quiet Learning Spaces: Unlike typical children’s museums filled with overwhelming noise and chaos, The Works maintains a more focused atmosphere where you can actually hear yourself think. The sounds you’ll hear are productive—construction, creation, and genuine discovery.
Multiple Learning Zones: The museum thoughtfully separates different types of activities, from quiet building corners with MagnaTiles and light tables to more active areas for testing and racing creations.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Fair Pricing: At $13 per person for ages 2 and up (children under 2 are free), you’re getting excellent value for the quality and duration of engagement. Most families spend 2-3 hours here, and many visitors report staying longer than originally planned.
Membership Value: If you plan multiple visits, the family membership pays for itself quickly and includes unlimited access plus special event discounts. Members also get priority access during busy periods.
Free Parking: You’ll appreciate the large, free parking lot with accessible spaces near the entrance. No need to worry about feeding meters or searching for street parking.
Age Flexibility: While designed for ages 5-12, younger children (starting around age 4) can enjoy many activities, and older kids up to early teens often find challenges that keep them engaged.
Special Programs: The museum offers Pre-K Mondays with half-price admission and age-appropriate activities for younger children, plus regular special events like Robot Day and Tech Fest throughout the year.
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Discover MorePack Your Lunch: There’s no food service on-site except vending machines, but you’ll find a comfortable lunch room where families can eat meals brought from home or picked up nearby.
Limited Hours: The museum operates weekend-only schedules during parts of the year, so you’ll want to check their calendar before visiting to avoid disappointment.
The Works Museum
📍 9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
