Plan Your Visit
Get ready to play, explore, and discover
get ready to play
What should we wear?
Dress for adventure! You will be outside at WonderTrek, so be sure to check the forecast and dress for the weather.
We recommend:
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
- Closed-toe shoes with good traction
- Layers, as Minnesota weather can change throughout the day
Be prepared to climb, build, splash, dig, create, and get a little messy!
Forgot your rain gear? We’ve got you covered! Thanks to support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside Grant, WonderTrek offers complimentary rain gear and winter gear for families who need it, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should we plan to stay?
Whether you’re here for a 30-minute microvisit or a four-hour adventure, WonderTrek is designed to fit your family’s day. Our open-ended play environment means every visit can look different—stop in for a quick burst of play or stay and explore for hours. And while even short visits offer meaningful opportunities for play, the longer children have to play, the deeper and richer their exploration can become. Families can choose the length of their visit to fit their own schedule throughout the year.
What about the weather?
WonderTrek was designed with the belief that children benefit from playing outdoors in many different weather conditions.
Snow, ice, and changing seasons create entirely new opportunities for exploration and imaginative play. Families are encouraged to embrace all four seasons.
A little rain doesn’t stop the adventure either!
Thanks to support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside Grant, WonderTrek offers complimentary rain gear and winter gear for families who may not have the appropriate clothing with them.
When conditions are safe, children are encouraged to continue exploring, discovering, and playing outdoors.
Only severe weather, such as lightning, dangerous winds, or other unsafe conditions, will require temporary closure of outdoor exhibits.
Will my child get dirty?
Probably—and that’s part of the fun!
WonderTrek embraces nature play, which means children may encounter mud, water, sand, leaves, sticks, and other natural materials.
To help families clean up before heading home, washing stations are conveniently located at the Adventure Outfitter’s Studio.
We recommend bringing a towel and an extra change of clothes if your child enjoys jumping into every adventure.
Is the museum accessible?
WonderTrek is committed to creating inclusive play experiences for visitors of all abilities. All of our exhibits are accessible by paths. Our parking area, check-in, Adventure Outfitter’s Studio, family restrooms, Clean-Up Stations, and Children’s Gardens are ADA accessible. Accessible pathways and a variety of play experiences are designed to welcome children with diverse abilities, needs, and interests.
Is there food available?
Food options will be announced closer to opening. Families are welcome to bring water bottles and snacks to enjoy at outside seating options, weather permitting. General admission tickets are valid all day so you can go grab lunch and come back!
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes.
Many of our primary pathways are designed to accommodate strollers and mobility devices.
Are pets allowed?
To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, only service animals trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are permitted inside WonderTrek. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not permitted.
How much is admission?
General Admission (Ages 1+) is $11.
WonderTrek also offers a Wonder for All Admission.
Visit our Admission page to learn more.
If you plan to visit more than a few times each year, a membership quickly becomes the best value.
What memberships do you offer?
WonderTrek offers three membership options. Visit our Membership page to learn about our Memberships and which one might be right for you!
What is WonderTrek on Wheels?
WonderTrek on Wheels brings hands-on adventure directly to schools, libraries, businesses, parks, festivals, and community events throughout Central Minnesota, primarily servicing Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Wadena, and Todd counties.
How much does it cost?
Pricing varies based on the type of organization, program length, location, and travel requirements.
Schools, Nonprofits and Government Agencies
WonderTrek on Wheels Policy and Pricing.
Private Parties and Other Bookings
WonderTrek on Wheels Policy and Pricing.
Additional travel fees may apply outside WonderTrek’s five-county service area. Contact us for availability and a customized booking estimate.
How far do you travel?
WonderTrek regularly serves communities throughout Central Minnesota and beyond. Additional travel fees apply outside our primary five-county service area.
Does WonderTrek allow birthday parties and school field trips?
Are your programs educational?
Absolutely! WonderTrek field trips use hands-on outdoor play to grow essential life skills like problem solving, empathy, decision making, and teamwork. Play and exploration are the twin engines of childhood learning, helping children discover their interests and capabilities. Learning and discovery take shape through children’s freedom to experiment, solve problems, and nurture the lifelong skills they need to thrive. At WonderTrek, these elements come together in immersive environments where curiosity is celebrated, ideas take flight, and families learn side by side.
WonderTrek will work with teachers when booking to connect their learning objectives with programs that are right for their class.
How can I donate to support WonderTrek?
WonderTrek Children’s Museum is a nonprofit built by the community, for the community.
Every donation helps create extraordinary opportunities for children to discover, explore, imagine, and grow through play.
Individuals, families, and businesses can also support WonderTrek through exhibit sponsorships, engraved pavers, benches, naming opportunities, and legacy gifts. Visit our sponsorship page to learn more.
WonderTrek Children’s Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Endless Wonder
Become a Member
Join the WonderTrek community! Memberships provide unlimited visits throughout the year, making it easy to play, explore, and discover again and again.
“So exciting to see this new museum come to life
We love the community events and Studio Explorations!”
– Mary
“I’ve been able to attend and observe at several of WonderTrek’s Studio Explorations.
Each time, I saw children across a range of ages discover something fascinating to explore, sometimes giant blue blocks, colorful scarves, balls, or wobbly worlds. This kind of play—child-directed, social, physical, and joyful—is not only fun, but also critical to children’s well-being.”
– Jeanne
We're ready for you
After ten years of dreaming up a children's museum like no other, we’re gearing up to open WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure in early 2026.
But first, we need you. More than $6,000,000 has been raised thanks to visionary donors and lots of grant writing. Now, we’re in the final push and WonderTrek needs everyone who cares for kids and the vitality of our region to join the campaign. With $1 million to go, every donation counts!
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