WonderTrek Children’s Museum was recently featured in the Pilot Independent Newspaper, highlighting the organization’s mission to reimagine learning through play and the community support helping bring the project to life. Read the Full article here: The Pilot Independent Newspaper
WonderTrek Children’s Museum: A New Adventure in Learning Through Play for Central Minnesota
BRAINERD — Are kids forgetting what free play is all about? This may sound dramatic, but in an era of electronics, mobile devices and digital options that keep young minds glued to a screen, parents have a very real fear that their children are forgetting the art of play.
One central Minnesota nonprofit is offering families a new destination for hands-on learning, creativity, and discovery. The WonderTrek Children’s Museum, based in Brainerd, is reimagining what it means to learn through play – inviting kids and families to “explore, wonder and repeat.”
“We are the facilitators of letting children play ‘their way,” WonderTrek’s museum project director, Peter Olson, shared. “Some of the best learning opportunities we can give children happen when we step back and let them figure things out for themselves. The WonderTrek’s team also spends time engaging the community in conversations about how to define ‘safe enough’ play, recognizing that meaningful growth happens when children are challenged in supportive, imaginative environments.”
Olson shared that this project is grounded in a philosophy that play is essential to learning. It encourages families to embrace curiosity, take healthy risks, immerse themselves in nature and see the world as a place of endless exploration.
“My team and I are play nerds,” he shared. “We know that, on average, it takes kids at least 45 minutes to get into deep play, and we take this very seriously. We give our full attention to planning the perfect-sized dirt mound that best engages toddlers, or the trail style with the best incline to accommodate grandparents. For the youngest generation, play is play; for us, it’s serious work.”
Until the museum’s physical space is complete, WonderTrek on “wheels” has been bringing that sense of wonder directly to schools, parks and community events across the region. This mobile museum allows children to tinker, discover and connect no matter where they are – bridging communities and building anticipation for what’s to come. Whether it’s through in-person events, like “Let’s Play” hosted by the Brainerd Senior Center, or via mobile experiences with the “Wonder Truck,” this museum will continue its outreach, sparking joy and discovery wherever it travels.
WonderTrek’s next significant milestone is the development of its Outdoor Adventure area, set to open in mid-2026. This outdoor, interactive play space will be a valuable asset to the community and one that will remain here for generations to come.
Located off Highway 371 and County Road 48, near the new Baxter Elementary School, WonderTrek will feature nature-based play environments, interactive exhibits, and an indoor workshop designed for year-round fun. From spring and summer exploration packs and nature trails to winter kick sleds and snow play, WonderTrek is intentionally creating experiences that connect children with both learning and the natural world.
Their new campus is more than a museum; it is a thoughtfully designed blend of immersive nature play environments, self-directed learning and exploration opportunities, and adventure-inducing interactive outdoor exhibits. Its founders envisioned a space where science, art and nature intersect through play. Children can dive into interactive exhibits, build, experiment, create and explore the world around them in a fun, hands-on way. As one of the last regions in the state without its own children’s museum, this innovative project also fills a vital gap in central Minnesota.
Since the project began in 2015, the organization has raised more than $6 million toward its goal, with a final $1 million push underway to complete Phase One of construction. Legacy Giving is another option that allows supporters to make a lasting impact by including a charity in their will, trust or estate plan, or by designating the organization as a beneficiary of assets such as life insurance, retirement accounts or investments.
Sponsorship is another popular option for financial support of this project, and it’s one that lifelong Lakes Area resident Bob Nystrom recently took advantage of, making a generous donation in honor of his late wife, Rachel.
“I lost my beautiful wife in 2025, and I wanted something that would be not only a legacy for her, but myself as well,” Nystrom shared. “We both fell in love with the WonderTrek project when we discovered it around four years ago. After she passed, I saw the opportunity to sponsor an exhibit as a way to share our passion. Because Rachel loved walking and being in nature, I am sponsoring the Walking Trail and the Trailhead in her memory.”
Nystrom went on to say that he wholeheartedly supports the mission of WonderTrek and encourages others to consider donating to bridge the financial gap. Local contributions will directly support exhibits, adventure tools and gear that will encourage children to explore and play from sunrise to sunset – and sometimes beyond.
“We have so many options for donors to be part of this unique project that fit any budget,” Olson added. “We have multiple levels for corporate sponsors, but also family-friendly options like dedicating a bench to a loved one, having their name carved on our Minnesota’s Longest Picnic Table. From purchasing an engraved paver to sponsoring a feature like the 36-foot-tall Treehouse, we offer giving opportunities for families, businesses, individuals and foundations at affordable levels.
As the WonderTrek team looks ahead to the 2026 ribbon-cutting, the energy is a blend of excitement and anticipation. Through it all, their dedication to creating a vibrant community hub – where curiosity flourishes and central Minnesota families connect through shared outdoor adventures – remains stronger than ever.
“Whether it’s a donation for $5 or $500, every penny not only helps our mission, but it is also deeply appreciated,” Olson added.
To learn more, get involved, or support the project, visit wondertrekmuseum.org. To donate, secure a sponsorship, or discuss recognition opportunities, email peter@wondertrekmuseum.org or call (218) 270-4004.
