Minnesota Children's Museum St. Paul closed for renovations

The Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul closed Sunday night for a $30 million expansion and renovation project.

The doors will open again in mid-April.

Bob Ingrassia, vice president of external relations at the museum, said that the renovation will result in several new features.

“This really illustrates kind of a shift in the change of direction of Minnesota Children’s Museum and our experiences,” he said. “It's a great place to get out of the house and have tons of fun while kids are learning a lot, too.”

Fun is in the air, whether the tiny tots explore motor skills, devise their own ping pong launch or just splash along.

“No matter how many times you’ve been there, there’s always something new for the kids to explore,” said Chris Foster, a museum member.

Parents also now revel in the final hours of the latest exhibits.

“We come every other week, so it is a really big part of our kids' lifestyle,” Foster said.

The renovation begins Monday and marks the building’s first project since it opened in 1995.

“We’re going to have to find some other way to spend our time,” Foster said.

Regulars are already eager for the big reveal in mid-April.

Latasha Thompson said she loves the museum for all it offers her two-year-old son.

“Seeing the things that they've already done, it's going to be awesome,” she said. “We get to see everybody as one, and we get to enjoy being around family, friends, meeting new playmates, meeting new people and just having fun.

For now, they say goodbye to “Thomas and Friends.”

“He’s been waiting for Thomas the longest,” Thompson said.

But, Thompson and her son already have plans to visit the museum’s other locations.

“We’re going to the Mall of America exhibit, and we’re going to see Curious George,” she said.

Thompson said she has confidence the 10 new exhibits will take off in April without a hitch.

“I’m sure it’ll be worth it,” she said.