The dinosaurs are roaring back into town! Minnesota Children’s Museum is bringing back the popular exhibit “Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice” on Jan. 18, inviting families to step into the prehistoric world of the Cretaceous Period, where dinosaurs last walked the earth 70 to 65 million years ago.
This interactive exhibit, aimed at children ages 3 to 10, offers a hands-on, immersive experience that allows kids and adults to explore dinosaur habitats and learn how these fascinating creatures lived. The exhibit features two distinct environments — the steamy “Land of Fire” and the chilly ‘Land of Ice” — along with a Field Research Station where kids can become paleontologists for the day.
Explore prehistoric habitats
Visitors will encounter dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes while traveling through vibrant prehistoric landscapes.
- The Field Research Station: Here, children can step into the role of paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes and watching their dinosaur creations come to life in a digital dinosaur terrarium. This interactive experience encourages kids to think like scientists and explore the ancient world.
- The Land of Fire: This steamy environment transports visitors to the prehistoric home of the triceratops and T-rex. Kids can don insect costumes and buzz around a volcano with oozing lava, work their way through a swampy bog, and explore the ecosystems of plants and animals that thrive in warm climates.
- The Land of Ice: No need for winter coats! Visitors will trek through the cold prehistoric world where dinosaurs like the troodon and edmontosaurus once roamed. Kids can climb rocky steps, slide down an icy slope, and hop across stepping stones in an icy river. The Land of Ice highlights how some dinosaurs adapted to life in colder climates like ancient Alaska.
A unique exhibit with a national legacy
“Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice” was created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum and holds the distinction of being the first child-centered exhibit in the country dedicated to expanding the understanding of dinosaur habitats. Since its debut, the exhibit has traveled to museums and science centers across the United States, captivating millions of visitors with its engaging, educational content.
The exhibit incorporates the latest research on the types of climates dinosaurs lived in, giving children a more comprehensive understanding of how these creatures thrived in different environments.
Event details
- Dates: Jan. 18 to May 11
- Location: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul
- Admission: Included with general museum admission ($17 to $19 per person for ages 1 to 101). Museum members get in free.
The exhibit is presented by New Horizon Academy, a partner dedicated to supporting educational and enriching experiences for families.
Tickets are available now at mcm.org/tickets.
About Minnesota Children’s Museum
Minnesota Children’s Museum has been inspiring children through play for more than 40 years. Located in downtown St. Paul, the museum features three floors of fun and 11 interactive exhibits, making it a favorite destination for families across the region. The museum is a pioneer in creating traveling exhibits that reach millions of children and adults across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With a mission to spark learning through play, the museum continues to provide experiences that help kids blossom into thinkers, dreamers, and doers.
Mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a prehistoric adventure like no other. “Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice” promises a fun-filled, educational experience that will delight dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.