From Prairie to Play: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Grand Forks Children’s Museum

Before the walls go up and the laughter fills the halls, the Grand Forks Children’s Museum is already telling a story—one rooted in the land, lifted by the sky, and shaped by the people who call this region ‘home’. As exhibit planning moves forward, three standout features are taking shape: LAND, GROW, and SKY. These aren’t just play spaces, they are immersive experiences inspired by North Dakota’s landscapes, agricultural legacy, and boundless imagination.

LAND: Where Curiosity Takes Root

The museum’s first floor, LAND, is a tribute to the region’s rich terrain and farming traditions. Children will explore exhibits that evoke the textures of prairie grass, the rhythms of crop cycles, and the ecosystems of the Red River Valley. From hands-on planting stations to interactive soil science, LAND will nurture curiosity and celebrate the ingenuity of those who work the land and provide food for our nation.

GROW: Climbing Through the Landscape

Connecting LAND and SKY is GROW, a vertical climbing maze that mirrors the upward momentum of learning and growth. Inspired by sunflowers, grain elevators, and the geometry of crop rows, GROW invites children to move, climb, and discover -physically and metaphorically- how exploration leads to new heights.

SKY: Where Imagination Takes Flight

On the second floor, SKY draws from North Dakota’s vast skies and weather patterns. Children will engage with exhibits that explore aeronautics, cloud formations, and the science of flight. It’s a space for wonder, where the Northern Lights meet STEAM learning and dreams take wing.

Together, these three exhibits reflect the museum’s commitment to place-based learning by connecting children to the land they live on and the stories that shape it. With input from designers, educators, and local families, every detail is being crafted to spark curiosity and honor the region’s identity.

The museum may still be in development, but the vision is soaring. When the doors open, children won’t just be stepping into a building, they’ll be stepping into a story the people of this region helped build.

Katie Mayer, Executive Director, Grand Forks Children's Museum