Key Things to Know

• The Children’s Museum is located at 45 Forks Market Road at The Forks in Winnipeg.
• Motion Mania runs from May 30 to September 7, 2026 and is included with general admission.
• The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• This is a great indoor activity for families looking for creative learning, active play and kid-led exploring.
• Add time for lunch, snacks or outdoor exploring at The Forks before or after your visit.

Start with Motion Mania

Motion Mania brings big energy to the Children’s Museum with a 2,000-square-foot exhibition all about movement, motion and STEM learning. Created by the Ontario Science Centre, this temporary exhibition invites kids to roll, race, bounce and build their way through playful challenges.

It is the kind of space where kids can test an idea, change one piece and try again right away. Along the way, they will explore force, energy, friction, inertia and stability without feeling like they have stepped into a lesson. The learning happens while they are chasing a ball down a track, comparing speeds or figuring out why one build worked better than the last.

Build and Test a Roller Coaster

One of the main activities in Motion Mania is the chance to design, build and test a roller coaster using more than 30 unique parts. Kids can connect pieces, send a ball through the track, adjust the design and start over with a new plan.

This is a good stop for kids who like to ask “what happens if…?” A track might not work the first time, but that is part of the fun. Each tweak gives kids a chance to problem-solve, experiment and see how small changes can make a big difference.

Try 10 Motion Challenges

Motion Mania includes 10 challenges where kids can explore movement in different ways. They can compare speed, balance, height and distance while testing cause and effect.

For caregivers, this is a fun one to watch. Kids work through ideas in real time, sometimes with a plan and sometimes by pure trial and error. Either way, they are moving, talking, testing and figuring things out as they go.

Celebrate with a Motion Mania Birthday Party

Motion Mania also inspired the Bounce Into Motion Birthday Party, available from May 30 to September 7, 2026. Kids can make their own bouncy ball from scratch and take it home as a souvenir.

The activity mixes creative play with simple science, making it a fun option for families planning a birthday party with a built-in activity.

Explore the Museum Galleries

The Children’s Museum works best when kids get to take the lead. This is a museum where touching, testing, building and moving are all part of the experience.

You’ll find imaginative play, building activities, water features and exhibits made for curious minds. Younger kids may head straight for pretend play, climbing and splashy activities. Older kids may spend more time building structures, testing ideas and looking for a bigger challenge.

Follow Their Curiosity

Some kids will want to move from gallery to gallery as quickly as possible. Others will find one favourite activity and settle in. Both approaches work here.

Give them time to make a plan, change it halfway through and circle back to something they loved. The museum is designed for open-ended play, so your visit does not need a strict route to be a good one.

Make, Test and Try Again

A visit to the Children’s Museum gives kids plenty of chances to build confidence through small experiments. They might stack something taller, test a water feature, create a structure or change how an object moves.

These small moments help kids practise making choices, solving problems and trying again. They also make the visit feel personal, since every child can explore in a different way.

Check for Interactive Programming

Before you go, check what is happening at the museum that day. Interactive programs, special activities and hands-on learning experiences can add a little structure to your visit.

This is helpful if your family likes a loose plan. Spend time in the galleries, join an activity, take a snack break and return to open play when everyone is ready for round two.

Plan for Summer Day Camps

Families looking for summer activities can also consider Children’s Museum Summer Day Camps, which run from July 6 to September 4, 2026. Each week includes gallery time, scheduled activities, special guests and more.

Campers also get to explore Motion Mania as part of their Summer Day Camp experience. Registration is open for families planning their summer schedule.

Make a Day of It at The Forks

The Children’s Museum’s location at The Forks makes it convenient to turn your visit into a half-day outing. After the museum, you can grab lunch, pick up a snack or spend time outside in one of Winnipeg’s most-loved gathering places.

This add-on works especially well for families with younger kids who need a change of pace between activities. You can keep the day simple without adding extra driving or a complicated itinerary.

Tips for Visiting the Children’s Museum

Give Kids Time to Explore

Build extra time into your visit so kids can return to favourite exhibits or stay longer with an activity that catches their attention.

Dress for Play

Choose comfortable clothing for climbing, building, sitting, moving and hands-on activities. A backup layer can be helpful for kids who love the water play feature.

Check Details Before You Go

The Children’s Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check current admission details, programming and booking information before your visit.

Add a Lunch Stop

The Forks has several nearby options for lunch or snacks. A food break can help stretch the outing without adding extra planning.

Plan Your Visit

The Manitoba Children’s Museum is located at 45 Forks Market Road in Winnipeg. Motion Mania is on display from May 30 to September 7, 2026 and is included with general museum admission.

Families can plan a general visit to explore the galleries, spend extra time in Motion Mania or look ahead to summer camps and birthday party options. With creative spaces, active exhibits and plenty of room for kids to test their ideas, the Children’s Museum is a playful Winnipeg stop for families who want learning to feel like part of the day’s adventure.

Plan your visit to the Children’s Museum, then let the kids take the lead.