Celebrating Monarch Migration with Hands-On Fun for children and caregivers

Mankato — The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota invites children and their caregivers to take part in The Butterfly Tag-Along on August 29, 2026 from 12 – 2 pm. In keeping with the Museum’s mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play, this event offers a unique opportunity for children and families to engage in nature up-close and experience the awe-inspiring journey of the Monarch butterfly—together.

Held in the Museum’s Pollinators at Play powered by CenterPoint Energy Foundation exhibit, this special event gives guests the rare opportunity to tag and release Monarch butterflies as they begin their epic 3,000-mile journey to the Oyamel Forest of Mexico.

Each participating guest will receive a tagging certificate with a unique code, allowing them to follow their butterfly’s journey via MonarchWatch.org in the months to come.

Additional event highlights include:

• Face painting with Heart Matters Studio
• Environmental education programming
• Pollinator-themed activities
• Taste testing CMSM-grown produce
• Exploration of our CMSM Prairie Gardens
• Exploration of our Pollinators at Play Exhibit

This event also marks the official end of the 2026 Butterfly House season, with a farewell to the pollinators we’ll welcome back next summer.

“The Great Butterfly Tag-Along is one of the most joyful and meaningful experiences we offer each year,” said Rachel Gemlo, Director of Play and Learning at the Children’s Museum. “As children help tag and release Monarch butterflies, they discover that even small hands can play a part in somethingmuch bigger—a remarkable migration that connects our community to a global conservation effort. It’s nature, science, and cuiosity coming together in one powerful moment of play.”

Admission: Included with regular Museum admission or membership.

“We’re proud to be part of bringing learning to life for children and families across the communities we serve,” said Brad Steber, Vice President of Minnesota Gas, at CenterPoint Energy. “Through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we’re excited to invest in Pollinators at Play and provide more opportunities for families to access environmental education programs.”

Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for good by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to strengthen communities.

About the Children’s Museum:

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment. The Museum engages diverse audiences from across our region and enriches children and families with opportunities for hands-on play.

Since opening its doors in 2015, the Museum has welcomed nearly 1,000,000 visitors of all ages. A central draw to the Museum is its interactive exhibits and a wide variety of programs, which focus on play, exploration, and ongoing education; STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs; theater and cultural experiences, as well as many Ag education offerings. The Children’s Museum offers daily opportunities for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to explore and play with their children in its indoor and outdoor spaces.