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School Programs

Class Visits Are Fun At The Children’s Museum!

The Children’s Museum exists to spark kids’ creative learning. We respect and believe in the potential of all children. Our vision is to provide an environment that nurtures the power of the imagination and the spirit of self-discovery.

The Children’s Museum is pleased to offer a variety of hands-on, Manitoba curriculum-linked educational programs for Preschool to Grade 5 that encourage students to use their creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills. The Children’s Museum also designs special programs to accompany our temporary exhibitions and special events. All of our educational programs are available in English, French, Basic French, or Immersion. Our Basic French programs are delivered primarily in English with key vocabulary emphasized in French. Immersion programs are delivered to the level of your classroom’s ability. Choose the program that best suits your classroom and curriculum needs!

For those that prefer to explore and discover at their own pace, the Children’s Museum also offers Self-Guided Explorations for school groups and day cares. Click here to learn more.

2023/2024 School Program Details

Please choose from one of the grades below to learn more about the School Programs offered for that level.

School Program Rates

$4.75 per student
(Applies to advance school group or day care bookings with 10 or more children)

Please Note:

  • The Children’s Museum requires a minimum booking of 10 children to qualify for the group rate listed above.
  • Only School Programs booked in advance qualify for discounted group rates.
  • For Preschool and Kindergarten groups, the museum requires one adult supervisor for every five children in the group.
  • For Grades 1-5, the museum requires one adult supervisor for every seven children in the group.
  • All supervising adults are admitted free of charge.
  • Failure to provide the required adult supervision on arrival may result in non-admission.
  • Payment must be made upon arrival at the Children’s Museum.
  • Prices and programs are subject to change without notice.
  • If you cancel your School Program within one week (7 days) of your booked visit date, you will be charged for the full cost of your School Program based on the numbers projected at the time of your booking.

Special Offers & School Events

Learn more about these special offers and school events which are only available for a limited amount of time:

  • Field Trips at The Forks
    (Sample program pairings and itineraries for 2023/2024 field trips at the Children’s Museum and Manitoba Theatre for Young People)
  • I Love To Read Month
    (Select literacy-themed school programs held from February 1 – 29, 2024 are eligible for special discounted rates)
  • 100th Day Of School
    (Classes visiting the museum between February 12 – 16, 2024 can book this program for a special discounted rate)
  • Earth Day
    (Select environmental-themed school programs held on April 22, 2024 are eligible for special discounted rates)
  • Indigenous Peoples Day
    (Teepees, The Land & Us school programs held on June 21, 2024 are eligible for special discounted rates)

How To Book A School Program

We offer three convenient ways to book:

  • Online: Complete and submit the School Program Booking Request Form found here
  • By Email: Contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at schools@childrensmuseum.com
  • By Phone: Call our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005

Additional Information

Recommended Visit Time

  • The recommended visit time is 120 minutes. This includes time for school programs and exploration time in the museum’s galleries.

Program Availability

  • All programs are based on availability and booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Preschool and Kindergarten programs are available Monday to Friday from September to June.
  • Grades 1 to 5 are available Tuesday to Friday from September to April and Monday to Friday during the months of May and June.
  • School programs are also available in July & August. Please call 204.924.4005 to inquire.
  • Free2Play Access Program bookings are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005.

Adult to Student Ratio Requirement
Please bring the appropriate number of adult supervisors for your visit.

  • Preschool and Kindergarten • 1 adult for every 5 children
  • Grades 1 through 5 • 1 adult for every 7 children

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds

  • Refunds are not available for parts of programs missed due to late arrivals.
  • Payment should be made at the Admissions Desk before your program begins or will be invoiced if requested at time of booking.
  • Cheques should be made payable to the Children’s Museum.
  • Seven (7) days notice by phone at 204.924.4005 or by fax at 204.956.2122 is required for the cancellation of any Children’s Museum school program or exploration.
  • Please be advised that any cancellations made within seven (7) days of your program will be charged full price according to information provided at time of booking.

Lunch Policies

  • The Lunch Box (eating area) cannot be reserved and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis only.
  • As a courtesy to visitors with life-threatening allergies, please do not bring products containing nuts into the museum.

School Bus Information

  • School buses may load/unload groups in the designated Loading Zone area in front of the Children’s Museum.
  • All buses that require parking must register at least one day in advance of your visit by contacting 311 via phone or fax, or by emailing 311@winnipeg.ca.

Free Guided Tours For Educators
Never been to the Children’s Museum before? Educators are welcome to book an appointment for a free guided tour of our galleries before booking a school visit. Contact our Director of Education & Exhibits at 204.924.4003 to book your guided tour today.

Under Construction Graphic Under Construction
Programs with this symbol are being evaluated and improved. These programs are still available for bookings, but please help us to make these programs even better by providing feedback to Jessie Sopher, Education Coordinator, at jsopher@childrensmuseum.com.

Preschool Programs

GenAction: Climate Heroes
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn how to sort waste, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

Snakes, Birds & Bears
What’s that? Students will gain knowledge of various animals using props and creative dramatics, and get to make their own birdfeeders to take home.
Allergy Alert: This program uses oats and popcorn.

Colourful Colours
Expand your study of colours as we explore the effect of colours through stories, colour experiments, and marble paintings to take home!

Creation Station
Is it garbage? Can we recycle it? Let’s find out in this hands-on program that has students sorting, recycling, and creating!
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Bacteria Busters
What’s on your hands? Let’s find out together! Students will learn about the sneaky germs that hide on their hands. No need to worry though — soap and water save the day as students learn proper hand washing techniques by using Glo Germ. After, they will make their own paper microbe to take home!

Emotions In Motion
What are our emotions and how do we show them? Students will explore feelings and emotions through creative movement, art, and drama.

Friends, Food & Fun
You’re never too young to have picnic fun! Students will recognize a variety of foods that can help them grow up big and strong, and fill their own picnic basket to take home!

People In My Community
Students will discover more about the people all around them who are responsible for helping and caring at home, school, and in our community. What people do at work will come alive with creative dramatics and stories! Show what you want to be when you grow up by designing your own community helper headband.

Be The Builder
Can you see in 3D? Can you create in 3D? Students will build, sort, and compare in all three dimensions using our Tumble Zone blocks!

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.

Kindergarten Programs

GenAction: Climate Heroes
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn how to sort waste, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

Paper, Trees & Me
(Our most popular program!)
Trees are our best friends as we explore the paper making process from start to finish. This program includes creative dramatics, a story, and hands-on fun as we explore trees, paper, and the role of recycling. Students will create their own environmentally-friendly piece of paper!
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Colourful Colours
Expand your class study of colour as we explore the science, art, and emotive effect of colours through stories, colour experiments, and marble paintings to take home!
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes

Snakes, Birds & Bears
What’s that? Students will gain knowledge of various animals using props and creative dramatics, as well as make their own birdfeeders to take home.
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes
Allergy Alert: This program uses oats and popcorn.

Friends, Food & Fun
Great things can come in small packages! Students will create their own miniature picnic basket, filled with different foods that can help make everyone feel good!
Supports Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

Be The Builder
Can you see in 3D? Can you create in 3D? Students will build, sort, and compare in all three dimensions using our Tumble Zone blocks!
Supports Mathematics learning outcomes

Emotions In Motion
What are our emotions and how do we show them? Students will explore feelings and emotions through creative movement, art, and drama.
Supports Social Studies and Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

Bacteria Busters
What’s on your hands? Let’s find out together! Students will learn about the sneaky germs that hide on their hands. No need to worry though — soap and water save the day as students learn proper hand washing techniques by using Glo Germ. After, they will make their own paper microbe to take home!
Supports Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

People in My Community
Students will discover more about the people all around them who are responsible for helping and caring at home, school, and in our community. What people do at work will come alive with creative dramatics and stories! Show what you want to be when you grow up by designing your own community helper headband.
Supports English Language Arts and Social Studies learning outcomes

Swirling Stories
Show us you love to read! We’ll practice dramatic storytelling techniques as we read a book together. Students will shake things up as we make our own story shakers – retelling our favourite tales or creating brand new ones!
Supports English Language Arts and Arts Education (Drama) learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Social Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes

Grade 1 Programs

GenAction: Climate Heroes
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn how to sort waste, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

Living Off The Land
Survival is the word of the day as we explore how animals depend on their environment to meet their basic needs. Wonder where animals live? Surprised by what animals eat? Find out the answers to these questions and more through this interactive program that will have you constructing animal shelters and dissecting owl pellets.
Supports Science learning outcomes

Water, Water, Everywhere
We need your help! Students will clean up their water as they identify different kinds of pollution and its impacts. Conserving and preserving this natural resource gets special attention as we write your classroom water contract!
Supports Science and Social Studies learning outcomes

Friends, Food & Fun!
Picnic fun for everyone! Students will identify foods that can help keep them on the move and growing strong! Later, they’ll plan their own picnic – complete with foods and activities to share with their friends!
Supports Physical/Health Education Learning Outcomes

All About Me
You’re so special and it’s time to share why! What communities do you belong to? Make your own tale come to life as you use collaborative art to demonstrate your unique traits and classroom community.  
Supports English Language Arts and Social Studies learning outcomes

Material Mayhem
The race is on! Materials must be sorted so that they can be recycled. The fun doesn’t stop here because now it’s time to create! The materials must become new objects – what can you think of?
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Math Mission Under Construction Graphic
Students will become super sleuths by helping us explore and compare objects. Practice covering a surface as you create your own mosaic. Careful, it can get tricky!
Supports Mathematics learning outcomes

Pattern Play
Optical illusions trick the eyes, but these perceptual phenomena become the focus for students as they explore repeating patterns and create their own through art and movement!
Supports Mathematics and Arts Education learning outcomes

Hide-Away Tales
Stories are everywhere! Pull the tab! Lift the flap! What terrific tales are hidden away? Explore the different ways of telling stories as you create a book that is a unique work of art.
Supports English Language Arts and Visual Arts learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Social Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes

Grade 2 Programs

GenAction: Climate Heroes
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn how to sort waste, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

What’s For Dinner?
My, what big teeth you have! Be an animal detective as you explore growth and changes in animals. Investigate owl pellets to discover an owl’s eating habits.
Supports Science learning outcomes

Pattern Play
Optical illusions trick the eyes, but these perceptual phenomena become the focus for students as they explore repeating patterns and create their own through art and movement!
Supports Mathematics and Arts Education learning outcomes

H2-Oh!
We’ll make it rain, and then we’ll need your help! Students will clean up their water as they identify different kinds of pollution and its impacts. With emphasis on the water cycle, conserving and preserving this natural resource gets special treatment as we write your classroom water contract!
Supports Science learning outcomes

Materials In Motion
Dream it, plan it, design it, and build it… with building materials that are all recycled goods. We’ll put these creations on wheels to see what happens next! Race your car creations down our giant inclined plane as you explore position and motion!
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Feast Your Eyes
Is your tummy rumbling? Feast your eyes on the fabulous food before you! Students will cook up a recipe for fun as they discover the different nutrients hidden in food, and identify activities to keep their friends and family moving!
Supports Physical/Health Education Learning Outcomes

Our Community
Students will discover more about their community in this energetic, outdoor walking tour of The Forks. Travel through time as we discover stories from our community’s past and present.
Supports English Language Arts and Social Studies learning outcomes
Note: This is an outdoor program, please dress appropriately

Made-To-Measure
Non-standard units of measurement are fun — especially when we use items that come right from our museum galleries. The fun never stops as students use non-standard units of measurement to create their own rulers to take home!
Supports Mathematics learning outcomes

Hide-Away Tales
Stories are everywhere! Pull the tab! Lift the flap! What terrific tales are hidden away? Explore the different ways of telling stories as you create a book that is a unique work of art.
Supports English Language Arts and Visual Arts learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Social Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes

Grade 3 Programs

GenAction: Climate Champions
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn about greenhouse gases, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

What’s On The Menu?
Learn what animals eat and how some animals rely on plants for nutrition. Investigate real cattle feed and grow your own take-home plants by creating a germinator!
Supports Science learning outcomes

Polygon Patterns
Optical illusions trick the eyes, but these perceptual phenomena become the focus for students as they explore repeating patterns and create their own optical illusions using polygons.
Supports Mathematics and Arts Education learning outcomes

One Great Meal
What goes into a meal? Students will identify how different foods support our bodies as they decide which ones make the cut! Later, they’ll show the power of a great meal as they create their own personal shish kebab!
Supports Physical/Health Education Learning Outcomes

Groundwater Guardians
What happens when groundwater gets polluted? Students will clean up their own waterway as they identify different kinds of pollution and its impacts. With emphasis on soils and the environment, conserving and preserving these natural resources get special treatment as we write your classroom water contract!
Supports Science learning outcomes

Around The World
Students will discover more about people in communities around the world by creating their own community scene. It’s up to your students whether this is a community from the past or present!
Supports English Language Arts and Social Studies learning outcomes

Salvaged Structures
Dream it, plan it, design it, and build it… with building materials that are recycled goods. What will you do to make your structure stable? We’ll put these structures to the test and see what happens!
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

This New House
Expand your students’ knowledge of communities around the world and the different kinds of homes people live in. Students will be required to work in teams to build a kid-sized home using three-dimensional, prefabricated building materials.
Supports Social Studies and Science learning outcomes
Note: Teacher/Supervisor assistance required

Know Your Rights
Did you know that cyber bullying is a form of bullying? Students support respect and fairness in this interactive program geared toward stopping bullying. Students take personal action to promote respect!
Supports Social Studies and Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Social Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes

Published Plotters
The plot thickens! Develop your storytelling skills as you create a collaborative story as a class, then map out and publish your own original story. The Children’s Museum is the perfect setting for characters like yours!
Supports English Language Arts learning outcomes

Grade 4 Programs

GenAction: Climate Champions
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn about greenhouse gases, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

Tracks & Scats
Learn where animals live and how animal survival is related to their habitat. Be an animal detective as you investigate scats and cast your own animal track.
Supports Science learning outcomes

Light & Sight
Finally understand why optical illusions trick the eyes! Explore the role of patterns, light, and sight to understand what our brains see…or think they see.
Supports Science and Mathematics learning outcomes

Do The Green Thing
Composting is a great way to practice and learn about environmental stewardship and sustainability. We’ll show you all you need to know and then the rest is up to you!
Supports Science and Social Studies learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Muddy Waters
What’s with all the dirt? Students will design and clean up their own waterway as they identify causes of erosion and its effects. What can we do to prevent the erosion of soils in lakes and rivers?
Supports Science learning outcomes

Together, We Feast!
What a fabulous feast we see! How do we decide what we put into our bodies? Students will discover how the food we eat helps keep our bodies going as they create their own shish kebabs to record their food choices!
Supports Physical/Health Education Learning Outcomes

Canadian Stories
Students will discover more about the people and places in their cultural community through an energetic, outdoor walking tour of The Forks. Travel through time as we see the ways in which life in Manitoba has changed.
Supports English Language Arts and Social Studies learning outcomes
Note: This is an outdoor program, please dress appropriately

Prism Power
Prism production is in high gear in this hands-on program. Students will construct triangular and rectangular prisms after they have searched through the museum for real life examples of prisms in action!
Supports Mathematics learning outcomes

Decide On Respect
Did you know that cyber bullying is a form of bullying? Students support respect and fairness in this interactive program geared toward stopping bullying. Students take personal action to promote respect!
Supports Social Studies and Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Social Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes

Published Plotters
The plot thickens! Develop your storytelling skills as you create a collaborative story as a class, then map out and publish your own original story. The Children’s Museum is the perfect setting for characters like yours!
Supports English Language Arts learning outcomes

Grade 5 Programs

GenAction: Climate Champions
Our climate is changing quickly and it’s time to take action. In this station-based program, students will get hands-on by testing our giant wind turbines and speedy electric cars, learn about greenhouse gases, and explore the climate actions they can take at home to help fight climate change.
Supports Science learning outcomes
This program is supported by The Government of Canada, TELUS, and Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation

Outdoor Stories
This guided outdoor walking tour will identify historical buildings, waterways, and sites at The Forks connected to the fur trade and early settlement. Dress for the weather as we highlight the past and the present with your students.
Supports Social Studies and English Language Arts learning outcomes
Note: This is an outdoor program, please dress appropriately

Quadrilateral Quandaries
Optical illusions trick the eyes, but these perceptual phenomena become the focus for students as they explore patterns with quadrilaterals and create their own illusion!
Supports Mathematics and Arts Education learning outcomes

Changing Matter
Describe water and other substances as we conduct our own wacky experiments! Is the change in substance reversible or irreversible? Chemical or physical? Students will explore properties and changes in substances as they become scientists for the day!
Supports Science learning outcomes

Simple Machines
Learn about simple machines as you use them to make your own inventions! The best part is that all inventions will be made with recycled goods.
Supports Science and Arts Education learning outcomes
This program is supported by Green For Life (GFL) Environmental Inc.

Ready, Set, Go!
Students will race to uncover the mystery behind nutrition labels as they work together to build a strong foundation for healthy living. Later, they’ll use what they’ve learned to create their own personal shish kebab to take home!
Supports Science learning outcomes

Real Life Math
Students will need to visualize, draw, and build a real life math problem that relates to the museum. Are you up for the challenge? Explore area and perimeter and then design your own Children’s Museum!
Supports Mathematics learning outcomes

Choose Respect
What is respect and how do you show it? How does respect or disrespect affect our relationships? Students will brainstorm what respect means as they create a collaborative art display.
Supports Social Studies and Physical/Health Education learning outcomes

Published Plotters
The plot thickens! Develop your storytelling skills as you create a collaborative story as a class, then map out and publish your own original story. The Children’s Museum is the perfect setting for characters like yours!
Supports English Language Arts learning outcomes

Teepees, The Land & Us
Students will come together to help build our own life-sized, authentic teepee! Once the hard work is done, join us inside as we explore the importance of the teepee, storytelling, and our connection to the land.
Supports Soci/al Studies and Arts Education learning outcomes