Multigenerational Family Fun – Judy Garland and Children’s Discovery Museums

One Nonprofit. Two Missions. One Magical Campus

How old were you when you first watched “The Wizard of Oz?”

Many people were little munchkins when they met the memorable characters in the 1939 movie starring Minnesota native, Judy Garland. That’s been the case for generations.

Whether you’re 6 years old now or you were 6 years old decades ago, there’s a good chance the story of Dorothy making her way to see the wizard was a memorable part of your childhood.

So, it’s no wonder that the Judy Garland Museum® in Grand Rapids, Minn. is a treasured destination for people of all ages. “The Wizard of Oz” is a children’s story, and kids love to see artifacts from the film on exhibit. Yet, it’s also a tale that holds a special place in the hearts and minds of older visitors, who enjoy reminiscing about their own childhood through the lens of the movie and its leading lady.

In fact, many adult visitors relish the chance to visit the Judy Garland Museum® along with their children or grandchildren to see them get excited about some of the same items from the film that captured their own imagination once upon a time. The museum truly is a magical place for everyone.

Be Your Own Tourist!

Multigenerational Fun at the Judy Garland Museum®

Here’s a look at three reasons why the Judy Garland Museum® is fun for all ages:

Adults Reminisce

There are interesting things that both kids and adults can learn together at the Judy Garland Museum®. Did you know Garland’s father owned a local vaudeville theater in Grand Rapids and that she and her older sisters all performed there? Or that Garland’s birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm? Visitors of all ages can tour Judy’s childhood home and find out who stole the ruby slippers that used to be on display, too.

Kids Learn

While the Judy Garland Museum® showcases artifacts and memorabilia that kids will recognize from the movie, it also highlights aspects of the entertainer’s adult life that grownups will find interesting. Just as kids get a kick out of seeing the Emerald City carriage from the movie and a spear used by a Winkie Guard, adults enjoy seeing things from Garland’s other movies as well as photo albums and clothing from her personal collection. It’s really two different museum experiences in one.

Fun For All!

Inside the same building as the Judy Garland Museum® is the Children’s Discovery Museum, a hands-on attraction managed by the same nonprofit organization. Together, the Judy Garland Museum® and Children’s Discovery Museum offer nearly 20,000 square-feet of space where kids can indulge their childhood and adults can re-live that special time in their lives.

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Judy Garland Museum Event Page

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Judy Garland's Life

When completed, the mini golf course will add another activity for visitors of all ages to enjoy while spending a day at the Judy Garland Museum® and Children’s Discovery Museum

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While You’re Visiting the Judy Garland Museum® in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Be sure to pitch in toward construction of a yellow brick road and a Wizard of Oz-themed miniature golf course at the museums by buying a $20 raffle ticket, available throughout summer 2026. A winner will be drawn Saturday, Aug. 29, during an end-of-summer party at the museum with tractor rides, lawn games, food, drinks and more. The grand prize is an Arctic Cat side-by-side and a free museum membership.

Full Schedule of Events

Things To Do at the Children’s Discovery Museum

Maybe you remember watching “The Wizard of Oz” on TV as a family back in the middle of the 20th century. Maybe you’ve read the original L. Frank Baum book or seen a stage production of the story. Whatever your connection to “The Wizard of Oz” and whatever your age, you’ll love your visit to the Judy Garland Museum® and Children’s Discovery Museum.

The Children’s Discovery Museum has lots of interactive things to do. Kids love to explore exhibits including an Oz-themed town, Glinda’s Playhouse, Scarecrow’s Workshop and many others. A Lake Life exhibit features a kid-sized boat, fishing pier, pretend campsite and other stations that pay tribute to the 1,000-plus lakes in Minnesota’s Itasca County where the museum is located.

Many visitors come with multiple generations of their family and spend time in each museum so they all can experience the wonder and magic of each destination at the same time.

Children's Discovery Museum