Crayola Experience at MOA Review | Brunette on a Mission

UPDATE:

Keep reading for a special link to purchase tickets to the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America for a savings of $7.00 off General Admission!! Just in time for the Summer!

Escape to Crayola Experience at MOA in Minnesota

If you’ve followed the news this year, you would know that we have hit the Polar Vortex of all Polar Vortexes jackpot. After all, #polarvortex2019 was a trending hashtag for a reason. So as the cold weather covers the vast plains of our state, Minnesotans head indoors.

And while there are lots of ways to enjoy the Minnesota summers, the heat and humidity can really compete with Augusts in Florida. For this reason, Minnesota has lots of indoor entertainment options for the whole family.

The other weekend we gathered our spawns and headed to the great Mall of America for the Crayola Experience. Because crayons are everything when you’re a kid. Right?

In any case, here is our review of the Crayola Experience at MOA (Mall of America). Read on for insider tips and advice to get the best experience at this place.

How to get to the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America

It is really surprising to realize just how many things one could actually build around the whole concept of crayons. I mean, they are just crayons after all. But, trust me, you will be in for a very colorful adventure spanning over 60,000 square feet full of hands–on attractions for the littles.

The Crayola Experience planning gurus went all out designing this thing. First of all, it is rather spacious. Remember the 60,000 square feet mentioned above? There is one way to enter near the Rainforest Café on the 3^rd level (location at mall insert). And there is only one way to leave through the Crayola Experience store stocked to the brim with fun Crayola products on the other side. More about the store later.

Crayola Experience Review at Mall of America - Me sitting on the floor with kids against the Crayola colors wall backdrop (Ilan has his feet up playing and I am kissing him on top of his head)

Crayola Experience Review at Mall of America - Me sitting on the floor with kids against the Crayola colors wall backdrop and Ilan is eating an apple and laughing while I'm talking to him.

Crayola Experience at Mall of America - Me sitting on the floor with kids against the Crayola colors wall backdrop (Ilan is eating apple and Danik is trying to escape while mom is smiling)

The official recommendation is to park at the East Parking of the Mall on Level 4. Direct access parking is available at P4 Florida. We prefer to park at L.L.Bean on the South East side and go up to the 3rd floor from there.

What you will find inside the Crayola Experience

A large playground and a variety of slides and other contraptions for older kids.
Another play area for toddlers including smaller slides and a few other fun items to explore.
A station to design your own crayon label in exchange for one of the coins you get at the entrance.
There is a theater show called the Crayon Factory Show that dives into the history of crayons as well as the process for making crayons. The littles seem to love this show and it’s only about 15 minutes long.
You will also find an area where kids can go crazy painting a dog and a car and walls in. This is a favorite spot of mine to take good kid photos.
There are a couple of computer-enabled stations as well. Your child can color one of the coloring pages and have the Crayola creation come to life on the screen. There is a good variety of pictures to choose from for both boy and girls. Mine get a thrill out of race cars and trucks driving on a dirt track.
You can color cutouts of birds or butterflies that end up dancing on stage to music in a choreographed manner. This is my personal favorite.
A couple stations closer to the exit usually get a bit of a line, so I try to skip ahead and start there first. There you can mold a crayon of choice into one of several available shapes to take home. You can also create splatter rings by melting crayons of different colors.
If your kids are into playdoh, they can buy playdoh of different colors with the coins included in your ticket. You will find a number of tables set up with all sorts of tools to use with the playdoh so that their creativity can run wild. If you run out of coins, you can always buy more at a machine next to the playdoh vending machines.
The Crayola store at the exit is actually pretty great. I constantly leave buying some new coloring book or activity set for my kids. I find that it is reasonably priced and the store is stocked with a variety of items for all ages.
If you have a party you are planning, I recommend the party rooms at the Crayola Experience. These rooms are really good-sized and wonderfully set up in the middle and close to everything, including the cafeteria. I believe there are only three rooms, so make sure to reserve yours ahead of time.

Crayola Experience at Mall of America - Dad and Ilan at the playdoh station making shapes out of blue playdoh.

We’ve been to the Crayola Experience at least half a dozen times and I know there are still areas we haven’t explored that did not get a mention above. So allow yourself some time and don’t be afraid to leave some stations for another visit.

The Crayola Café

Speaking of the cafeteria, they have reasonably-priced options and a good variety. Your children will even get a lunch box and a cup to take home with them with every purchased meal. And there is plenty of seating available.

There is also a regular daily show at the Café Stage. Check times upon entry, but I believe it is closer to lunch. It’s fun to enjoy a show while grabbing a meal from the Café.

Even though we have used the Crayola Café for lunch every time, I always bring some snacks and water as well. My favorite thing to tote around lately on kid outings is my Swiss Gear backpack that constantly gets a ton of compliments. I am so happy I traded my diaper bag for it. It’s got so many pockets and goes pretty much with every one of my outfits. I have also used it successfully for work and travel to tote my work and personal laptops around. You can find a similar one here. The best part is that I can toss it in the wash and it comes out like brand new.

If you are looking for a perfect container for water or milk for your kids that will leave your bag dry and the drink cold, try these. We have purchased so many and so far these are hands down the best.

Tips to have the best time at the Crayola Experience

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SAVE $7.00 per ticket by using password “Mission” upon checkout!
Kids under 3 years of age get free admission.
Make sure to come early as it can get busy by about 11 am.
There are family and general bathrooms right across from the large playground.
Don’t forget socks for your children if you want them to enjoy either of the playgrounds.
We always pack some water and snacks. Any liquids for my children always go into these containers that keep drinks perfectly cold and my bag perfectly dry. And the kids love them, too.
I recommend skipping to the last couple of experiences near the exit first. These draw pretty large lines that don’t move too fast later in the mornings. By that time our kids are pretty tired and not in the mood for waiting.
Don’t forget to make a custom crayon using your coins and buy playdoh to take home. In our experience, you can only use the coins in these two places at the Crayola Experience.
Park at the southeast entrance near L.L. Bean if you don’t want to walk through the whole Mall. The entrance is on the 3rd level.
I recommend this experience for kids who can walk comfortably. The older kiddos will have more things they can actually do, but there are certainly areas for young toddlers to explore, as well. I don’t think it’s the best place for kids much younger than two years of age, however.
Look up the showtimes for the Crayon Factory Show and the Café Stage when you enter if you don’t want to miss those.
Eat lunch at the Crayola Experience Café or explore many great dining options for all budgets around the Mall.
Most importantly don’t forget to have FUN!!

Hope you enjoyed reading my Crayola Experience review and already feel like you know your way around. So when the cold snap hits or you’re just looking for something fun and educational to do with your children, give this colorful adventure a try.

Leave a comment to share your experience or any other tips you have I did not mention. And don’t forget to use MY SPECIAL LINK to save $7.00 per ticket. Use the password “Mission”. Thanks!