BAXTER — Nine acres of fenced in freedom will let children get their creative juices flowing and play to their hearts’ content.

WonderTrek is busy at work on its children’s museum, which is a two-phase project planned for property adjacent to Highway 371 in Baxter, just south of County Road 48.

The first phase is a 5-acre outdoor adventure studio, geared toward kids ages 12 and under, set to break ground this summer. More than 3,000 feet of trails will wind throughout the property around a pond and stream available for kayaking, and a large play complex that will be accessible for children of all abilities.

“One of WonderTrek’s sayings is ‘bringing back everyday play,’” said Sheila Boldt, communications director at WonderTrek Children’s Museum. “Because with play comes learning, critical thinking, social interaction. … Kids need that open play and experimenting to bring their creativity out.”

The exhibits planned for both indoor and outdoor are all about open-ended play and allowing kids to use their creativity and manipulate the resources there.

Tree removal on the property will begin in March, though Boldt said nature lovers shouldn’t worry, as there are plans to save specific trees and native pollinators and plant new growth to ensure an authentic northwoods feel.

The hope is for the outdoor play studio to open in January.

“We’re fine opening in the winter because we do all-year programming,” Boldt said. “That’s a big piece is getting children and families out all year.”

WonderTrek applies for grants that fund outdoor gear for kids who come to events but don’t have the proper gear in an effort to encourage more recreation, no matter a family’s financial status.

Right now, WonderTrek has its play lab at the Franklin Arts Center, open to kids 5 and younger once a month, and a mobile play lab that makes appearances at various community events.

An event at the Northland Arboretum on March 1 debuted a model of the outdoor adventure studio, available for kids to play on and as a kick off for the naming contest to name the outdoor equipment at the children’s museum site.

Name suggestions can be submitted online at bit.ly/WonderTrekName or in person at WonderTrek events.

Museum and donations

The second project phase is a 40,000-square-foot children’s museum. The timeline is uncertain, as is the total cost, with changing ideas of exhibits that will go inside.

Donations to the project can be made online at wondertrekmuseum.org, and beginning later this spring, donors will be able to make donations to specific pieces of equipment at the site.

The project promises to be an economic draw to the area and help promote mental well-being in both children and adults.

“For children, unstructured play is so important because they’re being stressed out. The routines right now for children aren’t allowing for that,” Boldt said. “... And it’s not just the kids. When the children show up, the parents are outside too.”

WonderTrek has fundraising events planned this spring and summer at Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter and the Babinski Foundation, Pequot Lakes.

“For children, unstructured play is so important because they’re being stressed out.”

Sheila Boldt, communications director at WonderTrek Children’s Museum