Twin Cities Family Fun

Oh, to be a kid again!  Who wouldn't choose to spend their childhood growing up in Minneapolis-Saint Paul with all the fun things to do...?  Twin Cities has an abundance of family-oriented and kid-centered attractions, parks, water fun, and more.

While certainly not an exhaustive list of all the fun things to do in the Twin Cities, here are some highlights especially geared to kids:

  • Minnesota Children's Museum, St Paul - Special event exhibits geared to children.  Interactive play and exhibits.  Animal habitats, group activities, overnight campouts, and more.  Rooftop playground.
  • Minnesota State Fair, St Paul - Fun for kids and adults.  Held at the end of each summer. Enjoy all the typical fair events and all kinds of food on a stick.  Concerts, animals, shows, exhibits, rides, and more.  The fairgrounds are all used at other times of the year for special events and expos.
  • French Regional Park, Plymouth - A popular park for families with kids.  It has a swimming beach on Medicine Lake.  The fabulous creative play area features a cargo net climbing structure and a separate area for pre-schoolers to play.
  • Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove - Features swimming pond with beach area.  Huge creative play area complete with climbing, sliding, and swinging equipment for a wide range of age groups.
  • Hyland Park Reserve, Bloomington - This fun and colorful playground includes tube slides, flat slides, and spiral slides ranging from 10 to 50 feet long.  Also has platform and hexagonal climbers for hours of enjoyment. A smaller play area with sliding, swinging, and climbing equipment for smaller children or those with handicaps is located in the same area.
  • Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Minnetrista - The 20,000 square-foot multi-level play area bearing a nautical theme includes a cargo hold, climbing nets and structures, numerous slides, and two 20-foot slide rides. It is accessible for children of all ages and abilities.
  • Edinborough Park, Edina - An indoor park with one acre of fun - includes Adventure Peak, the 37 foot high Northwoods adventure that is one of the largest indoor play structures in the country; this padded, netted, and enclosed play center contains over 40 events to keep kids challenged.  Kids can get active in the Great Hall, a 60-by-90 foot multipurpose space for kids to play with balls and have fun with other gym activities. Adventure Peak also features great areas for toddlers to explore through climbing, crawling, sliding, and even bouncing in an inflatable air bounce geared just for them.
  • Adventure Park, Ham Lake - An indoor play center with a jungle theme.  Have fun with tubes and slides, a rope bridge, a two-story grass-hut treehouse, and a bamboo snack hut.  For kids from 1 to 12 years.
  • Cascade Bay, Eagan - A huge waterpark adventure located just 10 miles south of the popular Mall of America.  Features a Shipwreck-themed interactive kid play area, several water slides, and a lazy river.  Also enjoy a round of miniature golf or relax by the large swimming pool that features a beach-style entry.
  • Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington - This is it!  The largest indoor family amusement park in the nation! Located inside the Mall of America, kids and adults alike can enjoy a whirlwind ride on the latest roller coaster, the speeding and spiraling Rock Bottom Plunge. The park is home to seven acres of fun with more than 30 remarkable rides and attractions.
  • The LEGO Store, Mall of America in Bloomington - This is an amazing store sure to please every LEGO fan.  The store is four stories tall and is full of items to play with, admire, and purchase. See more than 90 full-size LEGO models, including dinosaurs, astronauts, and the world's largest animated and interactive LEGO clock tower.  You can even book your child's next birthday party at the LEGO store.
  • Toddler Tuesdays, Mall of America in Bloomington - Toddler Tuesdays is a great program for toddlers and a great break for Mom.  Each Tuesday has a different event such as special character appearances, arts and crafts, story time, and much more! Events are every Tuesday from 10am-12pm and are free to the public.
  • The Depot, Minneapolis - In the wintertime, you can enjoy The Depot Ice Rink, which is a historic train shed that now houses a modern-day, indoor rink with floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline.  Enjoy year-round fun at The Depot's indoor/outdoor Waterpark featuring a three-story waterslide, oversized whirlpool area, and splash fountain. The Depot also hosts special events and birthday parties.
  • The Children's Theater Company, Minneapolis - Enjoy productions drawn from classic children's tales and celebrated work from around the world.  The theater's mission is to advance theatre as a means of educating, challenging, and inspiring young people.
  • Stages Theater Company, Hopkins - The theater is dedicated to the education of children.  They not only focus on teaching children about the performing arts but also about how the magic of theatre is actually accomplished.  Children can attend workshops or audition for a play.  Most productions are suitable for all ages.
  • Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis - While primarily a venue for adults, the Minnesota Orchestra also offers activities for children such as the Young People's Concerts, which offers age-appropriate programs to introduce children to symphonic music.  There are also performances and programs specifically geared toward families and children.