Things to Do with Kids in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Cross-Country Skiing

The Loppet Foundation at Theodore Wirth in Minneapolis offers group lessons for both classic and skate skiing. The park offers 14 miles of groomed ski trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers using natural and manufactured snow.

In Maple Grove, the massive, 4,900-acre Elm Creek Park Reserve offers 11-mile cross-country loops. Like Theo, Elm Creek offers equipment rentals, lessons and concessions. They have also made themselves virtually weather-proof by making snow.

You can also find special events like Winter Trails Day at state parks like Fort Snelling, and Free Play Snow Day at Three Rivers Park District parks like Carver Park Reserve in Waconia.

Find more places to go cross-country skiing in Minnesota.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding

Minnesota’s slopes offer affordable, award-winning adventure close to home for Midwestern skiers and snowboarders.

Buck Hill in Burnsville is where future World Cup winner Lindsey Vonn first hit the slopes. It features the longest magic carpet in the country and six green runs and offers ski team programming and lessons for adults and children. It also has six intermediate and two expert runs, so it’s not uncommon to find three generations hitting the slopes together.

Hyland Hills has a reputation for its snowmaking, grooming and tricked-out terrain. But that’s not all; the 1,000-acre park includes room for cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and a Nordic ski jump complex.

For over 50 years, Afton Alps has delighted the Twin Cities' families as one of the Midwest's premier winter destinations. Nestled in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, this sprawling resort has nearly 300 skiable acres, 50 trails, 18 lifts and four terrain parks — enough terrain to challenge experts and beginners, day and night.

Find more places to hit the slopes in Minnesota.

Ice Skating

Central Park Ice Skating Loop in Maple Grove is one of the country’s only refrigerated ice-skating trails, clocking in at 810 feet long and 20 feet wide. The nearby ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center) is an open-air covered ice center in St. Louis Park.

Skate North America’s largest outdoor refrigerated rink in Roseville or glide around the 10 acres of ponds and frozen canals in Edina’s Centennial Lakes Park. If frozen lakes are more your style, head to the nearby towns of Edina and Buffalo, or Lake of the Isles, Nokomis and Powderhorn in Minneapolis.

Find more places to go ice skating in Minnesota.

Indoor Playgrounds

Minneapolis, St. Paul and all their surrounding suburbs have plenty of indoor playgrounds. The most popular spots include Edinborough Park in Edina, Good Times in Eagan and Woodbury, Eagle’s Nest in New Brighton, and the K.U.B.E. in Plymouth.

Find more indoor playgrounds in the Twin Cities.

Indoor Water Parks

Bloomington’s Great Wolf Lodge is a 75,000 square-foot indoor water park complete with five thrilling water slides. It also offers a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulator, lazy river, four-story water fort treehouse, and interactive water slide.

Transport your family to their own mini-Italian city at the Venetian Waterpark within the Maple Grove location of Holiday Inn & Suites. It features two four-story water slides, a wading pool with splash zones, mini slides and water sprayers, and an activity area with water basketball. Kids will also love the large arcade filled with video games.

The river town-themed Wild Woods Water Park at Wyndham Garden Minneapolis Northwest is 30,000 square feet with four-story water slides, two tube slides, a body slide, a lazy river and a zero-depth entry pool with toys and activities for smaller children.

Find more indoor water parks across Minnesota.

Laser Tag

Get your adrenaline pumping at one of the Twin Cities’ laser tag parks. Some popular spots are Grand Slam Family Fun Center in Coon Rapids, The Fun Lab in Blaine, Zero Gravity Adventure Park in Mounds View, Grand Slam Sports in Burnsville, Urban Air Adventure Park in Coon Rapids and Plymouth, and WhirlyBall in Bloomington or Maple Grove.

Mini Golf

Minnesotans love to golf no matter what time of year it is. Find miniature golf for your entire crew at The Burrow in Victoria, Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul, Puttshack in Edina, The Puttery in Minneapolis, Grand Slam Sports in Burnsville, Grand Slam Family Fun Center in Coon Rapids, and Moose Mountain Adventure Golf or Rock of Ages Black Light Mini Golf at Mall of America.

Trampoline Parks

Grab your socks and get your jump on at one of the Twin Cities many indoor trampoline parks. Find family fun at Zero Gravity Adventure Park in Mounds View, Big Air in Burnsville, Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park in Coon Rapids, or Sky Zone in Maple Grove, Blaine, Minneapolis, Oakdale, and Eagan.

WhirlyBall

What do you get when you mix basketball, hockey, lacrosse and bumper cars? WhirlyBall! This fun sport is a great group activity for all ages but has a height requirement of 54 inches. In addition to WhirlyBall, find party rooms, laser tag, a restaurant, escape games, and bowling at locations in Maple Grove and Woodbury.

Children's Theatre Company
Minneapolis

The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). As one of the 20 largest theatre companies in the nation, it's known for producing such major shows as "Frozen," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and "The Wizard of Oz."

Como Zoo and Conservatory
St. Paul

Sparky the sea lion, polar bears, gorillas, and more join an impressive flower conservatory, well-manicured garden, children's amusement park, and historic carousel at this St. Paul staple. Open daily. Admission to the zoo and conservatory are free; donations are accepted.

Mall of America
Bloomington

The Mall of America offers more than 520 stores, an indoor amusement park (Nickelodeon Universe), the state's largest aquarium (SEA LIFE), a movie theater, arcades, Moose Mountain mini golf, and lots of other top-notch attractions. Other highlights include the Escape Game, Great Big Game Show, Crayola Experience, The Fair on 4, and ClimbZone.

Find places to eat and more things to do at Mall of America.

Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley

The state's largest zoo features over 500 species and nearly 5,000 animals across its 485-acre campus. Visitors can explore indoor and outdoor habitats throughout the year.

Stroll the singular Treetop Trail, a 1.25-mile elevated path offering views up to 32 feet high. Dubbed "the world's longest elevated pedestrian loop," it is situated on the former monorail system and provides new perspectives on tigers, moose, bison, and camels, along with birdwatching and foliage viewing opportunities.

Watch for special events and seasonal exhibits like the Llama Trek, Farm Babies, and Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular for Halloween.

Find more things to do at the Minnesota Zoo.

Slick City Action Park
Maple Grove

Find 14 massive slides, basketball and dodgeball courts, a five-level play area, a trapeze, and a zipline at Slick City Action Park, a dream for kids. With year-round entertainment, burn off some energy at this new spot. A popular St. Louis-based chain, they plan to open two more Twin Cities area locations in the future.

Snake Discovery
Maplewood

With more than 3.3 million subscribers on YouTube, Emily Roberts brought her passion for cold-blooded creatures to a brick-and-mortar building about 10 minutes away from downtown St. Paul. Snake Discovery's many fans can find out what it's like having a pet alligator — a rescue named Rex — in person, as well as educate themselves about everything from legless lizards to venomous Gila monsters.

Stages Theatre Company
Hopkins

Your little ones will love seeing their favorite stories come to life at the Stages Theatre Company in the vast and newly renovated Hopkins Center for the Arts. The shows are designed for families and offer rush tickets and other reasons to visit Hopkins' charming downtown. See shows like "Charlotte's Web," "Shrek the Musical" and "Giraffes Can't Dance."

Valleyfair
Shakopee

The Upper Midwest's largest amusement park, Valleyfair in Shakopee, is home to more than 75 rides and attractions, including eight big coasters, Planet Snoopy for younger kids, and Soak City Waterpark. Join seasonal events like ValleyScare, Latin Days, and Corn Fest.

Find more things to do at Valleyfair.

The Bakken Museum
Minneapolis

Located on the west shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, The Bakken Museum inspires children to learn and make the world a better place through science, technology, and the humanities. The museum features interactive exhibits for all ages and offers spaces to make movies, test out some of Ben Franklin's favorite experiments, and more.

Bell Museum
St. Paul

The Bell Museum takes visitors on a journey through the area's natural history. It features intricate wildlife dioramas (designed and painted by influential artist Francis Lee Jaques) and a life-sized woolly mammoth. The museum also features the country's first seamless dome planetarium. It is closed on Mondays.

Mill City Museum
Minneapolis

Ride up and down eight levels on a giant elevator at the Mill City Museum, which takes guests back in time to experience the sights and sounds of 19th-century factory workers and flour milling machines. Afterwards, visit the Water Lab to understand how the St. Anthony Falls powered the logging and lumber industry to make Minneapolis the world's flour milling capital. Don't forget to take your photo next to a huge Bisquick box.

Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (a.k.a. Mia) hosts several family-focused events. Family Day is held on the second Sunday of every month and features such free programming as hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demonstrations, gallery hunts, and self-guided tours. For extra fun, use one of the scavenger hunts Mia provides online; they can be easily adapted to fit your kids' ages and capabilities.

Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting at Mini Mia. This free program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers takes place on the first Wednesday of every month and includes a special gallery tour, movement class, and story time.

If you want a chance to experiment, Art Play! focuses on a different medium each month. Start by finding works in that style within Mia's collections. Then, create your own piece of artwork in one of their studios. This is a carefree, no-judgment, no-rules space — playful and full of hands-on fun.

The Family Center is always available and a great place for kiddos to blow off steam. It also offers a private bathroom and a nursing area. Top the day with lunch at Agra Culture Cafe and a quick game of "I-Spy" in The Mia Store!

Minnesota Children's Museum
St. Paul

Often touted as one of the best of its kind in the country, the Minnesota Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul features 65,000 square feet of fun and welcomes more than 400,000 visitors a year. The museum is organized into different "worlds," which focus on topics including the environment, art, science, and exploration.

Minnesota History Center
St. Paul

This interactive museum features multiple permanent and changing exhibits in a stunning setting, complete with picture windows overlooking the State Capitol. The kids will love the popular "Then Now Wow" exhibit, where they can take apart a bison and explore a life-sized teepee and sod house. Open Tuesday-Sunday plus Monday holidays.

Science Museum of Minnesota
St. Paul

The Science Museum of Minnesota's vibrant, open space spans four floors of engaging exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to the human body, the Mississippi River, race, questionable medical devices, and Legos.

More of a moviegoer? Kids love the museum's giant, 90-foot Omnitheater.

Walker Art Center
Minneapolis

The Walker welcomes all families; kids 18 and under receive free admission, and they host special programming all year round. The Walker has also created downloadable BINGO, Seek & Find, and Scavenger Hunts, guaranteeing hours of fun for you and your children.

Technically, you wouldn't even need to step into the Walker to have your kids burn off some energy (although it's a lot of fun inside, too). With more than 60 sculptures from the Walker's collection in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, kids will love exploring the 11 acres of art. It also provides an infinite number of unique photo and selfie opportunities!

In addition, the first Saturday of each month provides free admission for families to explore the museum, make art, and watch kid-friendly short films. The second Sunday morning of the month invites kids and teens (and adults) with sensory processing differences to explore the museum in a calm environment.

The Works
Bloomington

Future scientists and engineers will find many ways to stimulate their brains at this interactive Twin Cities museum. In the Design Lab, families can make their own catapults, experiment with circuits, and learn about wind power. The Sensor Zone lets kids explore light, sound, and thermal energy.

Don't miss the K'Nex Ball Machine, a giant kinetic sculpture built by a University of Minnesota student. Standing 23 feet tall and incorporating more than 100,000 K'Nex pieces, the lobby structure runs all day transporting plastic balls around tracks, down ramps and chutes, and up elevators.

Find more family-friendly things to do in Minnesota.