Minnesota's Best Kid-Friendly Things to Do
Minnesota is second to none when it comes to family fun. New kid-friendly attractions open every year, joining an impressive roster of museums, amusement parks, zoos and more that cater to kids by making history, science, nature and culture fun for the whole family.
So pack up the car, grab the kids and point your GPS toward Minnesota, where family fun awaits at every turn.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
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 natural history of the area, with lifelike wildlife dioramas and a to-scale woolly mammoth replica. The museum also features the country's first seamless dome planetarium.
Can Can Wonderland
St. Paul
Step right up to an experience unlike any other. At Can Can Wonderland, find art-designed indoor mini golf, vintage arcade games, live performances, funky food and drink, and more.
Cascade Bay Waterpark
Eagan
Cascade Bay is popular for all ages. Toddlers can explore the sprays, spouts and bubblers of Shipwreck Cove or the wonders of Sandpiper Beach. Bigger kids enjoy multiple water slides and a lazy river. The zero-depth pool and nine-hole miniature golf course are a family favorite.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Eagan
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory exhibits include gorillas, giraffes, polar bears, sea lions, tigers, and orangutans. The popular Tropical Encounters exhibit immerses you in the sights, sounds, and smells of a South American rainforest.
Pro tip: Plan your visit during the winter for a brief tropical escape. The stunning conservatory includes seasonal flower shows, tropical palms, orchids, ferns, and a world-renowned Japanese Garden.
Admission to the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free, and a voluntary donation is appreciated.
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 Crayola Experience, The Fair on 4, and ClimbZone.
Find places to eat and more things to do at Mall of America.
Mill City Museum
Minneapolis
You'll find the picturesque Mill City Museum in the district near the Mississippi River. A Minnesota Historical Society site, the museum tells the story of the city's flour-milling history in a fun and entertaining way. Don't miss a ride in the eight-story Flour Tower for an interactive look into the past.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Children's Theater Company
Minneapolis
You can find two attractions in one at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the TONY-award-winning Children's Theatre Company, which share a beautiful building just south of downtown. Mia hosts family days on the second Sunday of every month.
Minnesota Children's Museum
St. Paul
The Minnesota Children’s Museum features more than a dozen exhibits, including a toddler play area, an air-and-water rooftop gallery, and a four-story indoor playground called "The Scramble."
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 or enjoy the unique 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 bird-watching and foliage viewing opportunities.
Find more things to see at the Minnesota Zoo.
Science Museum of Minnesota
St. Paul
The Science Museum of Minnesota is located by the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul and features visiting exhibits, an Omnitheater, and a visitor center for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Permanent attractions include a dinosaur and fossil gallery, exhibits on race and the human body, and sensory-friendly days.
Valleyfair
Shakopee
The Upper Midwest's largest amusement park, Valleyfair in Shakopee, has more than 75 rides and attractions, including eight big coasters, Planet Snoopy for the smaller kids and Soak City Waterpark.
Find more things to do at Valleyfair.
Walker Art Center
Minneapolis
The venerable Walker Art Center offers complimentary entry on the first Saturday of each month. The adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is also always free and a great place for kids to run off some energy.
The Works Museum
Bloomington
Future scientists and engineers will find many ways to stimulate their brains at this interactive Twin Cities museum. In the Design Lab, kids 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 that stands 23 feet tall and uses more than 100,000 K’Nex pieces.
Greater Minnesota
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
Mankato
Mankato's Children's Museum connects visitors to the surrounding area with hands-on exhibits about farming, quarrying, engineering and more. Babies and toddlers can romp on the Play Porch, while teens and adults can get a taste of STEM education in the Makers Space.
Great Lakes Aquarium
Duluth
The Great Lakes Aquarium is home to a variety of species found primarily in the Great Lakes basin and around the world. See river otters, regional birds, freshwater fish from Lake Superior and the Amazon River, seahorses, and more.
Great River Children's Museum
St. Cloud
Opening in the summer of 2025, the Great River Children’s Museum is Minnesota’s second-largest children’s museum, with eight core exhibits that will have kiddos climbing, creating, splashing, and learning.
Headwaters Science Center
Bemidji
The Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji has a 7,500 square foot exhibit floor that features over 40 hands-on, interactive exhibits, including live animals, a hot air balloon, a tractor, a pitching cage, and a unique science and nature-oriented gift shop.
International Wolf Center
North American Bear Center
Ely
At the International Wolf Center, four-legged residents live on-site to further the public's education about this magnificent species. Daily educational programs are included with admission, and special evening and weekend adventure programs offer additional immersion into the lives of wolves.
Ely is also home to the North American Bear Center, the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. The center helps dispel the many myths people believe about bears as ferocious animals to be feared. Resident bears live in two-and-a-half acres of natural forest that includes man-made dens and a pond, where they roam freely and forage for food.
LARK Toys
Kellogg
About 10 minutes south of the National Eagle Center, you'll hit LARK Toys in Kellogg. In addition to the store's handmade wooden toys, this popular destination has a museum of classic toys, an epic indoor carousel, a cafe, and a mini-golf course outside in the summer months.
Minnesota Discovery Center
Chisholm
The Minnesota Discovery Center features award-winning exhibits about Minnesota’s rich history, an outdoor amphitheater for live performances, a play studio for kids, a 19-hole mini golf course, trolley rides, and more.
National Eagle Center
Wabasha
The National Eagle Center is perched on the bank of the Mississippi River in downtown Wabasha. Bald and golden eagles nest outside the center's floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside, resident eagles are on display and part of daily educational programs.
Otter Cove Children's Museum
Fergus Falls
Putting the power of play to work to help kids develop skills, a sense of place and purpose, Otter Cove Children’s Museum in Fergus Falls offers innovative programs and immersive exhibits such as a mock animal hospital and a stage where kids can put on a show.
Paul Bunyan Land
Brainerd
The classic Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd will leave a lasting impression on your kids as soon as they arrive; the giant lumberjack here may greet them by name.
Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Tower
About 20 miles west of the Bear Center, the Soudan Underground Mine brings you a mile underground to experience what it was like to work in Minnesota's first iron ore mine, which closed in 1962. In addition to learning about mining, you can see bats who winter in the mine or take the science tour to learn about the physics lab that, until recently, conducted major experiments underground.
SPARK Children's Museum
Rochester
Through hands-on exploration and play, the SPARK Children’s Museum offers interactive experiences for all and promotes learning about the world, each other, and local environments. Exhibits and programs are focused on STEM, literacy, cultural awareness, and health and wellness.
Thomas Dambo Trolls
Detroit Lakes
Explore the Thomas Dambo Trolls scattered throughout the Detroit Lakes and Otter Tail County region. Follow the clues, and riddles, and hike to find these incredible pieces of art in the middle of nature.
Explore More
Geocaching
Geocaching involves using a GPS device to hunt for “caches” of hidden treasure. The cache is typically a weather-tight metal or plastic container with little toys and tokens. You can find the coordinates (longitude and latitude) of caches hidden near you at geocaching.com. Plug them into your GPS, and it will point you in the direction of the cache. Don’t have your own GPS? Many state parks loan them out for free and provide instruction at geocaching events.
Hiking
Hiking allows kids of all ages to hit the trails, get some steps, experience nature, and explore somewhere new. Minnesota has plenty of places to hike, but one popular spot with kids is Big Marine Park Reserve near Stillwater, where pages of a children’s book are posted along the Story Adventure Trail. Stop and read each sign as you go to hear the entire story. Other popular spots include Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park and Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie.
Indoor Water Parks
Whether it's a snowy or rainy day, indoor water parks are a major draw throughout the year in Minnesota. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, popular spots are Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, Great River Water Park in St. Paul, Shoreview Community Center, the Venetian Water Park at Holiday Inn & Suites in Maple Grove, and Wild Woods Waterpark in Minneapolis.
In Greater Minnesota, stay at Thumper Pond Resort, Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Brainerd, Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Rapid River Lodge or Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter, Edgewater Hotel & Waterpark in Duluth, or Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria.
Learn more about indoor water parks in Minnesota.
Nature Centers
Nature centers are like visiting a state park and a children’s museum all at once, and many are in the middle of the city. Find interactive exhibits, small critters, trails, outdoor play areas, and picnic spots at Richardson Nature Center or Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington, Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Eastman Nature Center in Maple Grove, and Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township.
In Greater Minnesota, popular spots are Hartley Nature Center in Duluth, Northland Arboretum in Brainerd, and Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester.
Playgrounds
If you're traveling with kids in tow, you’ll undoubtedly end up at a playground or two. Children of all abilities will find several inclusive playgrounds around Minnesota, including Paul Bunyan Park in Bemidji, Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar, Fallenstein Playground in North Mankato, Wilson Regional Park in St. Cloud, German Park in New Ulm, Silver Lake Park in Rochester, and Woodridge Park in Cottage Grove, the state’s largest inclusive playground.
Other epic playgrounds include Stillwater’s popular Teddy Bear Park, the challenge course at Schaper Park in Golden Valley, and Dr. Allen Magnuson Park in Fergus Falls.
Splash Pads
Splash pads are a welcoming summer activity for all ages to splash around and have fun. Bonus: many spots are free or require a nominal fee.
Some popular splash pads within the Twin Cities are Currie Park or Phelps Field Park in Minneapolis, and Conway Park or Phalen Beach in St. Paul. In the suburbs, visit Central Park in Maple Grove, Miller Park in Eden Prairie, Kelley Park in Apple Valley, Highlands Park in Cottage Grove, Eagan Central Park, M Health Fairview Sports Center in Woodbury, and more.
In Greater Minnesota, cool off at the Riverfront Splash Pad in Fergus Falls, the Brainerd Splash Pad at Memorial Park, Levee Park in Winona, Soldiers Field Aquatics Center in Rochester, and the South Riverview Park Splash Pad in Roseau.
State Parks
State parks are a great way to get outside with kids, experience nature, see wildlife, and more. Some popular family picks are Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul, Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors, Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji, and Flandrau State Park in New Ulm.
Find more family-friendly activities to do in Minnesota.
