School Break 'Staycations' For Kids of All Ages
There are plenty of things to do and see — indoors and out — for kids of all ages in Minnesota. From children’s museums for younger kids to indoor rock climbing with your high schoolers, your Minnesota school break staycation awaits throughout the winter, spring, fall and summer.
Elementary & Preschool
Aquariums & Zoos
Do your kids go wild for animals? Escape the cold at one of the many zoos in Minnesota! You can immerse yourself in tropical weather on the Minnesota Zoo’s Tropics Trail, stare at stunning fish in Discovery Bay, or visit a baby Malayan tapir. Stroll through the Como Zoo to see a wide variety of animals and watch Chloe the sloth while surrounded by lush tropical plants.
Go underwater at SEA LIFE at Mall of America or the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. See snakes and other reptiles at Snake Discovery in Maplewood. To view animals in their natural habitat, visit the North American Bear Center and International Wolf Center in Ely, the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, the Wildlife Center in Columbus or the Raptor Center in St. Paul.
Museums & Play Spaces
A Minnesota staycation can be educational, too, at one of the state’s many children's museums. Explore the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato and let the kids blow off steam at the Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts Climber. In downtown St. Paul, treat your kids to a day at the Minnesota Children's Museum, or explore Otter Cove Children's Museum in downtown Fergus Falls.
Other highlights outside the Twin Cities include the newly opened Great River Children's Museum in St. Cloud and the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji, which features more than 70 hands-on interactive exhibits. Kids can hold a snake or bunny, make a harmongraph picture, watch the kinetic sculpture and gaze at the saltwater aquarium.
Back in the metro area, Bloomington's Works Museum and Minneapolis' Bakken Museum focus on STEM, hoping to inspire the next generation of innovators. The Bell Museum is home to 10,000-year-old fossils, incredible wildlife dioramas, a full-scale woolly mammoth and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium.
You can also find indoor play spaces at the MiniSota Play Café in Maple Grove, Edinborough Park in Edina, Good Times Park in Eagan, or Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground in Woodbury.
Theater & Entertainment
Your little ones will love seeing their favorite stories come to life. The Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins and the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis are designed for families, offer rush tickets and more. Past productions have included Matilda Jr., Spookley the Square Pumpkin, A Year with Frog and Toad, Alice in Wonderland, and Frozen.
Everything Else
Visit LARK Toys in Kellogg to see one of the largest toy stores in the country. Take a ride on the hand-carved wooden carousel, browse the LARK-made wooden toys, games and puzzles, or enjoy handmade fudge in the cafe.
Middle & High School
Museums
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 Science Museum’s 90-foot, giant dome screen Omnitheater.
Shopping
Minnesota is a haven for shopping, and Mall of America is just the beginning. If you’re looking for the latest styles or a one-of-a-kind antique, there are plenty of spots to explore. Score a great deal at an outlet mall like the Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan. Take a few days and go on a mall crawl from Albertville to North Branch.
Check out our in-depth Mall of America guides for more things to do and eat within the iconic shopping center.
Entertainment
What do you get when you mix basketball, hockey, lacrosse and bumper cars? WhirlyBall! This fun sport is a great group activity in Maple Grove and Bloomington.
Fly through Mall of America on the Barnacle Blast, the largest indoor zip line in North America, or experience Dutchman’s Deck, an adventure course featuring the tallest ropes course in the world, challenging guests to climb 56 feet above Nickelodeon Universe. Find other thrills at FlyOver America, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf or The Escape Game.
College
Concerts & Shows
Minnesota has a wide array of venues that attract local independent artists and world-renowned bands. The Twin Cities have been a hot spot for decades with venues like First Avenue, the Palace Theater, and the Cedar Cultural Center, but other areas of the state are also draws.
Sports
Have you ever wanted to try rock climbing? Vertical Endeavors caters to families looking for an afternoon of fun and can even challenge serious climbers. The St. Paul location is the largest indoor rock climbing facility in the country. Vertical Endeavors also has locations in Duluth and Minneapolis. Rental equipment is available.
Craft Breweries
Check out the craft beverage scene across the state. Some notable spots for local beer include Canal Park Brewery and Bent Paddle in Duluth and Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais, which uses the clean waters of Lake Superior to brew its beers. Excelsior Brewing is in the heart of this charming town. Or swing by Surly Brewing to marvel at the destination brewpub.
All Ages
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
Minnesota has some of the highest hills in the Midwest and offers something for every level, from bunny hills to terrain parks. Spend your spring break along the North Shore at Lutsen Mountain or visit Minnesota’s newest ski area, Detroit Mountain in Detroit Lakes. Many ski and snowboard areas offer snow tubing for even more thrills. For a special experience, check out their special laser tubing nights. Browse our database to find a ski area near you.
Waterparks
Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria’s tropical-themed park has three 4-story waterslides and a relaxing lazy river. Little swimmers will love the children’s fort area with water sprayers, geysers and a 500-gallon splash bucket.
In Thief River Falls, visit The Seven Clans Casino waterpark to enjoy four large waterslides, three mini-slides, two hot tubs, a lazy river and more. Near Mall of America, Great Wolf Lodge boasts 75,000 square foot water park with several water slides, ropes courses, climbing walls, a zero-depth pool for little ones, their interactive adventure game, MagiQuest and more.
Find more family fun ideas and indoor water parks throughout Minnesota.
