Depending on the weather, parents in Minneapolis need go-to indoor activities for family fun. We polled parents at The Gardner School of Minneapolis to find out their favorite indoor play spaces near the Twin Cities. They came up with five perfect indoor activity spots that Minnesota children will love.
Eagles Nest Indoor Playground
Parents and children look to playgrounds as a place to shake off excess energy, get much-needed exercise, and engage with others in imaginative play, but unique places like Eagle’s Nest offer even more than that! With special features like a 23-foot high web tower challenge, tightrope walk, and climbable foam pieces to engineer into special structures, children get an opportunity to challenge themselves. They can also build motor skills like strength, balance, and coordination in a safe environment.
Bakken Museum
The scope and ingenuity of children’s imaginations surprise adults on a daily basis, and little ones relish environments that match and even expand the limits of their own creativity. With stunning interactive exhibits on electricity, horticulture, literature, architecture, and more, the Bakken Museum showcases innovation through the ages and gives children the unique opportunity to see wild dreams externalized.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
There’s no better retreat from the outside world than checking out a beautiful art museum, and the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts is one of the best. Beyond their world-class permanent collection, MIA hosts a constant flow of engaging special exhibits. Whether you’ve come to see your favorite works of art or you’re visiting a new show, children under 17 are always free. Don’t forget to check out their calendar of children’s classes and Family Days to become a regular at the MIA.
Edinborough Park
This one-acre indoor conservatory houses over 6,000 flowers, plants, and trees. The overall effect of being surrounded by these natural wonders is absolutely breathtaking. It’s the closest thing to being outdoors without actually going outdoors. That makes it perfect for rainy days. Just walking the grounds would be enough, but Edinborough Park has made itself even more family-friendly by constructing an 18,000-square-foot enclosed play area called Adventure Park. Inside, children can climb, jump, and slide to their heart’s content. It also includes a toddler play area, where smaller tots can play in a safe, enclosed area.
Good Times Park
Minneapolis parents love this indoor playground because it provides a huge soft, safe play space for children to run, jump, and play all day. The indoor space with soft padding can be great for little ones with sensory processing challenges or toddlers who are still unsteady on their feet. There are vending machines, but most parents like to pack a lunch or snack to eat in the picnic area. Nobody needs to be left behind at Good Times Park: you can take children of multiple ages, and there’s an “Itty Bitty Play Space” for toddlers under three.
We Know Minneapolis Kids
The Gardner School of Minneapolis is a place where children feel at home. Our interactive curriculum and caring teachers keep kids engaged in daily learning. To learn more about how we fulfill our mission to Minnesota parents, set up a virtual tour.