Reader Suggestions: Activities in Minneapolis - St. Paul

American Swedish Institute

Address 2600 Park Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel 612-871-4907 Call, Website

The Tomte guidebook, available for purchase in the gift shop, tells kids what to look for in this "castle," and leads them through the museum in scavenger-hunt style. Details on our visit are available at www.minnemom.com.

Children's Theatre Company

Address 2400 3rd Ave S # B Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel (612) 874-0400 Call, Website

What you may already know is that the Children's Theatre Company has grown to become the leading professional theatre company for young people in North America. But one of their little gems is the kid friendly seating at the United Health Group Stage. It has wide aisles and stadium ... (more)

Choo Choo Bob's Train Store

Address 2050 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-646-5252 Call, Website

It's a train store, but there are six or seven train tables where kids can play while parents watch, and a model train that kids can control. Little (and big) train lovers will love this place!

Como Zoo

Address 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-487-8200 Call, Website

This is a great zoo with all the usual zoo animals. The swimming polar bears are always a favorite with our kids. A historic carousel and small amusement park are on-site as well, and there are picnic areas and playgrounds nearby in Como Park.

Firefighters Hall and Museum

Address 664-22nd Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Map, Tel 612-623-3817 Call, Hours Saturdays, 9 AM to 4 PM, Cost Adults $6; Children (3-12) $3; Under 3 Free Website

Each of the kids gets their own firefighter hat upon admission, and there are several fire trucks they can climb on, bells they can ring, and a fire pole they can slide down. If they get tired of the fire equipment, there's a train table to keep the kids ... (more)

Gale Woods Farm

Address 7210 CR-110 W, Minnetrista, MN Map, Tel 763-694-2001 Call, Website

This hands-on working farm offers a lot for kids. We got to do some craft projects, enjoy French Toast made from farm-fresh ingredients, fly a kite, take a wagon ride, plant some seeds, and more. Plentiful guides and assistants make the visit enjoyable for kids.

Historic Fort Snelling

Address bloomington rd, St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 612-726-1171 Call, Website

Lots of hands-on history, with costumed interpreters throughout the fort. The big round tower is always a hit with the kids, and they love to watch the blacksmith at work. There are old-fashioned treats for sale at the fort store.

Jackson Street Roundhouse

Address 193 Pennsylvania Ave. E., St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-228-0263 Call, Website

Real train rides are offered, they can climb in and around real train cars in the museum, and there are train tables for playing. My kids keep begging to go back! Special events, such as Santa's Train Shop, make for even more fun.

Mall of America

Address Hwys 494 and 77, Bloomington, MN. Map, Tel 952-883-8800 Call, Website

There's an amusement park inside the mall, as well as the Underwater Adventures aquarium, and the kids can stop to play and build at Legoland. There are special Toddler Tuesdays programs as well. A light-rail train station is in the mall's transit center for easy access to the ... (more)

Mill City Museum

Address 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel 612-341-7555 Call, Website

The hands-on water tables are always a hit. Tasting the bread and doing activities in the baking lab, riding the Flour Tower, and seeing the "Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat" film are also fun for kids. We've been there several times and always enjoy it! Pictures at www.minnemom ... (more)

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Address 2400 Third Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel 888-MIA ARTS Call, Website

Special themed family days offer special programs and activities for kids and a scavenger hunt for exploring the museum.

Minnesota Children's Museum

Address 7th and Wabasha, St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-225-6000 Call, Website

A large children's museum with many exhibit areas. Favorites of our kids are the block factory and the water tables, as well as making a "thunderstorm." Special exhibits come and go so there's always something new to see. The Rooftop Art Park (pictures at www.minnemom.com) is ... (more)

Minnesota History Center

Address 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-259-3000 Call, Website

Grainland is a kids' climbing and play area, but they'll also like other parts of the museum. At the Open House exhibit, they were specifically told to snoop and open drawers and find as many clues as they could about the people who had lived there. There are plenty ... (more)

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Address 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN Map, Tel 952-443-1400 Call, Website

Plenty of room to roam and explore, and special family programs on weekends allow for additional kid-friendly learning.

Minnesota State Capitol

Address 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-296-2881 Call, Website

A "Capitol Art Treasure Hunt" offered on some weekends is a great way for kids to explore the Capitol. We've also enjoyed a guided tour, and a special day when visitors were allowed to go up on the roof by the Quadriga (golden horses).

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

Address Linden Hills Blvd and W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN Map, Website

A real ride on an antique streetcar, but short and sweet so they don't get bored. Parks, walking paths, and Lake Harriet adjacent to the station.

Minnesota Zoo

Address 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN Map, Tel 800-366-7811 Call, Website

Our kids love most everything about it! Favorites are the dolphin show and bird show, and monorail ride. The family farm exhibit complete with tractor-pulled wagon ride and grain elevator play area are also a hit. There's a playground and picnic area for time out, and of course the ... (more)

Oliver Kelley Farm

Address 15788 Kelley Farm Rd, Elk River, MN Map, Tel 763-441-6896 Call, Website

Everything is hands-on, with costumed interpreters who are very child-friendly. The kids can help in the farm kitchen, tend to the garden, or help feed the animals at the working 1800's farm.

Science Museum of Minnesota

Address 120 W Kellogg Ave, St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 800-221-9444 Call, Website

Better for older kids than for toddlers, there are lots of hands-on things to do. The Big Backyard allows some outdoor exploration in addition to the indoor exhibits. Sound, light, weather, waves, the human body, dinosaurs, and the Mississippi River are just some of the exhibits at the Science Museum ... (more)

The Bakken Museum

Address 3537 Zenith Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel 612-926-3878 Call, Website

There are lots of hands-on activities in this small museum, most dealing with electricity and magnets. My kids love the Bakken! Across the street is Lake Calhoun and some nice walking paths.

The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park (formerly called Historic Murphy's Landing)

Address 2187 E. Highway 101, Shakopee, MN Map, Tel 763-694-7784 Call, Website

Costumed interpreters are in the buildings in this historic village and interact with kids to help them learn about the time periods they're visiting. A special kids play area allows dress-up and playing with period toys. A horse-drawn wagon is available to shuttle you from the visitor center to ... (more)

The Works - A Technology Discovery Center

Address 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN Map, Tel 952-848-4848 Call, Website

This is a great hands-on science museum, and is very family-friendly. Each of our kids had a favorite, from the huge building blocks, to the pulleys, to the magic harp. There are lots of pictures of the fun we had at www.minnemom.com.

Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum

Address 1021 Bandana Blvd E, St. Paul, MN Map, Tel 651-647-9628 Call, Website

It's a huge model train setup with platforms for kids to stand on so they can see better. There are some buttons that kids can push to be a part of the action, and if they get tired of watching the trains, there are train tables where they can ... (more)

Valleyfair

Address 1 valleyfair dr, shakopee, mn Map, Tel 800-386-7433 Call, Website

It's an amuseument park! There are lots of rides and activities for younger kids who can't ride the roller coasters yet. The Foam Ball Factory (picture at www.minnemom.com) is a particular favorite of our kids.

Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Address 1750 Hennepin, Minneapolis, MN Map, Tel 612-375-7600 Call, Website

The famous Cherry on a Spoon is in the sculpture garden. Special family programs on free-admission days have lots of activities for the kids. Our kids loved the performance artists. Stroller navigation is possible, but somewhat confusing.

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