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. more
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 seating with only 15 rows on the main floor and two overhanging balconies. This means no whining because the little ones cannot see! Every seat is a great seat. The CTC isn't just for the little kids. In 2005 they added on another stage and additional programming that is inteneded primarily for teens. more
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! more
Address 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103 Map, Tel 651-487-8200 Call, Website
Como Park is open year round and is a great place to pack a picnic and take the kids for a day trip. It's cozy and well-maintained and free! (donations appreciated). more
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. more
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 occupied. This is a great place! Pictures and more at Minnemom.com. more
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. more
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. more
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. more
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 airport or downtown Minneapolis. You can read more tips for Mall of America with kids at www.minnemom.com. more
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.com. more
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. more
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 open in the summertime and was a new favorite on our last visit. more
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 of hands-on activities in the History Center. Pictures and more specifics of our visits can be found at www.minnemom.com. more
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. more
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). more
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. more
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 animals are great to see. It's a large zoo, so bring your walking shoes, stroller, and sunscreen. more
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. more
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. See pictures and more information at www.minnemom.com more
Address 1111 Main Street, 55343 Map, Tel 952-979-1123 Call, Website
It's a Children's Theatre and it's afforadable. Sometimes children's plays can get pricey. We get the flex pass which comes to $11 a ticket. 2 & under can get a lap pass for free and 3/4 year olds can get a discounted lap pass. more
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. more
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 the village. There are more details of our visit at www.minnemom.com. more
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. more
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 play. more
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. more
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. more
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