2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Twin Cities

You “herd” right! Llamas have come to the Minnesota Zoo. This summer walk among free-roaming llamas as part of the Minnesota Zoo’s special summer 2019 Llama Trek exhibit. While you’re there, explore miles of outdoor and indoor trails, discover more than 500 species of animals that call the Minnesota Zoo home, and learn about the Zoo’s conservation efforts around the world. Created by the State of Minnesota in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo has spent the last 41 years working to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.

Of course, the libraries in the Twin Cities area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!

At Minnesota Children's Museum, children will have a blast discovering an exciting, immersive world that arouses their curiosity, increases their understanding, and ignites an appreciation for learning. 

Minnesota's official natural history museum is now located on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus! In their brand new facility you can visit the far reaches of the universe in the planetarium, catch a glimpse of the diversity of life on Earth, travel back in time to meet a woolly mammoth, tour the entire state of Minnesota, and learn about U of M researchers and citizen scientists imagining a better future.

Our mission is to create extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people and their communities.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the leading comprehensive fine-art museums in the country. In a beautiful landmark building near downtown Minneapolis, the museum houses over 90,000 works of art, representing more than 5,000 years of world art and culture.
Free daily museum admission!

Only the BEST shopping mall in America!

The indoor Good Times Park brings the outside feel inside and features a well-equipped basketball court, turf field and 38ft inflatable jumper, while the Imagine & Build area features large soft units for construction play.

This National Historic Landmark resides on Dakota homeland, known as Bdote, with history spanning 10,000 years. Learn stories of the military fort and its surrounding area, home to a wide history that includes Native peoples, trade, soldiers and veterans, enslaved people, immigrants, and the changing landscape.

Crayola Experience is the only place in the world where the magic of Crayola comes to life. Here, you’re always encouraged to let your creativity run free, to color outside the lines and to play, explore and learn. Boasting 25 hands-on attractions, Crayola Experience is where color, chemistry and technology magically combine to create a fun-filled, colorful adventure for a kid's imagination.

The indoor Good Times Park brings the outside feel inside and features a well-equipped basketball court, turf field and 38ft inflatable jumper, while the Imagine & Build area features large soft units for construction play.

At Minnesota Children's Museum, children will have a blast discovering an exciting, immersive world that arouses their curiosity, increases their understanding, and ignites an appreciation for learning. 

We have 190+ beautiful acres producing delicious Minnesota grown strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and 13 different varieties of apples that can be picked by our customers at the peak of perfection. Huge corn maze in the fall!

The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis.

Local Ys and Camps engage hundreds of communities in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.  By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. At the Y, we value what everyone brings to the table. We work to ensure that all segments of our communities are welcome at the Y, and have equal opportunities to become connected to other participants, members, staff and volunteers at all levels of the organization. We make it a priority to educate and empower staff and volunteers to intentionally think, act and communicate with a diverse, inclusive and global approach to serving all.