Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Twin Cities - 2020
Best Places to Take Kids in the Twin Cities - 2020
The best places to take kids in and around the Twin Cities, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in our area! Get great ideas here on KidsOutAndAbout.com... check out the calendar on our home page, visit the Everything That's Free page, and sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter! What is listed below are far from the only opportunities for family fun and learning; they're just what was voted this year.
Dodge Nature Center
Nourish Your Need for Nature™ with Dodge Nature Center. Dodge provides 460 acres across 4 locations in the metro area, 8 miles of walking trails, wildlife viewing, a working farm, bee apiary, plants, flowers and more for you and your child to explore. Come visit the trails any day of the year, or sign up for a hands-on nature program.
Minnesota Zoo
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.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
One of the last FREE zoos in the United States, Como is home to a wide array of animals and plants and welcomes visitors 365 days a year. Located right next to Como Town Amusement Park, Cafesjian's historic carousel, and Como Park, the Zoo and Conservatory are great fun for visitors of all ages.
My Local Library
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 to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
Minnehaha Regional Park
One of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks, attracting more than 850,000 visitors annually.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Located in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is the Upper Midwest's must-see, must-do museum.
Minnesota Children's Museum
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.
Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
Since 1971, Osprey Wilds (Formally Audubon Center of the North Woods) has been connecting children and adults to nature and we are committed to providing lifelong learning experiences for people of all ages. Click to learn about who we are, what we do, what we offer, our diverse lakeside property, our commitment to earth stewardship, and more.
Children's Theatre Company
Our mission is to create extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people and their communities.
Way Cool Cooking School
Way-Cool Cooking School is a seriously fun cooking school specializing in cooking events for all ages. From birthday parties and corporate team building events to classes and cooking camps, learning has never tasted so good! The Way Cool Cooking School wants to bring friends and family together in the kitchen by teaching children lifelong cooking skills that can ignite creativity, build self-esteem, and most importantly create memories that will last forever.
Cascade Bay Waterpark
Cascade Bay, Eagan’s outdoor waterpark, is the summer place to meet up and stay cool. Plunge in to the large leisure pool or tip-toe in slowly along the zero-depth entry. Choose a tube and glide along the lazy river or test one of our seven waterslides. We have swimming excitement for all ages! Take a break from the water to play a round of mini-golf on the Captain’s Course. Put your toes in the sand at Sandpiper Beach. Enjoy a treat from the Captain’s Galley concessions. Stay for the day, there’s plenty to explore at the Bay!
Bell Museum
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.
Historic Fort Snelling
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.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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!
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis.
Valleyfair
Valleyfair is the Upper Midwest’s largest amusement park featuring more than 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters, the family-friendly Route 76, Planet Snoopy, Dinosaurs Alive! and the newly expanded Soak City Waterpark.
Good Times Park
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.
Afton Apple Orchard
We have 225+ beautiful acres producing delicious Minnesota grown strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and 15 different varieties of apples that can be picked or bought by our customers at the peak of perfection. Huge corn maze in the fall!
Lake Calhoun
The largest link in the Chain of Lakes has three beaches and a variety of water recreation activities.
Bakken Museum
Located on the shore of Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) in Minneapolis, The Bakken Museum offers exhibits, events, camps, and clubs focused on inspiring a passion for innovation in youth and adults.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Good Times ParkThe 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.
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Minnesota ZooYou “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.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Minnesota Children's MuseumAt 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.
Favorite Performing Arts
Children's Theatre CompanyOur mission is to create extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people and their communities.
Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)
Afton Apple OrchardWe have 225+ beautiful acres producing delicious Minnesota grown strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and 15 different varieties of apples that can be picked or bought by our customers at the peak of perfection. Huge corn maze in the fall!
Favorite Nature Center
Dodge Nature CenterNourish Your Need for Nature™ with Dodge Nature Center. Dodge provides 460 acres across 4 locations in the metro area, 8 miles of walking trails, wildlife viewing, a working farm, bee apiary, plants, flowers and more for you and your child to explore. Come visit the trails any day of the year, or sign up for a hands-on nature program.
Favorite Professional Sports Team
Minnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The team competes in the Central division of the American League (AL), and is named after the Twin Cities area comprising Minneapolis and St. Paul. They play home games at Target Field.
Favorite Arts Education
Circus JuventasCircus Juventas is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit performing arts circus school for youth dedicated to inspiring artistry and self-confidence through a multicultural circus arts experience. Vision: To be the world’s premier youth circus performing arts organization, recognized for providing innovative programming, world-class training, and professional-level performances in a state-of-the-art circus center. Values: Building self-confidence is an important part of our mission and is achieved through creating an environment that encourages leadership and life skills, teamwork, athleticism, artistry, pursuit of excellence, and community service.
Favorite Sports Education
YMCALocal 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.
