Minneapolis-St. Paul Activities with Kids

Admire great art for free at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)

Located in the neighborhood of Whittier, on an eight-acre campus formerly known as Morrison Park, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) is government-funded fine art museum that is open to the public free of charge.

Featuring an encyclopedic collection of over 80,000 objects, spanning 5,000 years of world history, the MIA is home to one of the finest wide-ranging art collections in the country, consisting of remarkable exhibitions and collections of art from Africa, Oceania and the Americas, as well as a vast collection of Asian art and sculpture. Inspiring wonder through art, the MIA also features traveling collections from other museums, as well as the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program, which focuses on displaying works by local artists from Minnesota.

Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, Phone: 612-870-3011

See a performance at the Children’s Theater Company

Formerly known as The Moppet Players in the 1960s, the award-winning Children’s Theater Company is a regional theater that specializes in plays, shows, and concerts for families and young audiences in Minneapolis.

The theater was founded in 1965 by John Clark Donahue and has since become a leader in the theatrical community by exposing and educating young people through art. In 2003, the Children's Theatre Company was the Tony Award for Children's Theatre Company. Productions have included classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz, amongst other favorites. The Children's Theatre Company presents performances year-round.

Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, Phone: 612-874-0400

Take a stroll through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11-acre park that is home to Minneapolis’s famous giant spoon sculpture, Claes Oldenburg’s ‘Spoonbridge and Cherry.’

Established in 1988 and located near the Walker Art Center, the 11-acre garden houses more than 40 stunning works of sculpture from the nearby Walker Art Center’s collections, including the crown jewel of the garden – the giant spoon - which is one of the most photographed sites in the city.

The garden also regularly hosts outdoor concerts and educational activities for visitors of all ages and free garden tours take place on the grounds from May through August. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open 365 days a year, from dusk until midnight.

Address: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, Phone: 612-375-7600

Have fun at the Science Museum of Minnesota

Overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is a large regional science museum that uses a hands-on approach to science learning and entertainment.

Founded in 1907, the museum features a variety of permanent and temporary collections and exhibitions, state-of-the-art research facilities, a public science education center and an Imax Convertible Dome Omnitheater. Five permanent galleries and an array of temporary exhibits cover the topics of physical science and technology, the human body, paleontology, and the peoples and cultures of the Mississippi River.

Popular collections and exhibitions at the museum include the interactive Experiment Gallery, an authentic Mississippi River towboat, an ancient Egyptian mummy, and a variety of interactive exhibits for all ages.

The museum offers innovative and interactive science education programs for teachers and children and provides ongoing research in a range of scientific fields.

Address: 120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, Phone: 651-221-9444

Hike to Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls is a beautiful 53-foot waterfall situated within Minneapolis’ most-visited park, Minnehaha Park. Formed by the Minnehaha Creek, which flows to the Mississippi River from Lake Minnetonka, Minnehaha Falls was previously known Little Falls or Brown’s Falls and was immortalized as the ‘laughing water’ in the epic 1855 poem The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

In addition to the falls, the park is home to several hiking and mountain paths, cultural and historic sites such as Longfellow House, Princess Depot, and the John H. Stevens House, public artworks and sculptures, playgrounds for children of all ages, and a disc golf course. Other facilities include volleyball courts, decorative and drinking fountains, a bandstand, picnic areas, and a wading pool. Bikes can be rented from Fun Wheel to explore the park.

Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave S, Minneapolis, 55417, MN

Learn about local history at the Mill City Museum

Resting on the banks of the historic Mississippi Riverfront and built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, known as the Washburn "A" Mill, Mill City Museum is a small, intimate museum that presents birth and growth of Minneapolis and the subsequent convoluted histories of the growing city with the flour industry and the river.

Dating back to the 1870s, the mill complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, playing an essential role in the preservation and education of the state’s heritage. The museum offers award-winning programs, exhibitions, and events that cover the history of the area, including exhibits about the history of Minneapolis and how the flour industry played a role in the development of the city.

Address: 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Phone: 612-341-7555

Have fun at Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe is the world’s biggest indoor amusement park and offers a wealth of attractions and activities for children of all ages. Located in the heart of the Mall of America amidst more than 525 stores and two hotels, the seven-acre indoor park is themed around the familiar characters from the Nickelodeon Channel and features huge skylights, 400, 35-foot trees and more than 30,000 plants to create an outdoor feel.

The park features a wealth of rides, slides and other exhilarating attractions, including roller coasters, spinning rides, junior rides for toddlers and preschoolers, arcades and games, and a variety of light shows, dance parties, and character meets. Other attractions include the Dutchman’s Deck Adventure Course with a 60-foot high multiple-level Sky Trail ropes course, and FlyOver America – a 4D virtual experience takes riders over the landscapes of America.

Address: 5000 Center Court, Mall of America, Bloomington, 55425, MN, Phone: 952-883-8800

Enjoy the view from the Foshay Observation Deck and Museum

The Foshay Observation Deck and Museum is set within the Foshay Tower, a 447-foot, a 32-story skyscraper that was built in 1929 by utility magnate Wilbur Foshay as a homage to the Washington Monument.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the Twin Cities, the tower is home to the Foshay Museum, which explores the history of the unique skyscraper and its eccentric creator and tells the story of how it was developed and built.

The tower also has an outdoor Observation Deck on the 31st floor, which boasts spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the city and up to 30 miles into the distance on a clear day.

Address: 821 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Phone: 612-215-3783

Have lunch at Midtown Global Market

Midtown Global Market is a collection of more than 50 vendors offering the finest selection of international produce, gourmet food items and delicacies, prepared foods and snacks, and unique gifts from around the world.

Located in the old Sears building, the Market brings the global community to Minneapolis and highlights the diversity South Minneapolis has boasted for decades. The market is packed shops brimming with color and texture with beautiful objects from around the world in, as well as plenty of places to eat delicious global cuisine from East Africa to Jerusalem.

The center of the market has plenty of seating to enjoy a variety of foods from different vendors, and some eateries offer cozy seating on site.

Address: Office-G10, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407, Phone: 612-872-4041