Minneapolis & St. Paul with Kids — Key Facts

• Current kid-friendly recommendations: 169
• Great for ages 0–5: 117 spots
• Great for ages 6–10: 162 spots
• Great for ages 11–14: 145 spots
• Things to skip flagged: 36
• Typical visit per stop: ≈2h
• Average "wow" score: 3.6/5
• Strongest categories: Park, Food, Museum

Minneapolis & St. Paul with Kids — Common Questions

Is Minneapolis & St. Paul good for toddlers and preschoolers?

Kidworthy lists 117 current recommendations in Minneapolis & St. Paul suited to ages 0–5, including Children's Theatre Company and Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It also flags 36 things to skip with young kids.

What age kids is Minneapolis & St. Paul best for?

Minneapolis & St. Paul works across ages: 117 current spots suit ages 0–5, 162 suit ages 6–10, and 145 suit ages 11–14.

What should you skip in Minneapolis & St. Paul with kids?

Minnesota Opera — Most productions are 2.5 to 3 hours long with late start times, requiring a level of stillness and silence that is unrealistic for most children. In total Kidworthy flags 36 things to skip in Minneapolis & St. Paul.

Is Minneapolis & St. Paul easy to visit with kids?

Across 169 current recommendations, Minneapolis & St. Paul averages an effort score of 1.9/4 (1 = just show up, 4 = heavy planning), with typical visits of ≈2h per stop.

Top Things to Do in Minneapolis & St. Paul with Kids

• Children's Theatre Company (theater) — Widely considered the leading theater for young audiences in North America, this Tony Award-winning company produces Bro
• Minnesota State Fairgrounds (other) — A massive 322-acre cultural phenomenon featuring legendary livestock barns, high-thrill midway rides, and an endless arr
• Aquatennial (other) — Minneapolis's official summer festival, featuring a massive nighttime torchlight parade and one of the top five firework
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival (entertainment) — A massive, immersive 16th-century village featuring 16 stages of live entertainment, armored jousting, and roaming costu
• U.S. Bank Stadium (sports) — A world-class, glass-heavy indoor stadium that lets the natural light in without the biting Minnesota chill. While it's
• Minnehaha Regional Park (park) — A stunning 53-foot waterfall serves as the centerpiece of this massive urban park, offering a mix of accessible paved tr
• Hyland Play Area (Chutes and Ladders) (playground) — A massive, multi-level 'Chutes and Ladders' themed playground featuring towering slides, complex rope climbing nets, and
• The Mall of America LEGO Store (shopping) — A massive, open-concept flagship store featuring towering LEGO sculptures and interactive play zones right in the heart
• Crosby Farm Regional Park (park) — A hidden riverside escape that feels miles from the city, offering nearly 7 miles of paved trails perfect for strollers
• Como Lakeside Pavilion (food) — A laid-back lakeside eatery and event space where 'sandy feet welcome' is the vibe. It's the perfect low-stress pit stop
• FlyOver America (entertainment) — A high-tech flight simulation ride that suspends you in front of a giant curved screen, using wind, scents, and mist to
• SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium (aquarium) — A surprisingly deep 1.3-million-gallon aquarium tucked into the basement of the Mall of America, famous for its 300-foot
• Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central Library (other) — A massive, modern downtown hub that offers a high-quality, free indoor refuge for families needing a break from the city
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (garden) — An iconic 11-acre outdoor gallery featuring over 40 modern artworks, including the famous 'Spoonbridge and Cherry' fount
• Freewheel Bike Shop - Midtown (other) — Located directly on the Midtown Greenway, this full-service bike hub is the ultimate starting point for families wanting
• Theodore Wirth Regional Park (park) — The largest park in Minneapolis, this 759-acre urban wilderness offers everything from a swimming beach and wildflower g
• Skateville (Burnsville) (other) — A classic, old-school roller rink that offers a high-energy outlet for kids to burn off steam, especially on rainy or sn
• Topgolf Brooklyn Center (sports) — A high-tech, three-level driving range where micro-chipped balls and giant outfield targets turn golf into a giant, live
• Xcel Energy Center (sports) — The home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild is a world-class arena that manages to feel surprisingly accessible for families, o
• Dodge Nature Center (farm) — A 460-acre 'hidden gem' featuring a working farm, raptor center, and miles of trails through prairies and wetlands. It i

What to Skip in Minneapolis & St. Paul with Kids

• Minnesota Opera
• Nicollet Mall
• Wabasha Street Caves
• Paisley Park
• Cathedral of Saint Paul
• Landmark Center
• IDS Center Crystal Court
• Acme Comedy Co.
• Mall of America - Black Friday shopping event
• Tropical Adventures Mini Golf

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