The summer months in Minnesota are some of the best times to be a kid. The weather is great, school is out, and there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. To help you plan the perfect summer for your kids, we’ve collected our favorite activities for kiddos throughout the state.
Minnesota Children’s Museum
The Minnesota Children’s Museum is a great place to spend a day with your children. They have over 30 interactive exhibits, so you can experience a new adventure every time you visit. You can learn about science, math, and other subjects through hands-on activities. The museum also provides opportunities for kids to create their own art projects using recycled materials. The museum has an outdoor garden area where children can learn about plants and gardening while they’re outside exploring nature.
Mall of America
The Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the United States, and it’s located right here in Minnesota.
The mall features over 500 stores, 14 movie theaters, a water park and amusement park, an aquarium, and two hotels.
There are many restaurants such as the Cadillac Ranch within the mall as well as some excellent entertainment options. Kids can enjoy rides like Nickelodeon Universe® which has roller coasters made just for them! Or they can spend a day swimming at Nickelodeon Hotel™ or Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium™ — there’s plenty to do inside this fun-filled attraction!
Como Park Zoo
Como Park Zoo is another great place to take the kids when the weather warms up. It’s free to enter, but you can pay extra for fun experiences like feeding giraffes or holding a snake. The zoo is also close to a park with a carousel, conservatory, and amusement park (they have rides!) so if you don’t want to visit all of them in one day they’re easy enough to see separately without driving far. The zoo is open daily from 10 am-6 pm.
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the best ways to get outside, have fun with your family, and experience everything that summer has to offer. The fair is held at the end of August in St Paul, but it’s open for 11 days to visit for as long as you’d like.
The entire fairgrounds are free to enter, but there are tons of activities where you have to pay for the ride or show. A few things that cost extra include rides, carnival games, and some shows (like magic shows). If your kids want a lot of rides, make sure they have enough cash on hand; otherwise, just go around when they’re done eating and playing games at their favorite spots first before moving on to other areas of the fairground like livestock barns or art exhibits.
The last thing I want to mention about visiting this one-of-a-kind event is all about food! There’s so much variety which makes planning meals easier than ever before. There really isn’t anything off limits here – unless it’s deep-fried chocolate-covered bacon…which actually sounds pretty tasty right now!
Afton Alps
Afton Alps is a ski resort located in Wyoming, Minnesota. You can bring your own skis or rent them at the resort. They also offer lessons for kids, which can be helpful if your child is new to skiing or looking to improve their skills.
Afton Alps has an all-season tubing park that’s open year-round on snow made by snow machines, so even when it’s not snowing outside you can still enjoy this activity! The park offers two different lanes that accommodate children as young as 3 years old and as old as 13 years old!
Go camping
This summer in Minnesota, camping is a great way to spend time with your family and connect with nature. Camping can be done in a tent or a trailer. Families can find campsites that have everything from showers to hot food available for their convenience, or they can opt for an overnight stay at a primitive site where they’ll get back to basics.
Here are the top places that you can visit:
Two Rivers Campground & Tubing
The outdoors is an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty—so get out there!
Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the most visited museums in the country. Their collection contains more than 80,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years and from all over the world. The museum also boasts an impressive collection of Native American art and a fantastic display of contemporary works.
Located in downtown Minneapolis, this museum is open seven days a week and offers free admission on the third Saturday of each month (except holiday weekends). The museum also offers student discounts for those with valid identification; seniors 62 and older receive free admission; kids ages 6 to 17 are also eligible for reduced rates (free on Wednesdays after 5:00 pm).
Valleyfair
This is a small amusement park, but it has over 75 rides and attractions. If you’re looking for something close to the Twin Cities, this is a great option. There’s also an indoor water park that kids of all ages will enjoy. It’s much closer than going to the Wisconsin Dells, so if you don’t have time or money for a long day trip, consider Valleyfair!
Inver Grove Heights Community Center
Inver Grove Heights Community Center offers a variety of classes and activities for kids this summer in Minnesota. In addition to offering swim lessons and an indoor playground, they also have fitness classes such as yoga, Zumba, boot camp, and more. The center also offers in-person and virtual classes for adults. These classes include things like child care or help with other parenting responsibilities.
Mill City Museum
The Mill City Museum is Minnesota’s newest museum, and it is dedicated to telling the story of Minneapolis’ industrial past. It features interactive exhibits, an original mill building (including a working flour mill), and an old streetcar line. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year that kids will enjoy!
The Mill City Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Still, you should check their website for details about admission fees, parking options, etc., and information on what activities are going on during your visit.
The best part of summer in Minnesota is that there is so much to do. Whether you’re looking for an activity to keep your kids entertained or want a way to get out of the house yourself, there are tons of activities that will help you enjoy this season. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some ideas and wish you luck with finding more fun things to do in the Twin Cities.
