Family Activities in the Twin Cites (Minneapolis/St Paul)

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Fun Activites for Kids and their Families in Minneapolis and St. Paul Area

Ever begin to run out of ideas for things to do with your kids or loved ones? Well look no further! I'm compiling a list of fun activities in the Twin Cities area.

Fun, Fun, Fun! 

A big challenge is coming up with things to do, on the spur of a moment or when funds are low. As far as the Twin Cities are concerned, the biggest challenge isn't finding something the kids will enjoy doing, it's figuring out how to fit it all in. There is just so much to do!

These are upcoming events for the family 

From Explore Minnesota

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Free Things to Do 

Free (or some times a donation)

These are the free things to do.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory provides a balanced combination of fun, family and education. It's mission is to inspire our public to value the presence of living things in our lives. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days a year and admission is free. Guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to help care for the plants and animals. Suggested donation is $2 for adults and $1 for children.
Mall of America
Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
*Most retail stores are closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Summer Mall Hours (May 31 - August 30, 2008)
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Baker Park Reserve
Located on Lake Independence, Baker Park Reserve's 2,700 acres offer diverse outdoor activities in natural surroundings. You can golf at Baker National Golf Course, explore a creative play area, picnic and swim, or bicycle on paved trails that wind through meadows and forest. Visit for the day, stay overnight in the campground or plan a retreat to the Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement, a secluded log-cabin village. In the winter, the park offers 12.9K of cross-country ski trails.
Minnesota Transportation Museum
The Minnesota Transportation Museum invites travelers of all ages to experience the changing world of transportation.
Eden Prairie Center's Soft Play Area
For all of you south-suburbanites, check out the soft foam play area at Eden Prairie Center! It's located on the lower level near Kohl's and has a Minnesota-living theme. Some of the play structures include a snowmobile, tent, hills and jet ski.

It has a nice balance of taller climbing structures for the preschool crowd and lower structures for the younger tots. Bring the kids there to enjoy Minnesota without any pesky mosquitoes!
Choo Choo Bobs Train Sore
This Grand Avenue train store is chock full of fun and toys! It hosts free storytimes at 10 a.m. on select Tuesdays and Saturdays - Engineer Paul usually hosts them each week, but it's best to call or check the schedule in the website's Events section before your visit.

Even on non-story days, the store is a place for free fun; there are train tables (with surrounding benches for parents) located in the rear of the store that are open for play during business hours.

They also offer birthday party packages in their train-themed party room for a reasonable price.

2050 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-646-5252
Imagination Saturdays - Michaels Craft Stores
Michaels Kids Club meets each Saturday at Michaels stores; kids ages 5-12 are invited to join one of four 30-minute sessions at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. Typically, projects cost $2 per project, per child. However, some Saturdays are free for the whole family.

Multiple Metro Locations!
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Admisssion is always free, every day, except on Mondays when it's closed, at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in Minneapolis. On select Sundays, they host Family Days, which feature special activities for families to enjoy together! Otherwise, browse one of their many permanent collections or temporary exhibitions.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays.
Minneapolis Movies in the Park Series
Free movies in the park. Watch movies with your loved ones for free, while sitting under the stars.

*Bring a comfortable seat, but not a lawn chair (more like a beach chair). It really keeps your back/butt from hurting.

Cheap Things to Do 

$1 to $9 per person

The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park
Tour only - $6/person
Cost increases from here as you add more options, such as a lunch or hayride.
Science Museum of Minnesota - Minnesota's Favorite Museum
Exhibits Only
Adult - Cost from $11.00
Child (4-12), Senior (60+) Cost from $8.50
Minnesota Children's Museum
Ages 1 - 101: $7.95 (If you're under 1 or over 101 years of age, sorry)

On December 12, 1981, the first children entered the original Children's Museum, known as "Minnesota's AwareHouse," in downtown Minneapolis. A picture of the original Children's Museum, Minnesota's AwareHouse. They experienced the wonders of hands-on children's museums. Each child who visited the Museum over the years has found creative, colorful, educational, safe environments to explore and discover exciting galleries and programs based on sound principles of learning.
Foshay Tower
$7 per person

Built in 1929 at the then-astronomical cost of $25 million and modeled on the Washington Monument, the Foshay was the brainchild of plumbing magnate Wilbur Foshay, who went to prison for fraud a year after it was built. The Foshay was the city's crowning glory before the IDS Tower, and even today the opulent art deco lobby is breathtaking in its extravagance.
Bell Museum
Adults: $5
Children 3-16: $3
Children under 3 years: Free
Seniors 62+: $3

The James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History was established by state legislative mandate in 1872 to collect, preserve, skillfully prepare, display, and interpret our state's diverse animal and plant life for scholarly research and teaching and for public appreciation, enrichment, and enjoyment. Its governance belongs, by state legislative designation, to the University of Minnesota.
St. Paul Saints Baseball
General Admission
Adult $5.00
Youth (14 & Under) $4.00
Bleacher Reserved
Adult $8.00
Youth (14 & Under) $7.00
Minnesota History Center
At the History Center's museum, enjoy lively exhibits that feature such varied objects as an authentic birch bark canoe, a printing press from the early 1800s, Minnesota Twins' World Series memorabilia, Burma Shave signs, a recreated barbershop and a windmill straight off the farm.

$10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, and $5 children ages 6-17. Free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

More Expensive Things to Do 

$10 to $25+

These are the more costly adventures. Hopefully you get what you pay for!
Minnesota Zoo
Age Zoo Only Zoo/Imax Theatre
3-12 $8.00 $14.00
13-64 $14.00 $21.00
Valley Fair Amusement Park
Regular
(Ages 3-61 & 48" & taller in shoes) $36.95
Junior/Senior
(3 years & older and less than 48" tall in shoes, or 62 years & older) $14.95
Minnesota Indoor Water Parks (including Hotels)
All of the indoor water parks in Minnesota.

Costs, hours of operation and locations vary.

Need more ideas? 

Here's some more resources

Explorabook: A Kid's Science Museum in a Book (Klutz)

Explorabook: A Kid's Science Museum in a Book (Klutz)

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $21.95
Used Price: $0.37

Teaching Kids to Love the Earth

Teaching Kids to Love the Earth

by: Marina Lachecki

A fun book to help you teach your kids about the environment. Very nice!

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 12/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $17.95
Used Price: $5.49

Exploring the Twin Cities with Children (Exploring the Twin Cities W/Children)

Exploring the Twin Cities with Children (Exploring the Twin Cities W/Children)

by: Elizabeth S. French

This is one of the best books out there for great activities in the Twin Cities. Well worth it!

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 12/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $20.66

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