12 Fun Family-Friendly Things to Do in Minnesota with Kids
Minnesota is a magical place for children, offering beautiful adventures for the whole family.
Additional family-friendly activities join the impressive lineup of zoos, theme parks, and museums annually.
In addition, Minnesota features pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains, and unspoiled wilderness that give the state a storybook appearance.
Guess what else?
To assist you in planning the trip of a lifetime to Minnesota, we listed the finest family-friendly activities in the state.
- Minneapolis Scavenger Hunt — Minneapolis
What You’ll Experience
Are you looking for an excellent method to introduce your kids to Minneapolis?
Experience a Minneapolis scavenger hunt adventure for yourself.
This walking tour will take you through the city’s historic mills, urban parks, and around the lakes with your smartphone serving as your guide.
Additionally, the route passes through many notable sites and several of Minnesota’s top family resorts.
This sightseeing experience allows you to solve puzzles and fulfill challenges as you move across the city.
Join this unique sightseeing tour if you’re hoping to live out your Amazing Race fantasies.
Recommended Ages
The Minneapolis Amazing Scavenger Hunt is a terrific experience for children ages nine and older.
- Nickelodeon Universe — Bloomington
What You’ll Experience
The Nickelodeon Universe is a must-have on any list of the best family-friendly Minnesota attractions.
This social wonderland, dubbed America’s biggest indoor theme park, is brimming with excitement for the whole family.
You can come across various attractions and roller coasters based on your preferred Nickelodeon shows as you stroll through the theme park.
The park’s themed rides and amenities will keep you entertained whether you like Spongebob or Dora the Explorer.
The park’s 18-hole golf course is a hit with parents as well.
Recommended Ages
There are numerous attractions at Nickelodeon Universe for visitors of all ages.
- Voyageurs National Park — International Falls
What You’ll Experience
Voyageurs isn’t just one of Minnesota’s top family getaways for nothing.
This national park provides families a rejuvenating respite from their hectic daily routine with its pristine lakes and boreal woodlands.
The park offers many inexpensive and gratis activities for kids in the summer, such as hiking, boating, and fishing.
Families can go snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and winter camping.
Recommended Ages
For children of all ages, Voyageurs National Park is a paradise of entertainment.
- Minnesota Zoo — Apple Valley
What You’ll Experience
This 485-acre complex, home to over 4,000 animals, entices families with its fascinating animals and Imax theater.
No matter the weather, your group will enjoy visiting this zoo.
Additionally, it’s a very enlightening experience for your kids.
Children can learn about the state’s native creatures at the Medtronic Minnesota Trail exhibits, like the American black bear.
Visit Discovery Bay, which houses a sizable Shark Reef exhibit, to observe more exotic displays.
Recommended Ages
The Minnesota Zoo is appropriate for kids of all ages, thanks to its assortment of fun exhibits.
- Lake Harriet Park — Minneapolis
What You’ll Experience
Your list of activities in Minnesota with young children and toddlers should include a trip to Lake Harriet.
After all, two of Minnesota’s top family beaches are located in Lake Harriet Park.
The lake also provides a variety of lakefront activities and family entertainment.
There are also some concession stands, a playground, and a floating bathing dock.
Recommended Ages
With its age-appropriate activities, Lake Harriet Park can occupy and amuse kids of all ages for hours.
- Minnesota Children’s Museum — St. Paul
What You’ll Experience
Look no further than Minnesota Children’s Museum if you’re looking for instructive tourist destinations for families.
It’s a fantastic location for youngsters to play, experiment, and get creative, thanks to its interactive, hands-on exhibits.
The finest aspect is that they can acquire many essential life skills while they play.
Recommended
Ages 3 to 12 should visit the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
- North American Bear Center — Ely
What You’ll Experience
There is only one educational site like the North American Bear Center in Minnesota.
The center educates tourists about bears and their interactions with humans through its exciting exhibits and films.
Four bears who reside in a 2.5-acre natural forest with a pond and artificial dens are also kept at the facility.
Yes, you can interact closely with these endearing and hospitable animals.
Recommended Ages
North American Bear Center is the best option for kids six and older.
- Great Lakes Aquarium — Duluth
What You’ll Experience
Going to the Great Lakes Aquarium, you may comfortably view the wonders and treasures there.
This family-friendly attraction is a nonprofit aquarium that is home to a variety of animals that are primarily found in the Great Lakes Basin.
You can see and learn more about the entertaining otters, lake sturgeon, lake trout, and coaster brook trout at this aquarium.
It has interactive, family-friendly displays like the Table of WOW and other creatures.
Recommended Ages
Children ages three and up can have an incredible and educational time at the Great Lakes Aquarium.
- Itasca State Park — Park Rapids
What You’ll Experience
Visit Minnesota’s oldest state park for a few days of revitalizing escape from the stresses of the city.
The state park, which includes more than 100 lakes, also offers a ton of entertainment options for both children and adults.
Families can stroll around this park’s 49 miles of hiking paths.
Various fauna, such as wolves, black bears, porcupines, ducks, and kinglets, may also be seen.
Recommended Ages
Visitors can enjoy a peaceful and entertaining wildlife excursion at Itasca State Park.
- Bell Museum of Natural History — St. Paul
What You’ll Experience
Undoubtedly one of the best family-friendly destinations in Minnesota, the Bell Museum of Natural History features cutting-edge displays and learning labs.
This museum includes every facet of the natural world, from flora to wildlife.
Additionally, sizable dioramas allow children to see animals in their native habitats.
Visit the “Touch and See” room for a fascinating experience, and let the kids interact with nearly anything there, including a live snake and animal skills.
The museum also houses a planetarium with programs about the universe and gravity.
Recommended Ages
For children aged 3 to 12, the Bell Museum of Natural History is a fantastic and enjoyable attraction.
- Spirit Mountain Adventure Park — Duluth
What You’ll Experience
Spirit Mountain Adventure Park features many family attractions all year round while well-known for its wintertime offerings.
Families may enjoy the mini golf, zip line, and Alpine Coaster in full force during the warmer months.
Families can enjoy various winter ice activities, such as snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing, and the Alpine Coaster.
Recommended Ages
Children ages six and older should visit Spirit Mountain Adventure Park, per our recommendation.
- Great Wolf Lodge Water Park — Bloomington
What You’ll Experience
Looking for many great family activities in Minnesota when it’s raining?
I advise you to visit Bloomington’s Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.
With its renowned indoor waterpark, this family-friendly destination will provide you with some splashy fun, whether it’s sunny or not.
Great Wolf Lodge delivers teens, children, and even adults with an unforgettable adventure thanks to its variety of thrilling water activities.
It also has many additional family-friendly activities, like a games area and a bowling alley.
Additionally, it’s one of the state’s well-liked family resorts.
Recommended Ages
Kids of all ages are amazed by Great Wolf Lodge Water Park’s fantastic selection of family attractions.
Many people consider it to be among the top family-friendly activities in Minnesota.
