Stuff to Do in Minneapolis With Kids

Minneapolis, Minnesota has been dubbed the "City of Lakes" due to its more than 20 lakes and wetlands as well as the presence of both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers that run through town. It is where nature and skyscrapers coexist, with an abundance of attractions, cultural sites and parkways. As one of the Twin Cities and a part of a major metropolitan area, activities for your kids include cover the gamut appropriate to all types of weather.

  1. Interactive Museums

    • The Mill City Museum is built among the ruins of what was once the world's biggest flour mills. The kid-friendly exhibits include an eight story elevator ride reliving the history of the mill, a panoramic view of the city from the rooftop deck, a baking lab and an historical movie about the city. The Bakken Museum is a facility that explores all things electric with interactive displays such as kid inventions, Mysteries of Magnets, Ben Franklin's Electricity Party and Sparks of Life, which is a look into how medical equipment works. At the Firefighters Hall and Museum, kids can climb on board many of the old fire trucks on display and learn all about what it takes to be a firefighter.

    Parks and Beaches

    • The city of Minneapolis nicely ties in its many waterways with an extensive park system. The Chain of Lakes is a 13 mile path connecting many parks, gardens and lakes throughout the city including Brownie Lake and Cedar Lake. It provides an enjoyable day of bike rides and walks with the kids. One of the city's larger parks, Theodore Wirth Lake Beach, provides playgrounds, swimming, a beach boardwalk, sand volleyball courts and picnicking areas. Lake Calhoun North Beach is along the shores of Lake Calhoun with lots of sandy beach space, a tot lot and a biking path. Armatage Park features several sports fields, a skate park and ice skating in the winter.

    The Arts

    • Simply Jane is an art studio open to anyone wanting to come in and be an artist. It supplies the paint, brushes, instructors and clean-up while you and the kids can let your creativity take over. For a performing arts experience, the Children's Theatre Company offers live performances of kid's favorites such as "Alice in Wonderland" and "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Performing arts classes and camps are available to kids, providing a fun and educational experience in drama.

    Tours

    • Padelford Riverboats is a cruise boat touring company providing a variety of tours along the Mississippi River. You and the kids can enjoy the regularly scheduled sightseeing tours, the fireworks tour on the 4th of July, a princess-themed tour for your little princess or a dinner or brunch cruise. Above the Fall Sports offers kayaking tours along the Mississippi adequate for all ages. Tours include gorge exploration, twilight supper cruises, fireworks cruises and tours that go from city to city. The company also provides lessons for canoeing and kayaking, teaching the necessary skills needed to navigate the waters.

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