25 Indoor Things to Do With Kids in Minneapolis & the Twin Cities
Looking for fun indoor activities for kids in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities?
Whether it's below zero, raining outside, or you simply need a new idea for family time, the Twin Cities has an incredible variety of indoor activities for children of all ages.
Minnesota families know that cold weather doesn't have to mean staying home.
From indoor amusement parks and children's museums to climbing, science experiments, aquariums, art, and even playing inside a Himalayan salt cave, there are plenty of ways to get out of the house without going outside.
Here are 25 of our favorite indoor things to do with kids in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities.
1. Play and Relax in a Himalayan Salt Cave
The Salt Cave Minnesota — Minneapolis
If you're looking for something completely different from the typical indoor playground, spend some family time surrounded by Himalayan salt.
At The Salt Cave Minnesota, children can experience the unusual environment of an authentic Himalayan salt cave while parents get the rare opportunity to relax during a family outing.
The cave floor is covered in loose Himalayan salt, creating a fun, almost beach-like sensory experience for children during designated family-friendly sessions. Meanwhile, the entire family experiences a traditional salt therapy—or halotherapy—session.
A halogenerator disperses microscopic particles of dry salt into the cave while everyone simply relaxes, plays, and breathes normally.
Some families incorporate salt therapy into their wellness routines during cold, allergy, and respiratory seasons. Research into halotherapy is still developing, however, so salt therapy should be considered a complementary wellness practice rather than a replacement for medical care.
What really makes the experience unusual for families is its pace.
While many children's attractions are loud, crowded, and highly stimulating, the salt cave provides the opposite: a peaceful, screen-free environment where kids can explore and parents can unwind.
Best for: Families looking for something unusual, relaxing, screen-free, or less stimulating than a traditional indoor play space.
Learn more: Visit our Family Salt Therapy & Indoor Activities for Kids page or reserve a family-friendly salt therapy session.
2. Explore the Minnesota Children's Museum
St. Paul
For hands-on play, it's hard to beat the Minnesota Children's Museum.
Kids can climb, create, experiment, splash, pretend, and explore throughout multiple floors of interactive exhibits. Younger children have spaces designed especially for them, while older kids can tackle larger climbing and imaginative-play experiences.
It's an especially good choice when you need an activity that can occupy several hours.
Best for: Toddlers through elementary-age children.
3. Discover Science at the Science Museum of Minnesota
St. Paul
Dinosaurs, fossils, the human body, experiments, engineering, and a giant-screen Omnitheater make the Science Museum of Minnesota one of the Twin Cities' classic family destinations.
This is an especially good choice for families with children of different ages because there is enough variety to keep both younger children and older kids interested.
Best for: Curious kids, elementary students, tweens, and teens.
4. Ride an Indoor Roller Coaster at Nickelodeon Universe
Mall of America — Bloomington
Few cities can claim an amusement park where the roller coasters are completely indoors.
Nickelodeon Universe sits in the center of Mall of America and offers everything from gentle rides for younger children to roller coasters and thrill rides for bigger kids.
And because it's indoors, January weather doesn't matter.
Best for: Families looking for a high-energy outing.
5. Walk Through an Underwater Tunnel at SEA LIFE
Mall of America — Bloomington
Sharks swimming overhead certainly make an ordinary winter afternoon more interesting.
SEA LIFE at Mall of America lets families explore marine environments and walk through its signature underwater ocean tunnel surrounded by aquatic life.
It's also easy to combine with other Mall of America attractions for a full indoor family day.
Best for: Animal lovers and younger children.
6. Get Creative at Crayola Experience
Mall of America — Bloomington
For kids who would rather create than ride roller coasters, Crayola Experience offers a colorful alternative.
Children can move between hands-on art activities, interactive experiences, creative stations, and play areas at their own pace.
Expect to make things—and consider dressing accordingly.
Best for: Preschool and elementary-age children who love art and creativity.
7. See a Mammoth at the Bell Museum
St. Paul
Minnesota's natural history museum combines animals, fossils, science, and astronomy in a beautiful indoor environment.
One of the biggest attractions for children is the museum's enormous woolly mammoth, but families can also explore natural-history exhibits and hands-on science experiences.
Add a planetarium show and you can easily turn the visit into a memorable afternoon.
Best for: Kids interested in animals, dinosaurs, nature, or space.
8. Invent Something at The Bakken Museum
Minneapolis
The Bakken Museum encourages kids to experiment, invent, and ask questions.
Located near Bde Maka Ska, this smaller museum focuses on science, technology, innovation, and discovery through interactive exhibits.
Its manageable size can also make it a good alternative for families who don't want to commit to an enormous museum.
Best for: Elementary-age children, makers, inventors, and curious kids.
9. Build and Tinker at The Works Museum
Bloomington
Have a child who is constantly building things?
The Works Museum focuses on engineering, design, and hands-on problem solving. Children can experiment with interactive exhibits while learning how things work.
It's another excellent alternative to purely entertainment-focused indoor attractions.
Best for: Young builders, STEM-loving kids, and elementary-age children.
10. Climb Through Edinborough Park
Edina
Edinborough Park gives Minnesota kids something we desperately need in the middle of winter: a huge indoor place to move.
Its enclosed park environment includes large play structures where children can climb, crawl, slide, and burn off some serious energy without anyone worrying about the temperature outside.
Best for: Toddlers and elementary-age children with energy to spare.
11. Climb at Vertical Endeavors
Minneapolis
Ready to try something more adventurous?
Indoor rock climbing is a great way for kids to challenge themselves physically and mentally. Vertical Endeavors offers climbing opportunities for different experience levels, including youth programming.
It's particularly good for older children who have outgrown traditional indoor playgrounds.
Best for: Active elementary-age kids, tweens, and teens.
12. Spend the Day at an Indoor Water Park
Great Wolf Lodge — Bloomington
When it's 10 degrees outside, swimming in warm water feels especially satisfying.
Great Wolf Lodge's indoor water park offers slides, pools, water play, and other family attractions, making it possible to create a mini winter getaway without leaving the Twin Cities.
Best for: Families wanting an all-day outing or staycation.
13. Explore Minnesota History
Minnesota History Center — St. Paul
History becomes much more interesting when kids can interact with it.
The Minnesota History Center features exhibits that help children experience Minnesota's past through stories, objects, interactive displays, and hands-on exploration.
It's an excellent way to sneak a little education into a family outing.
Best for: School-age children and families interested in Minnesota.
14. See How Minneapolis Became the Flour Milling Capital
Mill City Museum — Minneapolis
Built within the ruins of an old flour mill along the Mississippi River, Mill City Museum brings Minneapolis history to life.
Interactive exhibits help children understand the river, flour milling, and the industries that shaped the city.
It's particularly fun for kids who like machines, water, buildings, and local history.
Best for: Elementary-age children and visiting families.
15. Take Kids to the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis
An art museum might not be the first place parents think of for young children—but don't overlook Mia.
The museum offers family-oriented programming, activities, scavenger hunts, and resources that make exploring art more approachable for children.
Even better, general admission is free.
Give each child a challenge: find the funniest painting, strangest object, favorite animal, or piece of art they'd most like to have in their bedroom.
Suddenly you're not walking through a museum. You're on a treasure hunt.
Best for: Families looking for a free or low-cost indoor activity.
16. Catch a Show at Children's Theatre Company
Minneapolis
Seeing live theater for the first time can be magical.
Children's Theatre Company specializes in productions created for young audiences and families, making it an excellent introduction to live performance.
Check the current season to find a production appropriate for your child's age.
Best for: Preschoolers through teens, depending on the production.
17. Enter the World of Optical Illusions
Museum of Illusions — Mall of America
Sometimes your eyes really can't be trusted.
The Museum of Illusions combines optical tricks, unusual rooms, perspective experiments, and highly photographable interactive exhibits.
Older children may get more out of understanding how the illusions work, while younger kids can simply enjoy how strange everything looks.
Best for: School-age kids, tweens, teens, and families who love taking pictures.
18. Experience FlyOver America
Mall of America — Bloomington
FlyOver America creates the sensation of flying over landscapes using a huge screen, motion seating, and special effects.
It's relatively short compared with an entire amusement park visit, which makes it easy to combine with another Mall of America activity.
Best for: School-age children and families seeking something immersive.
19. Burn Off Energy at Lava Island
Eden Prairie
When the goal is simply to let the kids MOVE, an indoor adventure park can be the answer.
Lava Island offers a large indoor play environment with climbing, slides, obstacles, and areas for different ages.
This is one to save for the days when everyone has been stuck inside the house for too long.
Best for: High-energy kids and birthday outings.
20. Climb Through Eagles Nest Indoor Playground
New Brighton
Another excellent cold-weather option, Eagles Nest features a large multi-level indoor playground where kids can climb through tunnels, tackle obstacles, and slide their way back down.
It's a straightforward formula—but sometimes that's exactly what a winter Saturday needs.
Best for: Toddlers through elementary-age children.
21. Play at Backyard Indoor Playground
Golden Valley
Located inside Brookview, Backyard Indoor Playground provides another west-metro option for families who need somewhere for younger children to climb and explore.
With climbing structures, tunnels, and areas designed for different ages, it's particularly useful during long stretches of cold or wet weather.
Best for: Toddlers and younger elementary-age children.
22. Challenge the Family at an Indoor Action Park
Slick City Action Park — Maple Grove
For kids who want something more physical, Slick City focuses on slides and active indoor entertainment.
It's a particularly good option for children who have moved beyond toddler play spaces but still want somewhere to run, climb, slide, and challenge themselves.
Best for: Active kids and family groups.
23. See Historic Trains at Jackson Street Roundhouse
St. Paul
Have a train-obsessed child?
The Jackson Street Roundhouse gives families the chance to explore Minnesota's railroad history while getting close to historic locomotives and railway equipment.
It's an especially fun winter destination because so much of the experience is protected from the weather.
Best for: Train lovers, toddlers, elementary-age children, and grandparents.
24. Escape to the Tropics at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
St. Paul
When Minnesota has been gray and frozen for what feels like forever, walking into a tropical conservatory can feel like taking a tiny vacation.
Como's conservatory offers warm air, tropical plants, and a welcome dose of green during the middle of winter. Combine it with the zoo's indoor animal areas for a classic Twin Cities family outing.
Admission is traditionally free with donations encouraged, making Como especially appealing for families watching their entertainment budget.
Best for: All ages.
25. Spend a Whole Indoor Day at Mall of America
Bloomington
If you simply cannot decide what everyone wants to do, Mall of America solves the problem.
Beyond shopping, families can choose among Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE, Crayola Experience, Museum of Illusions, FlyOver America, movies, games, restaurants, and numerous other entertainment options.
You don't even have to choose just one.
For Minnesota families, that's what makes Mall of America such a reliable winter standby: you can create an entirely different indoor family day every time you visit.
Best for: Families with children of different ages and out-of-town visitors.
What Are the Best Indoor Activities for Kids in the Twin Cities?
It really depends on what your family needs that day.
For kids who need to burn energy: Try an indoor playground, climbing gym, Nickelodeon Universe, or an action park.
For curious kids: Head to the Science Museum, Bell Museum, The Bakken, The Works Museum, or Minnesota History Center.
For creative kids: Try Crayola Experience, Minneapolis Institute of Art, or Children's Theatre Company.
For animal lovers: SEA LIFE, Bell Museum, and Como Zoo are excellent options.
For a quieter family experience: Try an art museum, conservatory, theater—or a family salt therapy session at The Salt Cave Minnesota.
Looking for Something Calmer to Do With Kids?
Not every family outing needs to involve flashing lights, crowds, climbing structures, or constant stimulation.
Sometimes kids—and parents—need a chance to slow down.
That's one reason families enjoy visiting The Salt Cave Minnesota.
Children can experience the novelty of being surrounded by Himalayan salt while parents relax nearby. During designated family-friendly sessions, everyone gets to enjoy the experience together.
It's part family activity, part quiet time, and part wellness experience.
And when you've spent enough Minnesota winter weekends at indoor playgrounds, doing something completely different can be refreshing.
Learn more about Family Salt Therapy at The Salt Cave Minnesota →
Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Family Activities in Minneapolis
What can you do with kids indoors in Minneapolis during winter?
The Twin Cities has dozens of options, including children's museums, science museums, indoor amusement parks, aquariums, climbing gyms, theaters, indoor playgrounds, art museums, salt therapy, and indoor water parks.
What are some unusual indoor things to do with kids in Minneapolis?
For something beyond the traditional museum or playground, families can experience a Himalayan salt cave, explore optical illusions, see a planetarium show, try indoor rock climbing, experience an immersive flying attraction, or visit historic trains.
What are some quieter indoor activities for kids?
Consider an art museum, children's theater performance, conservatory, smaller science museum, or family-friendly salt cave session. These can be good alternatives when your family doesn't want a loud or highly stimulating indoor attraction.
Are there free indoor family activities in Minneapolis and St. Paul?
Yes. The Minneapolis Institute of Art offers free general admission, and Como Park Zoo & Conservatory traditionally operates with free admission and suggested donations. Other museums and attractions may offer periodic free family days, so check their current calendars before visiting.
What can families do when it's too cold outside in Minnesota?
Think beyond simply staying home. Winter is a great time to explore the Twin Cities' museums, indoor play spaces, theaters, amusement attractions, aquariums, wellness experiences, and other all-weather destinations.
Get Out of the House This Winter
Living in Minnesota teaches families an important lesson:
You don't have to wait for warm weather to have an adventure.
Whether your child wants to climb, build, paint, explore, swim, see animals, ride a roller coaster, watch a show, or play in Himalayan salt, there's somewhere in the Twin Cities to do it—without worrying about the temperature outside.
Save this list for the next snow day, school break, rainy weekend, or inevitable Minnesota morning when someone asks:
“What are we going to do today?”
And when your family needs something a little quieter, come breathe, play, and relax with us at The Salt Cave Minnesota.
FIND MORE INFORMATION!
Learn more about our events and offerings and how salt therapy can help you!