08 Feb Free and Low-Cost: Outings, Playdates, and Adventures
by Kate Hogan, CPM, LM
Looking for somewhere to go to get out of the house, to go on an adventure, or to meet a friend without having to clean up your house (or worry about it being torn apart)?
Often when baby first arrives, parents are looking for more support and connection through Moms or Dads groups. We’ve got those covered on the previous posts: Moms Groups around Town and Dad/Partners Groups.
But as baby grows into a toddler, families are more often looking for a place to let their kiddo walk, run, and play. Here are some spots that are favorites for families. Please let me know what I’ve missed! Enjoy!
Free Opportunities
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free and open every day! The warm and humid Conservatory is a perfect tropical escape for sub zero Minnesotan days. Be sure to check out their Lil’ Explorer Thursdays for stories and animal themed learning activities September-April.
The Minnesota Children’s Museum offers free admission on the third Sunday of every month.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts always offers free admission.
The Walker Art Center offers free admission every Thursday from 5-9pm and the first Saturday of every month. The Walker Sculpture Garden and Conservatory is always free.
Mill City Museum is free for children 5 and under.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum offers free admissions Thursdays all day (November through March) and every third Thursday of the month after 4:30 p.m. (April through October).
The Mall of America provides plenty of space for a little one to run and explore. Toddler Tuesdays offer free events and entertainment that change every week. If your little one likes to build with Legos, be sure to check out Legoland!
Rosedale Center offers Kids World a free activity program for children 2 to 12 years old. Kids World meets the 1st Monday of each month 10am – 11am, each month and features a special theme, entertainment and activities for children.
The Midtown Global Market offers educational programming, activities, and crafts during their Wee Wednesdays and Family Fridays.
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store has multiple train tables set up in the back of their store that children are welcome to play with.
The Bell Museum is free for children under 3 (adult admission is $8).
The Works Museum is free for children under 2 (adult admission is $8).
One of the biggest playgrounds that I’m aware of in the cities, Hyland Play Area (aka Chutes and Ladders) in Bloomington, is always free.
Indoor Playgrounds and Rec Centers (some fees apply)
Edinborough Park Playpark in Edina
Eagles Nest Indoor Playground in New Brighton
Lookout Ridge in Woodbury
Good Times Park in Eagan
InnerActive in Minnetonka and Mounds View
Oxford Community Center and Great River Waterpark in St Paul
Shoreview Community Center, Tropics Indoor Waterpark, and Tropical Adventure Indoor Playground
Maple Grove Community Center, the Grove Cove (pool and splash pad) and Maple Maze
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Centers offers various activities and open gyms for children throughout Minneapolis.
St Paul Parks and Recreation Centers offers various activities and open gyms for children throughout St Paul.
Logan Recreation Center Tiny Tot Open Gym is on Monday and Friday mornings, in North East Minneapolis.
Ridgedale Mall has a free indoor play area.
Burnsville Mall has a free indoor play area.
Roseville community education offers Drop-In and Play classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings and Thursday afternoons.
Centennial Lakes is not indoor, but they have activities year round, free cultural performances, and free movies!
Braemar Field in Edina is covered from Nov-April and the track turf is free and open to the public to use.
Nature Centers
Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake
Eastman Nature Center in Maple Grove
Richfield Wood Lake Nature Center
Dodge Nature Center in West Saint Paul
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis
Free, child-led nature exploration with Free Forest School of Minneapolis and St. Paul
Minneapolis Skyway Adventure
You won’t find a bunch of families making use of the endless temperature controlled Minneapolis Skyway system to let their little one burn some energy, but it sure is a fun change of scene!
Parking is the only part that usually makes it not free, but if you park of Target downtown and spend $20 at Target (easy to do running normal errands) you get a free hour of parking on the weekdays, or 2 hours free on the weekends. Park by the Target elevator and you can leave your coats in the car!
Kids love looking out all the windows and watching the cars and trucks drive under them. There are plenty of public escalators and elevators to ride, if your kiddo happens to love those.
People watching is great in the skyways, however it gets busy during rush hours (beginning and end of the work day, and lunch time). If you are wanting more space for a new little walker to explore, go during a non rush time (such as 10am-11:30am), or even on the weekend.
Be sure to check out the indoor trees and waterfall in the IDS Center Crystal Court.
On Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, be sure to check out the free Wells Fargo Museum, complete with a replica stage coach that you can have a seat in!
Storytimes
Red Balloon Bookshop Storytimes
Wild Rumpus Bookstore Storytime
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store Storytime
Hennepin County Library Storytimes
Ramsey County Library Storytimes
Dakota County Library Storytimes
Washington County Library Storytimes
Kid Friendly Coffee Shops/Restaurants
Sovereign Grounds is a coffee shop and cafe with a playroom.
Riverview Cafe has a play area with toys.
Gandhi Mahal is an Indian restaurant with a playroom full of toys.
Free Summer Music and Movies
Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks
Minnesota History Center’s Bands on the Boulevard with live music and dance instruction
Walker Art Center’s Music and Movies at Loring Park
Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project
Specific Events
Loppet Ski Festival in January, especially the Luminary Loppet.
Kite Festival at Lake Harriet in January
Art Shanties on White Bear Lake during weekends in February.
Art Car Parade in July
Bellyrama in August hosted by Blooma.
Rainy and Snowy Day Outings | Twin Cities Midwifery Blog
Posted at 16:14h, 19 November[…] Looking for a special outing with your little one, or even a great gift for an upcoming holiday? Instead of a toy, how about a pass for one of the fun adventures below? If you are looking for even more ideas, also check out Free and Low-Cost: Outings, Playdates, and Adventures. […]