In Minnesota, family fun outdoors means embracing all four seasons. If you are on this page because you are looking for a new Twin Cities-area park, playground or nature center to explore, hundreds of entries can be found through our Parks & Playgrounds Search feature. Or, continue searching hundreds more ideas of things to do with kids in the Twin Cities through our Family Directory, including family outings, services, classes, camps, birthday parties and more.
Family Fun Directory of Things To Do with Kids:
HealthEast Sports Center and Madison’s Place Playground
HealthEast Sports Center (f/k/a Bielenberg Sports Center) is a multi-use sports centers with indoor and outdoor facilities. Amenities include a 90,000-square-foot indoor field house, two indoor ice arenas, an outdoor ice skating rink, 36 outdoor athletic fields, a splash pad, and Twin Cities East Metro’s first completely handicapped accessible inclusive playground.
The recent name change from Bielenberg Sports Center to HealthEast Sports Center is part of a sponsorship agreement in which HealthEast will be investing $126,000 into the center. The city is in the process of deciding how to use the funds.
Madison's Place Accessible Playground at HealthEast Sports Center
Madison's Place is an all-inclusive playground with equipment and ramps for wheelchair access, shaded play decks, accessible swings, and sensory play features. The playground was born through the Madison Claire Foundation whose ongoing mission is to set a standard for how people think about and plan for inclusive play.
Splash Pad at HealthEast Sports Center
During the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), HealthEast has a free splash pad with two platforms, the smaller of which is better suited to smaller children. The larger platform includes dumping buckets, flower showers and spray nozzles. In season, the splash pad is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Nearby restrooms are available during these hours.
HealthEast Sports Center is available for Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties at HealthEast Sports Center
HealthEast has space available to rent for birthday parties. Prices start at $25/hour and go up depending on the rental space. Set up by an event attendant can be added for $20/hour.
Open Sports Times at HealthEast Sports Center
Find Year-Round Ice Skating at HealthEast Sports Center
The sports center offers open times for practicing various sports. Skate rental is $6 per pair and skate sharpening is available for $6 per pair. Schedules are subject to change. Find current schedules online or sign up for their email updates.
- Outdoor Refrigerated Ice Rink • FREE
- Indoor Open Skating • $5 per time or $40 for a 10-pass
- Open Freestyle • $7 per time or $50 for a 10-pass
- Open Walk/Run • $3 per time ($1/age 5 and under), $20 for a 10-pass or $52 for a season pass
- Summer Open Field - In place of specific sports times • $7 per time
- Youth/Adult Open Soccer • $7 per time or 650 for a 10-pass
- Open Lacrosse • $7 per time or $60 for a 10-pass
- Adult Open Hockey • $7 per time or $60 for a 10-pass
Outdoor Refrigerated Rink at HealthEast Sports Center
The facility maintains a refrigerated outdoor rink beginning in late November. This rink offers free drop-in skating Sundays-Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 a.m.-to 10 p.m. All open skate times are subject to weather, special events, maintenance or snow removal. Skates can be sharpened or rented for $6/pair.
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Hi there,I log on to your blog named “HealthEast Sports Center (formerly Bielenberg) and Playground – Family Fun Twin Cities” daily.Your humoristic style is awesome, keep it up!
I wasn’t going for funny, but I always aim for awesome. So, thank you. I hope you get a chance to check out Madison’s Place Playground sometime.