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:
Midtown Global Market – International Public Market
Midtown Global Market is an internationally-themed public market with groceries, great food and unique gifts. This indoor mall has the feel of an open street market and it is good to approach your outing with that in mind. It is fun place to come as a family and they add the incentive of Wee Wednesdays and Family Fridays. They also offer annual events such as the Midtown Global Music Festival.
If you don't like crowd's Wee Wednesdays may be your answer to Family Fridays.
Family Fridays at Midtown Global Market
Family Fridays are crowded, loud and bustling. It is difficult to keep kids focused and easy to lose them. I warn of this, not to scare you off, but to prepare you. They are fun, especially in the winter when you are missing outdoor festivals. Like a festival, you can buy food (that often resembles food truck food) and sit at a table (or on the floor) to watch the entertainment of the day. You may want to employ whatever tricks you use in crowds to keep your family together and have an exit plan if its too overwhelming for a tired or sensitive child.
Finding Our Way Around Midtown Global Market during the Taco Tour
Getting to Midtown Global Market
Some things to note when coming as a family. This is a busy part of town. There is a parking ramp across the street that allows for up to one and half hours free parking with validation. You do need to remember to ask to be validated. There is also a lot that offers paid parking next to the mall. The traffic and parking around Midtown can both be frustrating until you've done it a few times. However, it is on a bus line, so if you are coming for a family fun outing, you may be able to work in a bus adventure, instead.
Birthday Parties at Midtown Global Market
- Scavenger Hunts
- Tours
- Taste Tours
- Food Demos and Tastes
- Dance Lessons
The Taco Tour on Lake Street
Midtown is part of the popular Lake Street Taco Tour. This event is basically a taco crawl. The idea is you go from restaurant to restaurant trying tacos. If you sign up fast enough, you get a certain number free. This tour sells out fast and is a lot of walking, even if you take the shuttle part of the time. It was a bit much for me when I attempted it pregnant with three kids in its first year. However, it is a fun way to explore the restaurants of Lake Street, and several of the options are right inside Midtown. Even though the Taco Tour sells out quickly, if it sounds like something you want to do, you can still attend, ride the shuttle and take advantages of specials. The organizers would appreciate an RSVP. The 2016 Taco Tour is July 17th. If it sounds overwhelming, you can go to Midtown anytime.