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Minnetonka Center for the Arts is a nonprofit community art center in Wayzata that offers art classes, public exhibitions in their free gallery and community outreach. There is also a café and gift shop on site.

Minnetonka Center for the Arts Gallery

A Good Option for Families with Small Children

The gallery is always free and open to the public. I find art centers to be a nice way to introduce the enjoyment of art to small children for three reasons:

1. They are free, so you don’t have to feel like you need to get your money’s worth. You can stop by frequently but stay only a few minutes;
2. Parking is easier to find than at any of the Twin Cities major art museums (free or not)
3. They are less intimidating than art galleries (which also tend to be free)

Just like with museums, I like to remind my small kids this is a “look, but don’t touch” place and I like to be ready with observations and I Spy games.

The gallery has seven major exhibits each year, which means they swap out the art often, plus they have auxiliary shows in other areas of the building. Walk down the hallways or visit the café to discover new treasures.

Art Center Café

Minnetonka Center for the Arts Classes & Camps

Minnetonka Center for the Arts Birthday Parties

Families can book a Saturday afternoon birthday party for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids will spend 75 minutes making hands-on art with an artist-instructor and then have 45 minutes for cake and refreshments. Kids should dress for a mess. Find more birthday party ideas in our annual birthday party guide.