I love living in the Twin Cities because while it is a metropolitan area, it’s still very Minnesota Nice (and I mean that genuinely, not passive-aggressively). Here are a list of some of the reasons that Minneapolis (along with St. Paul) is a great place to raise our families.
Minneapolis ECFE – Drop-In Play & Learns and Open Gym TimesÂ
Minneapolis Public Schools offer a warm and welcoming space where parents can connect, share, explore and learn about child development. Tots are offered active hands-on gym times to help them grow. FREE. Drop In. Created for families with children ages 0-5. Find the latest schedules and locations here.
Minneapolis Parks Tot Times, Open Gym Hours and other Toddler-friendly outings:
If you seek opportunities in Minneapolis, try searching the Park & Rec Board site and type “tot” into the search box. Minneapolis open gym times can also be found at the same link, type “open gym” into search box.
Waite Park Gym is somewhat small, but there is plenty of room for play
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Toddler and Preschool Activities in Minneapolis This Week:
Monday, July 13, 2026
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Monday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, MinneapolisTuesday, July 14, 2026
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Wild Rumpus Books Weekly Storytime (FREE) - Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Tuesday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
⚈ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Lynnhurst Ice Cream Social (FREE) - Lynnhurst Park, Minneapolis
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
⚈ 1:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line - Minnesota Streetcar Museum – Como Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis⚈ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Powderhorn Storytelling in the Park (FREE) - Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Wednesday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
⚈ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Loring Park Family Fun Night (FREE) - Loring Park, Minneapolis
⚈ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Pershing Community Ice Cream Social (FREE) - Pershing Field Park, Minneapolis
Thursday, July 16, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Simply Jane Toddler Time - Simply Jane Studio / ArtAble, Minneapolis⚈ 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Thursday Garden Storytime (FREE) - Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tiny Tots Storytime (FREE) - Big Hill Books, Minneapolis
⚈ 1:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line - Minnesota Streetcar Museum – Como Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Thursday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
⚈ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Lovell Square Park Ice Cream Social - Lovell Square Park, Minneapolis
Friday, July 17, 2026
⚈ 9:00 am - 10:00 am: Kids at the Castle: The Littlest Viking - American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Friday Art-Making In the Garden (FREE) - Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Friday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
⚈ 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Northeast Library Family Storytime (FREE) - Northeast Library, Minneapolis
⚈ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line - Minnesota Streetcar Museum – Como Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis
Saturday, July 18, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Mill City Farmers Market - Mill City Farmers Market, Minneapolis⚈ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Midtown Farmers Market - Midtown Farmers Market – Market Plaza, Minneapolis
⚈ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Northeast Farmers Market Open - St. Boniface Catholic Church, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Art Play! at Mia: Model Clay Masterpieces (FREE) - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Library Open - In The Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Stories & Crafts in the Gallery (FREE) - The Museum of Russian Art, Minneapolis
⚈ 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line - Minnesota Streetcar Museum – Como Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis
Sunday, July 19, 2026
⚈ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Twin Cities Beach Blast: Milk Carton Races & Sand Castle Contests (FREE) - Thomas Beach, Minneapolis4 More Fun Places to Visit with Toddlers in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Week days are a great time to visit with Toddlers. Even if you never leave the first floor Family Room to explore the artwork, your tot will have plenty of toys and books curated for creative play. Bonus, mom and dad can grab a drink from Agra Culture Coffee Shop and relax a bit, too. Did I mention FREE admission?
Address: 2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Admission: FREE
We call it the “Block Room” – A great reason to visit the MIA.
Wild Rumpus Bookstore
Particularly appealing to tots will be the front door of the shop that is just their size and purple! And, of course, the store’s menagerie of pets. Ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations and you can come home with a book perfect for snuggle time.
Address: 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Admission: FREE
A special purple door just for short people
Walker Art Center
Although Free First Saturdays are aimed at families with children of all ages, a one-on-one weekday visit with your tot is affordable (kids are FREE) and the museum is quiet. Wander the galleries at your child’s pace with the time to view the art with their eyes.
Address: 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Admission: Adults: $15; Tots: FREE
Midtown Global Market
It is really fun to visit when the market isn’t crowded. Because it is set up like an indoor version of an outdoor market, you can enjoy shopping the booths with brightly colored fruits and veggies and global wares.
Address: 920 E Lake St #G10, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Admission: FREE
Greater Twin Cities Tot Times & Toddler Attractions:
And for the surrounding metro suburbs, we have included many on our list of Get Moving: Tot Times, Open Play, Gym & Swim Spots for Tots in the Twin Cities.
- Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America: Monthly entertainment, Nickelodeon Universe discounts, and Kids-Eat-Free deals. Make it a regular thing with Memberships to Sea Life & Crayola Experience
- The Blast Indoor Playground, Eagan and more Indoor Playgrounds and Play Areas Around the Twin Cities
- Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
- Coffee Shops & Cafes that Welcome Tots
- Twin Cities Libraries: Play & Learn Spaces
- Twin Cities Nature Centers & Outdoor Centers
Find a calendar of tot times and specialized fun for the littles in your family in Family Fun Twin Cities Tot Time Guide.
