Tot Times and Open Gym were my savior when my firstborn was a squirrelly toddler who needed a space to run off his pent-up wintertime energy. A few years later, I had four littles under the age of 7 who were climbing the walls and testing the limits of my sanity. Perhaps you find yourself in the same boat? Browse through our listings of indoor toddler activities to find an open gym, open playtime or open swim near you and treat yourself to a (near) guaranteed nap time.
Disclaimer: While we do our best to keep up with changes, Tot Times, Open Play and Open Gym times are subject to change without notice for reasons including weather, health and safety and staffing. We recommend calling or following the accompanying links to double check our information before heading out.
UPCOMING TWIN CITIES TOT TIMES
Below are Tot Times included on our Family Fun calendar in the near future. We don’t include every tot time in the Twin Cities every week, so be sure to scroll down to tot times in your own area to find favorites to add to your own family calendar.
Monday, March 23, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 11:30 am: Chanhassen Monday Tot Time Open Gym - Chanhassen Recreation Center, Chanhassen⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Monday Turf Tots - Hopkins Pavilion, Hopkins
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Apple Valley Pre-K Gym - Apple Valley Community Center, Apple Valley
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Plymouth Fieldhouse Open Play - Plymouth Fieldhouse Soccer Dome, Plymouth
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Rogers Monday Fieldhouse Tot Times - HealthPartners Fieldhouse, Rogers
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Monday Andover Tot Time Open Gym - Andover Community Center, Andover
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Maple Grove Monday Parent/Tot Time - Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Prairie Center Open Play - Prairie Center, Otsego
⚈ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: New Brighton Preschool Playtime - New Brighton Community Center, New Brighton
⚈ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm: PCC Preschool Open Gym - Plymouth Community Center, Plymouth
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Monday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
⚈ 7:15 pm - 9:30 pm: Brooklyn Park Open Gym (FREE) - Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, Brooklyn Park
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Tuesday Turf Tots - Hopkins Pavilion, Hopkins⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Braemar Field Tot Time - Braemar Field, Edina
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Rookery Tot Time - The Rookery Activity Center, Lino Lakes
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Savage Sports Center Tot Time - Savage Sports Center, Savage
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Open Turf Toddler Tuesday (FREE) - TCO Sports Garden, Vadnais Heights
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Tuesday Little Tot Playtime - St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, St Louis Park
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm: Eagan Blast & Play - Eagan Community Center, Eagan
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Tuesday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 11:30 am: Chanhassen Wednesday Tot Time Open Gym - Chanhassen Recreation Center, Chanhassen⚈ 8:00 am - 11:00 am: Mounds View Toddler Open Gym - Mounds View Community Center, Mounds View
⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Wednesday Turf Tots - Hopkins Pavilion, Hopkins
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Apple Valley Pre-K Gym - Apple Valley Community Center, Apple Valley
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Plymouth Fieldhouse Open Play - Plymouth Fieldhouse Soccer Dome, Plymouth
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Rogers Wednesday Fieldhouse Tot Times - HealthPartners Fieldhouse, Rogers
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Toddler Open Gym - Substance Church, Bloomington
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Wednesday Little Tot Playtime - St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, St Louis Park
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Crystal Preschool Playtime - Crystal Community Center, Crystal
⚈ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: New Brighton Preschool Playtime - New Brighton Community Center, New Brighton
⚈ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Wednesday Kids Open Play at Ninth Street Soccer (FREE) - Ninth Street Soccer, Minneapolis
Thursday, March 26, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Thursday Turf Tots - Hopkins Pavilion, Hopkins⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Braemar Field Tot Time - Braemar Field, Edina
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Savage Sports Center Tot Time - Savage Sports Center, Savage
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Open Turf Toddler Thursday (FREE) - TCO Sports Garden, Vadnais Heights
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Thursday Andover Tot Time Open Gym - Andover Community Center, Andover
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Thursday Little Tot Playtime - St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, St Louis Park
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm: Eagan Blast & Play - Eagan Community Center, Eagan
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Prairie Center Open Play - Prairie Center, Otsego
Friday, March 27, 2026
⚈ 8:00 am - 11:30 am: Chanhassen Friday Tot Time Open Gym - Chanhassen Recreation Center, Chanhassen⚈ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Friday Turf Tots - Hopkins Pavilion, Hopkins
⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Apple Valley Pre-K Gym - Apple Valley Community Center, Apple Valley
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Plymouth Fieldhouse Open Play - Plymouth Fieldhouse Soccer Dome, Plymouth
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:30 am: Friday Little Tot Playtime - St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, St Louis Park
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Maple Grove Friday Parent/Tot Time - Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove
Saturday, March 28, 2026
⚈ 10:15 am - 12:15 pm: Fridley Family Open Gym - Hayes Elementary School, FridleySaturday, April 4, 2026
⚈ 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Inner City Tennis Super Saturdays (FREE) - InnerCity Tennis, MinneapolisTOT TIME OVERVIEW -- BY AREA OF THE TWIN CITIES
This list includes some of the most dependable tot times in the Twin Cities. Note that many are only offered during the school year or during the winter months.
Minneapolis Tot Times
Minneapolis Parks: Family Indoor Playground
WHEN Times & parks vary – please see link.
AGES & COST Typically kids 5 & under with caregiver. Cost is FREE.
DETAILS Finding tot times in the Minneapolis parks can be tricky. Click the above link and type “indoor playground” into the activity search box to get a list of parks that offer drop-in Indoor toddler activities and play with scooters, balls, tumbling mats and more. You’ll need to sign up for an active pass, but it is free and you can do that the first time you go in.
Inner City Tennis Super Saturdays
4005 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis MN, 55409
WHEN Select alternating Saturdays starting October 4, 2025, through spring 2026. 3-6pm. See the link for times.
AGES & COST Kids ages 3-18. Cost is free.
DETAILS InnerCity Tennis’ Super Saturdays program invites youth to learn tennis fundamentals in a guided program. Staff and volunteers lead tennis practice, physical activity and teach life skills such as commitment, teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, responsibility and nutrition. The 12-court facility is dedicated exclusively to Super Saturdays during program hours. A healthy snack is provided. There is no limit to how many sessions can be attended, but pre-registration is required.
TCS Studios Toddler Tuesdays
3045 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408
WHEN Tuesdays starting September 9, 2025
AGES & COST Kids ages 1-5; $5/child.
DETAILS Bring your wheels of any type. The facility has swings, cars, slides, balls, skates, and space to run as well as space to rest and read. Purchase tickets here.
St Paul Tot Times
Looking for Saint Paul toddler activities? Anne, our resident St. Paulite, has all the details on the Parent & Tot Open Play times offered by St. Paul Parks and Rec as well as a list of other locations that are great to visit with tots. Indoor tot times are fun ways that kids can learn basic social skills, get exercise no matter the weather and bond with their caregivers. When the weather is nice, get out for some outdoor adventures.
The list of locations and times updates seasonally. To find current programs, follow this link —-> St. Paul Rec Centers offering Parent & Tot Play Times and registration information (if applicable). Families with older kids can find St Paul open gym times here.
50+ Fun Age Appropriate Physical Activities For Kids
If you are looking for ways to get the whole family moving, check out our list of over 50 physical activities, categorized by age group, to keep your kids moving and having fun!
Twin Cities Northwest Metro
Open Gym & Indoor Toddler Activities
ANDOVER Tot Time Open Gym
Andover Community Center, 15200 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
WHEN Most Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30am – 11:30am, October 2 to late April 2026.
AGES & COST Kids ages 6 & under. Admission is $5 per child.
DETAILS Non-structured indoor play; meet up with local families and let the kids play with age appropriate toys and sporting equipment. Often the open play time includes a special event such as a fire safety presentation, craft or storytime.
BROOKLYN PARK Family Open Gym
Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
WHEN Monday evenings starting September 8, 5:30-7pm.
AGES & COST Kids of all ages are welcome to attend with their caregivers during Family Open Gym. Cost is free.
DETAILS Stay active in the Community Activity Center gymnasium. Teens have their own Open Gym on Mondays from 7-8:30pm.
COON RAPIDS Jumperoo Tot Time
Urban Air Coon Rapids, 10 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
WHEN Tuesday & Wednesday mornings through May 20, 2026, 10am-12pm.
AGES & COST Kids 5 and under. Cost is $10.99/child.
DETAILS During this time the park is open only little ones (5 & under) and their parents to jump, bounce and crawl around safely!
CRYSTAL Preschool Playtime
Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55429
WHEN Wednesdays, October 8-December 17, 2025, 10-11:30am.
AGES & COST Ages 5 & under are invited to attend with caregiver. Cost is $4 per child.
DETAILS Kids can play freely with parent supervision.
MAPLE GROVE Parent/Tot Time
Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55369
WHEN Year-round Tot Time in the gym on most Monday and Friday mornings, 9-11am.
AGES & COST Pre-K children and their caregivers invited. Cost is $4 per child.
DETAILS During this open-ended play time, kids will find a variety of age-appropriate toys to play with under parent supervision. Maple Maze Indoor Playground, located within the Maple Grove Community Center, is another option for indoor play; it provides a dedicated toddler space (additional fees apply).
OTSEGO Prairie Center Open Play
Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, Otsego, MN 55330
WHEN Mondays & Thursdays, September 22, 2025 – May 28, 2026. 10-11:30am.
AGES & COST Kids ages 5 & under with caregivers. $3/ child at the door; punch cards available.
DETAILS Available activities will include crafts, games, and stories as well as room for them to jump and play. Registration is requested so organizers can contact participants in case of closures.
PLYMOUTH Open Field Play
Plymouth Fieldhouse Soccer Dome, 14800 34th Avenue N, Plymouth, MN 55447
WHEN Typically available on weekdays, November through March. Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:30am-12:30pm.
AGES & COST Kids ages 3 & up: $6/Plymouth residents and $8/non-residents. Children younger than 3 & supervising adults are free.
DETAILS Plymouth’s Fieldhouse dome is inflated November-early April and offers weekly open play times for soccer, football, rugby and other activities. Balls, soccer nets and inflatables are available during open play on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Participants may also bring balls, toys and other gear – but no bikes, bats or softballs. The Fieldhouse temp is set to 55 degrees so dress accordingly.
PLYMOUTH Jumperoo Tot Time
Urban Air Plymouth, 3580 Holly Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55447
WHEN Tuesday & Wednesday mornings September 16, 2025 through May 20, 2026, 10am-12pm.
AGES & COST Kids 5 and under. Cost is $10.99/child.
DETAILS During this time the park is open only little ones (5 & under) and their parents to jump, bounce and crawl around safely!
ROGERS Fieldhouse Tot Time
HealthPartners Fieldhouse, 14160 James Road, Rogers, MN, 55374
WHEN Monday & Wednesday mornings, 9am-11am.
AGES & COST Ages 2-5. Cost is $5/residents; $7/non-residents.
DETAILS Open play in the fieldhouse and indoor playground.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro
Open Gyms & Indoor Toddler Activities
FRIDLEY Family Open Gym
Hayes Elementary, 615 Mississippi Street NE, Fridley, MN, 55432
WHEN Saturdays, November 8, 2025 through March 28, 2026. 10:15am-12:15pm.
COST & AGE Drop-in fee: $2 per child / $4 per family, punch card available.
DETAILS Enjoy free play with balls, hoops, scooters, jump ropes, music and more. Capacity is limited. (Thank you to our reader, Ally, for this information).
LINO LAKES Rookery Tot Time
The Rookery Activity Center, 7690 Village Drive, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014
WHEN Tuesday mornings, 9am-12pm.
AGES & COST Kids ages 1-10. Cost is $5 per child, or free for members.
DETAILS Kids can play in the gymnasium and jump in a bouncy castle. Drop in at your leisure. Be sure to pack tennis shoes and socks; they’re required in the bounce house. We recommend checking the gymnasium schedule for monthly schedule changes and cancellations.
MOUNDS VIEW Toddler Open Gym
Mounds View Community Center, 5394 Edgewood Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112
WHEN Weekly on Wednesdays, 8-11am starting September 10, 2025.
AGES & COST Kids under 5 years of age. Cost is $5 drop in fee per family or free with community center membership.
DETAILS Mounds View Community Center hosts a weekly Toddler Open Gym program with free play with balls, scooters, hoops to shoot, music and more.
NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime
New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th Street Northwest, New Brighton, MN, 55112
WHEN Most Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-3pm when school is in session. Plan ahead: Preschool Playtime is not held on holidays or non-school days.
AGES & COST Open to preschoolers, cost is $9 per child, adults free. Includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground.
DETAILS Kids can use the gym equipment, bounce in inflatables, and climb and play in Eagles Nest all covered by one admission fee.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS TCO Sports Garden Free Tot Time
TCO Sports Garden, 1490 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
WHEN Tuesdays & Thursdays, typically begins in November.
AGES & COST There is no age restriction listed on the website; use your best judgement. Cost is free.
DETAILS Have a little one that’s full of energy? Take them to TCO’s field 1 for indoor activities such as a bouncy house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run. The fieldhouse is kept at 55 degrees throughout the fall, winter and spring so dress accordingly. Only water in bottles with lids are permitted.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Open Gym & Indoor Toddler Activities
BLOOMINGTON Toddler Open Gym
Substance Church 6900 West 115th Street, Bloomington, MN, 55438
WHEN Wednesdays 9am-Noon; November 5, 2025 – April 29, 2026, (except 11/26, 12/24 & 3/18)
AGES & COST Geared toward 5 and under, but older children welcome. Fee is $2/pp.
DETAILS Drop in and pay at the door, or purchase a punch card.
CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym
Chanhassen Recreation Center, 2310 Coulter Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN 55317
WHEN Most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-11:30am.
AGES & COST No age restrictions are given on the website. Fee is $4/resident or $4.50/non-resident.
DETAILS No need to register, just drop in to play in the gym with other preschoolers and their caregivers.
EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time
Braemar Field, 7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN, 55439
WHEN Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-11am, typically early November thru April.
AGES & COST Cost for kids ages 1-6 years w/ adult; $5/person.
DETAILS Weekly Tot Time at Braemar Field gives kids indoor space to run, age appropriate toys and some organized games. Keep in mind when dressing that the temperature inside Braemar Field is set at 55 degrees.
HOPKINS Turf Tots
Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Boulevard, Hopkins, MN 55343
WHEN Monday – Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, typically starts in early March.
AGES & COST Cost $5 per session per child, 1 to 5 years old. Caregivers are free.
DETAILS Kids can run and play with provided equipment including bounce houses, a climbing wall, balls, crawl tunnels, blocks and ride-on toys. There are picnic tables available for snacks or lunch. Caregivers stay on the field to supervise.
RICHFIELD Play Dates
Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423
WHEN Typically, the program is held select Saturdays, October thru May, 9am-12pm. We’ll post dates when available.
AGES & COST Kids up to 5 years with caregiver. Cost is free.
DETAILS Enjoy your morning coffee while your little ones make new friends and are happily occupied with free open play. Each session is themed and requires no registration.
SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time
Savage Sports Center, 13450 Dakota Ave S, Savage, MN 55378
WHEN Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 2025 – April 2026, 9-11:30am.
AGES & COST Kids ages 6 & under. Cost is $3/child, adults free. Pre-paid play passes are available.
DETAILS Toddlers and preschoolers can play on inflatables, throw balls, hit with bats, and more, all equipment provided.
SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime
Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller Street South, Shakopee, MN 55379
WHEN Mondays and Wednesdays, October 1, 2025 – April 29, 2026. 9:30-11am.
AGES & COST No age limit is given; use your judgement. Cost is $4 resident/$6 non-resident per child or free with Community Center Membership.
DETAILS Attendees may bring clean trikes, riding toys, or play items to use and some equipment is also provided. This is a parent/child program so the adult remains to supervise the child.
ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime
St Louis Park Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
WHEN Tuesday thru Friday, November 12, 2025 – May 8, 2026, 9:30-11:30. Not offered the first week of April.
AGES & COST Preschoolers invited. Cost is $3 per session at the door or $55 for a 30-session punch pass.
DETAILS Preschoolers can ride on big wheelers, play with cars, trucks, blocks and more engage in free play activities
Twin Cities Southeast Metro
Open Gym & Indoor Toddler Activities
APPLE VALLEY Millz House Open Play
14645 Felton Court, Suite #104, Apple Valley, MN 55124
WHEN Mon/Tues/Thurs/ Fri: 9am-4pm. Wed: 9am-12pm.
AGES & COST Pay-to-play cost is $8/child; parents and babies under 18 months free
DETAILS Work out the wiggles with indoor playsets, trampolines and basketball courts.
APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym
Apple Valley Community Center, 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124
WHEN Year-round fun! Jan 3-June 6 & Sept 1-Dec 31, 2025: Mon, Wed & Fri, 9-11am. June 10-Aug 28: Wed, 9-11am.
AGES & COST $3 per visit or save with a $15 yearly membership.
DETAILS Developmentally appropriate play equipment is provided, and outside equipment is not allowed.
APPLE VALLEY Jumperoo Tot Time
Urban Air Apple Valley, 7370 153rd St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124
WHEN Tuesday & Wednesday mornings through May 20, 2026, 10am-12pm.
AGES & COST Kids 5 and under. Cost is $10.99/child.
DETAILS During this time the park is open only little ones (5 & under) and their parents to jump, bounce and crawl around safely!
BURNSVILLE IGM Gymnastics Open Gym
12117 Riverwood Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337
WHEN Fridays, 9:30-11:30am
AGES & COST 18 months – 12 years; $10/child or $15/family.
DETAILS Free-play style on the gymnastics equipment with certified coaches ensuring safety (parents are still required to stay).
EAGAN Blast & Play
Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121
WHEN Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-12:30pm, September 2, 2025 – May 21, 2026.
AGES & COST Cost is $8 for youth ages 2-11. Under 2 & over age 11 are free.
DETAILS Included in the admission fee is access to The Blast Indoor Playground and free play in the gym with mini scooters, balls, and other equipment.
EAGAN Gleason’s Gymnastics Preschool Open Gym
2015 Silver Bell Road, Eagan, MN 55122
WHEN Wed & Fri 9:30-11:30am.
AGES & COST Ages 0 to Kindergarten. Pre-register: $10/child or $15/family; Drop-in: $13/child or $20/family
DETAILS Get your little ones moving and grooving at Preschool Open Gym–a godsend in the winter months with a wonderful Preschool Open Gym program twice a week. Tots will have the run of the equipment and can jump on the trampolines, launch themselves into the foam pit, walk the balance beam, follow obstacle courses, swing from the trapeze and more. Read more here.
Twin Cities indoor playgrounds & play centers
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS WITH INDOOR TODDLER ACTIVITIES
This is a short synopsis of indoor play spaces for kids of all ages, including playgrounds with climbing structures, slides and trampolines. For more details, check our Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds and Play Areas Guide.
- BLOOMINGTON: RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS – Weekdays 10am-4:30pm. $10/2-hour session.
- EAGAN: BLAST INDOOR PLAYGROUND
- EAGAN: GOOD TIMES PARK – $12/child. 7am-9pm daily.
- EDEN PRAIRIE: PUMP IT UP – No tot times, but tots 34″ and taller can jump during open jumps. $10/child.
- EDEN PRAIRIE: PRAIRIE PLAY ZONE – Daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; $7/child, half-price weekdays after 1pm & weekends after 4pm.
- EDINA: ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND – Little Peak for ages 4 and under M-Th 9am-8pm; Fri-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm; $10/child.
- GOLDEN VALLEY: BROOKVIEW BACKYARD – Mondays—Saturdays: 9 am-8 pm; Sunday: 9:30am-5pm; $5-6 for ages 2-13.
MAPLE GROVE: MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm; Sunday 10am-6pm; $6/child. - MINNETONKA: WILLISTON TREEHOUSE – M, W, Th, F & Sa: 8am-8pm; Tues: 8am-7pm; Sun 8am-7:45pm; $7/child.
- MOUNDS VIEW: INNER ACTIVE – 7:30am-7:30pm daily. $13.25/child.
- NEW BRIGHTON: EAGLES NEST INDOOR PLAYGROUND Mon-Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 11am-5pm; $8/child.
- PLYMOUTH: K.U.B.E INDOOR PLAYGROUND. Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $6-$8/child.
- SHAKOPEE: THE LOOKOUT INDOOR PLAYGROUND Open during community center hours, $4-$6/child.
- SHOREVIEW: TROPICAL ADVENTURE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – Weekdays 8am-8pm; Sat: Noon to 8pm; Sun; Noon to 6pm; $6.25-6.75/child.
- WOODBURY: GOOD TIMES PARK – $12/child. 7am-9pm daily.
- WOODBURY: LOOKOUT RIDGE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – M-T 10am-7pm; W-Th 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-2pm; Sat 10am-4:30pm; $8/pp plus tax.
- SUBURBAN TWIN CITIES – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: SKYZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK – Edina, Blaine, Maple Grove & Oakdale | Purchase Tickets Online – Little Leapers Weekdays at 9am-Noon. $16.99/child (prices & times may vary by location)
INDOOR PLAY SPACES
MiniSota Play Cafe
12055 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Ages/Cost: 1 child (1-9 years) + 1 adult/$20. Additional child/$14. Additional adult (10+)/$5.
Details: MiniSota is currently the only location in the Twin Cities that combines an open play center with a café. Between themed days, storytimes and music classes there’s always special Indoor toddler activities going on (so check the calendar).
Be With Me Playseum Minnetonka
Ridgedale Center, 12705 W Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
When: Drop-In Play. Mon-Tues 11am-6pm; Wed: 11am-4pm; Fri & Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 1pm-6pm (Closed Thurs)
Ages/Cost: Ages 1-99. $15/pp.
Details: A bit like the Children’s Museum, but in the mall. Explore a bakery, art studio, science bar, play shops and restaurants, as well as places to read together. Staff on hand to help with projects at various stations.
Open Swim at Twin Cities
waterparks & pools
Swimming can be a wonderful way to squeeze in a workout during the frigid winter months in Minnesota. Use this list of Twin Cities Indoor Waterparks and Pools to find tot times, open swims and special ways to save on splashing your way through the winter. Or, here’s a quick list:
Indoor pools
- Eden Prairie Aquatics Center: See weekly schedules for Tot Times. Included with daily admission. ($7-$9/pp or $25/family)
- Great Wolf Lodge: Bloomington. Cub Paw Pool is designed for toddlers. Half-day and full-day passes available (prices vary and subject to availability).
- Grove Cove Aquatic Center: Maple Grove. No specific tot times, but find leisure pool times here. $8/pp.
- The Grove Aquatic Center: Inver Grove Heights. Sensory Friendly swims are open to all and families with toddlers are encouraged to take advantage of these times. Find swim schedule here. $7-$10/pp.
- Tropics Indoor Water Park: Shoreview. No specific tot times, but find waterpark hours here. $9-$13.50/pp.
- Williston Fitness Center: Minnetonka. No specific tot times, but open swim times available. $7/Ages 1-14; $12/Ages 15-Adult.
- Great River Water Park. St. Paul. Fall-Spring, 9am-10am Monday, Wednesday & Friday reserved exclusively for kids and their parents. $7/pp. (Ages 0-2 FREE)
Seasonal outdoor pools
- Bunker Beach Waterpark: Tot Times every other Thursday from July-August. 9:30am-10:30am. ($5/child)
- Cascade Bay Waterpark: Little Mates. Daily except Wednesdays. 9:30-10:30am ($6/child)
- Como Regional Park Pool. Tot Time Sundays, 9:30am-11am. $4/pp.
- Crystal Cove Aquatic Center: Little Splasher Pool Times – Select Saturdays 10:30am-12:30pm. ($3/child).
- Edina Aquatic Center: Lil’ Lagoon, the 8-and-under, zero-depth pool opens 1 1/2 hours before the main pool on weekday mornings. Arrive at 10am for swim time without big kids around. ($13/pp).
- Highland Park Aquatic Center. Sundays, 9:30am-11am, $4/pp.
- Lorraine Splash Pool: Toddler Time Mon-Thurs, 11am-12:30pm; $2/pp.
- Minneapolis Wading Pools: Open to everyone, but best enjoyed by smaller kids. FREE. Open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day (unless adjacent to a school, then they open the Saturday after the last day of school.)
Where are you taking your stir-crazy toddler or preschooler this fall? Leave us a comment and we’ll share your ideas with the community!
Say thank you you championing sharing this! Looking for fun and educational activities for my little one in St. Paul!
Hey David! We actually have more information for you here: Saint Paul Toddler Activities: Tot Times & More in St. Paul, MN. I hope this helps you find what you are looking for.
Swim memberships at Great River Waterpark are the best deal. A monthly open swim pass is just $30 if you live in St. Paul and $37.50 in you don’t. They also offer Water Aerobics and free swim lessons for residents — all skill levels.
Thank you, Ginger. Those really are good prices.
I’d love if you would add Splash Pads to this list!
Aaron, you are in luck! Anne shares 40 Twin Cities Splash Pads in this article.
What is the best waterpark for toddlers through 3 year old?
For those ages and in the summer, we highly recommend the Free Minneapolis Wading Pools at parks around the cities, but we would love to have other parents chime in with their favorite water parks – indoors and outdoors!
Can you recommend a Friday non-instructional playtime?
It depends a lot on where you are located, but Maple Grove and Apple Valley have Friday tot times. I would also recommend that you look at some of the indoor playgrounds.
Another “tot time” idea is Jackson Street Roundhouse on Wednesdays.
Yes. Good idea, Charles. Tots & Trains at the Minnesota Transportation Museum (Jackson Street Roundhouse) is a great toddler/preschool outing. There is plenty of room for them to move and so much to explore, you are sure to bring them home tired.
Family Indoor Playground
Fridays at Creekview Recreation Center (5001 Humboldt Ave N) 10am-12pm
Does your child have energy to burn? Explore a new world at our highly-interactive social playtime! Playtime is a convenient way for young ones to burn off energy and develop motor skills. We think you’ll enjoy the social interaction too! It’s fun, unstructured play and a total sanity-saver. This is an unsupervised activity; parents or a guardian must accompany their child(ren).
Brooklyn Park Lil’ Tykes and Tiny Tot sports begin in February through the end of February. Both programs are designed to provide a positive introduction to a variety of sports.
Thanks for the heads up, Victoria. I bet a lot of tiny tot park programs start soon! I hope others share, too.
We love Shakopee community centers “the lookout”. We can choose to swim in the pool or play on the playground, which has a single entrance/exit so parents don’t need to be constantly re-directing little explorers. A tot area for ages under 3 was perfect for my 1 and 3-year-olds and the price was right.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Brian. They also allow parents to bring clean ride-on toys or walkers, which is great for letting the littlest kids get some practice walking!
Do you recommend Chaska Community Center for tot time swims? I’ve read a few poor Google reviews and would appreciate community opinions.
Hi Herbert. Thanks for this great question. While we don’t have any personal experience with Chaska Community Center, we’ve been assured that the pool is warm and age-appropriate for tots. The facility also has a play area. I hope this helps, and I hope some of our Chaska area readers can share personal experiences with this pool.
Are there any toddler open gyms that are open after 4 pm on weekdays or on the weekends?
The tot times tend to be during school hours, but there are family open gym times on weekends and evenings at many parks. I don’t know where you are located, but most Minneapolis rec centers and many St. Paul rec centers offer Family Open Gym times weekly. Another option is Indoor Playgrounds, which usually have daily hours that accommodate all types of schedules.
Thank you for taking the time to put together these resources. I cannot express how grateful I am to have found your site. Blessings to you!!! Thank you 100x!
Thank you, Carmen. That makes my day.
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This list is so marvelous and true. Lovely post! I enjoyed reading it. The baby gear is so nice and adorable and looks interesting. It’s such a great way to be able to get things done and your baby enjoys the ride. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Nicola. These are some marvelous options. However, I wouldn’t expect to get anything done. Most of these places expect parents to watch their own kids closely, so you can’t really bring along work. Still, in my experience, there is no better way to get work done later than to wear out your tot early! Hope you get to try some of these places for yourself some time.
Creepy.
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