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. We recommend calling or clicking on the accompanying links to double check our information before heading out. Updated and verified 12/16/2021.
2022 Play Partner: Songs with Sarah
Songs with Sarah is an audition based music school that specializes in early childhood music and offers lessons and classes for children through adults! Heavily influenced by Dr. Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, we help students find their musical through ear training, singing, chanting, movement and creative play. Every teacher has a degree in music and is committed to using improvisation in every lesson and class!
There is a budding musician in each and every one of us- come find it here!
If you are looking for ways to get the whole family moving, check out our
Family Sports & Fitness Calendar.
MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL TODDLER ACTIVITIES
OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES
Minneapolis Parks: Family Indoor Playground
When: Times & parks vary, open gyms continue into the winter of 2022
Ages/Cost: 5 & under with caregiver | 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.
Saint Paul Recreation Centers: Tot Time
When: Times & parks vary and require pre-registration for specific time slot
Ages/Cost: 6 & under with caregiver | FREE
Details: St. Paul Tot time and open gym hours continue into the winter of 2022. Advanced reservations are available for a few locations, but most have moved back to drop-in style.
TWIN CITIES NORTH METRO
OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES
ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER
Tot Time Open Gym
Address: 15200 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
When: October 2021-April 2022, most Mon/Wed/Fri, 9am-12pm
Ages/Cost: Ages 6 & under w/ caregiver, $5/child
Details: Drop in for unstructured play time and special activities. Be sure to check the calendar for the latest schedule.
FRIDLEY
Tot Time Open Gym
Address: Hayes Elementary Gym, 615 Mississippi St NE, Fridley, MN 55432
When: Saturdays 10am-Noon thru April 2, 2022. Look for this again in the fall/winter.
Ages/Cost: Drop in fee: $3 per child / $6 per family
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).
MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
Parent/Tot Time
Address: 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
When: Check the open gym schedule at the beginning of each month at the link above.
Ages/Cost: Cost is $3/$3.50 per child, parents free during tot time only
Details: Stop at the front desk to pay or scan your membership card upon arrival.
New Brighton
Preschool Playtime
Address: Eagles Nest Indoor Playground, 400 10th St. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
When: Mondays & Wednesdays 12pm-3pm (when school is in session)
Ages/Cost: $7 per child; adult companion is free.
Details: Includes admission to the Eagles Nest and use of the gymnasium, including gym equipment and inflatables.
TWIN CITIES SOUTH METRO
INDOOR PLAY PLACES & TOT TIMES
APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
Pre-K Gym
Address: 14603 Hayes Rd, Apple Valley, MN 55124
When: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9-11am.
Ages/Cost: $15 membership or $3 drop-in
Family Open Gym
Admission is FREE for families. Sundays, 12-2:30pm.
EDINA
Tot Time
Address: Braemar Field, 7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN 55439
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays through December 30, 2021; Check the City Calendar for more dates in the fall.
Ages/Cost: At your discretion (w/ adult), $5/child
Details: Room to run, age appropriate toys and some organized games. Keep in mind when dressing – temp is set at 55 degrees. Also, Family Night, $5/pp.
MILLZ HOUSE – APPLE VALLEY
Millz House Open Play
Address: 14645 Felton Court, Suite #104, Apple Valley, MN 55124
When: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9am-4pm; Wed: 9am-12pm.
Ages/Cost: Cost is $6/child; parents and babies under 18 months free
Details: Work out the wiggles with indoor playsets, trampolines and basketball courts. 
EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Blast & Play
Address: 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
When: Tues & Thurs, 9am-12pm. (The Blast is open daily from 8am-8pm.)
Ages/Cost: Open to children 0-5 years old and their caregiver adult; Cost is $5/child, or a 10 visit punch pass for $45
Details: A kids gym time and access to The Blast facility are both included in admission.
IGM GYMNASTICS – BURNSVILLE
Preschool Open Gym
Address: 12117 Riverwood Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337
When: Fri 9:30-11:30am
Ages/Cost: Ages 1-6. Pre-Register: $10/child or $15/family
Details: Supervised free-pay for pre-K families.
GLEASON’S GYMNASTICS SCHOOL – EAGAN
Preschool Open Gymnastics
Address: 2015 Silver Bell Road, Eagan, MN 55122
When: Wed & Fri 9:30-11:30am
Ages/Cost: Ages 0 to Kindergarten. Pre-Register: $8/child or $10/family; Drop-In: $10/child or $15/family
Details: Have the run of the equipment! Kids can jump on the trampolines, launch themselves into the foam pit, walk the balance beam, follow obstacle courses, swing from the trapeze and more.
Savage Sports Center
Tot Time
Address: 13450 Dakota Ave., Savage, MN 55378
When: Currently on hold due to staffing issues (November-April, Tues & Thurs, 9-11:30am)
Ages/Cost: Ages 5 & under, $3/child
Details: Toddlers can play on inflatables, throw balls, hit with bats, and more, all equipment provided.
TWIN CITIES WEST METRO OPEN GYM,
TOT TIMES & INDOOR TODDLER ACTIVITIES
HOPKINS PAVILION
Turf Tots
Address: 11000 Excelsior Boulevard, Hopkins, MN 55343
When: March 3 through April 21, 2022; Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm. Watch for more dates in 2023.
Ages/Cost: Ages 1 to 5 years old; $5 per session per child
Details: Back for Spring 2022, playtime moves to the indoor turf where there’s more room to run! Kids 5 & under can play with bounce houses, climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more.
TWIN CITIES EAST METRO
OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES
We are not aware of any east metro open gym, tot times or indoor toddler activities for the winter of 2022. If you know of anything, please leave a comment and we will share with the community.
OPEN TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS & PLAY CENTERS
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
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-5pm. $8-$10/2-hour session.
- COON RAPIDS: URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK – Jumperoo Tot Times vary by location. $11.99/child 5 & under; Parents pay half-price.
- EAGAN: BLAST INDOOR PLAYGROUND
- EAGAN: GOOD TIMES PARK – $10.25/child. 7am-9:30pm daily.
- EAGAN: ROCKIN JUMP JUNIOR JUMPERS – Fri: 9am-Noon or Sun: 9am-11am. $12/parent-child pair
- EDEN PRAIRIE: PUMP IT UP – No tot times, but tots 34″ and taller can jump during open jumps. $7-$8/child.
- EDEN PRAIRIE: PRAIRIE PLAY ZONE – Daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; $5.50-$6.50/child.
- EDINA: ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND – Little Peak for ages 4 and under M-Th 9am-8pm; Fri-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm; $8/child
- GOLDEN VALLEY: BROOKVIEW BACKYARD – Mondays—Saturdays: 9 am–2 pm and 3 pm–8 pm; $5.50 for ages 2-12.
MAPLE GROVE: MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – $5.50-$6.50/child. - MINNETONKA: WILLISTON TREEHOUSE – $6/child.
- MINNETONKA & MOUNDS VIEW: INNER ACTIVE – 7am-7:30pm daily. $11.25/child.
- NEW BRIGHTON: EAGLES NEST INDOOR PLAYGROUND Mon-Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 11am-5pm; $7/child.
- PLYMOUTH: K.U.B.E INDOOR PLAYGROUND. Opening January 3, 2022; Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- COON RAPIDS: URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK – Jumperoo Tot Times vary by location. $11.99/child 5 & under; Parents pay half-price.
- SHAKOPEE: THE LOOKOUT INDOOR PLAYGROUND – $3/child; open when the community center is open.
- SHOREVIEW: TROPICAL ADVENTURE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – Weekdays 8am-8pm; Sat: Noon to 8pm; Sun; Noon to 6pm; $6/child.
- WOODBURY: LOOKOUT RIDGE INDOOR PLAYGROUND – M-Th 10am-7pm; Fri 10am-2pm; Sat 10am-4:30pm; $5.50/pp.
SUBURBAN TWIN CITIES – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park – Edina, Blaine, Maple Grove & Oakdale | Purchase Tickets Online – Little Leapers Weekdays at 9am-11am. $10.99/child
INDOOR PLAY SPACES
MiniSota Play Cafe
12055 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Ages/Cost: Ages 1-9/$12, ages 6-12 mon/$5, adults $3 (or free with beverage purchase)
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).
Minnesota Playseum
Ridgedale Center, 12705 W Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
When: Drop-In Play. Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm; Fri & Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 1pm-6pm
Ages/Cost: Ages 1-99. $12/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
WATER PARKS & 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. ($5.50 – tots up to 4 years; $7.50 adults; $20 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.
- 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. $6/ ages 1-11; $9 for 12+.
- Tropics Indoor Water Park: Shoreview. No specific tot times, but find times here. $8.75-$10.25/pp
- Williston Fitness Center: Minnetonka. No specific tot times, but open swim times available. $6/children; $10/adult.
Seasonal Outdoor Pools:
- Bunker Beach Waterpark: Tot Times every other Thursday from July 30th-August 18, 2022. 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 from 9:30am-11am.
- 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. Saturdays 9:30am-11am – June 11, 2022 through September 10, 2022.
- Lorraine Splash Pool: Toddler Time Monday through Thursday 11am-12:30pm; June 13-August 14, 2022.
- 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!
Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!
OPEN GYMS WE HOPE TO SEE RETURN IN 2022
BLOOMINGTON
Program: Kids Open Rec | Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave. S
When: Last Sunday of each month; 10am-Noon
Ages/Cost: 8 & under, $2/child, caregivers free
Details: Children age 8 and under with a parent or guardian can enjoy open rec. For additional details, call 952-563-4944
CRYSTAL
Program: Preschool Playtime Open Gym | Crystal Community Center Gym
When: Wed, early October-mid April, 10-11:30am
Ages/Cost: 1-5, $3/child
Details: Jump, crawl, build and play the winter away in 3 gyms. 1 adult to every 3 kids required. Punch cards available for discounted visits.
EDEN PRAIRIE
Program: Tot Time Open Gym | Eden Prairie Community Center
When: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9-11:15 am – Sept–May
Ages/Cost: Best for ages 1-4; $5/pp ages 1-4, $6/pp ages 5+, under 1 and caregivers free.
Details: Participate in indoor toddler activities and free play with balls, hoops, scooters, jump ropes, tumbling mats, parachutes, and more. For $6/pp, admission to the Prairie Play Zone indoor playground is included.
MAPLEWOOD
Program: Preschool Gymboree | Maplewood Community Center
When: Thur, 10-11:30am (November 2019-March 2020)
Ages/Cost: Unstructured playtime with balls, mats, music, toys & games and Jump Castle is included for ages 5 and under. $5/child. Under age 1/free.
PLYMOUTH
Program: Open Play | Plymouth Field House
When: Mon, Wed, Fri – winter months, starting early November, 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm
Ages/Cost: Best for ages 3-5; $4-$5/child, caregivers free
Details: During the chilly months, heat in the field house is turned on to 55 degrees for fun with inflatables, slides, nets and lots of space to run the kids ragged. Call 763-509-5280 for more details.
SHAKOPEE
Program: Kids Playtime | Shakopee Community Center | Not offered for 2020/2021 Season
When: Mon & Wed | October through April, 10-11:15am
Ages: 1-5 with caregiver
Cost: $1/child
Details: Kids and their parents are invited to run around the gymnasium. Bring your clean trikes, riding toys, balls or use theirs.
ST LOUIS PARK
Program: Little Tot Playtime | St Louis Park Rec Center – Canceled.
When: Tues-Fri | Jan 4, 2022 – May 6, 2022 | 9:30-11:30am
Ages: 1-5 with caregiver
Cost: $3 per child door or $55 for 30 sessions.
Details: Due to increased health concerns, the program has been canceled for January – May 2022. The program may be offered in fall 2022.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS
Program: Toddler Open Dome | TCO Fieldhouse | Reopened for Sports, but no tot times as of Spring 2021.
When: Stay tuned.
Ages: Toddlers with caregiver
Cost: FREE
Details: Tot times are limited to 50 people per playing field. Spots are first come, first served.
CLOSED TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS & PLAY CENTERS
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS – click the above graphic for all the details!
- Atrium at Playworks | Prior Lake | Winter 2022: Currently Suspended
- Monkey House | White Bear Lake | Winter 2022: Still Closed Indefinitely
INDOOR PLAY SPACES
Snapology Discovery Center | Minneapolis | Winter 2022: Discover Center Drop-In Closed
When: Drop-in Playtime during the school-yr weekdays, 10am-3pm & summer, 9am-5pm. Fri, 10am-8:30pm & Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm
Ages/Cost: All ages pay $8/pp for unlimited play that day or drop off your child at $6/hr ages 5+
Details: Offers great indoor toddler activities, guaranteed to entertain with opportunities to build with LEGO bricks, K’nex and other materials.
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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.
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