Get Moving: Tot Times, Open Play, Gym & Swim Spots for Tots in the Twin Cities

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 8/19/2020. Most of these venues have not reopened yet, but some are starting to reopen and we optimistically anticipate more as the weather gets cooler.

PRESCHOOL TOT TIMES, OPEN PLAY & GYM AT COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTERS

Featured Partner: Music Together in the Valley 

Exciting online music and movement classes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, K-2nd graders—and the grownups who love them! Completely online in fall 2020, our renowned music education program is coming to you right in the comfort of your very own home. 

Music Together Online is designed to teach the way young children learn: through play. 

Free demonstration classes Sept 13-19. Register at MusicTogetherClasses.org under “Demos.” Fall session begins Sept 26-Oct 2. Tuition is $189 for the first registered child in a family and an additional $104 for the second child. Infant siblings under 8 months attend at no cost.

It’s safe, convenient, engaging, effective, stress relieving, connection building and totally fun.

If you are looking for ways to get the whole family moving, check out our
 Family Sports & Fitness Calendar.

MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL INDOOR TODDLER ACTIVITIES – OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES

Minneapolis Parks: Parent & Tot Indoor Playground

When: Times & parks vary 
Ages/Cost: 5 & under with caregiver | FREE | 2020: Matthews Park has limited openings
Details: Finding tot times in the Minneapolis parks can be tricky. Click the above link and type “parent tot” 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: Daily Mon-Fri | Times vary depending on location | 2020: TBA
Ages: 5 & under with caregiver
Cost: Free
Details: 16 recreation centers across St. Paul offer free, drop-in sessions of open play with a variety of scooters, balls, mats, and small slides available. Click the above bold link to find the center nearest you.

TWIN CITIES NORTH METRO OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES

ANDOVER

Program: Tot Time Open Gym & Activities | Andover Community Center | 2020: Currently on hold
When: Most Mon & Tues starting October 2019, 9:30-11:30am
Ages/Cost: 6 & under w/ caregiver, $3-$4/child
Details: Drop in for unstructured play time and special activities such as a bounce house, book swap and craft days. Be sure to check the calendar for the latest schedule.

MAPLE GROVE

Program: Parent/Tot Time | Maple Grove Community Center | 2020: Accepting Reservations for Gym Time
When: Reservations for blocks of time will be based on the scheduled activities in the gym. One person can reserve for a group up to six (6) people/players or one family per time slot.
Ages/Cost: $5/Residents; $6/Non-Residents.

NEW BRIGHTON

Program: Preschool Open Gym | New Brighton Community Center | 2020: Currently closed.
When: Mon & Wed excluding holidays and school breaks,10:30am-1:30pm
Ages/Cost: Preschool-aged and under w/ caregiver. Admission to open gym is included in the price of admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground, $6/child, caregiver free.
Details: Gym equipment includes a bouncer, crawl tubes, mats, tumbling blocks and more.

VADNAIS HEIGHTS

Program: Toddler Open Dome | Vadnais Sports Center 
Closed indefinitely for repairs. Read more here. We are hoping this eventually re-opens, so we are keeping it on the list for now.
When: Thurs | Begins mid-October  10:15am-12:15pm
Ages: Toddlers with caregiver
Cost: FREE
Details: Tot times are limited to 50 people per playing field. Spots are first come, first served.

TWIN CITIES SOUTH METRO OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES

APPLE VALLEY

Program: Parent/Tot Time & Preschool Open Gym | Apple Valley Community Center | 2020: Currently closed.
When: Ongoing Mon, Wed, Fri when school is in session | 9:30-11am (Wed during summer break)
Ages/Cost: 5 & under w/ caregiver, FREE
Details: Burn off some energy with other kids, develop motor skills and coordination. A special tot time for tykes ages 2 & under is held from 9-9:30 am followed by open play for 5 & under until 11.

Program: Millz House Open Play
When: Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-1pm, Sat 10am-4pm & Sun 11am-3pm | 2020: Pay-to-Pay Currently closed.
Ages/Cost: Weekdays are $6/child or $18/family & weekends, $8/child or $24/family.
Details: Work out the wiggles with indoor playsets, trampolines and basketball courts.

BLOOMINGTON

Program: Kids Open Rec | Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave. S | 2020: Currently Cancelled.
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

CHASKA

Program: Tot Time | Chaska Community Center | 2020: Currently Cancelled.
When: Times vary, see this page for details
Ages/Cost: 6 & under for most activities, 5 & under for tot gym, $6-$8/pp, caregivers free
Details: Lots to choose from here: Mondays bring art projects in the craft room, open gym with special tot toys is Thursdays, splash around during Tot Time Swim Mondays, Fridays & Sundays, and try out ice skating with your little one on Wednesdays (skate rental $3).

EAGAN

Program: Preschool Open Play | Eagan Community Center | 2020: Currently Cancelled.
When: Mon-Fri, 9-11:30am; Sept-May
Ages/Cost: 18 mon-5 yrs; $4/child
Details: Gym time where kids can run, tumble, play as well as access to The Blast Indoor Playground.

Program: Preschool Open Gymnastics | Gleason’s Gymnastic School | 2020: Currently closed.
When: Wed 9:30-11:30am & Fri 9:30-11:30 & 12-2pm; Sept 9, 2019-April 30, 2020
Ages/Cost: ages 0-6, $8/child or $10/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

Program: Tot Time | Savage Sports Center | 2020: TBA
When: Tue & Thurs, 9-11:30 am, Traditionally November – April – Begins November 5, 2019
Ages/Cost: Ages 5 and under; $3 per child with adult.
Details: A variety of fun toys and sport equipment are available at tot times. Prepaid passes can be purchased.

SHAKOPEE

Program: Kids Playtime | Shakopee Community Center | 2020: TBA
When: Mon & Wed | October through April 2020, 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.

TWIN CITIES WEST METRO OPEN GYM, TOT TIMES & INDOOR TODDLER ACTIVITIES

CRYSTAL

Program: Preschool Playtime Open Gym | Crystal Community Center Gym | 2020: TBA
When: Wed, early October-mid April, 10-11:30am (2019 Fall Session: October 2-December 18)
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 | 2020: Currently Cancelled 

When: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9-11:15 am – Sept. 4, 2019–May 22, 2020
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.

EDINA

Program: Tot Time | Braemar Field | 2020: TBA
When: Ongoing Mon & Wed starting (October 28, 2019 – April 22, 2020), 9-11am
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.

HOPKINS

Program: Turf Tots | Hopkins Pavilion | 2021: TBA
When: Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm, starting February 28-April 22, 2020
Ages/Cost: 1-5 years; $5/child, caregivers free
Details: In the spring, playtime moves to the indoor turf where there’s more room to run!

Note: Pavilion Play Place can also be rented by the 2-hour session ($25/2-hour Sesson) until Turf Tots resumes.

PLYMOUTH

Program: Open Play | Plymouth Field House
When: Mon, Wed, Fri – winter months, starting in Nov 2, 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.

ST LOUIS PARK

Program: Little Tot Playtime | St Louis Park Rec Center | 2020: TBA
When: Tues-Fri | Early November 2019 – early May 2020 | 9:30-11:30am
Ages: 1-5 with caregiver
Cost: $2 per child
Details: Bounce in the inflatables, ride the big wheelers, play dress up or build with blocks on the creative carpet.

TWIN CITIES EAST METRO OPEN GYM & TOT TIMES