This guide is sponsored by HealthPartners
FREE Fun Ideas for Exploring the Twin Cities with Kids
The Twin Cities Metro is never short on fun and adventure for all ages, and even more so in the summer months as we all fill our bodies with delicious Vitamin D. But sometimes we just find ourselves in need of a refresh to the normal routine. Bored with the same weekend plans and want to change it up? Interested in being a tourist in your own city? Tired of spending all your money?
How about 28 Ideas for FREE FUN in the Twin Cities! Scroll through this list the next time you need to add some joy back into your adventure days! For even more ideas, check out this unique list!
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FREE FUN IDEAS IN THE TWIN CITIES
- Visit Twin Cities Reptiles! Part museum, part pet shop: total fun!
- Visit Mississippi Lock and Dam No. 1! More information can be found here.
- Explore MIA- Minneapolis Institute of Arts or attend one of their free family programming days: Art at Play or Free Family Days!
- Get lost but have fun while doing it through the Minneapolis Skyway System–the largest contiguous system of enclosed, second-level bridges in the world. You’ll find shops, businesses, and great spots to grab some food. See if you can find Confetti Blossom: a Swedish Candy shop tucked into the skyway!
- Travel across the Mississippi River on the Stone Arch Bridge to get the city’s best views.
- You don’t have to pay for ride tickets to enjoy the Mall of America. It’s enough just to be surrounded by the whiz and whirl of roller coasters. Or see what they have planned for that day’s free entertainment!
- Learn more about the history of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis through the Ranger on Call program, featuring audio tours while enjoying the beautiful landscape.
- Wander the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. Don’t forget a selfie at the iconic Spoonbridge & Cherry!
- Bring a picnic to the stunning Lake Harriet for Music and Movies Series at the bandshell, completely free and always entertaining.
- Head to one of our favorite playgrounds in the Twin Cities Metro!
- Explore by bike or foot the industrial history of Minneapolis in the Mill Ruins Park, with canals and walkways and gardens tucked around corners.
- Learn more about the incredibly diverse history of Lake Street through their Museum in the Streets plaques. These plaques feature three bilingual heritage-discovery walks in Uptown, Midtown, and at Lake and 27th Ave telling their stories while you walk and explore.
- If you need to head inside for the day, consider exploring one of these unique indoor spaces! Make it a new adventure and create a scavenger hunt!
- Visit the ice cream shops around our favorite city lakes like Nokomis, Harriet, and Bde Mke Ska.
- Visit the new Free Fun 3-acre public space, Water Works, with fire pits, Nature Play Lab and children’s garden, tree-sheltered lawns, seating areas, and native plant gardens.
- Make a splash at the best splash pads the Twin Cities has to offer!
- For the bookworms in the family, don’t miss the Minneapolis Central Library, located downtown between Hennepin Avenue and Nicollet at Third Street. The interactive play area will keep the kids entertained while you take in the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
- Stroll one of the many Free Fun Farmers’ Markets in the city for food and fun.
- Visit the always free and open daily Minneapolis Institute of Art. The art museum is excellent at curating scavenger hunts for kids to keep the little ones engaged.
- Take a hike around the Free Fun Minnehaha Falls and Creek. There are endless paths to explore!
- Hunt for ever-changing seasonal flowers tended by master gardeners in the Lyndale Rose Gardens in the Kingfield neighborhood and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary at Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
- For an international day of shopping and eating, visit the Free Fun Midtown Global Market. There is often live entertainment too!
- Visit the Free Fun Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul. The zoo and gardens are free, and the historic carousel is very affordable.
- Walk or bike around Boom Island Park for a unique view of the downtown skyline.
- Take a tour through the Weisman Art Museum, always free, and ask about a guided tour!
- Bike, walk, scooter, or skate on any section of the Grand Rounds 50-mile loop through the city!
- Grab takeout and have a picnic at one of our many parks.
- Visit the Wild Rumpus to say hi to Mo, Eartha, and all of the other bookshop friends!
