NW Metro Indoor Activities for Kids (that won’t drive the parents crazy)

Getting through the winter in Minnesota with kids can be rough. But there are a handful of Twin Cities NW Metro indoor activities for kids that might just be fun for you as well! Beyond bowling, the movies and your local McDonalds, check out these out of the ordinary ideas and let us know in the comments below your favorite indoor spot to take the kids!

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Eastman Nature Center – Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove

The Eastman Nature Center is located in the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Dayton MN. While the Elm Creek Park Reserve is known for it’s outdoor activities. the Eastman Nature Center has a huge observation window overlooking the woods, where you can watch birds, squirrels, deer and more enjoying the feeders.

Deer at the Eastman Nature Center

There is a play area for kids, and lots of events for all ages. Check out their website for more info:

Eastman Nature Center Website

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Visitor Center – Brooklyn Park

The Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and Visitor Center at the Coon Rapids Dam is full of activities and events for kids all year round. Parents will love the live turtles and other animals on display! Visit their website here.

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Local Play Cafe

The MiniSota Play Cafe in Maple Grove, Peekabooboo’s Play Cafe’ in Albertville and Avery’s Adventures in Elk River are all great paces for younger kids to play and explore!

The MiniSota Play Cafe is a great place to let your “littles” have imaginative “MiniSota” themed fun, such as fishing on Lake “MiniTonka”, while you can enjoy a good cup of coffee. Visit their website here!

Space Aliens – Albertville

Looking for the perfect balance between kid-friendly fun AND a relaxing meal for adults? Space Aliens Restaurant in Albertville MN has everyone covered! They have great food, a full bar, and the “Galaxy Games” arcade will keep the kids entertained the whole time!

Older kids can safely hang out in the arcade – which is tucked back into the back corner of the restaurant, and there are plenty of age appropriate games for the younger children too. Space Aliens website

Playground Plaza – Maple Grove

Playground Plaza is a 20,000 square foot indoor non-staffed playground facility open 365 days per year. Passes are sold online only, and start at $10 per day per child. There are monthly passes available as well. You can also rent the facility for birthday parties and other events.

Visit them online here

Sky Zone Trampoline Park – Maple Grove

Jump into a gravity-defying fun at Sky Zone in Maple Grove. The wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and dodgeball courts provide endless activity for your kids.

Maple Maze – Maple Grove

The Maple Maze indoor playground is located in the Maple Grove Community Center and is ideal for kids 12 and under. There is also an area for toddlers 3 and under!. Discounted rates for Maple Grove residents.

https://www.maplegrovemn.gov/288/Maple-Maze

Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience – Plymouth

The “K.U.B.E.” in Plymouth is an accessible indoor play park with slides, ramps, a climbing wall, play structures and more!

https://www.plymouthmn.gov/departments/parks-recreation/plymouth-community-center/indoor-playground?locale=en

Local Community Center

The Twin Cities NW Metro has several Community Center options including the Monticello Community Center, The Becker Community Center, The Maple Grove Community Center, and the The Furniture and Things Community Center in Elk River.

Wildwoods Water Park – Otsego

The Wyndam Gardens Hotel in Otsego features a 30,000 square foot water park with slides, a lazy river, a basketball court and a zero depth entry pool “Buddy’s Playland” for younger children.

Wyndam Garden Otsego

The Selfie Company – Albertville

The Selfie Co. in Albertville offers over 15 Selfie Sets, a Tik Tok Stage and is a great place for your tweens or teens to celebrate their big day! They also offer the Spin Pix 360 photo booth where users step on a platform, while a revolving video camera spins 360 degrees around to capture slow-motion video.

Arts & Crafts – indoors!

What better way to spend a cold day than making crafts indoors! Making Memories Ceramics in Otsego is a Ceramic Painting Studio. Check out their facebook page for specials. Color Me Mine in Maple Grove is a Pottery Painting Studio with projects for adults and kids. Make your own wood decor projects at Board & Brush Creative Studio in Elk River. The St Michael Public Library and the Big Lake Public Library often have take home crafts for kids as well!