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My 4-year-old's faves in the Twin Cities...
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items Easygoing but hard to impress... my daughter’s favorite local haunts in the Twin Cities metro!
Map
Ok, not technically in the Twin Cities but a short drive from the MN border and a fantastic spot with an easy hike and a lovely view - lots to explore, year-round!
Willow River State Park - Wisconsin DNR
So happy they added a second location in the east metro! An expansive place to run, jump, and play.
Good Times Park
Beautiful museum with a super interactive, seasonally updated kids area!
American Swedish Institute
Lovely library with a large kids area. Seasonal themed play room and engaging storytimes!
Stillwater Public Library
If you have a kid of any age, do not hesitate to visit this spot with them!!! Small in size but we spent two hours here. Super hands-on: you can try so many instruments here, both digital and real-life versions of hundreds of instruments.
Schubert Club Music Museum
Toddler Tuesday FTW!!! Discount wristbands on Tuesdays ($15.99 plus tax) for toddlers make this place totally worth a visit for families with thrill seekers ages 3-4. Adults don’t need a ticket to accompany toddlers on toddler rides (or in the belove...
Nickelodeon Universe
Beautiful (and free!) nature center that is the spot to be in the summer! Play area with faux rocks to climb, a fenced in forest area with big logs and sticks for fort-building, and a man-made creek that flows through a sandy area make this place irr...
Tamarack Nature Center
Awesome and massive sculpture park northeast of the cities… a lovely drive and cool art and play spaces upon arrival! New to the park is the option to rent a go cart to zoom around the grounds in!
Franconia Sculpture Park
Gorgeous park reserve with lots of beautiful trails, campsites, beautiful Lake Elmo (there’s a boat launch and fishing pier!) AND a lovely manmade chlorinated pond and brand new playground!
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Delicious local chain with amazing Mac n Cheese and consistently delicious food (Salads! Pasta! Challah Bread! Desserts!)
yum! Kitchen and Bakery
The most unconventional, kid-friendly mall in the state! Tons of free events, free bounce houses throughout the mall, and indoor animal park (Sustainable Safari), slime store (Twin Cities Slime), carousel, cotton candy shop AND MORE! Always something...
Maplewood Mall
MN’s beloved FREE zoo in the heart of St. Paul! Don’t miss the seal show or the beautiful conservatory! Also features a mini amusement park for littles available in the summer.
Como Zoo Conservatory - 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul ...
Famed children’s bookstore with a fantastic collection of books for kids and teens, lots of animal friends in-store (cats, chinchillas, birds!) and a sweet neighborhood with great kid friendly shops and restaurants to explore!
Wild Rumpus Books
It’s only open seasonally, and it’s starting to show its age… but this is a beloved local park/playground on Stillwater. Toddler equipment, bigger kid equipment, and my kids fave - the natural-looking rock climbing area - make it a favorite spot for ...
Teddy Bear Park
Check the website for their story times! Super fun little adventure on the trolley with a themed story time and a special treat at the end from the local candy shop!
Stillwater Trolley Co.
Popular and truly impressive kid-centered community center with an indoor water park, indoor playground, gyms, and enormous outdoor playground too!
Shoreview Community Center
We could eat the mostaccioli here every day for every meal. Family friendly Italian joint and Twin Cities staple!
Cossetta
We visit regularly and have yet to tire of this high quality children’s museum in downtown St Paul. Get free tickets to visit the first Sunday of every month by visiting the website - they open reservations the week before, act fast!
Minnesota Children's Museum
Sweet little riverside town north of Stillwater - visit in the summer and hit the ice cream shop, then walk down to the little creek behind it and let the kids explore! Bring a towel and some water friendly boots or galoshes!
Marine on St. Croix, MN
New restaurant space with amazing BBQ and an epic kids play zone!!!
Animales Barbeque Co.