We all know the realities of raising kids in the Minnesota extremities: there’s got to be a place to go were we can escape the elements while still allowing those kids a place to burn off that extra energy. Enter our Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds and Play Areas list. We hope you can use it to find a new space to wear those littles out — and perhaps catch yourself a break.
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For more options on keeping the little ones moving throughout the chilly months, check out our Open Play, Gym & Swim Spots for Tots in the Twin Cities!
TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS – SOUTH METRO
Good Times Park | Eagan
Open Play hours: Daily from 7am – 9:30pm
Admission: Play Today passes or Memberships available ONLY online! Purchase in advance from home or by self-use kiosk at the door. A one-day pass is $8+tax per child under 18 (under 1 year play free). See website for group and membership rates.
Details: There’s been quite a bit of buzz about this relatively new indoor play park in Eagan. It’s all been good stuff, too: parents loving the unique outdoor feel of the facility with its jungle gyms, unwalled pillow jumper, basketball court and plenty of open turf for family games. Further setting the park apart from other indoor playgrounds, Good Times bills itself as “self-use” park. Guests purchase day passes online (or at the guest kiosk inside the park entrance) and receive a code to enter the building. The code is good for the entire day. Families are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages to eat in the picnic area and are expected to clean up after themselves (as there is no staff employed by the family-run business). I think this place sounds truly innovative and a whole lot of fun.
The Blast Indoor Playground | Eagan
Open Play hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 8pm, Sat: 8am – 8pm, Sun: 10am – 8pm
Admission: $4/child ages 18 mons. to 12 years, 13+ & under 18 mons. free. Includes admission to the indoor playground and Preschool Open Play in the gymnasium for children ages 1-5 years only.
Details: The Blast is not as elaborate as some of the other metro-area indoor playgrounds, but you can’t beat the price. And it’s got a pretty cool space theme going on, too. As an added bonus, the Eagan Community Center hosts Preschool Open Play each weekday from 9 – 11:30am. Included in the $4 admission fee is access to The Blast and free use of fun equipment in the gym (infants to age five only, please): plasma cars, hockey sticks, tumble blocks and more! We’ve enjoyed this deal a number of times. Fantastic Saturdays from 5 – 9pm at the ECC kick in even more bang for your buck: $4 will get you into the Blast, the gym for games, and provide a movie and crafts (parents must stay to supervise their kids).
Chaska Community Center Playroom | Chaska
Open Play hours: Mon: 9am – 6pm, Tues – Sun: 9am – 9pm
Admission: $2/member, $4/non-member per child over 1 year, adults free.
Details: A small playroom that was fun for a first birthday party, but doesn’t include many features that excite the older kiddos. The ball pit and castle theme were a hit. Noteworthy if you plan to visit in the summer months: the Chaska Community Center’s got a pretty fun splash pad and – inside – a zero-depth entry swimming pool.
Millz House | Apple Valley
Pay to Play hours: Mon-Tues & Thurs-Fri: 9am-5pm, Tues: 10am-1pm, Sat: 10am-4:30pm, Sun: 11-3
Admission: $5/child to 10 yrs, $10/family, under 18 mon & adults free. Special: Tuesdays Charitable Play – $1/child, $2/family donation to charity or free with non-perishable item.
Details: The next best thing when it’s too cold or sloppy to be outside – ball away the winter blues on the court, get some air on the trampolines and pretend it’s park weather on the showroom playground equipment.
TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS – WEST METRO
Adventure Peak | Edina
Open Play hours: Mon-Sat: 9am – 9pm, Sun: 9am – 6pm. Check website for summer and holiday hours.
Admission: $7 plus tax/child over 1 year of age, adults free.
Details: Either be prepared to lose your children completely in the 37-foot main play structure or get an awesome workout trying to keep up with them! This is our family’s favorite metro-area indoor playground. The kids are entertained for hours running back and forth between the “peak” and the Great Hall, an activity room filled with balls, scooters and a bounce house. A small toddler area is included, but it’s tough to keep the littlest ones from straying into the massive “big kid” apparatus. Don’t forget the socks (or an extra $2.50 per pair)! Bonus: the lush indoor landscaping of Edinborough Park makes it feel like summer year-round.
Prairie Play Zone | Eden Prairie
Open Play hours: Daily 8am – 8pm
Admission: $4/non-member ages 18 mon-4 yrs., $5/non-member ages 5+, adults free. Half-price Mon-Fri after 1pm, Sat-Sun after 4pm.
Details: Newly expanded, this multi-level indoor playground at the Eden Prairie Community Center has a mini rock climbing wall and a space dedicated to toddlers. Socks required.
Williston Treehouse | Minnetonka
Open Play hours: Call 952-939-8370 for current hours.
Admission: $5/child ages 12 and under, members and adults free.
Details: Cheerful and colorful, this indoor playground within the Williston Fitness Center is perfect for the 5-and-under set. There are slides to suit both toddlers and preschoolers including one of those fun triple-laners. The Williston Fitness Center also features an indoor splash pad with a zero-depth entry pool and frog waterslide. Fees for the splash pad are $5 for children ages 1 – 14 and $8 for 15 years & up.
InnerActive | Minnetonka
Open Play: Daily, 7am-9:30pm
Admission: $9/child ages 1-17 for a day-long pass, adults are free
Details: 18,000 square feet of space to do some serious large-motor play. A play structure, basketball court and soccer goals occupy much of the space plus there’s ample room for — get this — one of those jumping pillows adults usually must secretly eye wistfully from the sidelines. All ages are encouraged to play here, adults to the youngest users – who have a special spot reserved for them.
Pump It Up | Plymouth
Open Jump hours: Tue 1 – 2:30pm & Fri 10:30am-12pm
Admission: $7.95/per child. All ages welcome, but kids must be at least 34″ to jump on the inflatables.
Details: Pump It Up is a franchise that operates in five spots around the Metro. This indoor play area exclusively features giant inflatables — slides, obstacles, jumpers, and more. Pump It Up is well-known for its private birthday parties but also holds a number of open jump times mid-week. Tuesday nights from 6 – 7.30pm Pump It Up hosts a Family GLOW Jump lights-out party for $7.95 per child. A special Parents Night Out is held the first and third Friday of each month if you’re looking to drop the kids for a date night.
Rainbow Play Systems | Bloomington
Pay to Play: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
Admission: All ages • $7 per child weekdays, $9/weekends
Details: Pay to Play includes a 2-hour block of playtime on the showroom equipment. Expect the usual suspects – slides, swings, ropes and lookout towers – all on clean, forgiving turf.
TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS – EAST METRO
Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground | Woodbury
Open Play hours: Mon/Wed/Fri: 10am – 5pm, Tue/Thurs: 10am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 5pm, Sun: 1 – 5pm. For special holiday hours and maintenance closures, click here.
Admission: $3.50-$5.50/child ages 1 year & up, can vary by date and time. Click here to see current rates.
Details: It must be the nature theme of this indoor playground that has left a more peaceful impression on me than other similar tot spots. There are cliffs and caves to explore, a giant tree to scale, wildlife murals on the wall and faint echoes of nature throughout. I should note that there are areas designed for toddlers, but they are not partitioned off. Good luck keeping them from joining the big kids! Lookout Ridge also gets extra points in my book for being located in a multi-purpose building that includes a branch of the Washington County library, lush indoor landscaping, and the Central Park Amphitheater, a venue that features special live entertainment and movie nights.
SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park | Oakdale
Open Jump hours*: Tue/Wed/Thurs: 4 – 8pm, Fri: 11am – 7pm, Sat: 10am – 8pm, Sun: 11am – 7pm
*Jump times start every 30 minutes. You pay for and jump in 30-minute increments.
Admission: $9/30 min, $13/60 min, $17/90 min, $21/120 min. SkyZone SkySocks must be purchased for $2/pair and are yours to keep.
Details: SkyZone is a blast (and a great workout!) at any age. Wall-to-wall trampolines, a bouncy basketball court, and a fly-in foam pit also are the makings of a great birthday party! For caregivers with children ages 5 and under I highly recommend SkyZone’s special Toddler Time. Most Tues/Fri/Sun mornings from 9:30 – 11:00am, admission is $6 per child to jump (plus $2 per pair of required SkySocks). 2 adult PAD PASSES are included per paid child; adults are only allowed to assist children on the pad, no jumping permitted. I’m talking about guaranteed naptime here.
During busy times of the day and especially during school breaks, SkyZone cannot guarantee jump availability without a reservation. To book a reservation or to learn more about this option, click here.
SkyZone also has a location in the West Metro: 13310 Industrial Park Blvd, Plymouth
The Giggle Factory | Hudson, WI
Open Play hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm, Sat/Sun: 9am-2pm
Admission: $5/child ages 1-2 yrs., $7/first child ages 2+, $6/each additional child, adults free.
Details: Giggle Factory is a multi-level play structure with a spread of features including slides and a giant ball pit. There is a dedicated space for kiddos ages 3 years and under as well as space set aside for parents that need a breather.
TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS – NORTH METRO
Maple Maze | Maple Grove
Open Play hours: Mon-Sat: 9am – 8pm, Sun: 10am – 6pm
Admission: $4.50/resident or $5.50/non-resident ages 1-12, adults and under 1 free. Twilight Special – $3 after 7pm Mon-Sat and Sun after 5pm.
Details: A 2011 renovation punched up the fun at this community gathering place. When I last visited with toddlers, the area devoted to them was pretty ho-hum; new additions give them more options for climbing and sliding if they’re not yet up to braving the “big maze”. The major play structure received updates as well. Four levels of new slides and obstacles to navigate have been installed, including pogo sticks and – will someone please explain this one to me – hoover rings? Parents (and kids) with sensitive stomachs should beware the multi-story orange-and-yellow spiral tube slides! Learn more about Maple Maze and all the Maple Grove Community Center has to offer here.
Ball Pit at the Eagle’s Nest
Eagles Nest Indoor Playground | New Brighton
Open Play hours: Mon-Sat: 9am – 8pm, Sun: 11am – 5pm
Admission: $5.50/child ages 1-12, adults and under 1 free. Twilight Special – $3 after 6pm Mon-Fri.
Details: Eagles Nest isn’t particularly large or fancy, but if you’re looking for a couple hours’ worth of play to tire out the kids on a winter day, this place will do the trick. The toddler zone is surprisingly spacious and includes a mini ball pit. There’s also a ball pit for the bigger kids as well as an 8-ft. climbing wall and a triple slide. I favored this playground when bringing preschoolers – it’s just the right size for them to play independently without the uneasiness of losing sight of them. An adjacent gym offers preschool open playtime on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10.30am – 1.30pm.
Tropical Adventure Indoor Playground | Shoreview
Open Play hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am – 8pm, Sun: 8am – 6pm
Admission to playground only: $5/per child ages 1-12, adults free.
Details: This playground loses points for lacking a dedicated area for toddlers. There are some soft obstacles that might interest them, but it might be difficult to keep them out of the paths of older children. Preschoolers might have a great time climbing through the jungle-themed apparatus with its customary slides and caves. Make a day of visiting the Shoreview Community Center by hitting Tropics Indoor Waterpark (extra charges apply). There are interactive water features to suit every age: slides, sprinklers, water sports and a zero-depth entry pool.
Brown Family Adventure Park | Ham Lake
Open Play hours: Tues-Thurs: 9:30am – 3pm, Fri-Sat: 9:30am – 7:30pm, Sun: 12 – 5pm
Admission: $7/child ages 1-12, adults free.
Details: As the name implies, this indoor playground is family owned and operated. The facility changed hands not too long ago and had a fresh, clean feeling when we visited. A jungle theme is followed through the treehouse, slides and suspended bridges over to the well-cared for and separated toddler spot. A couple things to keep in mind that differ from most metro indoor playgrounds: Brown’s does not accept checks or credit cards. An ATM is onsite for cash. Also, outside food and beverages (with baby formula, water & coffee excused) are not permitted. A full range of eats and healthy snacks are available for purchase.
Monkey House | White Bear Lake
Open Play hours: Tues-Fri: 10am – 3pm, Sat-Sun: 10am – noon
Admission: $8/child over 1 year, up to 2 adults free with paid child.
Details: Joy gives us all the details here on visiting this 5,000-sq. ft. indoor playground. It includes some great information about Monkey House birthday parties as well.
TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAY AREAS
Pinwheel Play | Chanhassen
Open Play hours: Daily, 7am-9pm
Admission: $8.50/child ages 1+, adults free w/ paying child
Details: This brand new 5,000 square feet space includes equipment for large-motor play, an art room, rotating activity stations, engaging toys and much more. Read Gianna’s glowing 10 Things For Kids: Pinwheel Play for more details.
Wishing Tree Play Cafe | White Bear Lake
Open Play hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 8:30am-1pm
Admission: $5/child ages 9-23 mon, $7/child ages 2+, additional siblings $3.50-$5
Details: A beautiful new space with ample room for large motor play, art activities, classes and workshops served up with a positive play philosophy. Plus a delicious and extensive menu of breakfast and lunch options. The entire facility is nut-free and offers plenty of gluten free alternatives.
Kids Oasis | Stillwater
Open Play hours: Mon-Thurs: 9am-7pm, Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-1pm
Admission: $5.50/child ages 6 mon-8 yrs, 2 adults free with paid children
Details: Open-ended play at Kids Oasis encourages creativity through meticulously laid out toys and hands-on activities. Play as you wish or participate in organized activities daily.
The Atrium at Playworks | Prior Lake
Family Play hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 7pm, Sat/Sun: 9am – 7pm
Admission: $8.50/child ages 3-12, $5.50/child ages 1-2, adults & under 1 year free. A “Family Play Special” is available for $29 and includes admission for 2 children, 1 large cheese pizza, a pitcher of pop and 10 tokens.
Details: Families are welcome to drop in at this contract and hourly childcare facility for open Family Play daily. Family Play takes place in the “Atrium”, fully equipped with a giant climbing structure, interactive games, daily art projects and much more. A full menu is available in the Playworks Grill.
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