Family-Friendly Activities in Minneapolis
Spending time with the grandkids, nieces, and nephews is one of the great perks of retirement. Finding activities that everyone will enjoy can be a big challenge, especially if the children in your family are of different ages. Luckily for Minneapolis-based seniors, the city offers lots of options for fun days out with little ones, teens, and tweens.
1. The Children’s Theatre Company
The Children’s Theatre Company shares space with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the city’s most popular (and free) museum. CTC stages locally produced and touring shows for all ages, like Busytown the Musical, based on Richard Scarry’s popular picture books, and a stage adaptation of Huck Finn. The theater lists recommended grade or age levels for all shows so you can pick the ones your family will enjoy most.
2. Real Ghost Tours
Real Ghost Tours takes adults and teens on nighttime walking tours of “haunted” historic Minneapolis. Will you see evidence of the Nicollet Island Wolfman or the mysterious showgirl spirit that allegedly lurks above a Mill Town bar? Even if you don’t, you and your family will learn a lot about the city’s history and legends.
3. Mall of America
For a day of shopping, snacking, and thrilling fun for kids, take the Metro Transit Blue Line train from downtown to Mall of America. You’ll love not having to drive, little kids will love the thrill of the ride, and everyone will get a day to play mini golf, ride rollercoasters at Nickelodeon Universe, and check out thousands of marine animals at Sea Life Minnesota—all inside the mall.
Give the grandkids a little extra pocket money for the American Girl store and Build-A-Bear Workshop, or save money by taking kids age 6 and younger to the mall on Toddler Tuesdays, when the young ones eat free at more than a dozen restaurants and get a discount on Nickelodeon rides.
4. The Depot
It wouldn’t be Minneapolis without winter sports, and The Depot’s indoor ice skating rink is considered one of the best on the continent. The rink opens each year on Thanksgiving weekend and closes toward the end of March; be sure to check the calendar as open days and hours can vary. The Depot also has an indoor waterpark that’s open most weekends and some weekdays year-round.
5. Minnehaha Regional Park
Spend the whole day outside at Minnehaha Regional Park and enjoy beautiful waterfalls, Mississippi River views, wooded picnic areas and trails, and a wading pool and play equipment for the kids. During late spring, summer, and early fall, you can rent bikes, enjoy live music three nights a week, and sample fresh seafood and suds at Sea Salt Eatery inside the park.
6. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Make art appreciation fun with a visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, a free-admission outdoor space featuring big, bold, and sometimes whimsical works of art. Free guided tours are available on summer weekends, and the nearby Grossman Arbor and Flower Garden, Cowles Conservatory, and Walker Art Center add to the possibilities for exploration and entertainment.
Learn more about Minneapolis Senior Services here:
Minneapolis Concierge Services
Minneapolis Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors
Senior-Friendly Workplaces in Minneapolis
Assisted Living in Minneapolis
Find more information, ratings and reviews for assisted living in Minneapolis on SeniorAdvisor.com.
Casey Kelly-Barton
Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.