If you’re looking for the Family Friendly Indoor Activities in the Twin Cities for rainy or cold days, this list is for you! These seven activities are perfect for kids of all ages and fun loving adults too!

*I received comped activities from the Minneapolis, Rosevelle, and Bloomington CVBs in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine.*

7 Best Family Friendly Indoor Activities in the Twin Cities

The one consistent comment I hear from people when I mention my recent trip to Twin Cities is “OH! I could never live there. It’s too cold.” Well, that may well sometimes be the case, but the Minnesotans have figured out how to entertain themselves even on the coldest or rainiest of days. They just take it inside. Check out all of these family friendly indoor activities in the Twin Cities! {Many of them are even FREE!}

Science Museum of Minnesota

Located in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is perfect for guests of all ages. Climb up a real towboat and pretend to pilot the Mississippi River, learn about dinosaurs, race, the human body! There are tons of interactive exhibits, live science displays, an experiment gallery, and classes for kids of all ages. We had a great time wandering around the Science Museum, and wouldn’t you know it, it was raining buckets the day we were there too!

Mississippi River Visitor’s Center (National Park Service)

If your kids collect Junior Ranger Badges, you have to head to the Mississippi River Visitor’s Center. Located inside the lobby of the Science Center of Minnesota, it’s also a free activity your younger kids will enjoy. This Visitor’s Center isn’t very big, but they do have a few interactive displays the children we were with really enjoyed! The exhibits in this visitor’s center teach about the Mississippi River culture, biology, and history.

Landmark Center Museums

The Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul has a fascinating history as a federal court during Prohibition, a United States Post Office, and an office building. It was almost torn down at one point, but luckily it was saved and restored to its former glory. This beautiful building is now home to several very interesting museums and art exhibits: the Gallery of Wood and the Schubert Club Museum. You can also take a free tour and learn about the building’s roll in the gangster days of the 1920s. In all, it’s worth a visit just to check out the gorgeous interior! It’s all free, too! Learn more here.

Mill City Museum

Located in downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi River Front, the Mill City Museum is a great place to spend a cold or rainy afternoon. Built on the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, it’s full of interactive exhibits, (yay for sneaking in some learning!) and displays about the history of the flour industry in the area. Ride the Flour Tower (interactive elevator) up and down the building and learn about the great fire and how the workers actually milled flour back in the day. They also have a display kitchen and serve fun treats made with Gold Medal flour. Bank of America and Merrill Lynch card holders get one FREE admission on the first Saturday of every month.

Mall of America

The Mall of America is just full of fun indoor activities – I never realized just HOW MUCH there is to do there. You can spend as much or as little money as you want. Choose from Flyover America, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium, the Crayola Experience, Nickelodeon Universe, Smaaash Gaming & Entertainment Center. Or just wander the mall and window shop! The LEGO store is always a hit with my kids and there’s also an American Girl Doll store as well. Just prepared to fork over the cash or tell your kids no. 🙂

Can Can Wonderland

Located in the former home of the American Can Company, Can Can Wonderland is the first arts based public benefit corporation in Minnesota! If you can find it, Can Can Wonderland offers a fun whimsical indoor miniature golf course, a huge assortment of vintage pinball games, and a full bar and kitchen too. The owner’s dedication to arts education is inspiring and we really enjoyed our time at Can Can Wonderland.

Photo source: The Walking Tourists

Walker Art Center

If you like pop and contemporary art, the Walker Art Center is for you! I know my kids would go bananas about seeing all of the great Andy Warhol exhibits. I only made it as far as the snack bar, but my friends at The Walking Tourists have a great write-up of the Walker Art Center if you’d like to learn more! By the way, teens get in FREE every day thanks to Wells Fargo. They also have FREE days on the first Saturday of the month. And thanks to Target, Gallery admission is FREE every Thursday night from 5-9 pm.

No matter the weather, you will find plenty of family friendly indoor activities in the Twin Cities! If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.

For more info on visiting the Twin Cities, check out these posts:

Farm to Table Restaurants in the Twin Cities

30 Free Things to do at the Minnesota State Fair

Escape Winter at the Mall of America

Amtrak Empire Builder Tips from MSP to Whitefish, Montana