Watch CBS News

Best Bad Weather Activities For Kids In Minnesota

Minnesota weather forces many locals to stay indoors at certain times of the year. Getting the kids out, however, must become a priority if parents want to keep their sanity during bad weather days. Luckily, there are many options for maintaining a high level of activity during days when outdoor play is not an option. Check out these indoor activities for kids when the weather is bad.

Great Lakes Aquarium
353 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 740-3474
www.glaquarium.org

This giant freshwater aquarium located in northern Minnesota is the perfect indoor activity for a rainy day. Mixing education with fun, the Great Lakes Aquarium contains exhibits that focus on local and global ecosystems, rare species and interactive areas for all ages. Stay all day for a program on fish feeding or a show about the Amazon River. The best part of the Great Lakes Aquarium is that it focuses on the fish and animals found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. Learn about our own area - right along the Duluth waterfront.

Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave. S.
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 833-9540
www.edinamn.gov

What better way to expend some energy on a yucky day than at an indoor playground? Located on the border of Edina and Bloomington, Edinborough Park offers a gigantic indoor play structure for children of all ages, including babies. A gymnasium adjacent to the playground is equipped with basketball hoops, balls and a bouncy castle as well. Indoor landscaping adds natural ambiance to the play area and a cafe is located nearby for snacks and refreshment breaks. Edinborough Park caters to birthday parties, groups and the occasional field trip. Adults can also enjoy a fitness area and swimming pool for grown-up fun.

Minnesota's Children's Museum
10 W. 7th St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 225-6000
www.mcm.org

Consistently voted one of the best children's museums in the United States, the Minnesota Children's Museum is enough of an adventure to fill an entire day inside and out of the cold. Offering education and fun in a large space of over five separate areas, the museum keeps children interested and encourages hands-on play. All ages, including babies and adults, will find something of interest in the many play areas of the museum. Children are also exposed to art and nature inside the museum with art galleries and aquariums to explore. Spend the day in downtown St. Paul and enjoy what the museum has to offer.

Related: Best Activities To Do With Dad In Minnesota

Gleasons Gymnastics
2015 Silver Bell Road
Eagan, MN 55122
(651) 454-6203
www.gleasons.com

If your bad weather day falls on a Wednesday or Friday, check out the open gym program at Gleasons Gymnastics School. From infants to teens, times are reserved for age groups to play on trampolines, balance beams, bars and trapezes. Supervised by the staff at Gleasons, children can have fun running around and jumping for two-hour open gym programs. Who knows? The open gym may pique an interest in gymnastics for your child. Check out the website for times and pricing. A location in Maple Grove is available as well.

YMCA Twin Cities
30 S. 9th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 230-9622
www.ymcatwincities.org

There may be no better option for indoor fun than the YMCA. Many Ys throughout Minnesota offer a large variety of activities for the entire family that involve exercise, creativity and fun. Indoor swimming pools, some with water slides and splash pads, can be a blast for kids who love the water. YMCAs in the Twin Cities area also contain indoor play structures, rock climbing walls and kids fitness classes during the week. Parents will also find something active to do at the Y.

Related: Best Of Minnesota: Kid's Birthday Party

Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for eight years. She loves covering all things Minnesota and her work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.