When it comes to engaging kids in art, history, and culture, the Twin Cities offers a diverse array of museums in Minnesota for families. These museums cater to a wide range of ages and are ideal for keeping young minds active during rainy days and winter months. From interactive exhibits for the little ones to thought-provoking displays for teenagers, the best museums in the Twin Cities promise an enriching experience for all ages. Families will love this list of museums in Minnesota that seamlessly blend education with entertainment. These museums also captivate children and offer parents an opportunity to foster a love for learning and family bonding. In this article, we have listed each museum in different age categories to further assist parents in finding the best museums in the Twin Cities for their kids.
Best Museums in the Twin Cities for All Ages
If you’re looking for some of the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids of all ages, keep reading! Including some of the top free museums in Minneapolis, these museums offer exhibits and things of interest from babies to teens.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Art-loving kids will adore the Minneapolis Institute of Art, one of the oldest museums in the United States. And it’s among the best things to do in Minneapolis with kids! Boasting a collection of over 90,000 works, the museum offers diverse exhibits and activities suitable for all ages. The Minneapolis Institute of Art also hosts family-friendly events throughout the year, making it an invaluable option for artistic exploration without any admission fee.
They even have a dedicated Family Day. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum has hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demonstrations, gallery hunts, self-guided tours, and more for all ages. Then, the museum offers long-term and visiting exhibits featuring everything from traditional Native American and Latin art to American Gothic pieces. And, when kids need a break for a little free play, you can head to the Family Center. As one of the best free museums in Minneapolis, you’ll quickly discover why this is a go-to spot for so many families in the area!
Minnesota History Center
Embrace the rich history of Minnesota with your family at the Minnesota History Center, one of the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids. Situated in Saint Paul, the center presents kid-friendly exhibits delving into Native American history, Minnesota’s settlements, and its economic evolution. Then, interactive displays offer a hands-on experience of life in different historical periods, from exploring local communities, understanding the weather, and climbing through a model grain elevator. Not to mention learning about remarkable Minnesota women!
The museum also provides a dedicated kids’ activity area to don period clothing and engage in historical games. Beyond the exhibits, families can unwind on the beautiful grounds, take a stroll or bike ride on nearby trails, or enjoy a picnic in the park, making the Minnesota History Center an enriching and enjoyable outing for families in the Twin Cities. Finally, children aged four and under are always free.
Walker Art Center & the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with your creative kids for a fantastic and cost-free activity in the heart of Minneapolis. A highlight among the top free family things to do in Minnesota, this iconic spot offers a captivating experience for all ages. Start your visit by snapping a family photo with the iconic Spoon and Cherry. Then, challenge your kids to find their favorite statues scattered across the garden. From the colossal blue rooster to the wind chime tree and the hare leaping over the bell, they have many fun ones to choose from! Finally, could you enhance your visit with the self-guided tour sheet, mapping out all the on-site sculptures?
Then, extend the artistic exploration by heading to the nearby Walker Art Center, which presents diverse galleries for your family to enjoy. In addition to their long-term exhibitions, the museum offers a rotating selection of visiting exhibitions, too. As one of the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids of all ages, kids 18 and under are always free! Plus, there is an admission discount for EBT cardholders. Finally, admission is free for everyone on Thursday nights and the first Saturday of every month.
Mill City Museum
Discover a day of educational fun at the Mill City Museum, a favorite among the best things to do in Minneapolis with kids. This museum, housed in what was once the world’s largest flour mill, offers an intriguing tour that takes families inside a functioning elevator to learn about the area’s early industries. Kids will love this dynamic, moving tour, while parents will appreciate the unique learning opportunity. From the top of the elevator tour, you can also enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls below.
After (or before) the tour, kids can engage with hands-on exhibits across the museum. Families can delve into the city’s rich industrial history through each exhibit. In particular, kids will adore watching old commercials from brands like Pillsbury! Finally, you can take advantage of the Baking Lab, which often offers a taste of freshly baked cookies or bread. Children age four and under are always free.
Bell Museum
Bell Museum, located in Saint Paul, is next on our list of the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids of all ages. Operated by the University of Minnesota, this natural history museum and planetarium offers an intimate setting for children to discover science and nature. The museum features several interactive exhibits, covering topics from the intricacies of the human brain to the vast cosmos. Undoubtedly, there’s something that will interest everyone in your family!
Start by wandering through the captivating wildlife dioramas. Then, embark on a journey through space and time in the permanent exhibit, Minnesota Journeys. If you’re visiting with littles, don’t miss the hands-on experiences at the Touch & See Lab. Kids can explore 10,000-year-old fossils, living plants, animals, and more here. Finally, end your visit with a thrilling planetarium show! Kids ages two and under are free, and reduced rates are available for indigenous communities and low-income families.
Franconia Sculpture Park
Fuel your kids’ inspiration and love for nature at Franconia Sculpture Park, a unique outdoor museum in Shafer (just 45 minutes from the Twin Cities metro area). Open every day of the year, it’s also one of the best free museums near Minneapolis. Not to mention, it makes for a great day trip for families!
Covering 50 acres, this park features contemporary sculptures set against a beautiful, natural backdrop. Some installations even encourage kids to interact, ensuring a touch-friendly experience (while some other structures are also marked “no touch”). Children can run, be imaginative, and play around massive installations for a fun, creative family experience. Beyond sculpture exploration, make it a family picnic spot during pleasant weather. Then, don’t miss the indoor gallery and gift shop. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best museums near the Twin Cities for kids!
Best Museums Twin Cities for Babies to Young Kids
There are so many museums in Minnesota for families! But if you need a fun list of museums in Minnesota for babies, toddlers, and young kids, this section is for you. Generally, these museums are best for babies to age 8 (stretch 10-12 with younger siblings).
The Works Museum
Take a family day trip just south of Minneapolis to The Works Museum in Bloomington—an ideal destination for young kids on our list of the best museums in the Twin Cities. Particularly for families with young tinkering enthusiasts, The Works Museum is a haven, presenting pop-up engineering activities and family STEM events that promise a day of fun and learning.
Centered on engineering and technology, this interactive museum provides hands-on exhibits catering to kids interested in coding, building, and engineering. Kids are encouraged to freely explore their creativity and enhance investigative skills through various engaging activities. Plus, don’t miss their family engineering nights for even more fun! Children under two are free.
Minnesota Children’s Museum
For families seeking interactive adventures with young kids, the Minnesota Children’s Museum in Saint Paul is a go-to destination on our list of the best Twin Cities museums for families. The museum offers many engaging spaces for babies, toddlers, and young kids. The options are endless, from unleashing creativity in art exhibits to building imaginative structures and splashing at water tables!
A highlight is the thrilling climbing area with a giant catwalk—let your kids play superhero as they navigate The Scramble. Then, Explore Our World, an exhibit resembling a pretend town, helps kids understand various roles in the community at places like the fire station and post office. Infants and toddlers can also enjoy sensory play at Sprouts. Weather permitting, venture outdoors to the Tip Top Terrace and The Backyard for additional play spaces. Undoubtedly, the Minnesota Children’s Museum promises a fun day of interactive learning and play! Income-qualified families can purchase admission tickets at a reduced rate.
Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul provides an engaging and educational outing with young kids. Packed with interactive exhibits, the museum covers scientific concepts, from physics and chemistry to fascinating facts about creatures from tiny spiders to enormous dinosaurs.
A favorite for your kids is undoubtedly the “Ultimate Dinosaurs” exhibit, featuring life-sized dinosaur replicas, insights into their habitats and diets, and displayed fossils. Then, in “The Human Body Gallery,” kids can experience hands-on activities exploring the human body and learning about themselves. Another highlight is an exhibit dedicated to the Mississippi River Valley. Finally, those with babies and toddlers will enjoy the Wonder Years exhibit, featuring information about early childhood development. Plus, IMAX theater screens interesting films on science and nature that will appeal to all ages. As one of the best museums in Minnesota for families, your kids will love exploring the many exhibits, making it a fun day out for the whole family!
Best Museums Twin Cities for Tweens and Teens
Then, if you need a list of museums in Minnesota for tweens and teens, we’ve got you covered with these fun Twin Cities museums for families! Generally, these museums are best suited for ages 8+. Keep reading to learn more and plan a fun day with your tweens and teens!
The Bakken Museum
Immerse yourself in a world of wonder at The Bakken Museum, situated on the shores of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. This museum is a must for families seeking fun things to do in Minneapolis with kids! Recently renovated, the museum offers a unique perspective on science, technology, and innovation in the Twin Cities.
Here, tweens and teens can dive into hands-on exhibits, uncovering fun facts from Frankenstein’s Laboratory to Benjamin Franklin’s Electricity Party. Then, the Spark exhibit also stands out for families, allowing parents and their kids to create music, decipher secret codes, and explore innovations in medical prosthetics. After exploring the indoor exhibits, step outside for a breath of fresh air (weather permitting) and meander the plants as medicine and other gardens. Children 3 and under are free, and there is a reduced rate for income-qualified families.
Fort Snelling
If your family is interested in local history, make Fort Snelling in Saint Paul your next day out! Situated along the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers on Dakota land, this National Historic Landmark provides insights into the fort’s military history, local indigenous tribes, historic trade routes, and more.
Start in the Fort Snelling Visitor Center, which offers interactive exhibits highlighting the fort’s history and its role in Minnesota’s settlement. Walk & Talk guided tours of the fort are also included with admission (5 times offered daily). Afterward, explore the fort grounds, with surrounding trails perfect for a day of family hiking. Then, nearby playgrounds and picnic areas also invite relaxation in the outdoors after exploring the indoor exhibits. As one of the best Twin Cities museums for families, children ages four and under are free.
Museum of Illusion
Include the Museum of Illusions on your list of fun museums in Minnesota to explore this year with your kids. Located in the Mall of America, this interactive experience, featuring 60 exhibits, promises thrills and amazement. Explore visual, sensory, and educational displays that engage curious minds with scientific tricks on eyes, perception, and the brain.
From becoming part of a kaleidoscope to tackling brain teasers and experimenting at the cloning table, the illusions are both astonishing and intriguing for tweens and teens. You can just go for a guided tour to enhance your understanding of each illusion. Not to mention capture fun family pictures along the way. Families love the guided experience because kids can ask endless questions and experience each exhibit with a trained and knowledgeable staff member.
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Schubert Club Music Museum
Do you have a music enthusiast at home? Then, you need to check out Schubert the Club Music Museum. Located in the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul, this museum is also one of the best free family things to do in Minnesota. Recently renovated, the Schubert Club offers several galleries dedicated to hearing and playing instruments from around the globe (either hands-on or through innovative technology!).
Tweens and teens will delight in how the collections come to life through audio and visual recordings! Each one tells the unique story of historical keyboards and manuscripts. Then, kids can even be blown away by an instrument “tornado”! In this station, they will be surrounded by whirling sounds from around the world. Talk about a melodic experience! With so many novel musical exhibits, no wonder this is one of the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids.
Have Fun!
Now that we’ve covered the best museums in the Twin Cities for kids, it’s time to plan your day out! From art and culture to history and science, the Twin Cities has much to offer kids of all ages. Whether you are looking for museums in Minneapolis or a little further afield, we know this list of museums in Minnesota for kids will help you have an excellent day exploring the area with your family.
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
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