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The 17 Best Indoor Playgrounds in the Twin Cities

Whoever came up with indoor playgrounds is a genius.

For parents, they’re a godsend on bad weather days. (Looking at you – Mr. Cold Minnesota Winter! And you’re not innocent either, Ms. Hot/rainy Summer!)

So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of all the best options around Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Now get those kids to burn off some energy!

Map of the Minneapolis and St. Paul’s Best Indoor Playgrounds

Adventure Peak & Edinborough Park (Edina)

You know an indoor playground passes the test when even the adults have a good time. Adventure Peak, located within Edinborough Park, is a 1-acre indoor city park in Edina and one of the largest indoor parks in Minnesota. The four-story play area ranks as a top place for kids and adults since the climbing equipment, slides, and gym area encourage both. In addition, there’s a 30-foot oak tree to climb up, a multi-purpose room for scooters and shooting hoops, and a toddler area for smaller kids.

If you’re new to the indoor playground scene, we recommend starting here.

The Blast (Eagan)

One of the first parent reviews of this galactic-themed indoor play area we heard was, “It’s the best $5 you’ll spend in Eagan.” The two-story play area has slides and climbing areas suited for younger kids.

We recommend the drop-in hours paired with access to the open gym area. This adds a second play space and a few more things to extend the playtime.

Brookview Backyard (Golden Valley)

Brookview Backyard is one of the newer indoor playgrounds in the Twin Cities, serving families in the Golden Valley and Minneapolis area. It offers 3,000+ square feet of climbing structures, slides, and gym area, and our favorite – divided play areas for kids 2-5 and 6-12 to help keep the toddlers from getting run over by the faster-moving “big kids.”

Eagles Nest (New Brighton)

One of the most popular play areas on this entire list, the Eagles Nest, is a playdate getaway for hundreds of families. Located in the New Brighton Community Center, it features a 23′ high climbing structure, slides, and interactive toys like a projector slide and walking piano.

The daily play fee is $7 per child and is open to kids 12 and under.

Good Times Park (Eagan)

The first time I went to Good Times Park, I arrived feeling a little bit jealous that there was never something this cool when I was a kid. Good Times is Minnesota’s largest family-owned (non-city/municipality) indoor playground. It’s also an access-controlled, staffless park, meaning you pay for an access code to the door and can play any time between 7 AM and 9:30 PM with just you and the kids.

There are too many amenities at the park to list, many of which you won’t find anywhere else on the indoor playgrounds on this list.

  • Address:  3265 Northwood Cir #100, Eagan, MN 55121
  • Website: Good Times Park

Grand Slam Sports (Burnsville)

While not exclusively an indoor playground, one of the things I love the most about Grand Slam in Burnsville is that there’s enough stuff to do that a weekly or monthly visit doesn’t get old.

If you have a wide age range in your family, younger kids can start with the three-story indoor play zone and trampoline park while the older group checks out laser tag, mini-golf, and the batting cages. There’s also something for everyone in the video arcade–one of the best in the Twin Cities.

InnerActive (Mounds View)

Open 365 days per year, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Inner Active was founded by two parents who know how hard it can be with Minnesota weather to find physical activity and play opportunities for kids. So, they created InnerActive, a self-supervised play park for kids ages 1-17.

The park features a large indoor play structure, a wooden toddler play area, an in-ground trampoline, and a large seating area to host parties and homeschool work time.

  • Address: 2240 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112
  • Website: Inner Active

The K.U.B.E. (Plymouth)

At Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience (K.U.B.E.), even the name sounds fun at this new indoor play area at the Plymouth Community Center.

Kids ages 2-12 can play on the indoor climbing equipment, including a 28-foot tall tower with a spiral slide.

The community center also offers rentals for the exclusive use of the playground for up to 50 people. Your next idea for that upcoming kid’s birthday party?

Little Loggers Play Area (Roseville)

Knowing that not all families have the resources to pay for playtime, I wanted to include some indoor gym time options that don’t cost anything. The Little Loggers Play Area at Rosedale Mall offers free indoor playground space anytime during mall hours.

Located on the lower level near Forever 21, it’s enclosed and tucked in a part of the mall away from busy traffic. It tends towards the younger crowd and has plenty of space to meet for a play date and burn off energy.

  • Address: Rosedale Center Mall, Roseville, MN 55113
  • Website:  Rosedale Center

The Lookout (Shakopee)

Located in the Shakopee Community Center, the indoor playground features a variety of activities for kids ten and under. For $3 during community center hours, kids can explore the climbing gym, slides, and small rock climbing wall.

Safe, friendly, and kid-approved!

Lookout Ridge (Woodbury)

I sometimes get the sense that if you’ve seen one community center indoor playground, you’ve seen them all. But not with Lookout Ridge in Woodbury. Located on the lower level of the city’s Central Park building, the playground is designed to mimic the St. Croix River Valley landscape, including a cave, climbable cliffs, and forest sound effects playing in the background.

Wristbands cost $5.50 and with play hours Monday-Saturday, year-round.

  • Address: 8595 Central Park Pl, Woodbury, MN 55125
  • Website: Lookout Ridge

Maple Maze (Maple Grove)

A jungle-themed indoor jungle gym. Try saying that five times fast!

The Maple Maze offers two stories of treehouse climbing, slides, and jungle-themed animals to climb and explore. Many parents love to pair this with a visit to the indoor pool or the large outdoor playground in the summer.

  • Address: 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • Website: Maple Maze

MiniSota Play Cafe (Maple Grove)

Sometimes parents just need a spot for kids to safely play (and burn off the cabin fever) while Moms and Dads enjoy some quiet time or a cup of coffee. That’s where Maple Grove’s MiniSota Play Cafe comes in.

Kids can enjoy imaginative play in the make-believe town of Mini Grove, pretend fish in Lake Minitonka, or enjoy one of their sensory theme days with special activities. All while parents enjoy a cup of fresh coffee.

Millz House (Apple Valley)

What’s the best way to sell indoor and outdoor basketball courts, custom playsets, trampolines, and play equipment? By letting kids play in your indoor showroom!

Open Monday-Friday, for $6 per child, families can use the indoor showroom space for play and exploring. In addition, there’s a large seating area for snacks and breaks, along with an option to rent space for birthday parties.

  • Address: 14645 Felton Ct #104, Apple Valley, MN 55124
  • Website: Millz House

Minnesota Children’s Museum (St. Paul)

Even though it’s not exclusively an indoor playground, it’s worth noting that the newly renovated Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul has one of the best indoor playgrounds in town. Three stories of slides, an entire water play area, and toddler play spaces to help children exercise their brains and their bodies.

The admission here can be spendy for families, but check out discount and free admission days on the first Sunday of the month.

Pump It Up (Eden Prairie)

It might be stretching the limits to say that a giant room full of inflatable blow-up bouncy houses counts as an indoor playground, but let’s just go with it. After all, the point of this list is to help parents add to their options for rainy days in the summer and below zero days in the winter.

At Pump It Up, open jump hours happen throughout the week–just be prepared for the controlled chaos.

  • Address: 7406 Washington Ave S, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
  • Website: Pump It Up

Rainbow Play Systems (Bloomington)

Pay to Play hours at Rainbow Play Systems have been a Twin Cities favorite for more than a decade.

Every day from 10 AM-4 PM, Rainbow Play Systems opens up their showroom for free play on the display swing sets. They have all the playground bells and whistles to choose from, as well as trampolines, basketball hoops, and a place to stop for snacks.

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About the Author
Discover The Cities

Discover The Cities

DiscoverTheCities exists for one simple goal: to help you discover everything that’s awesome about Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities area. Here’s the ugly truth. Most of Minnesota’s “travel guides” are written by people with East Coast accents sitting New York City cubicles. They wouldn’t know a Jucy Lucy if it shot its molten hot-lava -cheese in their face. The DTC team is different. We're passionate Twin Cities locals writing from personal experience. We actually visit the sights, taste the food, and share the real local’s inside scoop.
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