Imagine a world where the phrase “I’m bored” becomes extinct.
Well, fellow Minnesotans, that utopia exists, and it’s right in our backyard!
Buckle up for a whirlwind tour of the Land of 10,000 Lakes’ most electrifying indoor playgrounds.
1. Eagles Nest Indoor Playground (New Brighton)
Let’s kick off our adventure at Eagles Nest in New Brighton, where the fun is as big as the smiles on your kids’ faces.
As you approach this playground paradise, you’ll be greeted by a stunning mural of a vibrant tree of life, stretching across the building’s facade.
It’s like Mother Nature decided to throw a rave, and everyone’s invited!
Step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a wonderland that would make even the most seasoned jungle explorer weak at the knees.
The play structure is a labyrinth of tunnels, slides, and obstacles that’ll have your little ones feeling like they’ve stumbled into a real-life video game.
And let’s be honest, you’ll be itching to join in too – just remember to take your shoes off first, unless you want to recreate that classic “sock sliding on hardwood floor” scene from Risky Business.
Parents, fear not!
While your kids are burning off energy faster than a squirrel on espresso, you can relax in the comfortable seating area.
It’s the perfect spot to pretend you’re not secretly wishing you could fit through those tunnels too.
2. Good Times Park (Eagan)
Next stop: Good Times Park in Eagan, where the name isn’t just a suggestion – it’s a guarantee.
This place is like a choose-your-own-adventure book come to life, minus the risk of accidentally choosing the page that ends with you being eaten by a dragon.
The park boasts a variety of activities that’ll keep kids of all ages entertained.
From the sprawling playground equipment to the wide-open spaces perfect for impromptu games of tag, there’s something for everyone.
It’s like they took all the best parts of outdoor play and brought them inside, minus the sunburn and bug bites.
Win-win!
One of the coolest features here is the mini-golf course.
It’s a great opportunity to teach your kids the valuable life lesson that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, that little ball just won’t go in the hole.
Hey, at least they’re learning persistence, right?
3. Maple Maze (Maple Grove)
Onwards to Maple Grove, where the Maple Maze awaits!
This place is like a corn maze, but instead of corn, you’ve got a multi-level playground that would make even the most seasoned hamster jealous.
The centerpiece is a massive play structure that looks like it was designed by a team of engineers who spent their childhoods dreaming of the ultimate treehouse.
It’s a dizzying array of tubes, slides, and climbing challenges that’ll have your kids feeling like they’re training for some kind of pint-sized version of American Ninja Warrior.
But wait, there’s more!
The Maple Maze also features a rock climbing wall, because apparently, regular climbing just isn’t exciting enough.
It’s a great way for kids to build upper body strength and for parents to have minor heart attacks as they watch their little ones scale heights that would make a mountain goat nervous.
4. Edinborough Park (Edina)
Our next destination is Edinborough Park in Edina, an indoor oasis that’s like a miniature ecosystem of fun.
This place is so cool, it makes you wonder why we even bother with outdoor parks.
(Just kidding, nature. We still love you.)
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The park features a one-acre indoor playground called Adventure Peak.
It’s a three-story behemoth of climbing equipment, slides, and tunnels that’ll have your kids feeling like they’ve discovered a lost world.
Just don’t be surprised if they start speaking in hushed tones about the “ancient artifacts” they found (read: someone’s lost sock).
But the real gem of Edinborough Park is the indoor running track that circles the play area.
It’s perfect for parents who want to get their steps in while keeping an eye on their little ones.
Plus, you can pretend you’re in a hamster wheel, which is always fun.
Who says kids get to have all the imagination?
5. Blast Indoor Playground (Eagan)
Blast off to our next stop: Blast Indoor Playground in Eagan.
This cosmic wonderland is where gravity seems optional and fun is the only law that matters.
The moment you step inside, you’re transported to what feels like the inside of a giant kaleidoscope.
The ceiling is adorned with twinkling lights that mimic a starry sky, making you feel like you’ve stumbled into some sort of intergalactic playground.
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder if NASA has considered hiring interior decorators for their space stations.
The main attraction is a multi-level play structure that looks like it was designed by a team of astronauts and circus performers.
There are slides that twist and turn like cosmic wormholes, ball pits that simulate zero gravity (minus the floating part), and climbing areas that would make a mountain goat jealous.
It’s like they took all the best parts of a space mission and a jungle gym, threw them in a blender, and created this magnificent playground smoothie.
6. Lookout Ridge (Woodbury)
Our penultimate stop takes us to Lookout Ridge in Woodbury, where the great outdoors has been expertly shrink-wrapped and brought inside for your convenience.
It’s like Mother Nature decided to downsize but kept all the good stuff.
The playground is designed to mimic a natural outdoor setting, complete with faux rock formations, a trickling stream (don’t worry, it’s not actually water – no wet socks here!), and even a cave system.
It’s the perfect place for your little explorers to channel their inner Indiana Jones, minus the booby traps and ancient curses.
One of the coolest features is the giant tree in the center of the play area.
It’s like they took Jack’s beanstalk, gave it a makeover, and plonked it right in the middle of Woodbury.
Kids can climb up, slide down, and pretend they’re arboreal acrobats to their hearts’ content.
7. Backyard Indoor Playground (Golden Valley)
For our grand finale, we’re heading to the Backyard Indoor Playground in Golden Valley.
This place is exactly what it sounds like – all the fun of a backyard, minus the grass stains and sunburn.
As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a giant, smiling tree that looks like it jumped straight out of a Pixar movie.
It’s the kind of tree that makes you wonder if it might start talking and dispensing wisdom at any moment.
(Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. But wouldn’t that be cool?)
The play structure is a marvel of engineering and imagination.
It’s got more twists and turns than a soap opera plot, with slides, tunnels, and climbing areas that’ll keep your kids entertained for hours.
There’s even a separate toddler area for the little ones, because let’s face it, sometimes the big kids’ playground can feel like the Thunderdome for the under-3 crowd.
So there you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Minnesota’s indoor playground scene that’ll make you the coolest parent in the carpool lane.
Plot your path to adventure!
This map is your key to smooth travels and exciting discoveries.
Now go forth and conquer those rainy days!