Winter Survival Guide for Minnesota Parents

Snow Days and Cabin Fever: Tips for Winter Fun with Kids in Minnesota

Welcome to the Frozen Frontier

Ah, Minnesota winters—the season of stunning snowy landscapes, endless hot cocoa, and also the time when parents across the state collectively ask: How do I keep my kids entertained without losing my mind?

If you’ve ever spent 45 minutes dressing a toddler in snow gear only for them to declare, “I have to go potty” the second you finish, you know the struggle. If you’ve considered moving into the Mall of America just to let your kids run free, you’re not alone. And if you’ve ever thought, Why do we live here again? while scraping ice off your windshield, congratulations—you’re officially a Minnesota parent.

But don’t worry! This winter survival guide is packed with ideas to keep your babies, toddlers, and young school-aged kids entertained, both indoors and outdoors, while also keeping YOU sane. Plus, I’ve included some of the best places and events in Minnesota that will make winter a little more magical (or at least tolerable).

So grab your extra-thick mittens, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or wine, I won’t judge), and let’s dive in!

Embrace the Cold: Outdoor Adventures for the Brave

Yes, it’s cold. Yes, there’s snow. But staying inside for five straight months will make everyone a little stir-crazy. If you can bundle up and brave the elements, Minnesota has some of the best winter activities for kids!

Sledding: The Ultimate Free Thrill Ride

Sledding is the cheapest, easiest way to burn off some of that excess kid energy. Pack some snacks, dress in layers, and head to:

Columbia Golf Club (Minneapolis) – A favorite spot with a long hill and plenty of space for toddlers to have their own gentle slopes.
Battle Creek Regional Park (St. Paul) – Steep enough for the big kids but has smaller slopes for little ones.
Theodore Wirth Park (Minneapolis) – There’s even a chalet where you can warm up with hot cocoa!

Ice Skating: Because Minnesotans Are Basically Born Wearing Skates

Introduce your little ones to the joy of ice skating at these family-friendly rinks:

Centennial Lakes Park (Edina) – A charming outdoor skating path (perfect for beginners).
Groveland Ice Rink (St. Paul) – Great for families with younger kids.

Pro tip: Bring a sled to pull younger toddlers around on the ice so they can enjoy the fun without the Bambi-on-ice experience.

Snow Tubing: Like Sledding, But Faster and More Fun for Parents

If you’re looking for bigger thrills (and lifts to carry you back up the hill), try snow tubing at:

Elm Creek Park Reserve (Maple Grove) – One of the best tubing spots with conveyor lifts.
Wild Mountain (Taylors Falls) – A bit of a drive but worth it for the family-friendly tubing runs.

Yes those outdoor playsets can be used in the Winter too!

Indoor Play Spaces: Because Sometimes the Cold is Just Too Much

Not every day is sledding weather. Sometimes, the wind chill hits nope degrees, and you need an indoor alternative. Luckily, the Twin Cities have plenty of fun indoor play areas!

Indoor Playgrounds That Will Save Your Sanity

Good Times Park (Eagan) – A giant indoor playground with slides, trampolines, and plenty of room to run.
Eden Prairie Center Play Area (Eden Prairie) – A free, enclosed play area great for toddlers.
MiniSota Play Cafe (Champlin) – A cozy indoor play cafe where kids can burn energy while you sip a latte.

Museums That Kids Actually Love

Minnesota Children’s Museum (St. Paul) – Interactive exhibits, a giant climbing structure, and water play!
Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul) – Great for curious little minds who love dinosaurs, space, and interactive fun.
Bell Museum (St. Paul) – If your kids love animals and outer space, this one’s a winner.

Pro tip: Get an annual membership to a museum—visiting multiple times a winter makes it worth every penny.

And don't forget your local library

At-Home Winter Fun: Keeping Cabin Fever in Check

Some days, the roads are icy, the kids are cranky, and you just cannot bring yourself to wrestle everyone into snow pants. For those days, here are some at-home boredom busters:

Creative Play Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Sensory bins – Fill a bin with rice, beans, or kinetic sand for mess-free fun.
Bathtub "beach day" – Toss in some bath toys and let them splash around like it’s summer.
Painter’s tape race tracks – Use tape to create roads all over your floor for toy cars.

Winter Crafts That Don’t Require a Degree in Pinterest

Homemade snow paint – Mix food coloring with water in spray bottles and let kids “paint” the snow outside.
Pinecone bird feeders – Spread peanut butter on pinecones, roll them in birdseed, and hang them outside.
DIY ice lanterns – Freeze water in a bowl with a small cup in the center to create a candle holder.

Pro tip: Make cleanup a team effort. Even a toddler can “help” clean up if you make it fun.

Keeping Parents Sane: Because You Deserve a Gold Medal

Winter isn’t just hard on kids—parents need survival strategies too! Here are a few ways to make these months more bearable:

1. Embrace Cozy Evenings

Stock up on warm blankets, soft lighting, and some good books or TV shows for the nights when it’s too cold to do anything else.
Teach your kids to appreciate quiet time—whether that’s through books, puzzles, or (let’s be honest) a little extra screen time.

2. Find a Parent-Friendly Activity

Join a mom or dad meetup group—chances are, other parents are also desperate for social interaction.
Take advantage of indoor coffee shops with play spaces (Café Ceres in Minneapolis is a good one).
Sign up for a fitness class that includes childcare (Lifetime Fitness has great options).

3. Plan a Mid-Winter Getaway

Even a weekend at a water park hotel (like Great Wolf Lodge or Arrowwood Resort) can break up the winter rut.
If you can swing it, a quick flight to somewhere warm might be the ultimate sanity-saver.

You’ve Got This, Minnesota Parents!

Winter in Minnesota is long, cold, and full of why did I agree to this? moments. But with the right mix of outdoor adventures, indoor play spaces, at-home creativity, and a few parent survival tactics, you can make it through with your sanity intact.

Now, I want to hear from you! What’s your go-to winter activity with your kids? Drop a comment below and share your best winter survival tips!

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Michele is a Minneapolis-based family photographer with over 15 years of experience capturing the chaos, joy, and beauty of parenthood. As a mom of teens now, she remembers firsthand the challenges of surviving a long Minnesota winter with kids. When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find her wrangling snow gear, perfecting the art of layering, or sipping coffee while dreaming of warmer days. Through her photography and writing, Michele helps families document their most meaningful moments—because even the coldest winter days deserve to be remembered.

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4 Comments

Feb 21, 2025, 5:43:19 PM

Heather Parrish - Great article! While not Minnesota cold, Iowa gets pretty cold too. These are great ideas that can be translated to any area.

Feb 21, 2025, 12:52:32 PM

Molly - So many good options here! And you're so right- losing my mind over here with two little ones on February break :)

Feb 20, 2025, 5:22:36 PM

Daniele - Such great ideas! Makes me long for a snow day!!

Feb 20, 2025, 2:59:40 PM

Rosa - It looks like so much fun!

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