Now that life has settled into a little more of a routine – with the two older kids headed to school every day, actually catching the bus on time and remembering to grab their lunches out of the refrigerator – I’m actually adjusting to the idea of it just being me and the little guy (yes, it took until April, you guys). He’s your typical two-year-old and could easily be tossed in the car with me to run errands and grab coffee on autopilot, but after a couple years of being the kid who’s just “along for the ride,” to and from his siblings’ basketball games and swimming lessons, I think it’s finally time he gets to have his own fun!
So I made a short list of toddler hot spots we need to go to celebrate JUST HIM. Just me and him. Together, just the two of us. If you have a toddler at home, I’d love to hear your favorite adventure spots too. Here’s our top ten list of toddler hot spots:
- Choo Choo Bobs, St. Paul
Yup, I know not every kid loves trains, but all toddlers love the fact that they won’t get in trouble for playing with all the moving pieces on the tables that are sitting at exactly their height. How fantastically fun is that? The St. Paul retail store sells toys and has displays of fast-moving toy trains as well as a dozen small train tables in the back where kids can literally just play. It’s a great spot to sip your coffee and watch their imaginations take off! I wrote a blog on Choo Choo Bobs awhile back, located here. Otherwise, you can visit their official site.
- MSP Airplane Viewing Area
Because life’s been a little wild the past couple years, we haven’t even made it out to the new-to-us-but-really-actually-new-in-2015 airplane viewing area down by the MSP airport. Check out the short article on this from my friends at Family Fun Twin Cities. Not particularly “indoors”, but I think you could watch the planes take off from your parking spot with a happy meal in your lap if the weather was too cold. Sitting close to the runway and watching planes take off and land directly above your head is what my transportation-loving toddler’s dreams are made of!
- Eagle’s Nest
I used to complain about this place, I’m not gonna lie. It felt a teensy bit old and run down. But they’ve recently remodeled and now I’ve gotta say – I love it! I mean, it’s making my Top Ten. Their upgraded indoor play area is soft and safe and has some funky new elements (like a light-up slide and dual ball pits), but my favorite addition is the tot spot. Unlike many other tot spots, this one is very substantial in size and has cool stuff (not boring “baby” stuff) like a kiddie hamster wheel, bridges, a mini merry-go-round, slides and a ball pit. The toddler area alone is worth the price of admission.
- Gleason’s Open Gym
This is only available late-Fall through early-Spring, but it is theeeee perfect indoor spot for the “running toddler.” With locations in Eagan and Maple Grove, their Preschool Open Gym times are limited by days and times, but if you can get their during those times, it’s a blast! Their massive indoor gym is filled with spring boards, trampolines, foam blocks, balance beams, rings and wide open space (I repeat: Wide. Open. Space.). It’s a lovely spot for toddlers – and parents – alike.
- Pinwheel Play
Specifically for ages 6 and under, this adorable indoor play land is literally built for toddlers. The variety of activities here always makes me happy because my guy doesn’t focus on anything for too particularly long. We can go from the art room to the playground to the sports pit to the costume area to the magnet board to the electronic game floor to the imaginary grocery store/kitchen area…and the list goes on and on. And we love it! Pack a lunch and stay til their little legs can’t take it anymore.
- Brooklyn Park Library
Yup. It’s a library. But this library feels more like a play place than anything else (which could be viewed as good or bad…but as a mom of a toddler, my vote is good). It’s free and huge and really stretches their imaginations with a play house, giant light peg board, building blocks, Magna-Tiles, doll houses, a ball/tube wall (which tends to be broken more often than not) and of course, books. Easily the most kid-friendly library I’ve ever been to.
- Williston Splash Pad
Winter gets long, so my little water rats get anxious for water when it’s still below zero outside. That’s why they all enjoyed Williston’s zero depth splash pad when they were toddlers. It’s small, sure, but so are they! It has a slide, a couple spray fountains and it’s warm! Plus Williston also has an indoor play area called The Treehouse which is a nice size for littler legs as well. I feel like this is a fun little gem that is definitely entertaining for the water-loving toddler in your life.
- RAD Zoo
Snakes. Frogs. Alligators. Seriously, just kill me now. All of those things make my stomach turn. But my toddler boy? Holy crap, just watch out! He flipped his lid the first time we went to the Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo in Owatonna. This one’s a drive, but if you have a reptile child who wakes up every day asking to pet alligators and dinosaurs, it’s worth the gas money (but note: they do not have dinosaurs).
- Maplewood Mall
Sometimes I just want to wander aimlessly with a coffee in my hand, possibly picking up a candle or foaming hand soap on my walk. So we go to the mall! But if you want the best mall if it’s just you and a toddler? Check out Maplewood Mall. With a double decker carousel, kids place area, miniature train ride, plenty of space to run, and a Caribou Coffee (that one’s for you)…this mall’s our favorite family find of all the malls.
- PLAYSpace
While Monticello is a bit of a hike from my house, every time I go to PLAYSpace indoor play area I never regret it. This is a smaller spot but is cram-packed with entertainment for toddlers and preschoolers. My son is pretty small too, so it’s a good match. The owner is a preschool teacher and you can more than tell in the way she has a fantastic variety of imaginative play, sensory tables, craft boxes, blocks, books and SO much more. No matter the attention span of your kiddo, they will surely stay busy here. You can bring in nut-free snacks and drinks and there’s a sibling discount if you bring more than one child too.
