WILLISTON TREE HOUSE AND SPLASH PAD

MINNETONKA, MN
VISIT WEBSITE

Sometimes I wish Minnesota had retractable shelters available on every outdoor activity our lovely city has to offer so we could continue to enjoy them during the (seemingly endless) cold winter months. I’ve deemed that idea silly, unrealistic and probably crazy expensive. Instead I have settled for finding similar activities that are already built indoors and are just as much fun – such as Williston TreeHouse and splash pad play area. Swimming, climbing and sliding is no longer a summer-only adventure in Minnesota. Check all three off your list in one visit under one roof for one price at Williston Fitness Center in Minnetonka. Bring on the snow, Minnesota. Retractable shelters or no retractable shelters. Bring. It. On.

What is it?

Williston Fitness Center is a fitness center in Minnetonka, just west of 494, which offers monthly and annual memberships for fitness activities (both organized, individual and open play) such as tennis, yoga, swimming, baseball, basketball, pickleball, spinning and more. But, really, let’s focus on why you’re all here…how can you keep the KIDS busy? Non-members pay to enter the facility and gain full access to two very cool, kid-friendly areas: the splash pad and the Tree House indoor play area. The splash pad is INDOORS, separated from the full-sized swimming pool by a glass wall, where kids can wade in no more than three feet of water, splash in the fountains and slide down the tongue of a giant frog. Bonus: The water is relatively warm. Can I get an “Amen!?”

The Tree House is an awesome place to run around, and kids feel comfortable climbing up and down by themselves because the size of the area is not overwhelming or tall. With a small toddler area, some fun slides and bridges and ropes from which to swing (plus a nice area to share a lunch or host a birthday party), the Tree House is a great place to burn off some kiddie-steam that inevitably builds up during these cold, claustrophobic months.

Fit for what ages?

While kids up to age 12 can enjoy the Tree House, the splash pad is definitely geared more towards the very little. I’d say the splash pad is best enjoyed by kids aged 1 through 6. The water is shallow and the pool is small, but little legs will appreciate it and the slide can keep a toddler entertained for longer than you’d imagine. Plus, it’s warm which I know my toddler (and myself) prefers. Older kids might like barreling through the splashing fountains more so than younger ones, but once they’ve learned to swim, the bigger pool would probably be their preference (although that is most definitely not as warm). There is also a hot tub which is a nice way to end the swimming portion, so long as your kiddo is above the age of 3 and doesn’t splash around too much in there.

The Tree House, however, is made for kids 12 and under and really is fun for all ages! With hanging rings and ropes for the gymnasts, slides and bridges for the daredevils and a toddler area for the little ones, this place should actually allow you the time to finish that coffee before it gets cold for once. Sometimes, indoor play areas make it difficult for younger kids to get up (steps are too tall, etc.) but the Tree House offers a few different climbing options, some definitely easy enough for short-legged littles. And the older kids will appreciate the speed of those blue slides – DANG, they’re fast! 

How much are we talkin?

The nice part about Williston is that it’s a one-fee-covers-all type of place. Non-member adults (14+) cost $8/day and kids (1-14) cost $6/day. Under one year old is free. If your kids are 3 or older, an adult need not pay to swim in the splash pad with them. If they are younger than that, it will cost you adult and child admission to get in. The nice part is the fee includes the splash pad and the Tree House. If you are only playing at the Tree House, adults are free, regardless of the age of your child.

Want some tips?

We visit Williston TreeHouse during the week and have never seen more than four other kids there before 10am. It’s quiet. It’s warm. And it’s wonderful. The Tree House tends to get full faster than the splash pad, but for both areas, earlier is better. Weekends can be nuts with children’s parties and weekdays with field trips, but neither rolls in early in the morning, so I advise hitting up the Williston Tree House (downstairs) right when you get there in the morning and follow it up with a dip in the splash pad (top floor, by the swimming pool).

SOCKS ARE REQUIRED in the Williston TreeHouse. Food and beverages must be enjoyed outside the play room in the dining area. There is a bathroom located right down the hall from the dining area by the vending machines downstairs. We pack a lunch or snacks to dine on while taking a much-needed rest when rockin’ the Tree House. There is a clean sit-down area with tables and chairs right outside the play area downstairs. Adults can climb too and overall, I’d say the squeeze isn’t as bad as some indoor play areas and many spots are padded so your knees will be less furious with you that night. Be warned if your kids are wearing slippery pants: those slides can cause you to FLY!

There are cubbies for your belongings in the dining area of the Tree House as well as vending machines with drinks and snacks. There is also hand sanitizer available right outside the door. 

If we are swimming too, before I leave home, I grab some toys from our bath basket, a towel, pairs of socks, a change of clothes and lunch. It’s fun for the kids to have some pool toys to play with in the splash pad. There is a family locker room (in addition to the male and female ones) with benches, three private changing rooms, and storage lockers for your use. This is also where the restrooms are located.  I usually leave our clothes and shoes in the lockers without actually locking them up, and my purse comes with me to the splash pad area. There is a bench right next to the splash pad where you can set personal items, so I get peace of mind having my money and phone sit where I can see them vs. in the locker room. However, you can bring your own lock from home or purchase one from the information desk if you’d prefer. They also sell swimmer diapers for a fee. If you are planning on using the bigger pool, do check the pool schedule first since they regularly host activities in the pool such as water aerobics and swim lessons. There is also a sauna and hot tub available for adults, so should the opportunity present itself…enjoy! 

Hours and Location

14509 Minnetonka Dr.  |  Minnetonka, MN 55345
The Williston TreeHouse and Splash Pad is tucked behind a frontage road right off Minnetonka Blvd. and Williston Road, just west of Hwy 494. It’s a large tin-looking building with a large (and always full), free parking lot. There’s more parking across the street if it comes to that. 

The tree house is open Monday through Saturday, 6 am–8 pm and Sunday, 8 am–8 pm. The splash pad and Tree House are open those hours, although they start closing down 15 minutes beforehand. You can see the swimming pool schedule here.

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