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Discover the Magic of Minnesota With Kids & Teens
Minnesota with kids and teens is chock full of exciting family fun. There is so much interesting history, art and culture to be found in the US state known for its many lakes. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of Minnesota inspire you as you explore Minnesota with kids and teens.
Your family will be captivated by all of the history exciting places to explore and learn about in Minnesota. These Minnesota family travel destinations are great places to add to an exciting family travel itinerary as you explore Minnesota. If you are wanting to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Minnesota with kids and teens.
Minnesota With Kids & Teens – Road Trip!
Are ready to let your family experience everything Minnesota has to offer? If that’s the case, then a Minnesota with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander wherever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.
In our family, road tripping a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Minnesota. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Minnesota!
Minnesota Places not to be missed
Minneapolis Public Library – A fabulous destination for travelers, the new Central Library will house the nation’s fourth-largest public library collection. It includes five stories of space for books, fireside reading dens, a cafe, a teen center, and an expansive children’s library.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts – One of the nation’s leading encyclopedic art museums, it now has 40 percent more gallery space and a collection of over 100,000 objects spanning 5,000 years. The museum is one of only a handful in the country to offer free admission.
Minnesota – Historical Sites & Parks
- Itasca State Park: State park in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
- Voyageurs National Park: National park in northern Minnesota.
- Split Rock Lighthouse: Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
- Afton State Park: State park in Hastings, Minnesota.
Minnesota – Museums & Galleries
- Walker Art Center: Art Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Minneapolis Institute of Arts: Art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Mill City Museum: History museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Science Museum of Minnesota: Science museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Weisman Art Museum: Art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- American Swedish Institute: Museum featuring Swedish history, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Minnesota History Center: Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Minnesota – Gardens, Zoo & Aquariums
- Como Zoo: Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Minnesota Zoo: Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Minnesota – Add these to your itinerary
- Water Park of America: Indoor water park in Bloomington, Minnesota.
- Mall of America: Shopping mall in Bloomington, Minnesota.
- Guthrie Theater: Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Nickelodeon Universe: Amusement park in Bloomington, Minnesota.
- Afton Alps: Ski resort in Hastings, Minnesota.
Minnesota offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Minnesota.
Minnesota Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning
Make the most of learning about Minnesota by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Minnesota State Study pack into your pre-and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.
Minnesota – Use The World As Your Classroom
The Minnesota State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Minnesota at home (virtually) or on the road.
Learn About Minnesota’s Famous People
- F. Scott Fitzgerald – Writer
- J. Paul Getty – Entrepreneur/Industrialist
- Charles H. Mayo and William J. Mayo – Surgeons
- Charles Schulz – Cartoonist
Learn About Minnesota’s Famous Landmarks:
- Voyageurs National Park – Northern Minnesota
- Itasca State Park: State park in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
- Afton State Park: State park in Hastings, Minnesota.
You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.
The Minnesota State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.
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Minnesota State Study Pack$11.00
Your Minnesota Family Travel Questions Answered
The best times to visit Minnesota with kids are the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Summer can be hot and humid, especially in the Twin Cities, and winter can be cold and snowy. However, there are still plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy in Minnesota year-round.
Some of the most popular family attractions in Minnesota include:
🌟Minnesota Zoo
🌟Science Museum of Minnesota
🌟Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
🌟Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
🌟Mall of America
🌟Valleyfair Amusement Park
🌟Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Resort
🌟Duluth Children’s Museum
🌟North Shore Scenic Drive
🌟Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
🌟Voyageurs National Park
Many of these are mentioned in detail in this post and in the Minnesota State Study Pack.
There are a number of ways to save money on family travel in Minnesota. Here are a few tips:
🗝Purchase a CityPASS to save money on admission to popular attractions in the Twin Cities.
🗝Pack your own lunches and snacks to avoid eating out all the time.
🗝Look for discounts on hotels and activities online.
🗝Take advantage of free activities, such as visiting Minnehaha Park or the Minnesota State Capitol.
🗝Consider staying in a suburb of the Twin Cities, where hotels are often less expensive.
🎯Yes! The Minnesota State Study pack is perfect for upper elementary, middle, and high school students to use before, during, and after a trip to Minnesota. It also meets state study guidelines for those living in Minnesota.
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