Family Friendly

Top 7 “Kidtastic” Spring Break Activities

Whether you’re on a vacation or a staycation this spring, we know the kiddos want to be entertained. That’s why we’ve put together this list of family-friendly attractions in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley.

July 9, 2021

Girl looking through a magnifying glass at Westwood Hills Nature Center

1. Brookview

Bring the family to Brookview! Kids ages 2-12 can get their wiggles out in the Backyard, an indoor playground filled with super slides, twisty tubes, cargo climbs, bumper balls, log rollers, and cave crawls. When it’s time to grab a bite, the whole family will enjoy the Three One Six Bar + Grill, with its classic American menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads, complete with a selection of kid’s favorites.

2. Game Show Battle Rooms

Do you love game shows? Create ridiculously fun memories with your friends and family at Game Show Battle Rooms. Your host will guide you through your favorite TV game shows. Choose the classics: Survey Battles, Spin & Solve, What’s That Cost? or primetime favorites: Survey Battles, MatchUp Wars, and Time Rush Games. Perfect for ages 10+.

family members bowling at Park Tavern

3. Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center

A local favorite for over 60 years, the Park Tavern is the perfect family hangout, with twenty lanes of bowling, arcade games and dart boards. Hungry bowlers can take advantage of the full-service restaurant, which offers a comprehensive menu complete with freshly-made pizza, killer tater tots, and vegan and gluten-free options. There are also two bar areas with large screen TVs to catch the latest game and, when the weather is nice, an outdoor patio with lawn games and seating for 150+.

A display of antique broadcast equipment at the Pavek Museum

4. Pavek Museum

The Pavek is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of vintage radio and television equipment. A favorite of schoolchildren, visitors can learn about the history of electronic communication and the science of electromagnetism and sound. Their unique collection includes items such as a Philco Mystery Control Radio, Theremin, Magnetaphon, and a Spark Gap Generator. The museum is also home to the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

5. Schaper Park Challenge Course

Schaper Park is home to the state’s first outdoor fitness challenge course. Loosely based on Ninja Warrior, the course allows kids and adults to race against time – and each other – through a 40-yard dash and an obstacle area. There’s also an all-inclusive play structure designed for younger children and their families of all ability levels.

📷: GameTime

couple selecting their movie

6. Marcus West End Cinema

Located in the heart of the West End, the West End Cinema is the perfect place to watch the latest movie releases. Enjoy stadium seating and the ability to select your seats in advance. Plus, there’s ample free parking in the attached ramp. Pro tip: Become a Magical Movie Rewards member (it’s free) and save on food and drink specials. So get a bucket of popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

7. Westwood Hills Nature Center

Get back to nature at Westwood Hills Nature Center, home to 160 acres of marsh, woods and restored prairie. Try geocaching and enjoy birdwatching and wildlife spotting, including deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls, on over 3 miles of accessible trails. The eco-friendly Interpretive Center offers fun, hands-on educational programs, exhibits and live animals, including a resident red-tailed hawk, American kestrel and a barred owl.

Bonus! Canvas Convergence

Don’t be fooled! Come interact with all the 3D illusion murals at Canvas Convergence at The Shops at West End. The art in this gallery changes with the seasons. Sit in a nest filled with dinosaur eggs – but watch out for their parents. Dine at a table for two in the streets of an Italian village. Or maybe dangle on the edge of an ice ravine! The artwork is wheelchair accessible and some of the pieces will incorporate audio for those with visual impairments. A dedicated classroom space offers fun, creative classes and there is a gift shop filled with amazing art and products. Admission is free.

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