What are the best things to do with kids in Apple Valley, MN?

Some of the top-rated family activities in Apple Valley, MN include Southside Athletic, Augsburg Park, Nautical Bowls, The Savage Tap, Lakeville Area Arts Center. We have 36 curated activities with ratings, age recommendations, and parent tips.

What are free things to do with kids in Apple Valley, MN?

There are 17 free things to do with kids in Apple Valley, MN, including Kelley Park, Central Park, Redstone Park, Crystal Beach, Lakeville Early Childhood Learning Center, and more.

What are indoor activities for kids in Apple Valley, MN?

Apple Valley, MN offers a variety of indoor activities for kids including museums, indoor play areas, and entertainment centers. Browse our full guide for details.

Things To Do With Kids in Apple Valley, MN

Discover 36 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in Apple Valley.

24 Upcoming Events

Southside Athletic gym in Burnsville, MN

⚽ Sports

Photo: Southside Athletic

Southside Athletic

★5.0(131)$$4 mi · Burnsville

Southside Athletic is a family paradise where kids can swim, slide, climb, and skate all under one roof. This premier recreation center offers something for every age and energy level, from splashing in the indoor pools to conquering the climbing wall or gliding around the ice rink. With 24/7 access and consistently stellar reviews from families, it's a go-to destination for both active play and structured classes year-round.

🕑 2-4 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

Nautical Bowls acai shop in Lakeville, MN

🎳 Bowling

Photo: Nautical Bowls

Nautical Bowls

★4.8(55)$$4 mi · Lakeville

Nautical Bowls is actually a health-focused açaí bowl shop, not a bowling alley despite the nautical name! This bright, welcoming spot serves up customizable açaí bowls, smoothies, and nutritious snacks that kids actually enjoy. It's the perfect stop for a quick, healthy meal or post-activity treat that parents can feel good about.

🕑 30-45 minutes

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

Lakeville Area Arts Center auditorium in Lakeville, MN

🎭 Theater

Photo: Lakeville Area Arts Center

Lakeville Area Arts Center

★4.7(64)$6 mi · Lakeville

The Lakeville Area Arts Center is a vibrant cultural hub where families can experience live theater productions designed with kids in mind. Beyond watching performances, children can participate in hands-on art classes and youth theater programs that nurture creativity and confidence while providing quality entertainment for the whole family.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours for performances; art classes typically run 60-90 minutes

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🦁 Zoo

Photo: David Zhou

Minnesota Zoo

★4.6(16,056)$$

The Minnesota Zoo offers an exceptional family adventure across 485 acres featuring animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, interactive experiences, an IMAX theater, and miles of trails, this Apple Valley destination provides year-round exploration opportunities that captivate children while educating them about wildlife conservation.

🕑 4-6 hours for a full experience including both indoor and outdoor trails, though you could easily spend an entire day if catching an IMAX show and multiple animal encounters

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🎭 Theater

Photo: Hammerin' Cameron Miller

Ames Center

★4.6(791)$$4 mi · Burnsville

The Ames Center is a premier performing arts theater in Burnsville that brings professional-quality entertainment to families throughout the year. From enchanting children's theater productions and puppet shows to family concerts and dance performances, this welcoming venue offers cultural experiences that inspire young audiences while parents appreciate the comfortable seating and excellent acoustics.

🕑 Most children's shows run 45-75 minutes, with a typical visit lasting 1.5-2 hours including pre-show arrival time

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: Trinh Nguyen

Kelley Park

★4.6(699)Free

Kelley Park is a beloved Apple Valley neighborhood gem that delivers everything families need for a perfect outdoor day. With well-maintained playground equipment, scenic walking trails, and spacious picnic shelters, it's an ideal spot for everything from active play to relaxed family gatherings. The open green spaces provide plenty of room for kids to run free while parents enjoy the peaceful park atmosphere.

🕑 1.5-3 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: Tristan Lofgren

Ritter Farm Park

★4.6(579)Free6 mi · Lakeville

Ritter Farm Park brings agricultural heritage to life with its charming farm-themed playground equipment and wide open spaces perfect for active families. Kids will love exploring the unique play structures inspired by farm life, while parents appreciate the well-maintained walking trails and beautiful scenic overlooks that make this more than just another neighborhood park.

🕑 2-3 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: P Limbach

Thomas Lake Park

★4.6(386)Free5 mi · Eagan

Thomas Lake Park offers families a perfect blend of active recreation and nature exploration in Eagan. With a well-maintained playground, scenic walking trails that circle the entire lake, and a fishing pier where kids can try to catch their first fish, this park provides hours of outdoor entertainment in a peaceful setting.

🕑 2-3 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: David Adolphson

Central Park

★4.6(305)Free

Central Park in Apple Valley is a versatile community hub that offers something for every member of the family. With expansive athletic fields, well-maintained walking paths, and a fun playground, it's the perfect spot for active families looking to spend quality time outdoors. The park really shines during its seasonal programming, hosting lively summer concerts and family-friendly festivals that bring the community together.

🕑 2-4 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: Scott Darby

Redstone Park

★4.5(574)Free

Redstone Park is a well-rounded family destination offering something for everyone, from toddlers to teens. With its popular skateboard park, modern playground equipment, baseball fields, and direct access to Apple Valley's extensive trail system, families can easily spend a full morning or afternoon exploring and playing together.

🕑 2-4 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

Bluewater Aquatic Center swimming pool in Apple Valley, MN

⚽ Sports

Photo: Ron Harlander

Bluewater Aquatic Center

★4.5(58)$

Bluewater Aquatic Center is a family-friendly indoor pool facility that offers year-round swimming fun for all ages. With both a lap pool for serious swimmers and a leisure pool featuring a water slide, plus dedicated family swim times, it's the perfect spot for burning energy regardless of Minnesota's weather outside.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

🌳 Park

Photo: dave schaffhausen

Crystal Beach

★4.4(1,056)Free2 mi · Burnsville

Crystal Beach is a fantastic lakefront destination that combines swimming, sandy play, and multiple activities all in one scenic spot. With seasonal lifeguards on duty, a dedicated playground, fishing pier, and picnic facilities, families can easily spend an entire day enjoying this well-maintained beach park without venturing elsewhere.

🕑 3-5 hours

Tap for hours, tips & photos →

24 upcoming family events in Apple Valley

See Events →

🌊 Water Park

Cascade Bay Water Park

★4.4(1,245)$$6 mi · Eagan

Cascade Bay Water Park offers year-round aquatic fun in a climate-controlled indoor setting at Eagan Community Center. With options ranging from thrilling water slides for adventurous kids to a zero-depth entry pool perfect for toddlers, this facility keeps children of all swimming abilities entertained while parents relax along the lazy river or watch from poolside seating.

🕑 3-4 hours

🎨 Museum

The Works Museum

★4.4(575)$7 mi away

The Works Museum is an engineer's dream playground where kids become hands-on inventors and problem-solvers. This interactive museum lets children dive deep into the world of mechanical engineering by building with real pulleys, gears, levers, and other engineering components. Unlike traditional museums, everything here is designed to be touched, manipulated, and experimented with, making it perfect for curious minds who love to figure out how things work.

🕑 2-3 hours

🌳 Park

Central Park Commons Drive

Free8 mi · Eagan

Central Park Commons Drive serves as the gateway to one of Eagan's premier family destinations, featuring a state-of-the-art playground that challenges kids of all abilities, a refreshing splash pad perfect for hot Minnesota summers, and expansive green spaces ideal for family picnics and games. The park's connection to Eagan's extensive trail system makes it easy to extend your adventure with a bike ride or scenic walk, while the modern amenities and downtown location ensure convenient access to everything you need.

🕑 2-4 hours

⭐ Activity

FlyOver America

★4.7(2,685)$$9 mi · Eagan

FlyOver America at Mall of America offers families an unforgettable virtual flight adventure across iconic American landscapes without leaving Minnesota. This thrilling flight simulation ride combines a massive spherical screen with moving seats, wind effects, and gentle mist to make kids feel like they're truly soaring over mountains, coastlines, and cityscapes,no passport required!

🕑 45 minutes to 1 hour (including pre-show and the 10-minute flight experience)

🎢 Amusement Park

Nickelodeon Universe

★4.5(17,073)$$$9 mi away

Nickelodeon Universe is America's largest indoor theme park, spanning seven acres within Mall of America. With 27 rides ranging from thrilling roller coasters to gentle kiddie rides, all themed around SpongeBob, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and other Nickelodeon favorites, it offers year-round climate-controlled fun regardless of Minnesota's weather.

🕑 4-6 hours

🎮 Entertainment

The Savage Tap

★4.8(85)$$9 mi · Shakopee

The Savage Tap offers a unique family entertainment experience that goes beyond typical dining. This casual outdoor venue combines food trucks, lawn games, and the exciting thrill of axe throwing in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where parents can unwind while kids stay entertained.

🕑 2-3 hours

🛝 Playground

Richfield Dual Language School

Free10 mi · Richfield

Richfield Dual Language School offers a modern playground that's open to neighborhood families when school isn't in session. This convenient community resource features up-to-date play equipment perfect for burning off energy after school hours, on weekends, and during summer break.

🕑 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

🌳 Park

Donaldson Park

Free10 mi · Richfield

Donaldson Park is a beloved Richfield neighborhood gem that delivers classic outdoor fun for the whole family. With its well-kept playground equipment, open athletic fields for impromptu games, and shaded picnic shelters, it's the perfect spot for everything from toddler playdates to family gatherings. The paved walking paths make it stroller-friendly, while the spacious layout gives kids plenty of room to run and explore.

🕑 1.5-3 hours

🌳 Park

Augsburg Park

★4.9(7)Free10 mi · Richfield

Augsburg Park is a beloved Richfield neighborhood gem that delivers exactly what families need for an active outdoor day. With its well-maintained playground, open athletic fields, basketball courts, and shaded picnic areas, this park offers the perfect mix of structured play and open space for kids to run free.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

🎢 Amusement Park

Edinborough Park

★4.6(1,944)$10 mi away

Edinborough Park is an indoor wonderland that saves the day when Minnesota weather won't cooperate. This spacious community center features a stunning one-acre indoor park complete with a playground, splash pad, and amphitheater under a beautiful glass roof, plus seasonal amenities like an outdoor pool and fitness facilities,making it a year-round destination for active families.

🕑 2-3 hours

🌳 Park

Centennial Lakes Park

★4.7(4,446)Free11 mi · Edina

Centennial Lakes Park is Edina's crown jewel for family fun, offering a stunning 24-acre oasis where kids can paddle boat across scenic lakes, putt through mini golf courses, and splash in fountains during summer. With paved walking paths perfect for strollers, winter ice skating, and beautifully landscaped grounds, this versatile park delivers year-round entertainment that keeps families coming back season after season.

🕑 2-4 hours

🍽️ Restaurant

Wooden Hill Brewing

★4.3(214)$$12 mi · Edina

Wooden Hill Brewing is a refreshingly family-friendly neighborhood brewery where parents can enjoy craft beers while kids are genuinely welcomed and entertained. With a dedicated kids menu, board games to keep little ones busy, and a spacious patio for warmer days, this Edina spot strikes the perfect balance between adult relaxation and family dining.

🕑 1.5-2 hours