Photo: Children's Theatre Company
Photo: Mark Nelson
Photo: Children's Theatre Company
Children's Theatre Company
★4.8(1,404 reviews)$$Theater
🕑 1.5-2.5 hours total (including arrival time and the show itself)👶 Best for ages 3-14, though specific shows vary. Preschoolers (3-5) enjoy shorter productions with familiar stories, elementary-aged kids (6-11) connect with adventurous tales and chapter book adaptations, while tweens and teens appreciate more complex narratives and sophisticated stagecraft. Check individual show recommendations when booking.🧡 Saved by 24 families
About
The Children's Theatre Company is one of the nation's premier professional theaters dedicated entirely to young audiences, bringing beloved stories to life with Broadway-quality productions, innovative staging, and age-appropriate storytelling. With an impressive 4.8-star rating from over 1,400 families, this Minneapolis gem offers everything from classic fairy tales to contemporary stories, ensuring kids experience the magic of live theater at its finest.
Highlights
- ✓Professional Broadway-caliber productions with stunning sets, costumes, and special effects
- ✓Stories specifically adapted and staged for young audiences with age-appropriate themes
- ✓Interactive pre-show activities and post-show discussions for select performances
- ✓Beautiful, kid-friendly theater space designed to make children feel welcome
- ✓Educational programs and summer camps for aspiring young performers
Pro Tips
- 1.Book tickets early for popular shows as weekend performances sell out quickly, especially during school breaks and holidays.
- 2.Arrive 20-30 minutes early to explore the colorful lobby, use restrooms, and let kids get settled before the show starts,they also sometimes offer pre-show activities.
- 3.Sit in the mezzanine if you have wigglier kids; it's easier to step out if needed without disturbing others.
- 4.Take advantage of their summer camps and theater education programs if your child shows interest in performing arts.
- 5.Many productions run 60-90 minutes without intermission, perfect for younger attention spans,check show length when booking.
Best Time to Visit
Saturday matinees (11 AM-3 PM operating hours) are most popular with families. Weekday afternoon performances during school breaks tend to be less crowded. The office hours listed are for ticket purchases and inquiries; actual show times vary by production, so check their performance schedule online.
What to Know
Tickets typically range from $15-75 depending on seating and production. Parking is available in nearby lots and street parking around the Minneapolis Institute of Art neighborhood. The theater is fully accessible with wheelchair seating options and assistive listening devices available.
Seasonal Notes
The theater runs productions year-round with different shows rotating throughout the season (typically September through June). Holiday productions in November-December are especially popular and book up fast. Summer programming includes camps and occasional performances. Check their seasonal schedule as show offerings change approximately every 6-8 weeks.
Nearby Eats
The nearby Minneapolis Institute of Art has Provisions café with kid-friendly options, or head to Anchor Fish & Chips (10 minutes away) for a casual family meal. Sun Street Breads bakery café offers sandwiches and treats perfect for pre-show dining.
More Activities Near Minneapolis
Aquarium
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium
$$
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers an immersive underwater adventure in the heart of Bloomington's Mall of America complex. Kids can walk through a spectacular 300-foot ocean tunnel with sharks swimming overhead, get hands-on at interactive touch pools with sea stars and anemones, and meet thousands of fascinating sea creatures from seahorses to stingrays. The indoor setting makes it a perfect year-round destination regardless of Minnesota's weather.
Museum
Minnesota History Center
★4.8$❤️27
The Minnesota History Center brings the North Star State's past to life through hands-on exhibits that let kids touch, play, and explore rather than just look. From trying on vintage clothing to climbing into a real grain elevator, children actively engage with history through interactive displays that make learning feel like play. With its impressive 4.8-star rating and reputation for outstanding family programming, this museum strikes the perfect balance between educational and entertaining.
Activity
Minnesota State Fair
★4.7$❤️70
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the nation's largest and most beloved state fairs, offering an incredible mix of agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and legendary fair food. While the main 12-day fair happens each August, the fairgrounds host family-friendly events year-round including craft shows, educational programs, and seasonal celebrations that give families reasons to visit in every season.
Adventure
Minnehaha Falls
★4.7Free❤️138
Minnehaha Falls offers families a stunning 53-foot waterfall as the centerpiece of a beautiful urban park perfect for outdoor adventures. Kids will love exploring the paved trails that lead to different waterfall viewpoints, playing in the open green spaces, and discovering the historic refectory and statue of Minnehaha and Hiawatha that bring the Longfellow poem to life.