As our area residents know, Minneapolis can get its fair share of rain and stormy weather. A rainy day might curtail outdoor activities, but the city offers great opportunities for indoor fun. In fact, the city’s extensive Skyway system makes it easy to continue exploring without spending much time outside. Whether you have an hour to fill or an entire afternoon, there are several places where preschoolers and families can stay active, curious, and entertained while parents stay warm and dry.
A simple itinerary for a rainy day out can be a lot of fun for families with younger children. Consider a short walk through the Skyway, time to explore an open indoor space, a stop at the library, and lunch together – any of these can turn gloomy weather into a memorable day downtown.
Easy rainy day stops for families in downtown Minneapolis include:
- Walking through the Minneapolis Skyway System
- Exploring IDS Crystal Court
- Visiting Hennepin County Central Library
- Stopping for lunch at a Skyway-connected restaurant
- Watching the city from indoors while exploring downtown together
Start Your Adventure in the Minneapolis Skyway
The Minneapolis Skyway System is one of the city’s most recognizable features. The Skyway features connected walkways that stretch between downtown buildings, allowing visitors to navigate the city indoors.
For preschoolers, the walk itself often becomes part of the adventure. They enjoy looking down at busy streets, spotting buses below, watching office buildings connect overhead, and discovering new places around every corner. Parents can turn the walk into a simple game by asking children to count skybridges, find colorful artwork, or look for different building shapes along the route.
Spend Time at IDS Crystal Court
IDS Crystal Court is one of the best indoor gathering spaces in downtown Minneapolis. The bright glass atrium gives children room to look around while families enjoy a comfortable place to take a break before continuing their walk.
It’s a great spot for parents to slow down and enjoy a nice break while their preschoolers explore the “urban park” surroundings. Kids will enjoy checking out the ficus trees and the reflecting pool.
Visit the Hennepin County Central Library
The Hennepin County Central Library offers another excellent stop when the weather keeps families indoors. Children’s books, inviting reading spaces, and family programming throughout the year make it easy to spend an hour exploring together.
Children can pick out books that match something they noticed earlier in the day, whether it is construction equipment, city buildings, animals, or weather. The library adds a quieter stop to the afternoon without asking young children to sit still for long periods.
Take a Break for Lunch
Rainy days also create a good excuse to slow down and enjoy lunch together. Several restaurants connected to or located near the Skyway welcome families looking for a comfortable place to recharge before continuing downtown.
Dave’s Downtown has long been a favorite stop for families visiting the area. A nice sit-down lunch gives preschoolers time to relax before heading back into the Skyway for another short walk or one more destination.
Let Preschoolers Lead the Adventure
Adults often feel pressure to keep moving from one attraction to the next, but preschoolers usually enjoy having time to explore at their own pace. They may spend several minutes watching elevators, pointing out artwork, or looking through large windows at the activity below.
Allowing children to choose which direction to walk next or what they would like to stop and examine helps keep them engaged. Allowing kids to lead the way helps to encourage curiosity.
“Children are naturally curious, and downtown Minneapolis gives families so many opportunities to explore together,” said Chloe Nelson, Executive School Director of The Gardner School Minneapolis. “Even a rainy day can become an opportunity to discover something new when adults slow down and follow a child’s interests.”
Rainy Days Can Become Family Traditions
Some of the best family memories come from plans that change unexpectedly. With stormy weather in the forecast in the Minneapolis area, families can explore new places they may have overlooked on a sunny afternoon.
Families looking for additional ways to encourage curiosity can also explore how children learn through play. Activities that invite children to observe, ask questions, and explore together help extend learning well beyond the classroom.
Learning Beyond the Classroom at The Gardner School Minneapolis
At The Gardner School Minneapolis, children learn through exploration, hands-on activities, and meaningful interactions with teachers and classmates. Families can continue encouraging that same curiosity by taking advantage of the unique places that make downtown Minneapolis such an engaging place to explore.
Whether the forecast calls for sunshine or rain, there are always new things to discover together in downtown Minneapolis.
