Cheap Chick: Thrifty Indoor Family Fun

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - It’s still cold outside, and will be for a few more months. So where can you bring the kids to run around, without them turning into Popsicles? Here’s the lowdown on great places to go for less:

1. Indoor play areas at gyms. Some local gyms open up their floors for free play, even providing toys and mats, plus tons of room for the kids to run around indoors out of the cold. Most are free, and available for kids ages 0-5. The Minneapolis Park And Rec Centers have the most availability.
a. MacRae, open until 3/30 for kids 3-5 years old.
b. Keewaydin, open until 3/23 for kids 0-5.
c. Pearl Park, open until 3/23 for kids 0-5

2. Indoor Playgrounds. They offer climbing structures, slides, nets, lookout towers, obstacle course – guaranteed to burn off tons of energy. Open year-round, you’ll find many playgrounds at your local community center. Most are free for adults – as they require adult supervision – and most are free for community center members. Don’t forget, socks are required!
a. Eagles Nest, New Brighton Family Service Center (my favorite). 1-12 years old, $5.00 admission, adults are free, free for members, and $3.00 after 6 PM.
b. Lookout Ridge, Woodbury Community Center. 1-12 years old, $5.50 admission, other discounts available on their site, free for supervising adults.
c. The Blas, Eagan Community Center. 18 months to 15 years old, $5.00 admission, adults are free, $2.50 after 5 PM.

3. Indoor Waterparks. Some community centers not only have indoor playgrounds, they also offer indoor water parks. These are much cheaper than the mega-parks and hotel parks, and some are free for their members.
a. Shoreview Community Center, indoor playground AND water park. Playground is $4.50 for kids 1-12. The water park for non-residents is $8.25 for adults, $7.25 youth and senior, and residents pay $6.75 for adults, $5.75 youth and seniors.
b. Maple Grove Community Center, indoor playground and indoor/outdoor water park. Maple Maze playground, 1-12 years, $4 resident and $5 non-resident. And just $6.50 for non-residents, $5.50 for residents for the Grove Cove water park.
c. Maplewood, The Heights Indoor Water Park. Daily rates for non-residents are $7.00 youth/senior, $9.00 adults, and residents pay $6 youth/senior and $7.00 for adults.
If you want to splurge on one of the huge, multi-activity water parks, I recommend Grand Rios in Brooklyn Park. Rates are $10 or more cheaper than that other water park. For example, it’s just $14.95 for a full-day pass for 3/5, and their peak rate is just $23.95, compared to $39.95 at the other park.