Best Things to Do in Bloomington, MN With Kids
Bloomington's best family days all live at the Mall of America: Nickelodeon Universe (the indoor amusement park), Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, Crayola Experience, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, and FlyOver America's motion-simulator flight ride — a fully weather-proof lineup minutes from MSP airport.
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1Area photo: Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
A full indoor amusement park under the mall's glass roof, with real roller coasters, a log chute, and a range from toddler rides to genuine thrill rides — all at a constant indoor temperature no matter what Minnesota weather is doing.
Watch out: Unlimited wristbands are worth it only if you're riding a lot; for a family that wants 4–6 rides total, pay-per-ride tickets are cheaper. Lines build fast on weekends and around school breaks — go on a weekday if you can.
2Area photo: Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium
A walk-through underwater viewing tunnel and a hands-on touch-tank area make this a calmer, quieter counterpoint to the amusement park's noise and motion — a good reset between bigger activities.
Watch out: It's a mall-sized aquarium, not a major standalone facility — budget it as a 1.5–2 hour stop, not a half-day anchor. Touch-tank access sometimes runs on a timed schedule; check on arrival.
3Area photo: Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Crayola Experience Mall of America
A dozen-plus hands-on stations where kids melt, mold, and design their own crayons and art — genuinely creative, low-stimulation compared to the amusement park, and a good pick for a kid who needs a break from rides.
Watch out: Skews toward younger kids — tweens and teens tend to move through it faster and get less out of it than a 3–8 year old will. Some take-home craft stations have per-item costs beyond the base admission.
4Area photo: Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Moose Mountain Adventure Golf
An indoor 18-hole mini golf course themed around a Minnesota woodland, with a lift bridge and waterfall built into the course. No coaster-length lines, and it works for basically any age or energy level.
Watch out: Not much of a wait most days, but it can back up right after a nearby show or ride lets out — time it accordingly. It's a real 18 holes, so budget a bit more than the average mini golf stop if you have younger kids who move slowly.
5Area photo: Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)FlyOver America
A motion-simulator flight ride that swoops over US landmarks with wind, mist, and scent effects synced to the film — a different sensory experience from anything else at the mall, and a genuine highlight for kids who like a bit of a thrill without a real roller coaster.
Watch out: The motion and hanging-seat setup isn't a fit for kids prone to motion sickness or under about 42 inches tall — check the height requirement before you queue up. Short run time relative to the ticket price; pair it with another stop the same visit.
Frequently asked
Is Bloomington a good winter family destination?
Yes — that's its main appeal. Nearly everything worth doing (Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life, Crayola Experience, FlyOver America) is fully indoors inside Mall of America, so a January trip works just as well as a July one.
How close is Bloomington to the Minneapolis airport?
About 10 minutes. Mall of America sits right next to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which makes this one of the lowest-logistics family trips in the Midwest — no long drive from the airport to your activities.
Should we also plan time in downtown Minneapolis?
Only if you're treating this as two separate trips. Downtown Minneapolis and its lakes are a real 15–20 minute drive from Bloomington and a different kind of sightseeing day — the Mall of America activity stack doesn't extend there.
How much should we budget for activities on a 3-day Bloomington trip?
Plan $350–$500 for a family of 4 covering Nickelodeon Universe wristbands, Sea Life or Crayola Experience, and FlyOver America. Moose Mountain Adventure Golf is the cheapest add-on if you have budget left.
Same destination, where to stay
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Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Bloomington family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
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