Inside Fun for Kids

Fantastic question, because I have been asking myself the same thing and researching a lot. We do some more expensive pay activities such as J.W. Tumbles at the Galleria in Edina, private Spanish lessons--we also have signed up for lesser expensive pay activities through the Minneapolis park system. They have a fairly user friendly web-site to find activities. Free activities we've come up with include hanging out at Caribou coffee's--some have a toy corner. I'll be watching all the answers to see if I can get some new ideas too!

There are a couple good spots. our favorite is Eden Prairie Center, they have a fun indoor wonderland for kids your age. It is near the kohls on the first floor. Ridgedale also has an indoor playground. It is near the Sears on the first floor. You can also buy a season pass to the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. They have cool indoor exhibits. Also Underwater World at the Mall of America is fun and your youngest can get in for free. There are also hourly play clubs that you have to pay for, one is called Club Kid in Edina off France and there is another called Little Gym that used to be in Knollwood Mall but moved...you could look it up. Also most communities have ECFE programs you can call your city hall. Good Luck

Not sure where you live, but my family just started taking art classes at My Paint Buddies Art Studio in Plymouth. Your 19 month old may be too young, but your 4 year old would love it! You can look at their website at www.mypaintbuddies.com . Or call them at ###-###-####. The kids love it because they use real canvases, easels and palettes, etc. You could drop off your 4 year old for the calss and have a little date with your 19 month old! Or, get a sitter for them both and attend the adult class!

Children's Museum, Mall of America, The free playground inside Eden Prairie Mall are a few places I take my daughter. We use to be member's of the ymca and did swim lessons one night a week and tumbling class to keep active and move around.

I use to work at a in home daycare and the kids would go stir crazy in the winter. We took them outside everyday and made them burn some energy off or they were to crazy and wouldn't nap well at all. We bundeled them up and only kept them inside on rare occasions like 20 below it had to be extremely cold or we made them go outside for a little bit. If some of the kids were just completely nuts we would put their boots and coat on and tell them to run around the yard 5 times or whatever and them come in and it helped tons. We used this alot if they were bored and fighting and made it a game to run around the yard.

We played lots of inside games if there is room like duck duck goose, and musical chairs etc.

We LOVE the mall playlands! The Maple Grove Maze is a great place too...it would work very well for both of your boys - they have a big kid area and a toddler section all within one big jungle themed room. I am dreading the cooped up winter days!!

There are always days when it is just to cold to go outside and those are the days that can really drive me crazy... my kids are 9 and 16 so they get really bored. I take out stuff for them to do crafts... There are age appropriate crafts for all kids.. easy ones for the youngest and than they get a little harder as they get older... and you can find stuff really cheap if you shop around...
We do chucky cheese, mall of america, mcdonalds playland, stuff like that during the winter... We also go ice skateing sledding make snow angels snowball fights (with the rules that you have to hit below the chest area.)but otherwise the local community center by your house might have some information as well...
Good Luck

There are many places to go in the area to blow off steam - My Gym fitness centers are just for kids; Playworks in Prior Lake, Pump it Up,and Club Just Jump. All of these offer ways for children to burn energy in the winter. In addition, you might consider getting some type of bounce house or jumping toy if you have room in the house. We found a Jungle Jump at KB Toys for about $25 that we are going to try for our 2 y.o. this winter.
Good luck!!

Im not sure where you live but a few things I do with my children seem to be fun for them and a little less stress for me. One thing they love all year is the Minnesota zoo. It does cost a pretty penny each time but we bought a membership which is good for a year and the prices range from $70-$95 depending on what pkg you want. you can go on the website www.mnzoo.org to get a list they are located in Eagan/applevalley and is really easy to get to. They have a lot of things they do for members only like there halloween special and they have much to see indoors and out.
Also Eden prairie center has a play area for younger children thats inclosed so you can get yourself a coffee while they play with other kids plus its nice to meet other moms there.
There is also edinborough community center in edina. they have a lot do do like a huge indoor park and pool. Its open certain hours and beetween $5-$8 per person but they also have year memberships too.
Your boys are very close to the same age(3 1/2 and 18 months) as mine are and they really like to go to these places so I hope this helps a bit:)