Attractions

by Linda (minnemom of Travels with Children)

So, you’re visiting Minnesota and Mall of America is on your list of things to do.  You’re planning to shop ’till you drop.  But do you take the kids along?  Definitely!

Here are my top tips for visiting Mall of America with kids.

1. It’s big, over 1/2 mile around a level, and there are three levels.  If your kids aren’t good walkers, take a stroller, or rent one at one of the mall entrances.  Even if your kids all walk, take a stroller and you’ll have a place to hang all your shopping bags.
2. If you can get into one of the parking ramps, you’ll park close enough and that you should be able to leave coats in the car, even in winter.  Make a run for it if it’s really cold outside.
3. Try to go in the middle of the week.  Weekends are busy.  Wednesday afternoons, not so much.  Toddler Tuesdays have some fun activities and discounts at mall restaurants, but a lot of people show up for them and it can be a tangle of strollers in certain places.  Still, it’s a good time to visit with little kids.
4. Kids love to go to Legoland and build with the legos.  Just don’t wait too late in the day to go there.  We went on a Sunday evening and they were putting all the blocks away 30 minutes before closing.  Stop in the Lego store and buy a block separator.  It’s $1.79 that will save many a fingernail from breaking.
5. There are fast-food restaurants scattered around the mall, as well as in the food court.  Sit-down restaurants that we’ve found to be kid-friendly (and allergy-friendly, if that’s a concern for you) are Famous Dave’s and Rainforest Cafe.
6. There are two food courts on the third floor.  One (North) is adjacent to the mini golf, and the other (South) overlooks the Nickelodeon theme park.  If you want your kids to actually eat their food, go to the first one; if you want them to be quiet and still for a while, let them watch the rides while you eat.
7. There are character meet and greets at selected times in the theme park.  Be aware that the characters are big.  Really big.  Freakishly big.  My kids were all terrified and ran far, far away from Diego.  Even the seven-year-old.
8. If you’re not close to the family restrooms that are by the mall entrances, there are ladies’ lounges in some of the department stores.  They’re not on every level, but might be faster to access than the mall entrances, depending on your location.
9. Many of the children’s stores (Gymboree, Children’s Place, etc.) are on the same side and level (1st floor, south).  If you’re looking for kids’ clothes, this is a good area to hit.
10. Nickelodeon Universe has several kid-friendly rides.  Underwater Adventures is great for up-close views of sharks.  Neither option is cheap.  It’s possible to find plenty to do at the mall without visiting these attractions, but chances are your kids will beg you to go on at least one ride.

Read more about our trips to Mall of America.

Photo credits: Kids overlooking amusement park at Mall of America by minnemom, Dinosaurs at MOA Legoland by jpellgen.