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Kid-friendly unique spots in South Loop District

Made for those who refuse to leave their children behind but demand an experience that defies the ordinary.

Based on 838 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
Museum of Illusions - Mall of America image 1
Museum of Illusions - Mall of America image 2
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Space features cool illusions, mirror tricks, and flashing lights that create a fun and trippy atmosphere. Visitors find many photo opportunities with helpful guides to capture unique shots. The environment stays easy-going and not overcrowded, encouraging relaxed exploration.

Optical illusions captivate kids of all ages and keep them entertained for over an hour. Staff members help with lost items, and the exhibits create a fun, engaging experience for birthdays and family visits.

A unique blend of optical illusions challenges perception and offers educational insights into brain function. Interactive exhibits let visitors become part of the art, creating a one-of-a-kind experience perfect for fun photos and engaging outings.

People are saying

"It's a fun place with lots of cool exhibits and photo opportunities."

"It's super fun and great for kids."

"The exhibits here are so unique and mind-bending."

Good to know

1

The ticket price is $28 per person, excluding toddlers and babies.

2

The museum is located on the second floor down past H&M.

3

Expect a fun experience for all ages, especially kids.

02
Activate Bloomington image 1
Adventure sports center

Adventure sports center offers intricate game rooms with unique mechanics like laser grids and pressure-sensitive tiles. Energy stays fast paced and engaging with a mix of co-op and competitive play. Visitors find it fun and interactive, suitable for all ages and group types.

Offers a fun environment for kids and adults alike. Hosts birthday celebrations that make kids feel special. Provides activities that kids enjoy and parents find worthwhile.

Each room offers a unique experience that tests stamina, thinking skills, and coordination. The games provide a fun and cool workout that stands out from typical activities.

People are saying

"The staff here make the fun activities awesome and explain everything well."

"It's a blast for kids and adults looking to burn energy."

"The interactive games here are so fun and unique."

Good to know

1

Activate Bloomington is suitable for both kids and adults, making it a versatile event space.

2

Visitors should wear sports clothes and shoes for the best experience.

3

The venue offers a free 10-minute trial for new visitors to try out the activities.

03
The Escape Game Minneapolis image 1
Escape room center

Escape room center offers intricate, beautifully designed rooms with themes like sci-fi and deep sea adventure. Atmosphere feels engaging and supportive, encouraging teamwork with fun, challenging puzzles. Some rooms can get uncomfortably warm due to limited air circulation.

Kids from 6 to 14 find the experience super fun and engaging. Staff like Michael, Daisy, Eva, and Tyler make kids feel welcome and excited about the adventure.

Puzzles feature unique designs and clues that stand out. Rooms like Cosmic Crisis and Prison Break offer immersive experiences with challenging layouts.

People are saying

"It was a really fun and engaging experience."

"The staff at the Escape Rooms are so friendly and amazing!"

"The staff here is so helpful and friendly."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to ensure availability.

2

The venue accommodates up to 8 players per room for a more engaging experience.

3

Team-building events can be arranged for corporate groups with prior notice.

04
Nickelodeon Universe image 1

Indoor theme park with a giant glass roof creates an outdoor atmosphere protected from weather. Bright colors and Nickelodeon character theming fill the space, making it imaginative and lively for kids. Multiple thrilling roller coasters and safe play areas keep energy high and families engaged.

Parents do not need tickets to ride with their kids, making it easy to enjoy together. Rides range from gentle attractions for little ones to intense roller coasters for thrill seekers, creating a great environment for kids to have fun.

A mall with an indoor amusement park creates a fun and unique experience. This setup stands out as a distinctive attraction inside a shopping center.

People are saying

"This Mall has a super fun indoor amusement park with exciting rides."

"Seeing old Nickelodeon characters brought back great memories and felt nostalgic."

"It's a fun, kid-friendly place with rides for everyone."

Good to know

1

Tickets are $52 for a wristband to ride all attractions.

2

Toddler Tuesday offers four hours of access for $15, with one adult free.

3

The park hosts seasonal events throughout the year.

05
SEA LIFE at Mall of America image 1

Underwater tunnel offers unique views of sharks, sea turtles, and rays swimming overhead. Crowds, especially children, create a loud and busy atmosphere that can feel muggy. Interactive features include touch pools and opportunities to feed stingrays, adding hands-on experiences.

Shark tunnels and the jellyfish area capture toddlers' attention well. A free check-in book lets kids collect stamps at each section, making the visit interactive and fun for young children.

Unique views come from the glass tunnel and underwater presentations. The touch tank features unique creatures, and virtual reality shopping adds a distinct experience.

People are saying

"SEA LIFE at the Mall was an amazing and fascinating experience."

"I saw so many different fish, sharks, and turtles."

"It's a fun, kid-friendly aquarium where kids always had fun."

Good to know

1

Toddler Tuesday offers special activities for young children and families.

2

Tickets for the Mermaid Event cost $27 for adults.

3

The aquarium features a touch pool where visitors can interact with sea life.

06
M&M’S Mall of America image 1

Three floors showcase massive candy walls and colorful merchandise featuring M&M mascots. Bright lighting and vibrant displays create a fun, lively atmosphere with many photo opportunities throughout. Visitors mix custom M&M blends and explore unique products like clothing and gifts.

Bright colorful candies catch kids' eyes, and they enjoy spotting the blue M&M character. Sampling options exist but can be inconsistent, as some employees may refuse without explanation.

A wall of unique flavors of M&Ms stands on the second level, letting you mix your own candies. The store offers custom merchandise and samples to explore different tastes.

People are saying

"You can design your own M&Ms for a fun activity."

"I loved browsing the unique merchandise and colorful candy displays."

"It's a great place for kids to enjoy the experience."

Good to know

1

The store has two floors dedicated to M&M products.

2

Expect to pay significantly more for M&Ms than at grocery stores.

3

Unique flavors of M&Ms are available on the second level.

07
FlyOver America image 1
Amusement park ride

Suspended chairs face a four-story spherical screen that shows gorgeous views of America enhanced by wind, mist, and scents. The atmosphere feels immersive and realistic, simulating flight with comfortable, spacious seating. The experience suits families and offers a unique, calm ride without high adrenaline.

Kids of all ages enjoy the thrilling ride that keeps their attention with a focus on the screen. Watching their expressions of amazement and thrill stands out as a highlight for families.

FlyOver America offers a unique ride experience with creative use of technology and views of distinctive scenery like Africa. The attraction aims for a one-of-a-kind feel not found elsewhere.

People are saying

"It felt like flying, which was really fun and realistic."

"It feels like you're actually flying over America."

"It's a nice, unique attraction that felt very realistic."

Good to know

1

Ticket prices are $23.99 for adults and $17.99 for kids, including tax.

2

The ride lasts less than 20 minutes, which may feel short for the price.

3

FlyOver America transforms into a holiday wonderland through January 2, 2025.

08
Rock Of Ages Blacklight Minigolf image 1

Indoor 18-hole mini golf course glows under black lights with neon artwork and music themes for each section. The space feels tight but offers a unique, fun atmosphere with creative obstacles and vibrant murals.

Groups with kids often feel rushed due to faster groups waiting behind. The space has poor ventilation, causing kids and adults to sweat quickly even with little activity.

Black light theme creates a glowy atmosphere that stands out. The course features creative designs making the miniature golf experience truly unique.

People are saying

"The glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is super cool and unique."

"The black light theme makes this place truly unique and glowy."

"The mini golf here is glowy and unique."

Good to know

1

Admission fee is $14.99 per adult, making it relatively affordable.

2

Expect about an hour wait during peak times, especially on weekends.

3

The course can take about 30 minutes to complete if played at a relaxed pace.

09
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar image 1
Japanese restaurant

Revolving sushi plates and a robot drink delivery system create an interactive dining experience. The space feels crammed and lively, often noisy with a Tokyo-style sushi bar vibe. Ordering happens via touchscreen monitors, adding convenience and novelty.

Kids enjoy the robot drink service and the revolving sushi bar adds a fun, interactive vibe. The atmosphere keeps children engaged while they try dishes like ramen and tuna cheek bone.

A unique conveyor belt sushi concept delivers sushi via a train and screen ordering system. The dining setup offers authentic, flavorful cuts of fish and a wide variety of sushi options.

People are saying

"The revolving sushi bar is a fun experience with robots bringing drinks."

"The unique conveyor belt sushi experience is so fun and worth the wait."

"It's so Kid Friendly, the robot delivering drinks is a huge hit!"

Good to know

1

During busy times, expect a wait for a table of about 2 hours.

2

Reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times.

3

Most items can be ordered via tablet and delivered on a conveyor belt.

10
IKEA image 1
Furniture store

Showrooms arranged as complete rooms create an inspiring maze that encourages exploration and creativity. The atmosphere feels serene with a Scandinavian aesthetic featuring clean lines and neutral colors. Amenities include a children's play zone and a casual food area offering affordable Swedish dishes.

A children's zone offers an hour of supervised play while parents shop. Affordable kid's meals like Mac and cheese cost less than $3, and a free daycare near the entrance lets parents browse hands-free.

Walking through the store offers a unique experience with thoughtfully arranged showrooms showcasing complete rooms for inspiration. The furniture is space-saving and distinctive, and the restaurant serves unique choices like Swedish meatballs and desserts.

People are saying

"I loved the Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce."

"It's fun exploring the maze-like showrooms and imagining life there."

"It's a unique and creative experience, a fun concept."

Good to know

1

Parking is available right by the entrance, especially after 7 p.m.

2

Paying with a card is recommended to avoid long waits at the cashier.

3

IKEA offers a kid-friendly event that is fun for children.

11
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. image 1
Seafood restaurant

Seafood restaurant decorated with Forrest Gump memorabilia and movie quotes creates a nostalgic atmosphere. Loud music fills the space, making conversation challenging. Unique license plate signs at tables signal servers, adding interactive fun.

Staff show great kindness and accommodate large groups with kids well. Kid meals come out quickly, and activities like trivia include prizes for children.

A sign-flipping system with phrases like 'Run Forest Run' and 'Stop Forest Stop' creates a fun and unique experience. They also play Forest Gump trivia alongside, adding to the distinct atmosphere.

People are saying

"The seafood here, especially the shrimp, is delicious."

"The staff here are so kind and accommodating to kids."

"Gordon's service is so attentive, it's truly unique."

Good to know

1

Trivia night features Forrest Gump questions and happens during meal service.

2

Happy hour offers a selection of discounted drinks and appetizers.

3

Expect a fun and interactive trivia experience with prizes for participants.

12
Ebisu image 1
Japanese grocery store

Japanese grocery store offers a wide selection of snacks, drinks, beauty products, and household items from Japan. The interior feels cramped with loud music and displays manga figurines and wall art. Customers enjoy exploring unique items despite the busy, somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

Unique candy and snacks catch kids' attention here. The store offers blind boxes that attract families willing to travel for exchanges. Children find the selection engaging and fun.

Various unique Japanese drinks, candy, and snacks fill the shelves. Many items are not found elsewhere in the US.

People are saying

"It's a fun place to browse for unique snacks and goodies."

"I found so many unique Japanese snacks and drinks here."

"I wish they'd tell you the exchange policy for blind boxes."

Good to know

1

Ebisu offers a wide range of Japanese snacks, drinks, and beauty products.

2

The store has a strict 7-day exchange or refund policy for most items.

3

Prices for snacks and drinks can be higher than average convenience stores.

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South Loop District, Bloomington

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