Local Minnesota Coffee Shops with Play Areas

Looking to get out of the house, enjoy some coffee and play with your kiddo? Check out our list of local coffee shops with play areas!

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for quite a few years now and sometimes I just want to get out of the house with my kiddos for a delicious cup of coffee.

I love taking my kids to indoor play areas (you can check out that list here), but sometimes I don’t want to pay extra money or plan anything big- just a little time away from the house in a new environment. That’s where local coffee shops with play areas come in– they are the perfect little excursion.

We’ve rounded up list of Local Coffee Shops with Play Areas and organized it alphabetically by city. Did we miss your favorite place? Please let us know in the comments so we can get it added!

Baxter

Littles and Lattes Play Cafe
15670 Edgewood Dr Suite 120, Baxter, MN

Thanks to our readers for this suggestion! Littles and Lattes Play Cafe in Baxter looks super cute! Great play areas for the kids– think pretend storefronts, train table, smaller climbers and so much more. Plus amazing coffee, a cute gift shop and tons of wonderful events open to the community.

Littles and Lattes Play Cafe is open 9am-3pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Columbia Heights

Community Grounds
560 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights

Community Grounds in Columbia Heights is much more than a coffee shop! It’s a gathering place for the whole community. If you take a look at their Facebook page, you’ll see all kinds of fun things going on– game nights, maker’s markets, free holiday crafts, food and toys drives, and so much more!

While we haven’t been personally, pictures show a fun little playroom– complete with a castle! We can’t wait to check it out soon! They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am – noon. Online ordering is available on their website if you’d like your coffee ready when you arrive!

Jordan

Owl’s Nest Cafe
231 Broadway St. S, Jordan, MN

Owl’s Nest Cafe in Jordan has an awesome play area for kids! Open with lots of light, kids can play in various pretend play scenes, like a grocery store, ice cream shop, vet and more! They serve delicious coffee, bakery items and food in downtown Jordan. They also share space with Blossom, a children’s boutique, so you can get some shopping done while you enjoy your coffee too!

Owl’s Nest Cafe is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm.

Maple Grove

Minisota Play Café
12055 Elm Creek Blvd N Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369

We love visiting the Minisota Play Cafe! It’s super fun for kids and honestly has some of the best coffee, bakery items and ice cream!

This place is 10/10 for your kiddos that like imagination play! There’s a music shop, a hospital, jail, grocery store, cabin, gym, salon and post office for kids to explore and play together. I don’t always know how good the coffee will be when I visit a play place with my kids, but I’m happy to report the coffee at the MiniSota Play Cafe was delicious! Plus you can bring the coffee along with you inside the play area while you’re hanging with your kids. You can read our full review here.

The Minisota Play Cafe hours vary seasonally, you can find their full calendar on their website. Tickets are $13 for a two hour session of play for children ages 1-9 years old, adults are $6.50 and kids under 6 months of age are FREE! There are admission punch cards available that save some $ per visit. They also offer Happy Hour pricing every weekday from 2pm- 7pm for an hour of play for only $8!

Minneapolis

Ninth Street Soccer & Coffee
801 SE 9th St Minneapolis, MN 55414

Ninth Street Soccer and Coffee has been on my list for ages and I really need to get my family there! It’s literally soccer turf and a coffee shop all in one. What else could you want?

In addition to Kids Open Play (detailed below) there are also adult pick-up soccer games, soccer on the TVs, soccer camp opportunities and more. This place truly is community-focused and all about soccer!

They are open 7 days a week but Kids Open Play takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2-4pm, with our most active session on Fridays from 10am-12pm. Guardians sign up under their own name and add each child as a guest when registering. It’s a pay what you can model so that cost doesn’t keep anyone away!

Sovereign Grounds
813 E 48th St, Minneapolis, MN 55417

I think Sovereign Grounds is what most people think of when they hear coffee/playcafe in Minnesota. I used to come here with my son way back in the day when he was a toddler, when I went back last week with my youngest, I can say– this place is still busy and fun!

I love that Sovereign Grounds has an entire room dedicated to play. There’s climbers, a train table, ride on toys and so much more. Plus there are tables and chairs for the adults in your party to enjoy their coffee while the kiddos play. Do keep in mind the play room is a shoes-off, socks-on policy so make sure you wear or pack socks!

Sovereign Grounds is open Monday through Sunday from 6:30 am – 6pm.

Oakdale

Ember and Bean
7600 2nd St N Ste B, Oakdale, MN 55128

I have to admit- I am a bit of a coffee snob, so I always get excited when I see places that actually roast their own beans! Ember and Bean is super delicious and I absolutely love their coffee and baked goods (but be warned– they sell out of their goodies quickly on the weekends!)

Ember and Bean is located inside an apartment building lobby but there’s still street parking and free garage parking as well. The kids area is small but super fun! A Tent, trains, cars, board games– my daughters could spend at least an hour or two here.

Ember and Bean is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am – 2pm and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am – 2pm.

Saint Anthony

Silverwood Park Café
2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421

Silverwood Park Cafe is part of the Silverwood Visitor Center. It’s known for locally sourced, organic snacks and beverages. Lots of people take their coffee to sip on while they explore the park but there’s ample seating areas, along with a gallery and gift shop inside the same building.

Silverwood Park Cafe is open Monday through Sunday from 9am – 5pm.

Sartell

Nurture to Play
1001 Second Street South, Suite 200, Sartell, MN

Founded by two local moms, this space combines a cozy café with imaginative play areas for kids. Drop-in Open Play for 1 year & older is $12.50+tax/child, with each additional child (1yr & older): $10/child (no additional charge past 3rd child per family). Coffee and beverages are available for purchase. Don’t forget to pack socks for everyone as no shoes are allowed!

Nurture to Play is open Monday through Wednesday 9am-3pm, Thursday 10am-4pm, Friday 10am-8pm and weekends with various hours. You can check their Facebook Page for up to date info about hours.

St. Paul

Rebe’s Play Cafe
2054 St Clair Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Rebe’s Play Cafe is one of our favorite play cafes! Located in St. Paul with lots of with ample street parking and a large free 2 hour lot located behind the building.

Rebe’s features a huge space with lots of room to play, delicious coffee and NO entry fee! It’s really hard to find play areas for kids that don’t have an upfront admission charge nowadays. There is so much for your kiddos to do– climbing picklers, magnatile wall, slide, dollhouse, puzzles, books, a play kitchen, trucks, trains, and much more.

Rebe’s Play Cafe is truly a gathering place for the community. They have lots of classes and have been gathering donations for community members. You can see our full review on Rebe’s here.

Rebe’s Play Cafe is open Monday through Sunday 8am – 6pm.

Ginkgo Coffeehouse
721 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104

Ginkgo Coffeehouse is located in the heart of the Hamline Midway Neighborhood. They are family-friendly with special kids drinks and child-friendly food options. There’s also a small selection of board games and books to read.

Ginkgo has lots of fun musical options as well! Children’s concerts are hosted on select Saturday mornings. You can check out their calendar here.

Ginkgo Coffeehouse is open Monday – Friday:  6:15 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday: 6:45 am – 8:00 pm and Sunday: 6:45 am – 8:00 pm.

What do you think of our local coffee shops with play areas list? Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to check out other places and add them on!