The Best Family-Friendly Activities in Minneapolis to Pair with Your Family Photoshoot
Minneapolis and St. Paul are such a great cities for family-friendly activities, especially when you’re looking to pair them with a photoshoot. Here are 8 ideas that you should consider pairing with your next Minneapolis family photo session.
1. Ice Cream at Nellie’s, Nelson’s, or Milkjam Creamery
All three spots are local favorites for sweet treats and have a super colorful, playful vibe that’s perfect for a family photoshoot. We can get some shots your family enjoying ice cream, and the vibrant store would make for fun backdrops too. Plus, the kids get to enjoy a treat! Nellie’s has delicious ice cream and a bright mural outside, Nelson’s gives you an insane amount of ice cream, and Milkjam Creamery is simply a classic. You could even coordinate outfits to match the vibrant colors of the ice cream shops or their murals. Think bold, pastel colors or patterns that pop. Perfect for capturing those sweet, candid moments, especially if you get a little messy!
2. Mini Golf and Games at Can Can Wonderland
If you’re into quirky and colorful settings, this is a must. The retro-themed mini golf at Can Can Wonderland is incredible. It’s fun for all ages, and the neon lights and playful art installations can really add some personality to your photos. Plus, you get to combine it with a bit of friendly competition! There is also an arcade which makes for some fun photos as well!
3. A Day at the Beach
Minneapolis has several gorgeous lakes, and many of them have sandy beaches. Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet are perfect for spending a sunny day with the family. You can capture some classic beach moments: kids running along the shore, family fun in the sand, or a picnic by the water.
Instead of the day at the beach, you could instead do a golden hour or sunset session, where the soft light will create a dreamy, glowing effect over the water. A family photo with the sunset in the background would be magical!
4. Outdoor Ice Skating at Lake of the Isles
In winter, Minneapolis is magical, and it’s outdoor ice skating season! Lake of the Isles offers a beautiful frozen lake where you can get bundled up, skate as a family, and capture those sweet candid moments.
5. Explore Minnehaha Falls & Enjoy a Donut from Mel-O-Glaze
This beautiful waterfall is an amazing spot for family photos, especially in the warmer months when it’s surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a fun park to explore and Mel-O-Glaze Bakery is nearby which has the best donuts!
6. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
While you can’t actually have your session in the conservatory, you could nearby in Como Park which has a ton of great spots full of green! You could have a more candid, lifestyle-style shoot as you walk around the Como Zoo, especially with younger kids who might be fascinated by the animals.
.7. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Museum
It can’t get more fun than the art filled Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Museum. You can’t have your session inside of the Walker, but we could take photos in the outdoor sculpture garden which is perfect for an artsy, playful family session. The large-scale sculptures are unique, and add a fun touch to your photos.
8. Minnesota State Fair
The fair is a blast for fun photo moments! Capture candid moments of your family riding the Ferris wheel, enjoying cotton candy and cookies, or playing carnival games. The bright colors of the rides and booths add a lot of fun to the photos. Plus, the fair is just such a fun place to make memories!
