Whether you're traveling with toddlers or teenagers, this Fargo parents' guide should help you get a start on your vacation the right way.
Things to do for any age
Red River Zoo
Regardless of the age of your kiddos, the Red River Zoo is a good option. Stroll among these endangered, cold-weather animals as you teach your kids about where they come from. Although the Red River Zoo is mainly outdoors, they are open through the winter because all of their animals come from climates similar to Fargo's.
4255 23 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 277-9240
Murals
Downtown Fargo has a ton of fun and interactive murals that can be enjoyed at any age (sometimes by the parents the most!). Hunt them all down and take some photos as your souvenir from Fargo.
SCHEELS
One of the largest sporting goods stores in the country, SCHEELS is a one-stop-shop for the whole family (even dogs!). Get some clothes shopping done or stock up on your gear for whatever sport you're interested in while your little ones ride the full-sized Ferris wheel in the middle of the store.
Older kids can head upstairs for simulation shooting games and bowling if they prefer!
1551 45 St S, Fargo | (701) 298-2818
MSUM Planetarium
Explore the night sky and escape into another world at the MSUM Planetarium. Shows are affordable, family-friendly, and offered year-round so are a good option for families looking for something to do.
MSUM Bridges Hall | 11 St S between 7 and 9 Ave S, Moorhead | (218) 477-2920
Parks
Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo have a ton of parks where your little ones can burn off some energy. Head to Lindenwood if you're interested in renting some bikes for the older ones while you sit in the shade along the river, Rendezvous Park for a little bit of everything like a big jungle gym, skate park, and disc golf, or M.B. Johnson for more of an adventurous hike.
Sky Zone
This wall-to-wall trampoline park is great for your older kids to jump around and get active. Bring your mini-mes in for a freestyle jump, dodge ball, or Skyslam every day of the week or check out their calendar for a list of events going on.
On Thursdays and Saturdays, they have a toddler time where the younger kiddos can bounce without interference from the big kids.
940 40 St S, Fargo | (701) 478-8484
Legacy Toys
This huge toy store located in West Acres Mall is a hit among kiddos who love to play. Watch your kids' eyes light up as they stroll through the aisles and find their favorite new toy.
3902 13 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 205-0085
Island Park Pool
With three large pools, there's bound to be one that fits each of your family's needs. Send the big kids over to the 50-meter pool while you take the younger ones into the wading pool.
616 1 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 235-7685
Fargo Force game
Fun for the whole family, Fargo Force hockey games at the Scheels Arena include being able to meet the mascot, little games throughout the night that everyone can partake in, and all the game eats you can handle.
5225 31 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 364-3672
Activities in Fargo for toddlers (ages 1-3)
Shadow Wood Splash Pad
This free park is great for the younger kiddos who love to be in the water but aren't quite ready to be in a pool yet. Splash around among the sculptures spraying water down on you.
3545 4 St E, West Fargo | (701) 551-7138
Courts Plus Playground
Head to the toddler area for only $4/per child for a padded area that your kids can play around in while their older siblings tackle the huge slides or climb the seven-story playground.
3491 University Dr S, Fargo | (701) 237-4805
Kids Activities in Fargo for young children (ages 4-9)
Shadow Wood Splash Pad
This free park is great for the younger kiddos who love to be in the water but aren't quite ready to be in a pool yet. Splash around among the sculptures spraying water down on you.
3545 4 St E, West Fargo | (701) 551-7138
Clay Your Way
At Clay Your Way, kids can mold and paint a pottery piece to take home as a souvenir. They can even make items with impressions of their hands or feet which will remind you of their age when they got to visit Fargo!
4600 17 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 356-9229
Bonanzaville
Check out this historical village using the Pocketsights app which is a way more immersive experience for kids. They have four different walking tours like an Agriculture Tour and a Main Street Tour that will teach your kiddos about the history of the county without them even realizing.
1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo | (701) 282-2822
Thunder Road
Take the younger kids to Thunder Road for the mini-golf or bumper cars while you drive. This clean and friendly environment is truly made for the whole family to enjoy.
2902 Thunder Rd S, Fargo | (701) 282-5151
Courts Plus Playground
This huge playground is perfect for your tykes who love to climb around. It is seven stories high and features ginormous slides to get you to the bottom.
3491 University Dr S, Fargo | (701) 237-4805
Trollwood Musical
Kids will love taking in a musical at the Bluestem's outdoor amphitheater. High school-aged kids play the parts of a variety of different musical acts on the weekends in July. Check Bluestem's schedule of events for what Mainstage Musical they will be doing next!
801 50 Ave S, Moorhead | (218) 477-6500
Escape Jr.
Just like the Escape Rooms you've tried before, but designed for kids! Escape Jr. is great for a group of kids to learn how to work together and solve puzzles. Book an escape room at Escape Jr. today for your group to get to work solving themed puzzles.
2701 9 Ave S, Suite E, Fargo | (701) 388-1905
Geocaching
There are more than 4,000 hidden gems around Fargo-Moorhead that you can find using a GPS or a geocaching phone app. Kids will love to help you find each of the "treasures" throughout the community.
The Art Bar
Enjoy art classes for the whole family. There are all ages painting events Sunday through Thursday for ages 6 and up (recommended to bring them to the 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. class if they're under 12 years old) and kids-only events which are listed on their calendar.
18 1 St, West Fargo | (701) 793-8835
Sledding
Winter-time can get a bit long, bring your kids to the sledding hills to burn off some energy and get outdoors. There are many sledding hills around town so try out a few!
Activities in Fargo for pre-teens & teens (ages 10-17)
Kayaking
Rent a kayak or a canoe at either Lindenwood Park or the River Keepers Rental Shack by the Hjemkomst Center for $10 per hour. This is a great way to see the Red River of the North and all of the wildlife along the shores.
Check out this guide to how to go about this whole kayaking and canoeing thing in Fargo-Moorhead
Lindenwood Park | 1905 Roger Maris Dr | (701) 356-2106
River Keepers Rental Shack | 202 1 Ave N, Moorhead
Geocaching
Even your teens will love getting to use their phones to find more than 4,000 hidden gems around Fargo-Moorhead. Encourage them to use the Geocaching App to hunt down each of the stops.
Ice Skating
There are over 30 outdoor skating rinks in the Fargo-Moorhead area so it's obviously something the local kids like to do. Lace-up your skates and take the fam out on one of them.
Pick up a cheap used pair of skates at Play it Again Sports or SCHEELS, or head to the Moorhead Sports Center for rentals and open skate on Sundays.
Clay Your Way
Have your teens pick out a project and paint whatever they want to bring home. Coffee mugs, platters, dog bowls, and so many other options are available for them to make into their next great masterpiece.
4600 17 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 356-9229
Fargo Air Museum
With two full hangars of planes, the museum itself is very interesting to those who enjoy learning about aircraft. A new addition to the museum is their Talking Tours that you can download on your phone and then they will tell you a little bit more about the history of each plane.
1609 19 Ave N, Fargo | (701) 293-8043
Foot Golf at El Zagal
Golf but for your feet! Step onto the golf course, but instead of hitting the irons, kick around the soccer ball to try to get it into the hole.
1400 Elm St N, Fargo | (701) 232-8156
Bonanzaville
Check out this historical village using the Pocketsights app which is a way more immersive experience for kids. They have four different walking tours like an Agriculture Tour and a Main Street Tour that will teach your teens about the history of the county without them even realizing.
1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo | (701) 282-2822
Thunder Road
Perfect for your teens & tweens, Thunder Road has two 18-hole mini-golf courses, go-karts, bumper cars, batting cages, and laser tag! The kids will love a day here to get out and compete against their friends or just spend a day in the arcade.
2902 Thunder Rd S, Fargo | (701) 282-5151
Skate City
Take a spin on the skate floor at Skate City for hours of family fun. Kids of all ages can join in, but the 10 to 17-year-olds might have the best time here. Check out their list of Discounted Skates for some budget fun.
3302 Interstate Blvd S, Fargo | (701) 235-0555
Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing
Rent cross country skis or snowshoes at the Edgewood Chalet and enjoy an active winter day in the snow with your older kids.
The old clubhouse is open as a warming facility and snack bar throughout operating hours as well.
19 Golf Course Ave N, Fargo | (701) 232-8620
Learn to Curl
Here's your chance to learn the most popular Olympic sport of this age. The cost is only $10 and includes 90 minutes on the ice with an instructor and all of the rental equipment you will need. Check ahead for the next scheduled class.
4300 23 Ave S, Fargo | (701) 232-0341
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Although there are so many more restaurants in the area, these ones are either surprisingly family-friendly or have something great to offer to the kiddos.
Space Aliens
Basically a huge space ship, Space Aliens is full of arcade games and features a large American food menu and a full bar for the parents. This is the place to go for the tykes that get bored easily during meal-time.
1840 45 St S, Fargo | (701) 281-2033
Rhombus Guys
One of the few family-friendly choices in Downtown Fargo, Rhombus Guys has some great pizza and the kids can draw on the big white crate paper laid out on the tables.
606 Main Ave, Fargo | (701) 540-4534
Kroll's Diner
A 50's style diner in South Fargo serves up some great German and American dishes along with deals like "Shakey Mondays" with two-for-one shakes and cheap lunches every day of the workweek, just made for the whole family.
1033 45 St S, Fargo | (701) 492-2319
Treats
Ice Cream Shops
With four new ice cream shops throughout Fargo and a few historic options as well, you're bound to find something for the whole family. Try out Scoop 'N Dough Candy Co. for a nice pairing of ice cream and cookie dough, or Tea and Crepe for their Thai Rolled ice cream experience or opt for a Dilly Bar at the Moorhead Dairy Queen where they were invented.
Sandy's Donuts
Sandy's Donuts is one of the most popular stops for a family treat (or a breakfast donut) because they have such a huge variety of great donuts. Try the maple-bacon variety, or go for a classic cake version, either way, you're bound to find something you love.
Downtown Fargo | 300 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 281-0430
West Fargo | 301 Main Ave W, West Fargo | (701) 281-0430
Nichole's Fine Pastry
This pastry shop might not come to mind as a kid-friendly stop, their huge display windows of European delicacies might change your mind. Stop in for one of their weekly desserts, or choose Nichole's as your breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot.
13 S 8 St, Fargo | (701) 232-6430
Sweet Dreams Confections
Stop in this huge candy store for all of the old fashioned candies you remember as a kid. Have your kiddos scoop what they like and pay by the pound for the choices.
4101 13 Ave S, #1000, Fargo | (701) 297-9338
Yeobo
Another place to scoop your own candies is Yeobo located in the back of the Unglued Craft Store. Get some souvenir shopping done in Unglued while your kids pick their favorite gummies at Yeobo.
408 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 388-1130
When you're looking for things to do with kids in Fargo, we hope this guide will help you find the right places to enjoy with your family.
