Field Trip Guide to Indoor Playground Adventures

If you are a parent or a teacher, you probably know the challenges of planning field trips all too well. The weather in Minnesota is unpredictable, outdoor venues can feel crowded, and costs often spiral beyond what schools or families can reasonably afford. We know that leaves yout in a tough position, trying to create meaningful experiences for kids without taking on extra stress or blowing the budget.

That’s exactly why Good Times Park was created. With two convenient Twin Cities locations in Eagan and Woodbury, we make field trips easy to plan, budget-friendly, and truly unforgettable. Schools and groups can schedule visits at either park Tuesday through Friday, with trips ending by 3 PM, making it simple to fit into a school day. Both spaces are clean, climate-controlled, and filled with opportunities for kids to run, climb, and build, while adults enjoy the peace of mind that everything is safe and well-organized.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to give kids an unforgettable day of play, your search is over. This guide is here to help teachers, daycare directors, homeschool coordinators, and parents understand exactly how to plan a fall field trip that combines fun, affordability, and educational value.

The Good Times Park Advantage for Field Trips

When it comes to group outings, not every option is created equal - at Good Times Park, the goal is to provide maximum value with minimum stress. Let's explore what sets us apart:

Flexible Hours for Every Schedule

At Good Times Park, we keep things simple so any visit feels easy and fun to plan. For field trips, we welcome groups of 25 or more (like schools, YMCAs, and youth programs) Tuesday through Friday before 3 PM. Visits are typically up to three hours, which is just the right amount of time for kids to explore, play, and burn energy while teachers and chaperones enjoy a smooth, manageable schedule.

Affordable Pricing That Works for Schools

Affordability is a cornerstone of every visit. At just $10 per child, our field trips cost less than half of what competing indoor parks typically charge - plus, supervising adults always enter free. Passes also come with re-entry privileges, allowing groups to leave for lunch and return later without paying again. That flexibility makes a full day of play possible on even the tightest school budgets.

Convenient Twin Cities Locations

With parks in both Eagan and Woodbury, schools across the Twin Cities metro can choose whichever site is closer. This cuts down on transportation costs, reduces time spent on the bus, and ensures more of the day is spent actually playing. Teachers appreciate the time savings, while parents value the easy access.

Food-Friendly Policies

Instead of requiring pricey on-site purchases, Good Times Park allows families and groups to bring their own meals and snacks. Picnic areas provide a comfortable spot for bag lunches, and many schools arrange for local delivery when hosting larger groups. This policy not only lowers costs but also ensures that kids with dietary needs are included without stress.

Safety You Can Count On

Safety is central to the Good Times Park experience. Code-controlled entry ensures only registered families and groups are inside. Around-the-clock remote monitoring adds a layer of oversight, while nightly professional cleaning keeps the facilities fresh and hygienic. For parents and teachers, these measures provide peace of mind so they can focus on the joy of the day.

Together, these features create a field trip environment that is flexible, affordable, and stress-free with none of the compromises found at other venues.

What Kids Experience on a Field Trip

We know that the heart of any field trip is the experience for the kids, so we make it all about active, imaginative play. Unlike structured programs where kids move from one station to the next, here they have the freedom to explore, experiment, and enjoy unstructured playtime that fuels both learning and fun.

Highlights at the Eagan Location

In Eagan, students can climb across playground structures, shoot hoops in the basketball court, or test their strength and balance on the ninja course. For children who love to build, the giant foam blocks become a canvas for forts, tunnels, and towers, encouraging both creativity and teamwork. The wide variety of attractions ensures that kids with different interests and energy levels all find something exciting to do.

Favorites at the Woodbury Location

The Woodbury park has its own unique highlights. The soccer field gives groups space for large-scale games, while the giant jumping pillow always becomes a fast favorite for every child who tries it. Building blocks and playground structures provide plenty of additional opportunities for imaginative and collaborative play.

Educational Benefits of Play

The fun kids experience at Good Times Park goes hand in hand with developmental growth. Climbing, balancing, and jumping strengthen motor skills. Negotiating turns, sharing equipment, and working on group building projects foster social development. Open-ended zones encourage creativity and imagination. Most importantly, the laughter and movement help kids release energy, making the transition back to school routines smoother and less stressful.

“Our second graders had the best time: plenty of space, lots of variety, and no rushing. We’ll definitely be back next fall.” - teacher from St. Paul.

Planning a Stress-Free Field Trip

For teachers and parents, the planning process is just as important as the activities themselves. Let's explore how Good Times Park makes the logistics straightforward.

Step 1: Choose Your Location

The first step is deciding whether your group will visit the Eagan or Woodbury park. Both locations are designed with large groups in mind and offer the same affordable pricing and core attractions. For most schools, the choice comes down to convenience - picking the park that’s closest reduces transportation time and keeps the day running smoothly.

Step 2: Secure Your Date Early

Fall is one of the busiest times for field trips in the Twin Cities. Teachers often look for indoor options as the weather cools, and weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to fill up quickly. Reserving your spot early ensures your group gets the time and location you want without last-minute scrambling.

Step 3: Customize the Experience

Good Times Park offers flexibility that makes planning simple. The $10 per child rate covers up to 2.5 hours of play, or 3 hours if your group brings lunch. Groups that want a private space for lunch, lesson tie-ins, or quiet reflection can reserve a party room. 

Step 4: Enjoy the Day Stress-Free

Once you arrive, the day takes care of itself. Kids move freely between play areas, and teachers supervise without the pressure of timed sessions.

“We love that we can come early, leave for lunch, and come back without paying again,” one Eagan parent explained. “It made the day easy and affordable.” - Twin Cities parent.

By simplifying each step of the planning process, Good Times Park ensures that teachers can focus on the kids, not the logistics.

Why Affordability Matters

Budget constraints are a reality for every school, daycare, and community program. Price is often the very first consideration when planning a field trip, and that’s where Good Times Park shines.

Admission That Fits Every Budget

At just ten dollars per child, the cost of admission is significantly lower than most other options in the Twin Cities. For instance, water parks often climb as high as forty dollars per child. By comparison, Good Times Park delivers a full day of play for less than a quarter of the price.

Savings on Food

Food policies add even more value. While other venues require pricey on-site meals that add ten to fifteen dollars per child, Good Times Park allows groups to bring their own lunches, order delivery, or take advantage of vending options. With this approach, in addition to saving money, children with dietary needs are never left out.

The point is that affordability here doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means more kids can participate, more teachers can plan outings without hesitation, and more families feel comfortable knowing costs are manageable.

Sample Itineraries That Work

Every school or group has different needs, and the flexibility of Good Times Park makes it easy to create an itinerary that works for everyone.

Preschool Playdates

Preschools usually prefer shorter visits that fit neatly into morning schedules. A typical day begins with check-in around 9:30, followed by free play in toddler-friendly areas such as the building blocks and small playground zones. After about two hours of active fun, the group gathers in the picnic area for a snack break. Songs, story time, or circle activities close out the morning before the group returns to school just before lunch.

Elementary School Adventures

Elementary groups often opt for longer, more structured outings. One popular schedule begins with a 10:00 arrival, when kids dive right into the ninja course, playground, and basketball court. By 11:30, everyone comes together for a picnic-style lunch. The afternoon is filled with rotations: soccer challenges, block-building competitions, or imaginative play in open zones. Teachers sometimes add journaling or drawing sessions as a quiet reflection time before buses depart around 2:00.

After-School Program Outings

Evening hours are a favorite for after-school programs. Groups typically arrive around 4:00 and enjoy two hours of open play before gathering for a pizza dinner in the picnic area. Another hour or two of play follows, often focused on group favorites like the soccer field or jumping pillow. The extended schedule makes it easy to accommodate both school and work hours, giving kids a fun and active end to their day.

Our point here is flexibility. Unlike other venues where sessions are timed or structured, Good Times Park allows groups to set the pace that works best for their kids.

Why Fall Is the Best Time

Minnesota’s fall is beautiful but unpredictable. One week might bring warm sunshine, while the next arrives with rain, wind, or even snow. Outdoor field trips are easily derailed by sudden changes, and that unpredictability leaves teachers anxious and kids disappointed.

Indoor playgrounds solve that problem, and fall is an especially good time to schedule these outings. Early in the school year, students are still adjusting to routines, and teachers are working to build classroom community. A field trip to Good Times Park provides the perfect opportunity to release energy, strengthen friendships, and set a positive tone for the months ahead.

Booking early also means beating the winter rush. Once the weather turns, demand for indoor activities spikes, and dates become harder to secure. Planning in September or October ensures your group gets the time you want without the scramble.

“September is always a tough month. Kids are adjusting to schedules, and teachers are building classroom routines. A fall field trip to Good Times Park gives us a chance to bond and burn off energy in a safe, fun way.” - Minneapolis teacher.

A Field Trip Kids Will Remember, and Teachers Will Appreciate

Field trips are about more than just a day away from the classroom. They’re about giving children experiences that shape their learning, friendships, and memories. At Good Times Park, those experiences come wrapped in affordability, safety, and convenience. Teachers appreciate the ease of planning, parents value the savings, and kids simply love the chance to play, explore, and imagine.

Don’t let this season pass without creating a moment your students will remember! Reserve your field trip now and explore our memberships and day passes for even more year-round fun.

See you inside! 👋

About the Author:

Jackie and Patrick, the founders of Good Times Park, are pioneers in family-focused recreation and self-serve indoor play. Since opening Minnesota’s first self-supervised indoor playground in 2013, they’ve reimagined what flexible, all-day play can look like for modern families. Drawing from their own experience as parents of four, they’ve built a trusted brand rooted in safety, cleanliness, and affordability - now operating two thriving locations in Eagan and Woodbury. Connect with them on Linkedin.