Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

Sam’s 12th Birthday – Mall of America Adventure (Fun Kids’ Style)

Viewed by 144 travelers

Day 1: Birthday Celebration

Morning: Depart Altoona, WI at 8:00 AM with Maia, Ella, and Aubree for a sing‑along road trip. Stop at a quick breakfast spot (McDonald’s or Kwik Trip) for pancakes and juice before hitting the road.

Afternoon: Arrive at the Mall of America at 10:30 AM, park near Nickelodeon Universe and snap a group selfie. Dive into the rides at Nickelodeon Universe (10:45 AM‑12:30 PM), then head to Build‑A‑Bear Workshop for a personalized birthday bear. Lunch follows at the Rainforest Café, where you can enjoy jungle décor and a surprise birthday dessert.

Evening: After lunch, explore the Crayola Store, M&M Store, LEGO Store, Minions Store, and Five Below for a fun shopping spree. Grab smoothies or pretzels for a snack break at 5:00 PM, then depart the mall at 6:00 PM and stop for a casual dinner on the way home.

Find Hotels

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Departure & road trip snacks – 2 hrs – $15
  • Breakfast stop – 30 min – $12
  • Nickelodeon Universe rides – 2 hrs – $45
  • Build‑A‑Bear Workshop – 1 hr – $30
  • Rainforest Café lunch – 1 hr – $40
  • Shopping spree (Crayola, M&M, LEGO, Minions, Five Below) – 2 hrs – $80
  • Snack & chill – 30 min – $10
  • Dinner on the road – 45 min – $25
  • Total Estimated Cost: $257

Tips

For a longer celebration, add a visit to the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium inside the mall and extend the shopping time by an extra hour. To shorten the day, skip the snack break and head straight home after the shopping spree, or replace the Rainforest Café lunch with a quick food‑court meal.

Sam’s 12th Birthday – Mall of America Adventure (Trendy Tween Style)

Day 1: Birthday Bash

Morning: Hit the road from Altoona, WI at 8:00 AM with Maia, Ella, and Aubree, enjoying a curated birthday playlist and light snacks en route. A brief 30‑minute stop at a nearby café provides a quick breakfast boost.

Afternoon: Arrive at the Mall of America by 10:30 AM and park near the Nickelodeon Universe entrance. Spend the next two hours riding the park’s top attractions, then head to Build‑A‑Bear Workshop for a custom birthday bear. Lunch at the Rainforest Café offers a jungle‑themed vibe and a surprise birthday dessert.

Evening: After lunch, explore the Crayola Store, M&M Store, LEGO Store, Minions Store, and Five Below for a curated shopping tour. A relaxed snack break at 5:00 PM with smoothies and pretzels gives a breather before departing at 6:00 PM and stopping for a casual dinner on the highway home.

Find Hotels

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Road trip departure & snacks – 2 hrs – $15
  • Breakfast café – 30 min – $12
  • Nickelodeon Universe rides – 2 hrs – $45
  • Build‑A‑Bear Workshop – 1 hr – $30
  • Rainforest Café lunch – 1 hr – $40
  • Shopping tour (Crayola, M&M, LEGO, Minions, Five Below) – 2 hrs – $80
  • Snack & chill – 30 min – $10
  • Dinner on the road – 45 min – $25
  • Total Estimated Cost: $257

Tips

If you want to upscale the day, consider adding a private photo session at Nickelodeon Universe or a quick visit to the MOA Escape Room. To condense the itinerary, skip the extended shopping segment and head straight home after lunch, or replace the Rainforest Café with a faster food‑court option.

Find Hotels
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version
Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed