About Us

Tod Pod is a free playgroup for babies, toddlers, and pre-school aged children who are accompanied by caregivers. We meet in Bloomington, Minnesota.

We offer regular opportunities for kids to play and adults to connect, split into and indoor and outdoor season:

Indoor (November-April):

Toddler Open Gym New through Bloomington Parks and Recreation: open play with balls, blocks, and mats. $2 per child age 1 or walking. Drop-in. Learn More (Sports > Toddler Open Gym tab)
Mall Walk: 1-hour walk with other families around Level 1 of Mall of America before the mall opens. Free. Drop-in.
LEGO League: Over 10 weeks, kids age 4-6 work in small teams to complete STEM challenges. $65 per student. Registration required. Learn More

Outdoor (May-October):

Weekly Park Playdate: 1.5 hours of open play at the park. Free. Drop-in.
Storytime in the Park: 30 minutes of storytime followed by open play at the park. Free. Drop-in.

Year-round:

Nature Programs: 1.5 hours of nature programming tailored to ages 2-5 at Richardson Nature Center. $7 program fee. Registration required.

Please see our Our Calendar for current schedule. You can also Sign Up for our Email List to receive regular updates.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide regular opportunities for families with children from birth through five years old to gather, play, and connect to each other, nurturing a shared experience that instills a sense of belonging in the community. The connections to be made are four-fold:

caregivers to their children;
caregivers to other caregivers;
children to other children; and
the entire family to the local community.

Our Vision

Our vision is increased well-being for every family. You are not alone on your parenting journey!

Our Leaders

Tod Pod is led by volunteers who organize its events, activities, and initiatives. They share a love of children and a deep commitment to the Bloomington community. Read more about our Leadership Team.

Our History

Tod Pod began during the COVID pandemic. Local families were isolated in their homes and meeting once a week at the park became a lifeline for mental health. The kids needed to play and the adults needed to connect!

Tod Pod's first park playdate was September 15, 2020, at Brye Park in Bloomington, Minnesota. We kept meeting once a week and encountered new families at every park we visited. By the end of 2020 we were 46 families strong. The pandemic eventually lifted, but the craving for connection among new parents did not. Today we serve 500+ families.

Interested to Learn More?

Read our FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Learn Why Playgroups Matter
Explore Ways to Volunteer
Contact Us directly with your questions or comments