I am always looking for unique spots to enjoy with multiple generations to make wonderful memories. It’s a gift to find a location that your kids love just as much as their grandparents. Last weekend, we experienced one of these special places! It’s definitely a must-visit for every family of all age levels. Our daughter’s preschool teacher had told us about this amazing location for pickleball in Mankato, Minnesota. Since our son has recently started to enjoy pickleball and loves sports, we decided this could be the ideal spot to experience with him. So, we did a date with our son at the PickleBarn. We brought along my husband’s dad, Grandpa Billy, to join in the fun. Definitely was our favorite date we’ve been on with one of our kids! This hidden gem is a spot every family needs to try. Once you visit, it’s hard to imagine you won’t be back.
When I first heard about the PickleBarn and looked it up, I was so impressed with their mission statement and their dream. Their mission statement is to “serve the community by providing a fun and family-oriented atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the sport of pickleball and each other as well as provide opportunities for higher level tournament play, drawing from the Greater Minnesota area and beyond”. Since both my husband and myself were collegiate athletes, we have seen the benefits that athletics had in our life. It can allow whole families to bond together over a sport and teach life lessons that we wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. Even sports in small doses, like a date, teaches skills such as good sportsmanship, perseverance, and teamwork. Without a doubt, the PickleBarn definitely delivers on their mission statement. All four of us left our time at the PickleBarn with smiles and excited to tell everyone about our fun family time together.
Arriving at the PickleBarn, we were greeted by the owners, Mitch and Sidney Elofson. Their passion for pickleball, athletics, family, and the Mankato community are evident throughout their interactions and their business. What a gift this business is for Mankato and the surrounding areas! Pickleball has become a quickly growing sport throughout the United States in the last few years. Yet, there are not many professional indoor pickleball facilities available that are dedicated to the sport. The PickleBarn has eight outdoor court surfaces within their indoor climate controlled facility. Minnesotans know how special it is to be able to play a sport at all times of the year, through the snow and the sun. One aspect that I love about pickleball is it’s the ideal sport for all ages. Rules and the equipment are the same whether you are five years old all the way to ninety-five years old and beyond. Children can play with their grandparents or even their great-grandparents and both parties can enjoy the experience without needing to accommodate the different levels.
Walking into the PickleBarn, you will be blown away by the beauty of this facility. Everything from the details of the pickleball paddle flowers greeting you in the entry way to the design of the eight courts to the upstairs viewing and gathering space is well thought out and intentional to make the PickleBarn an inviting atmosphere. Locker rooms, courts, and sitting areas all were clean and well managed. On the particular day we visited, there was a wide assortment of groups playing. These groups included everything from families to a set of friends to a father/young son combination playing together. At one end, there was a family that was alternating playing and entertaining a baby on a blanket off the court. What a joy to see all the stages of life enjoying this facility and sport!
We started off our time with a pickleball lesson with Mitch. Both Mitch and Sidney are certified teaching professionals. They offer a free, one-time thirty- minute introductory lesson for anyone just by emailing Sidney to set up a time. Free introductory clinics are also, available some weekends. This was a perfect opportunity to get our son confident and ready for the court. Three of us had played pickleball a few times for fun prior to this experience. Finishing the lesson, all of us, even the one person who was new to pickleball, were fully equipped to play and enjoy the sport. Mitch provided the perfect amount of instruction, rules, playing time, and feedback. It truly was an amazing opportunity for all of us to learn in a no-pressure situation with a great coach.
When our lesson was finished, we had the court for open play. Since we knew all the rules from Mitch and had practiced, we got to start playing. Games go to eleven, but points are only scored when you are serving. So, games can go pretty quickly even if it’s competitive. This was the part where my mama heart soared. Watching my son’s face burst into a huge smile every play, seeing his determination when he struggled to serve into the right area, and experiencing his happiness when he was a part of a good play with grandpa was priceless. I can imagine his happiness and excitement for playing pickleball with us will only increase as he becomes more confident in his skills. Often, you hear parents talk about how much they enjoy watching their kids play the sports they love. Yet, this was an opportunity to not watch, but to be a part of a sport we all can embrace.
We were able to finish six games during our time on the open court. Any questions about pickleball that came up while we were playing were easily answered by the Elofsons. Music played softly while we played making the atmosphere fun. Laughter and conversation filled the air throughout our time. Each of us improved in our pickleball abilities as our time went on, making games more competitive. Leaving the court, I can easily say that all four of us had smiles, felt like we got exercise, learned a lot, and made wonderful memories together. Can you really ask for a better experience?
After we finished playing, we walked upstairs to see what it looked like. Much to my son’s delight, there was corn hole, ping pong, and tables to watch all the courts in the upstairs gathering area. There was also, a beverage area, a TV, and some comfortable sitting areas. Corporate events and private parties can use this space. Pickleball tournaments are also, a part of the PickleBarn. I was also, excited to see that the PickleBarn offers camps for kids throughout the summer at very reasonable prices.
Here are some more details for when you visit the PickleBarn:
Address: 90 Power Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
Hours:
Sun: 8am-8pm
Mon-Tue: 8am-9pm
Wed: 2pm-9pm
Thurs-Fri: 8am-9pm
Sat: 8am-8pm
Pricing: Court Rental Rates follow peak hours and off-peak hours. Off peak hours are 8 am-5 pm on Mondays through Fridays. Peak hours are 5 pm to close on Mondays through Fridays and all day on Saturdays/Sundays.
| Time | Members: | Non-Members: |
| Off-Peak Hours | $5 + tax | $7.50 + tax |
| Peak Hours | $7.50 + tax | $10 + tax |
These rates are for open play time where you come to play with others.
| Members: | Non-Members: | |
| Morning | $6 + tax | $8 + tax |
| Afternoon | $6 + tax | $8 + tax |
| Evening | $7 + tax | $9 + tax |
Overall, the PickleBarn is the perfect spot for almost any purpose you’re seeking. Need a date spot? Looking for an activity for the entire family? Want a fun experience with one kid? Searching for a spot to enjoy with a grandparent? Desperate for a team building exercise for your work? Know how to play Pickleball and hoping to find competition? Want some exercise and to meet new people? The PickleBarn is your answer to any of these questions. We are a blessed community to have a facility that can provide opportunities to exercise, have fun, and make memories with family and friends at all times of the year. If you have not visited the PickleBarn, this is your sign to go. Don’t know how to play? Book a free 30 minute lesson and you will be ready to enjoy the sport. After you play once, you’ll be back. There’s a reason pickleball is the fastest growing sport…it’s for everyone of all ages, skills, and ability levels. If pickleball is for everyone, so is the PickleBarn!
Adventures with Sota Mama 
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