Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers events in Minneapolis & St Paul the weekend of February 17-18, 2024 — President’s Day Weekend. Want to discover family fun this weekend across the Twin Cities Metro Area? Browse our guides for the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest & Southeast communities. Happy exploring, wherever your weekend may take you!
Hello there, mid-winter school break! If you can relate, we have an amped-up list of suggestions for both indoor and outdoor activities over President’s Day weekend in the Twin Cities. Plenty of stuff to choose from kid-friendly live entertainment to scaled-back winter festivals, cultural activities and ways to get your body moving and grooving. For more ideas, hop over to our FEBRUARY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Winter festivals this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul – the Twin Cities
Winter festivals have all but melted away by this weekend in the Twin Cities – in part propelled along by our remarkably warm weather – but in general, around President’s Day, metro area communities have gotten frosty festivities out of their systems and are looking forward to spring. Minneapolis & St Paul are especially quiet this weekend on the festival front, but there are still a few stragglers scattered around the suburbs. Check our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar for more details or find our quick list here:
- COTTAGE GROVE: Blizzard Bash – The classics will be cancelled (ice fishing, kicksledding) but the event in Ravine Park may go on. Stay tuned. February 17, 11am-4pm.
- OTSEGO: Winter Festival – Events requiring snow (dogsledding, snowman-building) won’t happen, but the medallion hunt may proceed. February 17, 10am-2pm. FREE. CANCELLED.
- STILLWATER: Winterfest – Kids activities at the Loft at Studio J, a hot air balloon basket and fireworks. February 17, 2024.
Fun activities in the parks this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
Featured Twin Cities park events this weekend:
Como Zoo PolarPalooza Weekend
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
All President’s Day weekend long, all kinds of focus on the polar bears: games, a craft, enrichment and conservation education plus the regularly scheduled Sparky show and zookeeper talks. During this mini cold snap, balmy Como Park Conservatory and the heated zoo buildings are a winter escape! February 17-19, 2024, 10am-4pm. FREE.
Highland Park Family Winter Party
Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116
There may not be a speck of snow for the annual sledding hill, but the party is going forward – with indoor activities on President’s Day like games, a bounce house and hot cocoa. February 19, 2024, 12-2pm. FREE.
ALSO ON PRESIDENT’S DAY IN HIGHLAND: Free Open Skate at Highland Arena from 4:20-5:20pm. Skate rental included! Note that the arena is located at 800 Snelling Ave South in St Paul (not the Highland Park Community Center).
Hike with a Ranger at Crosby Farm Park
2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
It might not feel like winter but we can still try to spot signs of wildlife hunkering down for the season. A ranger will guide this all ages hike; make sure to dress to be outdoors. February 17, 2024, 10am-12pm. FREE.
Nature Art: Valentines for the Earth
North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis, MN 55430
Park guests can create natural Valentines making plant-able paper, nature-stamped cards, and heartfelt messages. All ages can participate. February 17, 2024, 1:30-2:30pm. FREE. Limited openings. Register here.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids
If you’ve got the long Presidents Day weekend to while away with the kids, you might be looking for a way to get out and make the most of it. Personally (during a typical Minnesota winter) by mid-February I’m sick to death of outdoor activities and would prefer to pretend I’ve flown south. Here are some suggestions if you’re feeling likewise and are hoping for some cozy indoor ideas this weekend:
Keep it balmy at an indoor park
Thoughts of winter will melt away and you’ll keep warm as the tropics wandering the indoor gardens and exhibits of COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY. The animal enclosures are heated, too. One of our favorite ways to make a mini-escape in the winter months! Open daily, 10am-4pm. FREE admission. 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul, MN 55103.
More indoor parks in the Twin Cities:
- Woodbury’s CENTRAL PARK – stroll around the landscaped rocks and tricking water fountains. Kids can cozy up with books at a branch of the Washington County Library or work off the wiggles at LOOKOUT RIDGE INDOOR PLAYGROUND.
- Edina’s EDINBOROUGH PARK – plenty of warmth and green space plus an enormous, multi-level indoor playground aptly called Adventure Peak.
Take a trip to a kid-friendly train museum
Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
A special tradition at the museum that starts prior to the holidays, the Night Trains season magically transforms the museum layouts. Buildings and street lights glow and the museum lighting is turned down. This is the last chance to catch the Night Trains before they leave the station this winter. February 17, 2024, 3-7pm. $15/pp.
Minnesota Transportation Museum: The Love Train
193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130
Jump on the “Love Train” for a real train ride plus family valentine crafts, live music, treats, a scavenger hunt and a family photo booth. All included in museum admission. February 17, 2024, 10am-4pm. $12-$20/pp or $60/family.
Make it a multi-cultural President’s Day weekend in the Twin Cities
Mosaic Festival: Dance & Music of World Cultures
Landmark Center, St Paul
This program is easily the next best thing to visiting and certainly more budget-friendly. Learn about various cultures through music, dance, and crafts; budget and very family-friendly. While you’re at the beautiful LANDMARK CENTER, pop in to the free SCHUBERT CLUB MUSEUM, a hidden gem that allows kids to experiment with a cacophony of musical instruments. February 18, 2024, 12-4pm. $4-$6/pp. Ages 6 & under free.
Kids at the Castle: Love Monster
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Your little ones will be awed by exploring a museum within a castle! This month’s theme is Plus, you’ll get the chance to check out the newest Family Gallery exhibit and all the attention put into making it super family-friendly. Read more about top family favorites at American Swedish Institute. February 17, 2024. $15/family for the program – must register in advance as space is limited and slots sell out. 9-10am.
More free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
Kids cultural storytimes this President’s Day weekend!
Museum of Russian Art: Storytime in the Gallery
Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
The museum offers a FREE Storytime in the Gallery the third Saturday of each month with no charge for adults to accompany their kids. Take a “create bag” home and explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt. This month’s story is Little Daughter of the Snow by Arthur Ransome. Please pre-register as space is limited. February 17, 2024, 10:30-11am.
Germanic American Institute: German Storytime
301 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Please note that these monthly storytimes conduct their readings and songs in the German language. All are welcome, however, and the mansion on Summit Avenue is interesting to explore. Registration required. February 17, 2024, 11am. FREE.
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum: Children’s Reading Circle
1256 Penn Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55411
Local author Sideena Grace reads her book “Adventures with Sideena, ABC’s in Space,” Free admission and free parking! February 17, 2024, 11:30am.
First Chapter Storytime at Next Chapter Bookseller
38 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55105
A picture book read-aloud plus related activity just for kids. February 17, 2024, 10:30-11am. FREE.
And free flicks, too!
Marcus Theatres Kids Dream Family Film Series
Join us Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and President’s Day Monday) thru March 3, 2024, to view favorite family flicks! Head to your nearest participating Marcus Theatres® location. 2 FREE tickets to the show are available this weekend – just click here to redeem vouchers.
- Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken – February 16-19, 2024. Popcorn & drink specials: $3.50/each. Participating theatres include Marcus Oakdale, Rosemount and Southbridge Crossing (Shakopee) Cinemas.
Wish Work Puppet Series
2742 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Puppet theater specially designed for kids created by the puppeteers of Hinterhands Puppet Company. This weekend’s show is Lupita Doesn’t Want to Sleep – a delightful show about a little one avoiding bedtime. (Anyone out there feel that?) See more at the link. February 17, 2024, 10:30-11:30am. Suggested donation of $5-$10/pp.
Saturday Vibe: Storytime & Still Life Art
George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul MN 55102
Storytime will be art-themed and accompanied by activities aimed at preschoolers. This weekend, kids can experiment creating still life drawings with oil pastels. The library encourages you to hang around and explore their preschool math-themed Play & Learn area. Feel free to bring your older kids too – if they can be trusted in quiet spaces, the beautiful building is worth exploring. February 17, 2024, 11am-12pm. FREE.
Puppet-making Workshop with Heart of the Beast Theater
Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
During these free Saturday workshops, Heart of the Beast will guide participants through building a human-sized puppet. Dress to get your hands messy! And keep in mind there are a bunch of delicious vendors to choose from at the market if you need a lunch break. February 17, 2024, 11am-2pm. FREE, but please reserve tickets online.
Bell Museum: Space Fest
2088 Larpenteur Ave W, Falcon Heights, MN 55113
Far-out fun all weekend long at this natural history museum! Space enthusiasts will be excited to do hands-on demos with researchers, explore interactive activities featuring the moon and mars, and watch special planetarium shows. My family enjoys the museum enough that we have purchased a year’s membership. February 17-18, 2024, starting at 10am. Admission $12-$15/pp, planetarium $8-$10 extra or save with a combo ticket.
Coffee and Creative Play at Snapology
2649 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Parents, need a quick break? Enjoy a delicious beverage from Bob’s Java Hut (next door to Snapology) while your child plays at Snapology. If they are 5-14, you can drop them off! Playtime at Snapology is a creative building experience that includes LEGO bricks, a race track, magnatiles, train tracks, k’nex, polydrons, marble mazes and more. February 17, 2024, 9-11:30am, $15/child, includes beverage.
Stay active this President’s Day weekend
Free Open Swim Sundays at Great River Water Park
270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
A special FREE open swim will be hosted Sundays starting this weekend with water safety training provided from 3-3:25pm. The zero-depth entry splash pool is perfect for tots trying to get used to the water and there are two tube waterslides for the big kids. February 18, 2024, 12-5pm.
PRESIDENT’S DAY OPEN SWIM: Special Open Swim hours at Great River Water Park will be February 19, 2024, from 1:30-5:30pm. Regular admission of $7/pp or $25/group of 5 applies.
Kids Yoga & Music Class at Midtown Global Market
920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Limber up with a yoga class just for kids at 10:30 by the stage in the central court, then groove and sing along with a Rockin’ Robins Music mini-class at 11. You’ll want to stay and pick a lunch spot from one of the many delicious market vendors. February 17, 2024. FREE.
InnerCity Tennis Super Saturday
4055 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
InnerCity Tennis’ Super Saturdays Program is a chance for Twin Cities families to bring kids of all ages to learn tennis fundamentals for from trained staff. The entire 12 court facility is provided for this program at no charge. February 17, 2024, 3-6pm. Learn more about Inner City Tennis programs for the family.
ALWAYS FREE TO VISIT WEEKENDS
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free each first Saturday/month)
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – note that fall & winter hours are 10am-4pm.
Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!
During this cold weather, find tons of fun indoor games for kids you can play right at home.
