Things to do in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Albertville, Andover, Anoka, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Elk River, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Otsego, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Rogers & St Michael.
This guide covers the Memorial Day weekend of May 23-24, 2026. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
It’s Memorial Day Weekend in the Twin Cities!
For extra ideas and inspiration for spending family time together this Memorial Day weekend, check our MAY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We also encourage you to enjoy some fun-in-the-sun planning with our TWIN CITIES SUMMER FUN GUIDE.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro parks this weekend
The following is just a sampling of all we’re keeping track of 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 Northwest Metro parks. All kinds of spring stuff in store here:
BROOKLYN PARKÂ Drop In Discoveries Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Join naturalists for free, drop-in and kid-friendly programming. This weekend, you can experiment with water play. Make sure to take a trip across the dam and visit sister park COON RAPIDS DAM REGIONAL PARK. Drop in, no registration required. May 24, 2026, 1-3pm. FREE.
MAPLE GROVE Drop In Discoveries at Eastman Nature Center
Drop in to get ideas for outdoor recreation from a park naturalist. Plus, explore the indoor exhibits and play in the outdoor nature play area if the weather is fine. ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE is sprawling and crammed with interesting things to do – make sure to stop in at the giant playground and, splash around at the swim pond, newly opened for the season (fee applies). May 24, 2026, 1-3pm. FREE.
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE NATURE PLAYGROUNDS IN THE NORTH METRO?
Delight in watching your kids play the old-fashioned way: digging, climbing, building and using natural materials. Most of the nature play spaces in the Minneapolis-St Paul North Metro are in the eastern half. Scout out our complete list in our roundup of TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAYGROUNDS.
- DISCOVERY HOLLOW NATURE PLAY AREA, White Bear Lake
- LAKE OWASSO COUNTY PARK NATURE PLAY AREA, Shoreview
- MAPLE HOLLOW NATURE PLAY AREA, Lino Lakes
- SPRINGBROOK NATURE CENTER, Fridley
More things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids - Northwest Metro
Swimming season: Northwest Metro beaches, pools, waterparks & splash pads opening Memorial Day Weekend
Spend the holiday weekend at the beach! Several in the Minneapolis & St Paul Northwest Metro open this weekend for swimming, splashing and all-around FUN. You’ll find our complete listing in SPLASH HAPPY: A GUIDE TO WATER FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES.
ANOKA
ANOKA AQUATIC CENTER opens Memorial Day weekend, May 23, 2026, 12-7pm. Admission $6.50-$8.50/pp.
MAPLE GROVE
- The outdoor pool portion of GROVE COVE AQUATIC CENTER is open for Memorial Day weekend, May 23, 2026, 10am-6pm. Admission $8.50/pp.
PLYMOUTH
- City of Plymouth offers free swimming at EAST & WEST MEDICINE LAKE BEACHES and at PARKERS LAKE BEACH.
THREE RIVERS PARKS DISTRICT
Three Rivers Park District manages free swimming beaches in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro that open Memorial Day Weekend:Â
- BAKER PARK RESERVE, Maple Plain
- ELM CREEK SWIM POND, Maple Grove ($7/person)
- FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARK BEACH, Maple Grove
- FRENCH LAKE REGIONAL PARK, Plymouth
- LAKE REBECCA PARK RESERVE, Rockford
Visit a pizza farm in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro
PRINCETON Saturday Pizza Night at Alpha and Omega Farm
6714 Alpha Road, Princeton, MN 55371
OPENING WEEKEND! About an hour northwest of Minneapolis-St Paul, Alpha and Omega is truly a delicious summer destination. Our family has loved visiting for mouth-watering wood-fired pizza, hay rides, animal encounters and lawn games. Not familiar with the way a pizza farm works? Check out the details HERE. May 23, 2026 starting at 4:30pm.
Free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities - Northwest Metro
ANOKA Avant Garden Bookstore: Saturday Story Hour
215 E Main St, Anoka, MN 55303
Kids will enjoy a storytime just for them, their grown-ups might appreciate that that the bookstore is also a coffee shop. Ongoing Saturdays. May 23, 2026, 10am. FREE.
ELK RIVER Memorial Day Parade
Parade route: Norfolk Street to Main, to King Avenue followed by a memorial gathering in Rivers Edge Commons Park, 679 Main Street
Elk River. May 25, 2026, 10am.