Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Weekend: August 5-6, 2023

How to narrow down all this summertime family fun?

Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the Twin Cities. You can get the full schedule on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend.

• FIND COMMUNITY FAMILY EVENTS IN THE TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO
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SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND:

Need more sculpture in your life?

So could we all. It’s a trip to the art museum plus a (hopefully) calming green space rolled into one. Try our list of 12 MINNESOTA SCULPTURE PARKS TO VISIT WITH KIDS to get started or see a couple of our favorites here: MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN is located on the campus of Walker Art Center and is free to visit. You’ll find the iconic giant Spoonbridge & Cherry along with a giant blue rooster and other sculpture art. Print the Walker’s fun self-guided Minneapolis Sculpture Garden tour sheet and bring some colored pencils for immersive stops along the visit.

DAY TRIP IDEA: A stop at FRANCONIA SCULPTURE PARK is included on our super family-friendly list of the BEST THINGS TO DO NEAR TAYLORS FALLS, MINNESOTA. Plus, first Sunday of the month (August 6) is the Arts & Farmers Market at the funky sculpture park.

Celebrate National Disc Golf (or frisbee golf) day at the park

Try out one of these TWIN CITIES DISC GOLF COURSES. This is a great outing for those active but hard-to-please teens and tweens.

Visit a Minnesota State Park with your family

Last weekend, our family visited NERSTRAND BIG WOODS STATE PARK for the first time in 12 (!) years. The park, with its sweet little “hidden” waterfall, is one of 9 MINNESOTA STATE PARKS one hour or less from our home in St Paul. Love waterfalls? We’ve included these falls on our list of 8 METRO-AREA WATERFALLS TO VISIT WITH KIDS.

Would you prefer a park outing closer to home? Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for all the details. Did you know that several of these nature centers have natural playgrounds nestled within them? You can build with natural materials, climb, balance, even wade and garden at some of the more elaborate spaces.  Find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.

FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

Live theater, music & movies in the park this weekend? Just add a picnic meal and a blanket or camp chairs and you’re all set for a FREE day or night out with the family. Here’s the lineup:

Music in Motion with Children’s Theatre Company

Peavey Plaza, 1101 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Music in Motion is a mix of storytelling, music and dance designed to move body and mind. Two sessions. Our tip: if you’re able, take the light rail into downtown Minneapolis. It’s a fun event in and of itself! August 5, 2023, 10-11am. FREE.

Open Eye Theater Driveway Performance

1105 Greenbrier Street, St Paul MN
This season’s puppet show is Molly & the Magic Boot. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that puppet shows are just for kids – all ages will enjoy! August 5, 2023, 1pm. FREE! Plus, shows in Lakeville at 4pm & Minneapolis at 7pm. Please check the link for addresses.

Flotsam River Circus

FLOTSAM! describes itself as a floating troupe of “musicians, circus artists, and puppeteers traveling on a handmade raft” and bringing free performances to spectators on the riverbank. As curious as we are? The location hasn’t been officially announced yet but the website betrays a spot very near HIDDEN FALLS REGIONAL PARK in St Paul. August 5, 2023, 6-7:30pm. FREE.

Also performs Sunday, August 6, near HARRIET ISLAND REGIONAL PARK, 6pm.