In Minnesota, family fun outdoors means embracing all four seasons. If you are on this page because you are looking for a new Twin Cities-area park, playground or nature center to explore, hundreds of entries can be found through our Parks & Playgrounds Search feature. Or, continue searching hundreds more ideas of things to do with kids in the Twin Cities through our Family Directory, including family outings, services, classes, camps, birthday parties and more.
Family Fun Directory of Things To Do with Kids:
Washington County Library
Washington County Library has 7 branches and 2 associate libraries spanning the east metro area of the Twin Cities. They also have 3 express locations where where patrons can order, pick up, and return library materials using a self‐service kiosk, locker system, and book return.
The branches of Washington County Library
- Hardwood Creek Library
- Oakdale Library
- Park Grove Library
- R. H. Stafford Library
- Valley Library
- Wildwood Library
- Washington County Law Library
- Bayport Public Library (associate library)
- Stillwater Public Library (associate library)
Library Express Locations
- Hugo City Hall
- Marine City Hall
- Newport Transit Station
Storytimes at Washington County Library
The library branches offer story hours, ranging from baby to family and sometimes offering specially themed story times. The best way to find a story hour is to use the event calendar, filtering by "storytimes" under the Event Types category. Find the 2018 Fall Storytime Schedule Here.
smARTpass from Washington County Library
This library system is part of the MELSA library system, so it offers the smARTpass program, where library cardholders can checkout tickets to shows and museums. You can read a more detailed review of the program at the link above.
smARTpass, the arts access program available exclusively to metro public library users! I
Show Your Library Card Program
Show Your Library Card is a new campaign throughout Washington County offering discounts at area businesses to library cardholders. Just show your card at these participating businesses to receive special offers and discounts.
STEM Saturdays at Washington County Library
Various branches offer Saturday STEM events throughout the year. These are usually free, drop-in events and cover topics from Raptors to Robotics to LEGOs and other fun science-y activities.
Borrow Video Games from Washington County Library
WCL has recently added a video game collection, which includes more than 100 games for PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Wii U and Nintendo Switch games. Games, like books, can be requested online and picked up at any branch. They are also on the shelf for browsing at Hardwood Creek, Oakdale, Park Grove, and R.H. Stafford libraries. Browse the catalog here.