THINGS TO DO IN EAGAN WITH KIDS & FAMILY
Welcome to Eagan! The city has often won praise for being considered one of the best communities to live in Minnesota. Just south of the Mississippi River, Eagan is a quick drive from the excitement of Minneapolis & St Paul and convenient to major shopping districts. But Eagan also manages to quiet and green, filled with parks and lovely natural spaces. We’re excited to share all there is to do with your kids and family – read on for the best Eagan, Minnesota Family Fun!
Eagan Quick Links
KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS WEEK NEAR EAGAN, MINNESOTA
Find this week’s Eagan, Minnesota Family Fun, including the nearby southeast suburbs of the Twin Cities: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Hastings, Rosemount, West St Paul & Woodbury. Find our full Twin Cities Family Fun Calendar here.
SPECIAL EVENTS, FESTIVALS & SEASONAL ACTIVITIES IN EAGAN
Explore our tabs to find the best family fun in Eagan!
Summer in Eagan: Festivals & activities
July 4th Funfest
Parade, carnival, music and fireworks. Eagan Community Center festival grounds. July 2-4, 2024.
Eagan Market Fest
The Eagan Central Park grounds buzz with weekly concerts and themed nights including one devoted solely to families. Get some fresh produce and let the kids enjoy the splash pad. Ongoing Wednesdays, 4-8pm starting June 5-August 28, 2024.
EAGAN COMMUNITY PARKS
- SPARK! MOBILE PUPPET WAGON – Bring a blanket for the 20-minute shows, spread throughout ten of Eagan’s parks and the Westcott Library. Mon-Fri starting June 17-August 2, 2024.
- SPARK! IN THE PARK – Puppets and live musical performances in Eagan parks and the Eagan Art House. Thursdays, June 20-August 1, 2024, 6:15pm.
- ALL PLAY SERIES – A free traveling recreation program coming to Eagan’s WOODHAVEN PARK this summer. Select Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 4-August 22, 2024.
Eagan beaches & swimming
Cascade Bay Waterpark
1360 Civic Center Dr, Eagan, MN 55122
Cascade Bay Water Park is an outdoor water park in Eagan. Features include zero depth entry, a large leisure pool, the lazy river tube ride, Sandpiper Beach and seven waterslides. The park was recently renovated and updates include new decking and floors, re-coated slides, new shade structures and an upgraded sound system. Cascade Bay offers exclusive water time to children 0-6 years old between 9:45 and 10:45 a.m., every day except Wednesdays for $6/child (one free adult per paying child). Only the sprays and bubblers and Sandpiper Beach will be open and available for play. Toddler Times run all season. Open June 7-August 25, 2024. $11-$13 per 4-hour session or $19/day pass.
Find more Tot Time Open Swim at Twin Cities Pools & Aquatic Centers.
Eagan Central Park splash pad
1507 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Central Park Splash Pad is one of the most popular splash pads in the Twin Cities southeast metro. This free water play feature has sprays and bubblers for kids to enjoy. It’s open from 9am to 8pm daily. The city has splash pad rules on its website. Find it next to the Eagan Festival Grounds Pavilion near the Eagan Community Center. Find More Splash Pads: Cool Off at Twin Cities Area Splash Pads & Wading Pools.
Schulze Lake Beach
860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
The beach is just one of the gems in LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK. We’ve included in on our list of the top picks for beaches in the Twin Cities.
Schulze Lake Beach, Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Eagan summer library events
The WESCOTT LIBRARY is a branch of the Dakota County Library system. The library is large, bright with murals and packed with interactive materials for kids. See the library events calendar for upcoming summer programs.
Summer reading program: Read, write, draw and play to keep up your skills during Summer Discovery. Starts June 10-July 12, 2024.
For more splashy adventures this summer see our massive list of the BEST TWIN CITIES WATERPARKS, BEACHES, POOLS & SPLASH PADS.
Spring in Eagan: Festivals & events
Holz Farm Spring Festival
Holz Farm Park, Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Drive
Old-fashioned farm activities, including a hayride and tours of the historic farmhouse. May 18, 2025, 11am-3pm. Ticket s $3/pp, available online or at the door.
Eagan Arbor Day Celebration
Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Wrap up Earth Week in Eagan with the annual Arbor Day Celebration. The winners of the kids’ poster contest will be announced and the community is invited to help with tree planting. April 25, 2025, 6-7:30pm. FREE.
Find more spring festivals near Eagan on our Twin Cities Spring Festival calendar.
Eagan Big Rig Rally
Eagan Central Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Pt.
Celebrate National Public Works Week in Eagan with a tour and up-close look at the city big rigs: fire trucks, police cars, mowers, plow trucks and the garbage truck. Activities will include face painting, refreshments and giveaways. May 29, 2025, 4-7pm. FREE. FIND OUR COMPLETE TWIN CITIES TOUCH-A-TRUCK CALENDAR.
Easter egg hunts near Eagan
Eagan River Valley Church Easter Egg Hunt
River Valley Church, 875 Blue Gentian Rd Suite 100, Eagan, MN , 55121
The River Valley Church has several Twin Cities locations; this hunt is the information for the Eagan site. Please see the link for a complete listing of River Valley Church locations; note that egg hunt times vary. All are invited to attend egg hunts for kids up to 12 years in 10-minute increments: 10am-12pm. April 12, 2025. Cost is free, no need to register.
MORE IN THE AREA There are several events close by in the Twin Cities southeast metro communities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Newport, Rosemount, South St Paul & Woodbury, Minnesota. Find them all on our huge list: EXPLORE OUR GIANT LIST OF 2025 EASTER EGG HUNTS ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES METRO!
Spring registration for summer camps
Yes, it’s about that time to start planning summer camp opportunities for your kids! As many camps open registration as early as February (and many fill almost as quickly), we strive to publish our 2025 GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS accordingly. We work closely with local businesses and camps to provide a wide variety of activities and concentrations. Some camps we are proud to highlight in Eagan, Minnesota, include:
Dakota County Parks Summer Camps
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
Thompson County Park, 360 Butler Avenue East, West St Paul, MN 55118
Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, MN 55024
Camps are for youth ages 4-15. Sessions offered June 11 – August 21, 2025. $60-$225.
Holz Farm Camp
4669 Manor Drive, Eagan, Minnesota 55123
Experience life on a 1940’s era farm. Sessions for ages 5-7 and 8-12. June 30-July 24, 2025; $120-$190/week.
Fall in Eagan: festivals & events
Holz Farm Harvest Festival
4665 Manor Dr, Eagan, MN 55123
Old fashioned fun farm includes pedal tractors, kids coin hunt, animals in the barn, fun farm chores & more. September 21, 2024. 11am-3pm, $3/admission.
Caponi Art Park Leaf Fest
1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Enjoy the changing colors of the forest and all the fun that comes with it: the annual leaf pile, arts and crafts activities, make-your-own treats, and more. TBA October 2024. FREE! More Ways to Enjoy Fall Colors in Minnesota.
FIND MORE TWIN CITIES FALL FESTIVALS NEAR Eagan!
More fall fun near Eagan
Fall fun near Eagan – the best apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn mazes to take the kids and enjoy a beautiful fall day in Minnesota. Our guides are bursting with ideas for things to do.
Eagan Halloween events
Eagan Halloween Trail Walk
Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Cir, Eagan, MN 55121
Dress up and trick or treat through Legends Crossing at Viking Lakes. Other stations will include music and Halloween-themed games. Dress for an all-weather, outdoor event. October 26, 2024. 11am-2pm. $6 (advanced registration required).
Halloween Costume Parade
Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Halloween-themed story time, followed by a costume parade. Best for ages: 2–6. October 31, 2024, 10am.
FIND MORE TWIN CITIES HALLOWEEN EVENTS NEAR Eagan, MINNESOTA!
EAGAN CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas & holiday lights displays in Eagan
Magic of Lights
2685 Vikings Cir, Eagan, MN 55121
Activities at the winter festival include the drive-thru spectacular Magic of Lights holiday display – coming for the first time to Viking Lakes during Winter SKOLstice. Don’t miss the 32-foot-tall animated Christmas Barbie doll and a decked-out monster truck. November 21, 2025-January 3, 2026. Starting at 5:30pm nightly. Tickets: $31-$36 per vehicle.
Eagan Community Tree Lighting
Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Tree lights up at 5pm! Meet Santa & Mrs Claus starting at 4:30pm followed by an outdoor lighted trail, hot cocoa, music and the chance to play in the Blast Indoor Playground for free. December 2, 2025, 4:30-7pm.
Eagan Christmas lights in the community
Burdick’s House | 3863 Mersey Way, Eagan, MN 55123
Toy donations for Sharing & Caring Hands will also be collected that day. Submitted by homeowner in 2019.
FIND MORE HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAYS NEAR BLOOMINGTON ON OUR HUGE LIST and hundreds of holiday events in our 2025 TWIN CITIES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY GUIDE.
Where to find Santa in Eagan
Santa & Reindeer at Central Park Commons
3340 Central Park Commons Drive, Eagan MN
Sit for your free photo with Santa and his reindeer. December 5, 2025, 4-6pm.
Santa and Live Reindeer Visits at Eagan Outlets
Twin Cities Premium Outlets, 3965 Eagan Outlets Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55122
You may pet the reindeer and take pictures with them and Santa. December 6 & 7, 2025, 10am-12pm. FREE.
More Christmas & holiday events in Eagan
Old Fashioned Holiday at Holz Farm
Holz Farm Park, 4665 Manor Dr, Eagan, MN 55123
Say hello to Santa when the annual holiday event returns to the farm. Take a tractor-pulled hayride and warm up around the bonfire. December 7, 2025, 12-3pm. FREE.
WINTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN EAGAN
Snow tubing at Eagan’s Trapp Farm Park
Trapp Farm Park, Wilderness Run Road, Eagan, MN 55122
The best place for snow tubing in Eagain is at TRAPP FARM PARK, located on Wilderness Run Road. It offers approximately 75 winter tubing tubes for rent. Personal tubes and sleds are not allowed on this hill. This site does not offer tow ropes, so tubers will need to be able to climb the hill on their own (or maybe by parent power!). While the City of Eagan aims for a mid-December open date, the tubing hill requires a solid base of 6-8 inches of snow to open and is weather-dependent. Take note: 2-hour tubing tickets must be purchased in advance – $5/pp. More Twin Cities tubing hills: Snow Tubing for the Family: Best Twin Cities Hills.
Outdoor ice skating rinks in Eagan
The City of Eagan maintains outdoor ice skating rinks at 13 community parks. Eight parks feature rinks just for hockey. 10 of the rinks are lighted and five have warming houses. Eagan parks include: Bridle Ridge Park, Bur Oaks Park, Carnelian Park, Clearwater Park, Goat Hill Park, Highview Park, Lexington Park, Pilot Knob Park, Rahn Park, Ridge Cliffe Park, Sky Hill Park & Woodhaven Park. Weather hotline: 651-675-5511. Learn more about Eagan’s outdoor ice rinks here.
Skate the Omni at Viking Lakes
2685 Vikings Cir, Eagan, MN 55121
Free activities at the Winter SKOLstice Festival include open skate, hockey and curling on the ponds and and the large, front lawn skating rink (weather-dependent, BYO skates). See more below for festival fun! A waiver is required prior to skating. November 22, 2024-Februray 23, 2025.
Winter festivals & activities in Eagan
Eagan Frosty Festival & Fishing
1629 Murphy Parkway, Eagan, MN, 55122
Try ice fishing, play hungry hippos on the ice, build a snowman in the Snow Sculpture Zone and warm up by a bonfire with smores and hot cocoa. Equipment and bait provided for the free ice fishing while supplies. January 31, 2026, 12-3pm. FREE.
Winter SKOLstice & Minnesota Ice Maze
Viking Lakes, 2645 Viking Circle, Eagan MN
Activities at the winter festival include free open skate, hockey and curling on the ponds and and the large, front lawn skating rink (BYO skates or $5 rental). The Minnesota Ice Maze, a record-breaking labyrinth, continues through late February. As we’re all at the mercy of the weather, you’ll want to check the Viking Lakes website for current status. Minnesota Ice Maze open daily. $16-$29.50/pp with tax and fees.
For more outdoor winter fun in the Twin Cities check out our round up of free outdoor ice skating rinks our Winter Survival Guide and our Winter Family Festival Calendar – all filled with ways to enjoy the cold season
COOL PLACES TO TAKE KIDS IN THE EAGAN AREA
Gleason’s Gymnastics
2015 Silver Bell Road, Eagan, MN 55122
Gleason’s Open Gymnastics drop-in program is simply a lifesaver when you’ve got energetic kids in Minnesota’s cold season (that is, half the year). Our own kids loved having the run of the equipment! They can jump on the trampolines, launch themselves into the foam pit, walk the balance beam, follow obstacle courses, swing from the trapeze and more. Wed & Fri 9:30-11:30am. Ages 0 to Kindergarten. Pre-register: $10/child or $15/family (drop in); $15/child or $20/family (door).
EAGAN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
Anyone who raises kids in Minnesota understands that we desperately need places where they can bounce off someone else’s walls during the winter. Check out our Twin Cities Indoor Playground Guide for more open indoor play options near Eagan!
Good Times Park
3265 Northwood Cir #100, Eagan, MN 55121
Get the outdoor feel here when your neighborhood playground is out for the season at GOOD TIMES PARK. Purchase your play passes online and receive a code to enter the building. Enjoy the run of the jungle gyms, pillow jumper, basketball court and open turf for the entire day! Open 7 days a week, 7am-9:30pm. $12 plus tax.
SkyZone Trampoline Park
2015 Silver Bell Road, STE 195, Eagan, MN 55122
Formerly a Rockin’ Jump trampoline park, the SkyZone franchise has taken over. You’ll still find your favorite challenges and activities included in a wristband: open jump, dodgeball, slam dunk court, ninja challenge course, balance bean, soft play area for younger kids, climbing wall and more. A 2-hour jump ticket runs $27.
The Blast Indoor Playground
1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
THE BLAST is a space-themed indoor playground located within the EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER. The Blast & Play program combines a visit to the play area with access to the gym. Passes are just $8/child to age 12.
Find more indoor play areas near Eagan in our TWIN CITIES INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS GUIDE.
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, FREE FAMILY FUN AT PARKS & OUTDOOR PLAY
Eagan is an incredibly fun place to get out and play. It was quite the challenge to pick from 60 city parks to create our list of the 10 BEST PARKS IN EAGAN. The picks are a great place to get inspired for outdoor play no matter the season. Some parks not to miss when searching for things to do with kids outdoors in Eagan:
Free family fun
- Cool off during the summer at CENTRAL PARK & SPLASH PAD. Plus, don’t miss the ninja playground!
- Tour the funky sculptures at CAPONI ART PARK at your own pace.
- The best beach in Eagan can be found at LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK.
- Living history is tons of fun at HOLZ FARM PARK
- Don’t miss the nature playground at PATRICK EAGAN PARK
- Brand new at WOODHAVEN PARK is an all-inclusive playground.
More active fun
- Splashy summer fun at CASCADE BAY WATERPARK.
- The best winter snow tubing at TRAPP FARM PARK.
- Free archery at WALNUT HILL PARK archery range (bring your own set).
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
The largest park in Eagan, LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK nearly comprises the entire southern boundary of the suburb. It offers year round family fun from playgrounds for the younger kids to mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking with older children. We rate the tranquil Schulze Lake Beach as one of the best in the Twin Cities. This park even offers camping right in the Twin Cities metro. More ideas for fun: We offer 10 Ideas for Summer Family Fun (plus more ideas for winter) at Lebanon Hills.
Caponi Art Park
1220 Diffley Road, Eagan, MN 55123
We recommend bringing a picnic to CAPONI ART PARK, and be prepared to expend some energy exploring the 60 acres that make up this woodland sculpture garden. Art pops up in unexpected places, down meandering paths, and begs for interpretation. During the open season, the park hosts a variety of family-friendly events including a fall festival and summer arts performances. Admission is typically free; some programs may request a fee.
RESTAURANTS WHERE KIDS EAT FREE OR CHEAP NEAR EAGAN
Andiamo Italian Ristorante
1629 Lena Court, Eagan, MN 55122; (651) 289-2000
Day/Time: Mondays; All Day
Deal: Kids eat free with purchase of regular sized pasta or entrée.
Verified: 6/22/21
Celt’s Craft House
7083 153rd Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124; (952) 683-1533
Day/Time: Sundays & Mondays; All Day
Deal: Kids eat free – One free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchased (excluding Sunday Breakfast Buffet)
Verified: 6/21/21
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
3090 Courthouse Lane #100, Eagan, MN 55121; (651) 905-7725
Day/Time: Sundays, All Day
Deal: One free kid’s meal per $10 purchase. Valid at participating locations. (Limited time delivery/carry out code: KEFOLO)
Verified: 6/22/21
Pizza Ranch
15662 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124; (952) 431-3333
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:30pm-7:00pm
Deal: Kid’s Night: One child 12 & under per paying adult.
Verified: 6/21/21
Find More Twin Cities Restaurant Deals: Kids Eat Free or Cheap Twin Cities List.
EAGAN PERFORMING & FINE ARTS
Located within PATRICK EAGAN PARK, the EAGAN ART HOUSE offers classes, special events, and exhibits to the public. It’s mission is to encourage people of all ages to live creatively through visual arts education, exhibitions and community engagement. Don’t look for a large modern gallery, the Eagan Art House is a small 1950s rambler. Annual events include the Eagan Art Festival in June, Harvest of Art in September, and the Winter Art Sale in November.
Watch for more events near Eagan in our FAMILY PERFORMING ARTS PLAN-AHEAD CALENDAR.
FIND MORE THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS!
Eagan is just the beginning! FAMILY FUN TWIN CITIES tries hard to be the best resource when it comes to finding things to do with your kids and family in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area of Minnesota. We strive to cover a wide range of communities and share activities and events we have personally experienced with our own kids in tow (all 12 of them!) We call the Twin Cities HOME and are excited to share the area with you! Visitors to Eagan, Minnesota particularly love these Twin Cities attractions:
Find things to do this weekend in Eagan on our Weekend Family Guide
