Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities this Weekend: April 27-28, 2024

Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!

weekend family guide

This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers events in Minneapolis & St Paul the weekend of April 27-28, 2024. 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!

Welcome to spring in the Twin Cities!

For more ideas on spending family time together this weekend, hop over to our APRIL FAMILY GUIDE (or look ahead to our MAY FAMILY GUIDE), our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING IN THE TWIN CITIES or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.  We keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs no matter your corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro.

Where are you looking for family fun?

Schubert Club Music Museum

FamilyJam is a new free program for kids and families at the Schubert Club Music Museum in St. Paul's Landmark Center which comprises short 25-30 minute concerts followed by Music Museum activities, including hands-on instrument playing, instrument demonstrations and musician meet and greets. All FamilyJam concerts and Music Museum admission are free. Registration is required.

Girl trying bell tree at the Schubert Club Museum in Saint Paul, MN

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 parks across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro. Featured Twin Cities park events this weekend include:

Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day in 2024, a day traditionally marked to celebrate the beauty and purpose of trees. Several Arbor Day events are noted in our TWIN CITIES WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDE, most notably the Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration. Held at McRae Park, families can participate in tree-themed activities, take in live music and pick dinner from food trucks. April 26, 2024, 4-8 pm. FREE.

Here are a few more winners taking place this Saturday in other communities around the Twin Cities:

Kids hanging from tree branches: Text reads: Arbor Day Activities for Kids.

Try visiting a new state park or nature center!

Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details. All of these locations have outdoor trails to hike and fun indoor exhibits. 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. For more about these, find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.

Free admission to Minnesota State Parks 

Did you know there are 9 Minnesota State Parks & State Recreation Areas within an hour’s drive of the center of Minneapolis-St Paul? This Saturday, the vehicle fee is waived in honor of Earth Day. Hit the link to explore – we’ve hit up all of them and recommend what not to miss in each with kids. 

Fort Snelling State Park

101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
Our family enjoys spending time in this park, the most urban in the state park system. It’s laid out below the city along the quiet Minnesota River and feels peacefully removed from the hustle. We mostly hike and bike the trails along the river and make a stop at the exhibits in the visitor center. There’s exciting HISTORIC FORT SNELLING atop the bluff to explore, too (separate admission fee applies). 

How about a May Day or Arbor Day scavenger hunt in the parks?

We’ve rounded up the best printable hunts across the Twin Cities to make the most of your park exploration.

Twin Cities Quests and Treasure Hunts for Families

More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Minneapolis & St Paul

Love books, reading, and shopping local?

Independent Bookstore Day Passport Week 

Love books, reading, and shopping local? The Twin Cities is excited to promote Independent Bookstore Day on April 27th in 2024. During the week leading up, many local bookstores participate in a fun passport program. Families can pick up a passport at participating stores and then get it stamped at as many stores as they can visit to qualify for prizes. Families can pick up their passport beginning April 24th and can visit the bookstores through April 28th to get the passports stamped. Jump over to find our complete list of participating independent booksellers. Featured in this photo is one of our favorite independent sellers, RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP.

Participating Minneapolis & St Paul bookstores:

April 27 is also International Sculpture Day!

While climbing on sculptures is generally not allowed, this playground is an exception.

St Paul Farmers Market Spring Kickoff

290 E. Fifth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Get the market season rolling with live music while you shop for fresh and locally grown produce and other products. April 27, 2024, 7am-1pm.

More free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities

FamilyJam with Schubert Club Museum

Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
This month, families can listen to and learn about the music of the violin with Daniel Hope and the AIR Ensemble.  The SCHUBERT CLUB MUSIC MUSEUM is hands-on fun our own kids have enjoyed. April 27, 2024. FREE, but registration required. Act quickly as these seats fill fast. There is a second session of this KidsJam event on Friday, March 1.

Girl trying bell tree at the Schubert Club Museum in Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota Horse Expo 2024

Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Your family doesn’t have to be crazy about horses or involved in riding to enjoy a visit to the Minnesota Horse Expo. I have personally visited with kids and they loved the free pony rides, wagon rides around the fairgrounds and an exciting Saturday night rodeo. April 26-28, 2024. Tickets $13-$16/pp, rodeo tickets start at an additional $5/pp and up.

Art In Bloom Family Event at Minneapolis Institute of Art

2400 Third Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
This is the family-friendliest portion of the annual Art in Bloom event at MIA. Today only, kids can watch dance performances, do a flower art project and more. April 28, 2024, 11am. FREE.

Saturday Vibe: ARTrageous Adventures

George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul MN 55102
Special guest ARTrageous Adventures, based on Minneapolis, will read a story and guide kids in a Rainbow 3-D sculpture project. Hang around and explore the preschool math-themed Play & Learn area. April 27, 2024, 11am-12pm. FREE.

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. April 27, 2024, 12-5pm.

Families swimming playing at the Great River Waterpark in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Museums with free admission

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Boulevard Bar & Grille

3395 Coon Rapids Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Day/Time: Sunday, All Day
Deal: Kids Eat Free. Kids 12 eat free from the kids menu – one child’s meal with each adult entrée purchased.
Verified: 7/19/22

Broadway Pizza

11822 Aberdeen Street NE, Blaine MN 55449; (763) 755-5080
3420 129th Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448; (763) 421-2503
13705 27th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55441; (763) 551-0155
21431 141st Avenue N, Rogers, MN 55374; (763) 428-3013
Day/Time: Monday, 5pm-7:30pm
Deal: Free kids menu item with purchase of an adult entrée. 
Verified: 3/5/24

Broadway Pizza

11186 Commerce Drive, Champlin, MN 55316; (763) 433-9228
Day/Time: Tuesday, 5pm-7:30pm
Deal: Free kids menu item with purchase of an adult entrée. 
Verified: 3/5/24

Chatters Restaurant & Bar

4181 Cedar Street, Monticello, MN 55362 (763) 271-0070
Day/Time: Tuesdays; 4pm-Close
Deal: Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal, 1 child per adult.  
Verified: 2/18/22

Lucy’s Burgers

4365 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE. Ste. #102, Blaine, MN 55449; (763) 762-7140
Day/Time: Mondays, 5pm-8pm
Deal: One free kid’s meal per paying adult.
Verified: 3/5/24

Pizza Ranch

13797 Jay Street NW, Andover, MN 55304; (763) 710-4555
12443 Champlin Drive, Champlin, MN 55316; (763) 444-1344
19141 Freeport St NW, Elk River, MN 55330; (763) 441-3000
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4pm-7:30 (or 8pm depending on location)
Deal: Kid’s Night: One child 12 & under per paying adult. 
Verified: 2/18/22

Robert’s at Medina

500 Hwy 55, Medina, MN 55340; (763) 478-6661
Day/Time: Tuesdays @ 4pm
Deal: Enjoy a FREE kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree!
Verified: 2/4/24

Space Aliens Grill & Bar

11166 CR-37, Albertville, MN 55301; (763) 497-6718
Day/Time: Tuesday Evenings
Deal: $2.99 kids pizza & free game card with purchase of an adult meal.
Verified: 2/24/24

Sunshine Factory Restaurant

4100 Vinewood Lane, Plymouth MN, 55442; 763-535-7000
Day/Time: Sundays after 4pm
Deal: Kids eat free – kids 10 & under get one free meal per adult meal purchased. Not valid for teams or large groups.
Verified: 3/5/24

Willy McCoy’s

5651 La Centre Ave, Albertville, MN 55301; (763) 515-3600
13655 Martin St NW, Andover, MN 55304; (763) 767-6333
12450 Business Park Blvd N, Champlin, MN 55301; (763) 422-5020
6415 Highway 10 NW, Ramsey, MN 55303; (763) 717-8916
Day/Time: Sundays, 5-8pm
Deal: One free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchased. Also 95¢ wings all day.
Verified: 3/5/24

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