How will you be celebrating Dad? If your plans include time spent together, here are some ideas around town to make his day extra special:
What’s Happening On Father’s Day in the Twin Cities?
Back to the 50’s Weekend
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights
If Dad is a classic car buff, this is the place to be over Father’s Day weekend in the Twin Cities. And even if he’s not, the fairgrounds are a fun place to be, bustling with activities, favorite food vendors and other attractions. $10/ticket.
Father’s Day Brunch Cruise
St. Croix River Cruises, Afton
Treat Dad to a scenic cruise on the St Croix that includes a delicious brunch menu. 11:30am boarding, 12-2 pm cruise. $39/adults, $27/children.
Free admission on Father’s Day weekend
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
West River Parkway, Minneapolis
There are art vendors to shop, bands to listen to, and kid-friendly activities. MILL CITY MUSEUM is hosting special activities in thier Mill Ruins Courtyard. The festival is free to attend. While in the area, arm yourself with 10 Things for Kids: Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. June 18-19, 2022.
Minneapolis Music in the Parks
Lake Harriet Band Shell Park, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Bring a picnic to the Band Shell at Lake Harriet (or grab a takeout dinner at Brad and Pickle) and let the kids have at the adjacent playground. Bands at 2 & 5:30pm.
Parents Day at SandVenture Aquatic Park
1101 Adams St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
Enjoy a Father’s Day discount with free admission for Dad & Mom with regular paid admission for kids. This is an outdoor waterpark with the twist of a sandy beach border. June 19, 2022, $5-$7/pp, 11am-7pm.
Ski Otters Water Ski Show
Little Goose Lake, intersection of Hwy. 61 and County Road, White Bear Lake
Here’s a rather unique Father’s Day idea: take Dad to see a water ski show! Bring lawn chairs and a no-fuss picnic dinner. June 19, show at 6pm.
Father’s Day at the Gideon Pond House
401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
The rousing John Philip Sousa Memorial Band will play a free concert this weekend in full period costume. The grounds of the Gideon Pond House are perfect for a family hike, too. June 19, 7pm.
Crystal Airport Father’s Day Open House
5800 Crystal Airport Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55429
Aviaton buffs! Check out the aircraft and displays, kids can bounce in the inflatable house, enjoy a belgian waffle breakfast ($7/pp) or splurge on plane and helicopter rides. June 19, 2022. FREE admission.
Father's Day Events We Are Watching:
Based on previous years experiences, we expect many of these events to be announced by sometime in May 2022:
Twin City Model Railroad Museum | St. Paul
Dads have been treated to free admission in years past.
Bunker Beach Water Park | Coon Rapids
Half-priced admission (not valid on twilight admission). Regular admission is $14-$16/day, so this will bring it down to $7-$8. There is also a $6 vehicle fee to enter the park. Learn more here.
Crayola Experience | Mall of America
Free admission for dads on Father’s Day w/ purchase of one child’s admission ticket.
The Works Museum | Bloomington
Dads & Grandpas receive FREE admission this weekend.
KidX Father’s Day Event | Northtown Mall
Make Dad A Gift. Drop by Burlington Court between 2pm and 4pm to make a card and color a can sleeve for Dad! Free for kids 12 and under, while supplies last.
DIY Gift Ideas for Dad
“Love You To Pieces” Picture Frame
Build a square with popsicle sticks and glue. Around the square glue puzzle pieces to cover the popsicle sticks. Cut out a nice label and write “Love You to Pieces”. Glue it on the bottom of the frame.
Dad Poster
Cut out large letters for D-A-D. Approximately 4 inches wide by 6 inches high. Ask each child why he/she loves dad and write on strips of paper. Glue all pieces to a large piece of poster board. Add a string on the back to hang it on the wall.
Nuts About Dad
Fill a clean jar with Dad’s favorite nuts. Use this label that reads, “We’re Nuts about you Dad” and paste it on the front with washi tape or glue.
More ideas from here and there we found:
More Ways to Celebrate with Dad
Twin Cities Guide to Beaches, Pools and Water Parks
Camping – This is the preferred way to celebrate for the Dads in our lives. State Forest campgrounds are first-come-first-serve, so they often have last minute openings.
Take a Hike at various parks around the Twin Cities. Trails are usually open from sunrise to sunset. Some of our favorite trails include:
- Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis
- Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Minneapolis
- Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
- Fort Snelling State Park, St. Paul
Fishing – If you are not sure where to fish, star here: The Best Fishing Holes in the Twin Cities written by one of our own FFTC dads.
Disc Golf – One of our favorite dads, wrote Fun With Dad: Disc Golf in the Twin Cities.
Archery – Christo is also excited about learning Archery with his kids this summer.
Dads!
What do Dads Really Want for Father's Day
We polled some of our favorite Minnesota dads to see how they would like to celebrate this year.
Our very own FFTC Dad Christo Peters: A cold drink, a steak, and a hammock nap. (Husband to our Joy Peters and dad to four terrific FFTC team kids, Christo dreams of a day when he can peacefully nap in a hammock.)
KTIS Radio Host Andy Youso: “A great Father’s day gift would be letting me just choose the movie we all watch for once! I don’t know if I can handle watching Frozen on Disney+ one more time!”
Local Video Producer, Music Teacher, and Communications Director Luke Olson: “A great fathers day would include:
- Yummy breakfast, bacon required
- Time together as a family
- Going for a walk, maybe include a picnic time
- Playing a board game
- Flying kites
- Reading a chapter book together
- Building something (Lego, K’nex, puzzle)
- Instead of ordering out dinner like normal, making something fun and new together
- Instead of getting a gift, choosing an organization that is helping those most affected by the pandemic and donating.”
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Hi this event says the link for the sandVenture Aquatic Park offer is not found & the date is for 2019 that you have: 6/16/19: Father’s Day Discount @ SandVenture Aquatic Park, 1101 Adams St, Shakopee • 11am-7 pm • Details: Free admission for dads. (Mom’s get free admission, too. The waterpark wasn’t open on Mother’s Day.)
Sorry, in referance to my previous comment, it appears the offer for 2019 Father’s/Mother’s special for the SandVenture Park is June 16 – Father/Mother’s Day Special: Free admission for parents with paid admission for child
Sorry for the confusion, Annie. I’ve fixed the broken link as well.
Father’s Day Festivities at Fourpost in Mall of America
Hang out and relax with the awesome dads in your life just in time for Father’s Day!
June 14 6-9 pm
Tickets $5 on eventbrite
At Fourpost, we’re bringing you the best Father’s Day festivities, including:
The Art of Shaving demos where experts will teach you how to get the perfect shave with their renowned grooming products
Real Wisconsin cheese samplings from Cheese Brothers
Father’s Day gift ideas from our curated collection of men’s brands, including Faherty, Blind Barber, Fulton & Roark, and many more
Artisanal soda tasting from North Star Craft Soda
Fun puzzles and prizes
10% shopping discount for you or Dad!
So stop on by for a night of relaxation with your favorite dad.
Thank you Karen, we’ll add this to the article.