Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 18, 2023. How will you be celebrating Dad and/or Grandpa? If your plans include time spent together, here are some ideas around town to make his day extra special:
Things to Do On Father's Day in the Twin Cities
Free Father’s Day Celebrations
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
West River Parkway, Minneapolis
While not technically a Father’s Day Celebration, this annual event is always held Father’s Day weekend and is fun for the whole family. It features a classic cars car show, art vendors to shop, bands to listen to, and kid-friendly activities. MILL CITY MUSEUM is hosting special FREE activities in their Mill Ruins Courtyard on both Saturday and Sunday.
The festival is free to attend. While in the area, arm yourself with 10 Things for Kids: Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. June 17-18, 2023.
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.
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 18, 2023. FREE admission.
Free Father’s Day Concerts
Minneapolis Music in the Parks
Lake Harriet Band Shell Park, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Bring a Father’s Day picnic to the Band Shell at Lake Harriet (or grab a takeout dinner at Bread and Pickle) and let the kids have at the adjacent playground. Music includes at Cantus at 2pm & Really Spice Opera at 5:30pm.
If you prefer celebrating on Saturday evening, pack some popcorn and snacks and watch a family movie. Lake Harriet is hosting a movie night featuring Pixar’s Soul.
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 18, 4-5pm.
Celebrate Father’s Day at Caponi Art Park with Minnesota Sinfonia
1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Family Lighter Side concert includes dances, showtunes, classical favorites, movie themes and more. June 18, 7pm.
Special Father’s Day Deals in the Twin Cities
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 (and kids under age 2) with regular paid admission for kids ages 2+. This is an outdoor waterpark with the twist of a sandy beach border. June 18, 2023, $5-$7/kids of age 2, 11am-7pm.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul, MN 55114
Dads are admitted free on Father’s Day, plus kids age 4 and under are always free, making this a great father’s day gift for families with small children. June 18, 2023; 12pm-5pm.
Short Getaway Cruises:
Father’s Day Brunch Cruise
St. Croix River Cruises, 98 Walnut Street, Hudson, WI 54016
Treat Dad to a scenic cruise on the St Croix that includes a delicious brunch menu. June 18, 2023, 11:15am boarding, 12-2 pm cruise. $40/adults, $29/kids ages 3-10, $13 tots under 3.
Father’s Day On the St. Croix
Taylors Falls Boats, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
80 minute excursions at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. $18.99-$32.99/pp ages 3+.
10 Father's Day Activities That Require No Pre-Planning or Registration
- Explore the Great Outdoors. We’ve made a list of 10 Kid-Friendly Hikes on Twin Cities Hiking Trails That Are One Mile or Less
- Go on a Bike Ride: Anne and her family have tested out biking trails all over the Twin Cities:
- Have a Day of Fun at a Local Park. Have a barbecue picnic, fly a kite, get a baseball game going, or just do fun things while spending time together: Twin Cities Parks & Playgrounds Search.
- Go Out for Ice Cream. Gianna has taste-tested and approved the Best Ice Cream Shops in the Twin Cities
- 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 – Father’s Day could be the perfect time to learn a new skill. Take dad to an Archery Range and practice together.
- Free Family Fun Days at Three Rivers Parks. These drop in activities rotate through the various. This year:
- Visit a Family-Friendly Brewery. Forgotten Star Brewery in Fridley will be hosting a story time from 11am-12pm.
- Hang out in the Backyard. Play card games at the picnic table, have a backyard barbecue (maybe young chefs can help make salads or cookies), play backyard games and maybe screen a favorite movie outdoors.
Special Gifts from the Heart
“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
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.”
Dads!
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Forget the cruises they are booked way ahead of time
Thanks for letting us know its sold out. I’ve updated our article. If you want to take dad on a cruise a little later, regular Sunday brunch cruises seem to be available with a week’s notice.
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.
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.
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.)