Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This May Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of May 20-21, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here. For more inspiration on spending family time together this weekend, check our MAY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE , our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING IN THE TWIN CITIES or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
SPRING FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
Fun, fresh family entertainment springing up in various corners of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area! Lots of spring festivals to choose from this weekend. For our full list, jump over to our 2023 TWIN CITIES SPRING FESTIVAL CALENDAR.
Art-A-Whirl Weekend
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
Individual artists and galleries are back showcasing their finest for your family to enjoy. Find a map here. FREE.
- FREE GLASSBLOWING DEMOS: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, 2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Sat & Sun, 2-4pm
Eidem Farm’s Spring on the Farm
Historic Eidem Farm, 4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Take a tour of the site while seeing period demonstrations, greet farm babies, help in the garden and more. May 20, 2023, 11am-2pm.
Dodge Nature Center Rock the Barn
Main Property, Farm Entrance 3, 1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Farm animals in the barnyard, hayrides around the nature center and live bands on the lawn. May 20, 2023, 3-6pm. $8/pp advance, $10/door.
Hopkins Mainstreet Day
Arts and craft fair on the main drag plus live entertainment, food vendors and activities for kids. May 20, 2023, 9am-4pm, FREE admission.
Wayzata Spring Splash
Park Plaza, downtown Wayzata
Summer camp games with the YMCA, outdoor activities with Three Rivers Parks and Minnesota DNR, story and art activities. May 20, 2023, 11am-1pm, FREE.
Belwin Bison Festival
Belwin Conservancy, 15601 Hudson Rd. N, Lakeland, MN
Activities for all ages including eco-art, food trucks, music and the always-exciting bison herd release at noon. May 20, 2023, 10am-2pm. $10/car.
Holz Farm Spring Festival
Holz Farm Park, Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Drive
Old-fashioned farm activities, including a hayride. May 21, 2023, 11am-3pm. $3/pp, tickets available online or at the gate.
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE PARKS THIS WEEKEND
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.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND
Try visiting a new park or nature center
Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details on which buildings are open; all of these locations have outdoor trails to hike. 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. This weekend’s featured photo comes from the nature play area at MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER. Find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.
Visit a Minnesota State Park
Eight Minnesota state parks are located within 60 miles of the heart of Minneapolis and St Paul; an hour’s drive or less. The current cost of a daily vehicle permit is $7. We share a few highlights of each HERE. This week’s featured photo is from INTERSTATE STATE PARK in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. This pretty river town is packed with things to do with kids and families. And at just under an hour away, it makes the perfect day trip from the Twin Cities.
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
FREE FAMILY FUN DAY WITH THREE RIVERS PARKS
Join naturalists for free, drop-in and kid-friendly programming at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK (Brooklyn Park) and RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington). Explore the indoor exhibits while you’re at it. No reservations needed. May 21, 2023. 1-3pm. FREE.
Family Funday: Toads, Frogs & Polliwogs
North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis, MN, US 55430
Learn about amphibians, play games and create a toad home for your yard. Drop in, FREE. May 20, 2023. 1-3pm.
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Got Kids that love big rigs?
Arden Hills Touch-A-Truck
Perry Park, 3700 New Brighton Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Got kids who are just crazy about getting up close to big rigs? Celebrate National Public Works Week in Arden Hills by getting a close-up look at some of your favorite vehicles, including a fire engine, squad car, boat, snowplow, and more. May 20, 2023 from 10am to 1pm.
Bloomington Public Works Open House
1700 West 98th Street, Bloomington MN 55431
Equipment rides and demos, interactive displays, free snacks and prizes. May 20, 9am-12pm. FREE.
Coon Rapids Public Works Open House
1831 111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids MN
Take a tour of the Public Works facility and check out snowplows, tractors and other big rigs. Kids can learn about the city’s Recycling Center and other community services. May 20, 2023, 10am-Noon.
Farmington Police Dept. Open House
Farmington Police Department, 19500 Municipal Dr, Farmington, MN 55024
See squad cars, SWAT vehicles, sheriff vehicles and a helicopter. There will also be a bounce house and food trucks on site. FREE. May 20, 2023; 11am to 2pm.
Inver Grove Heights Touch-A-Truck
Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Kids of all ages will love these photo opportunities with a wide variety of different trucks on display, including IGH Police Cars, Fire Trucks, Public Works Vehicles, Commemorative Air Force MN, and plenty more. Bring money for ice cream! May 20, 2023 from 9:30am-11:30am.
Hit the amusement park
Como Town Amusement Park Opening Day
Como Town, 1301 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55103
Como Town is a seasonal, family-friendly amusement park located next to Como Zoo. It is home to more than 20 ride and attractions aimed at kids ages 2-12. Purchase rides by points or buy an unlimited ride wristband. May 20, 2023, 11am-6pm.
Visit a spring farmers market
Open and highlighted this weekend for fresh produce and family activities:
Fulton Farmers Market
4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Activities that may be offered at the Fulton Farmers Market beyond fresh produce and products: yoga classes, live music, and kids activities. Please see the schedule for details. May 20, 2023, 8:30am-12:30pm.
Richfield Farmers Market
Veterans Park, 64th Street & Portland Ave S, Richfield 55423
There is usually plenty for families to enjoy at the market in addition to perusing the produce, including art programs, story times, live music and more.
Make a Day: The Richfield Farmers Market is held in the same park as the Wheel Fun Rentals 18-hole mini golf course and malt shop. Kids will have a ball, plus there’s a large playground at Veterans Park.
FIND MORE FRESH FUN AT FARMERS MARKETS ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES THIS SPRING!
MORE FREE OR LOW COST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
Lakeshore Learning Dinosaur Discovery
1721 Beam Ave A, Maplewood, MN 55109
5699 W 16th St, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Explore color, texture and other sensory activities at this open-house style event. May 20, 2023.
More free to visit weekends:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Weisman Art Museum (closed until Fall 2021)
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Caponi Art Park
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Free Family Weekend Events for May 16 – 17, 2015 – Family Fun Twin Cities http://t.co/gMoVFZXXGs