Free March Family Events & Activities in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

Free March Family Events & Activities in the Twin Cities.

Free things to do in Minneapolis, St Paul and surrounding communities for the month of March. For more inspiration, check our March Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar.

TWIN CITIES MARCH 2020 SPECIAL EVENTS – FREE

March 1: It’s Tapping Time | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Help volunteers as they tap maple trees, collect sap and boil it to make delicious maple syrup. Learn about traditional syruping methods, listen to Native American stories, and taste maple treats. It’ll make a sweet family outing. Typically this takes place the last weekend of March. 10am-4pm.

March 2: Free Tuesday @ Washington County Parks | Find a listing of parks here
Explore Washington County Parks with no vehicle permit required the first Tuesday of the month (non-holiday).

March 6: Forever Wild Family Friday: Game Night | Lebanon Hills Park, Eagan
7-8:30pm

March 6: Friday Family Movie Night: The Lion King | Edinborough Park, Edina | 6:30pm

March 7: Drop-in Discoveries: Reps & Phibs | Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake
10am-12

March 7: Free Kids Workshop | TC Home Depot locations
The first Saturday of each month is workshop day at Home Depot. Kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany their kids. 10am-12pm.

March 7: First Free Saturday: Kids Film Fair | Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Activities are geared towards kids ages 6-12, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your littler ones! Free gallery admission for the whole family every first Saturday of the month. 10am-3pm.

March 7: First Saturday Science: Within the Code | Metropolitan State University
Drop in, hands-on science activities for families. 12-2pm.

March 8: Urban Expedition: Indonesia | Landmark Center, St Paul
Travel the globe without hopping a plane through music, food, crafts and more.

March 8: Puppet Adventures of Ned the Naturalist | Silverwood Park, St. Anthony
Join Ned the Naturalist as he stops Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Make-and-take art to follow. 1-3pm.

March 8: Rock the Cradle | Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Current’s annual music & arts festival for the 8-and-under set. Rock the Cradle can be a touch crazy, in our opinion, so keep that crowd level in mind before heading out. Also noteworthy, strollers are strongly discouraged. 11am-5pm.

March 9: Sample a Music Together Class
Music Together in the Valley is offering free sample classes throughout March. Find our review and more dates here.

March 10: Ballet Tuesdays | Landmark Center, St. Paul
Excerpts from the classics, perfect for budding ballerinas. 12-1pm.

March 13: March Star Party | Bell Museum of Natural History
Explore the night sky with the aid of pros and a telescope on the museum’s outdoor observation deck. The program is recommended for families with kids ages 7 & up. Reservations are required. 8-9:30pm.

March 14: Second Saturdays at TPT | Twin Cities PBS, St Paul
Activities are all free but reserving a time slot is required. 8-11am.

March 14: Free Ink Day | Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minneapolis
Drop in for Winter Free Ink Day. This event will focus on relief printmaking. Visitors of all ages are invited to carve blocks and create prints. Learn More: Family Fun: Free Ink Day at Highpoint Center for Printmaking. 12-4pm.

March 14: Free Family Art Day | Rumriver Art Center, Anoka
Take a free, hour-long art class designed for kids ages 5+ with caregivers. Reservations are required and can be made by phone at 763.323.8830 or online. March 14, 2 sessions: 12 & 2pm.

Looking for the right camp for your kiddos this summer?

We’ve got the best included in our 2020 Guide to Twin Cities Summer Camps.

Check it out!

March 15: Target Free 3rd Sunday | Minnesota Children’s Museum, St Paul | 9am-5pm | Explore the newly renovated and expanded museum free! Keep in mind that this program is very popular and you may wait in line to be admitted.

March 16: Free 3rd Monday | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska | 8am-4pm

March 21: SPCO Family Concert: Calling All Horns | Ordway, St Paul
Designed for kids ages 3-6, the 30-minute program is a wonderful way to introduce children to classical music. Reservations are a must. Concerts at 10 & 11:30am.

March 22: Family Fun Day: Spring Arts & Animals | Carl Kroening Interpretive, Minneapolis
Drop in for naturalist-led activities and self-guided exploration of the visitor center’s interactive exhibits. 1-3pm.

March 28: Nature Art – Earthen Art | Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis | 2-3pm

March 28: March Kids Kraft | Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee | 10:30-11:15am | Get krafting the last Sat of each month Oct-April. Free; registration required.

The following Twin Cities museums are FREE to visit:

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis – FREE daily, plus Family Day is great for all ages.
Minnesota History Center, St Paul – lots of interactive exhibits (FREE Tuesdays after 3pm)
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis – FREE Thursday evenings & First Saturdays of each month
Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis – FREE daily

TWIN CITIES ST PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS – FREE

Lucky for us, the holiday falls on a weekend this year, perfect for enjoying the free parades and other festivities in the Twin Cities.

St. Paul’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Saturday, March 17 | Rice Park | Noon | FREE

Minneapolis’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Saturday, March 17 | Marquette Ave | 6:30 pm | FREE

MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY PROGRAMS – FREE

March 1: It’s Tapping Time! | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville | 10am-4pm

March 1-29: Sap to Syrup | Eastman Nature Center, Dayton
All ages drop in program. Discover maple syruping history and techniques. Taste the final product. March Sundays, 1-4pm.

March 8: Maple Sugaring | Pond House, Bloomington
Drop-in program. Indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. 2-4pm.

Looking for the right camp for your kiddos this summer?

We’ve got the best included in our 2020 Guide to Twin Cities Summer Camps.

Check it out!

ONGOING MARCH 2020 WEEKENDS – FREE

Minneapolis Institute of Arts | Minneapolis
Daily, 11am-5pm.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | St Paul
Seasonal events include the Spring Flower Show in the Conservatory’s sunken garden, storytime at noon, and animal programs throughout the day. Daily, 10am-4pm, suggested donation of $2/child & $3/adult, but all welcome whether or not you choose to donate.

Nature Rocks! Open House | Eden Prairie Outdoor Center
Enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more. Ongoing Saturdays in March, 9am-noon.

Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids | TC locations
Ongoing Saturdays in March, 10am-3pm.

Saturday Live! | George Latimer Central Library, St Paul
Fresh entertainment weekly including live music, puppetry, magicians and more. Ongoing Saturdays in March, 11:15am.

March Free Family Fun Days | Three Rivers Parks
Richardson Nature Center select Sundays in March, 3-4pm

Open House at Pond Dakota Mission Park | Bloomington
Come by the historic Gideon Pond house in the park for tours, living history lessons and other interactive activities. Ongoing Sundays in March, 1:30-4pm, please check the website first. FREE, donations appreciated.

ONGOING MARCH 2020 WEEKDAYS – FREE

Parent/Tot Time & Preschool Open Gym | Apple Valley Community Center
Ages 5 & under w/ caregiver. Burn off some energy with other kids, develop motor skills and coordination. A special tot time for tykes ages 2 & under is held from 9-9:30am followed by open play for 5 & under until 11. Ongoing Mon/Wed/ Fri, 9:30-11am.

MOA Toddler Tuesdays | Mall of America Rotunda
Live entertainment and activities guaranteed to excite the stroller set. Upcoming event schedule here. Ongoing Tuesdays in March, 10am – noon.

Free Tuesday Nights | Minnesota History Center, St Paul
Ongoing Tuesdays in March, 3-8pm.

Wee Wednesdays | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis
In the past, MGM has offered dance troupes, cooking lessons, and live animals to entertain kids. Stay for lunch — there are many tasty ethnic vendors to choose from, and several offer specials on Wednesdays. Park in the adjacent Midtown Exchange Ramp up to 1.5 hrs. free with validation. Ongoing Wednesdays in March, 10:30am – 1pm.

Games Galore | Union Depot, St Paul
Play giant-sized versions of classic games including chess, checkers, Connect Four, Dominoes and more. Ongoing Wednesdays in March, 10am-8pm.

Lil Explorer Thursdays | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul
The hall between the Visitor Center and the Conservatory is filled with hands-on activities, manipulatives, art projects and games perfect for the 4 & under set. Explore a different theme each week. Ongoing Thursdays through April 2020, 10am-noon.

Free Children’s Entertainment | Edinborough Park Amphitheater, Edina
Ongoing Thursdays in March, noon.

MARCH 2020 FREE WEEKLY TWIN CITIES ACTIVITIES

Free abounds in the Twin Cities. Many local bookstores, libraries and other businesses offer free storytimes during the week. Local coffee shops & cafes serve parents with free dedicated play spaces. Nature centers are wonderful places that offer free admission and hands-on exhibits and outdoor play opportunities most days of the week. And dozens of St Paul & Minneapolis recreation centers offer free open gyms and tot times to run your littles ragged during the cooler months. Explore from our links below.