Free Twin Cities March Family Events & Activities
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.
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*This post is made possible by our partners and by our summer camp guide.
TWIN CITIES MARCH SPECIAL EVENTS – FREE
3/1/19: Forever Wild Family Friday: Nature Trivia | Lebanon Hills Park, Eagan | 7-8:30pm
3/2/19: Drop-in Discoveries: Owl Pellet Party | Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake | 10am-12
3/2/19: 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.
3/2/19: First Free Saturday: Kids Film Fair | Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, 10am-3pm | 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.
3/3/19: Urban Expedition: Romania | Landmark Center, St Paul | 1-3pm | Travel the globe without hopping a plane through music, food, crafts and more. Also held, featuring the UK, on 3/31/19.
Michael Hall, MONKEY TIME – Launch Party! | Red Balloon, St. Paul
Get ready to monkey around with local author/illustrator Michael Hall (Little i, Red) and his new book, Monkey Time! Poor Monkey is trying to catch a minute up in the tree but he just can’t seem to get ahead of them. Join the author for an afternoon storytime, and book signing all about monkeys, minutes, and trying to grab a snack. If we can catch a minute after storytime, we can all enjoy some tasty treats together. All are welcome at this family storytime and author signing event, which will be best enjoyed by kids ages 3 and up.
3/5/19: Free Tuesday @ Washington County Parks | SE Metro, find a listing of parks here | Explore Washington County Parks with no vehicle permit required the first Tuesday of the month (non-holiday).
3/8/19: Friday Family Movie Night: Trolls| Edinborough Park, Edina | 6:30pm
3/9/19: Second Saturdays at TPT | Twin Cities PBS, St Paul | 8-11am | Activities are all free but reserving a time slot is required.
3/9/19: Saturday Family Fun: St Patrick’s Day | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley | 10-11am
3/10/19: Family Day: Underwater Adventures | Minneapolis Institute of Art, 11am-5pm
3/10/19: Puppet Adventures of Ned the Naturalist | Silverwood Park, St. Anthony | 1-3pm | Join Ned the Naturalist as he stops Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Make-and-take art to follow.
3/12/19: Ballet Tuesdays | Landmark Center, St. Paul | 12-1pm | Excerpts from the classics, perfect for budding ballerinas.
3/13/19: Andy Griffiths – THE 104-STORY TREEHOUSE | Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul | 6:30 pm
Come one, come all to hang out in The 104-Story Treehouse with bestselling author Andy Griffiths at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul! Andy’s coming all the way from Australia to tell us about the latest additions to the Treehouse he and Terry share (it used to be 91 stories, but it needed more things). Get the latest jokes direct from the author, check the store for stray spy cows, make sure the marshmallow launcher is properly calibrated, and get your Treehouse series books signed! All are welcome at this event, but space is limited. A paid ticket will get you a copy of The 104-Story Treehouse and hold your place in the first group of the signing line. An RSVP let’s us know you’re coming!
3/15/19: March Star Party | Bell Museum | 8-9:30pm | 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.
3/16/19: SPCO Free Family Music: Spirited Strings | Ordway, St Paul | Concerts at 9:15 & 10:30am | Designed for kids ages 3-6, the 30-minute program is a wonderful way to introduce children to classical music. Also held 3/23/19. Reservations are a must.
3/16/19: Free Play Snow Day | Three Rivers Parks | Make the best of our extended winter with FREE events across several Three Rivers Parks: free ski and snowshoe rentals, free beginner ski lessons, discounted tubing, free maple syrup programs, bonfires and more.
3/16/19-3/17/19: Hop Into Spring Weekend | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul | 10am-4pm
3/17/19: Free Family Art Day | Rumriver Art Center, Anoka | 2 sessions: 12 & 2pm | 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 here.
3/17/19: 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.
3/18/19: Free 3rd Monday | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska | 8am-4pm
3/23/19: Free Ink Day | Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minneapolis, 12-4pm | 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.
3/23/19: Nature Art – Earthen Art | Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis | 2-3pm
3/23/19 & 3/24/19: It’s Tapping Time | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville, 10am-4pm | 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.
3/24/19: Rock the Cradle | Minneapolis Institute of Art | 11am | 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.
3/30/19: 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.
3/31/19: Family Fun Day: Spring Arts & Animals | Carl Kroening Interpretive, Minneapolis | 1-3pm | Drop in for naturalist-led activities and self-guided exploration of the visitor center’s interactive exhibits.
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 16 | Rice Park | Noon | FREE
Minneapolis’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Saturday, March 16 | Marquette Ave | 6:30 pm | FREE
MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY PROGRAMS – FREE
3/3/19-3/24/19: Sap to Syrup | Eastman Nature Center, Dayton | March Sundays, 1-4pm | All ages drop in program. Discover maple syruping history and techniques. Taste the final product.
3/10/19: Maple Sugaring | Pond House, Bloomington | Drop-in program 2-4 pm | Indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
3/23/19-3/24/19: It’s Tapping Time! | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville | 10am-4pm
Minneapolis Institute of Arts | Minneapolis | Daily, 11am-5pm
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | St Paul | Daily, 10am-6pm, suggested donation of $2/child & $3/adult, but all welcome whether or not you choose to donate. Seasonal events include the opening of the Spring Flower Show (March 16) in the Conservatory’s sunken garden, storytime at noon, and animal programs throughout the day.
Saturday Live! | George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul | 11:15am | Fresh entertainment every Saturday including live music, puppetry, magicians and more.
Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids | TC locations | Ongoing Saturdays, 11am-3pm
Nature Rocks! Open House | Eden Prairie Outdoor Center | 9am-noon | Ongoing Saturdays of each month enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more.
March Free Family Fun Days | Three Rivers Parks
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (Brooklyn Park side of the river) Sundays: 3/10, 3/24, 1-3pm
Richardson Nature Center: Ongoing Sundays in March, 3-4pm
Gideon Pond House Open House | Pond Dakota Mission Park, Bloomington | Ongoing Sundays, 1:30-4pm | Drop by for a house tour and living history activities.
Parent/Tot Time & Preschool Open Gym | Apple Valley Community Center | Ongoing Mon/Wed/ Fri, 9:30-11am | 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.
MOA Toddler Tuesdays | Mall of America Rotunda | Ongoing Tuesdays, 10am – noon | Live entertainment and activities guaranteed to excite the stroller set. Upcoming event schedule here.
Free Tuesday Nights | Minnesota History Center, St Paul | Ongoing Tuesdays, 3-8pm | Explore the highly interactive and kid-friendly exhibits.
Wee Wednesdays | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis | Ongoing Wednesdays, 10:30am – 1pm. 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.
Games Galore | Union Depot, St Paul | Ongoing Wednesdays, 10am-8pm | Play giant-sized versions of classic games including chess, checkers, Connect Four, Dominoes and more.
Lil Explorer Thursdays | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul | Ongoing Thursdays starting through April 2019, 10am-noon | 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.
Free Children’s Entertainment | Edinborough Park Amphitheater, Edina | Thursdays, noon.
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.
 Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities |  Kid-friendly Twin Cities Coffee Shops |
 Twin Cities Nature Centers |  St Paul & Minneapolis Free Tot Times |
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