50 Free Things To Do In December in the Twin Cities: Kids & Family Events, Minnesota Free Fun

With 12 children between them, the parents of the Family Fun Twin Cities team are always scouting out ways to score a good deal. Who couldn’t use an extra helping of FREE events around the holidays? Our list of free Twin Cities December Family Events & Activities is all wrapped up with Santa sightings, community Christmas & holiday events, free holiday light displays and dozens of ways to save money while spending time with your family. For more ideas on how to find free Twin Cities events for kids and families in December visit our:

Want to find free things to do in the Minneapolis-St Paul area this weekend? Find our current WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE, chock full of suggestions for all four corners of the Twin Cities metro. We also publish a fresh update of THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK WITH KIDS in the Twin Cities. Our jam is inspiring you parents and caregivers to explore local communities and decide how best to invest the valuable time you’ve got with your young ones.

50 free things to do in the Twin Cities this December

Don’t view these ideas as a holiday countdown or one more to-do list you’ve got to hurry and check off before the end of an already busy month. Rather, think of them as a back-pocket list you can whip out when it’s time to plan some family time.

Twin Cities free Christmas & holiday fun in December

Our annual FAMILY FUN TWIN CITIES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY GUIDE is all decked out with the trimmings of a fabulous family holiday season once again. Browse it for more FREE events and activities this month.

For all the details on these free Twin Cities December family holiday events, jump over to our TWIN CITIES HOLIDAY FESTIVAL CALENDAR.

Free Twin Cities Santa events

Searching for Santa? Browse our HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS – IN THE TWIN CI TIES page for FREE Santa meet-and-greet opportunities such as:

Free Twin Cities Christmas & holiday lights displays

How about ogling some holiday light and music displays? Nearly all the venues in our Light It Up: Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota Christmas & Holiday Light Displays roundup cost just the gas it takes to get to them:

Free Twin Cities New Years events – 2024

ST LOUIS PARK New Years Eve at St Louis Park ROC

Free ice skating (rental $3), music and refreshments. December 31, 2024, 4-6pm.

Twin Cities December free outdoor fun in the parks

There is so much FREE family fun to be had out in Twin Cities-areas parks during the winter months if you’re willing to bundle up your team and brave the chill. Community free outdoor ice skating rinks are open daily, many with warming facilities and lighting. You can browse our DIRECTORY OF FREE ICE RINKS IN THE PARKS HERE or click below on the graphic of our own little skaters. And how about throwing a sled down one of the abundant TWIN CITIES SLEDDING HILLS? Winter fun in the parks at its absolute best!

Twin Cities Guide to the Best Sledding Hills

Skate the Twin Cities: Where To Find Free Outdoor Ice Rinks

Minneapolis & St Paul

MINNEAPOLIS December Family Funday at North Mississippi Regional Park

5116 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Learn about native owls, practice owl calls and make an owl mask to take home at this free family program. Spots are limited so register online. December 14, 2024, 10:30am-12pm.

ST PAUL Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Seasonal events include the Winter Flower Show in the Conservatory’s sunken garden. Warm up with the indoor exhibits and heated animal buildings. Suggested donation of $2/child & $3/adult, but all welcome whether or not you choose to donate. 10am-4pm.

More free winter fun at COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY: Don’t miss Como Lil’ Explorer Thursdays. Each themed week is packed with free games, art projects and sensory tables. Thursdays in December 2024, 10am-12pm.

Free fun in the Twin Cities North Metro parks

BROOKLYN PARK Free Family Fun Days at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park

10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Each Saturday in December, join park naturalists for free educational and play-based activities. Learn about native animals, take a winter scavenger hunt and poke around in the outdoor nature play area. Sundays, December 1-29, 2024, 1-3pm.

MAPLE GROVE Free Funday Sunday at Eastman Nature Center

13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Free activities in the park this month include winter solstice luminary-making, bug races and live animal feedings. Sundays, December 15-29, 2024, 1-3pm.

ST ANTHONY December Puppet Art Adventures at Silverwood Park

Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Take in a puppet show followed by make-and-take nature-inspired art. December 8, 2024, 1-3pm.

Free fun in the Twin Cities South Metro parks

HASTINGS Forever Wild Family Friday

8395 127th Street E, Hastings, MN, 55033
Meet at Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center to explore the night sky and learn all about stars, meteors and other heavenly objects. December 6, 2024, 6-7:30pm.

BLOOMINGTON Pond Dakota Mission Park December open houses

Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Hands-on living history programs fun and free of charge. New themes each week. Saturdays, December 7-28, 2024. Note: December 14th is the free Frontier Christmas Celebration!

BLOOMINGTON Free Family Fun Days at Richardson Nature Center

8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
New themes each Sunday in December such as Minnesota birds, reptiles, deer and owls. Learn more about indoor and outdoor fun at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. Sundays, December 1-29, 2024, 3-4pm.

Free fun in the Twin Cities West Metro parks

EDEN PRAIRIE Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open Houses

13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347
Drop in for free to meet the resident animals and learn about programs and events. Saturdays, December 7-28, 2024, 10am-1pm.

Free Twin Cities Nature Centers

Nature and outdoor interpretive centers are wonderful places that offer free admission and hands-on exhibits and outdoor play opportunities most days of the week. Find our complete listing of TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTERS.

Twin Cities free fun with arts & crafts in December

MINNEAPOLIS Institute of Art: Art Play

2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
This month, all ages are invited to drop into the studio to make holiday cards using watercolors, collage and other materials. Then, embark on a scavenger hunt around the museum’s galleries. No registration needed, drop in. December 7 & 21, 2024, 10am-2pm. FREE.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Home Depot Kids Workshops

Twin Cities 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. In December, kids can make a holiday snow globe craft. Please pre-register. December 7, 2024, 9am-12pm.

ST PAUL Saturday Vibe at George Latimer Central Library

This month, there are stand-out art activities hosted on Saturdays at the library including a mini-maker event and multiple puppet storytimes. Ongoing Saturdays in December 2024.

MINNEAPOLIS Walker Art Center December First Free Saturday

725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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. December 7, 2024.

MINNEAPOLIS Institute of Art Family Day

2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
The museum presents art activities, artist demos, special kid-friendly gallery hunts, self-guided tours and more fine arts events inspired by the current collections. This month’s theme is “Five Senses”. December 8, 2024, 10am-5pm.

ANOKA December Free Family Art Day with Rumriver Art Center

2665 4th Ave #103, Anoka, MN 55303
Free art classes are available for families with kids ages 4 & up. Lessons are free but advance registration is required as space is limited. December 14, 2024, 10-11am.

More free things to do in December in the Twin Cities with kids

Free special events for families!

MINNEAPOLIS Free Thursday nights at American Swedish Institute

2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Free admission to the “castle” every Thursday after 3pm. Holidays are a wonderful time to come explore; there’s an exhibit room just for kids, too. Thursdays, December 5-26, 2024.

BLOOMINGTON Mall of America Toddler Tuesday: Winter Wonderland

Free, live entertainment for the stroller the second Tuesday of the month in the Rotunda. This month, the space becomes a winter wonderland complete with crafts, prize drawings and a special meet-and-greet. Plus, on Toddler Tuesdays you can purchase an unlimited ride wristband for Nickelodeon Universe for a small discount and kids eat free at participating restaurants w/ purchase of an adult meal. December 10, 2024, 10am-12pm.

ST PAUL First Free Sundays at Minnesota Children’s Museum

Free days are an awesome way to save big time and experience three full floors of fun exhibits designed just for kids including Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! December 8, 2024.

ST PAUL December Storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop

891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Storyteller Angela hosts a free storytime at the charming bookshop perfect for 3s & under (but all welcome) each Wednesday & Thursday in December 2024. 10:30am.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

MINNEAPOLIS December Stories & Crafts in the Gallery

Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Currently, the museum is offering a FREE Storytime in the Gallery the third Saturday of the month with no charge for adults to accompany their kids. Then, explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt. December 21, 2024, 10:30-11:30am.

ST PAUL Free Open Swim Sundays at Great River Water Park

270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
A special FREE open swim is hosted Sundays with water safety training provided from 3-3:25pm. The zero-depth entry splash pool is perfect for tots trying to get used to the water and there are two tube waterslides for the big kids. Sundays, December 8-29, 2024, 12-5pm.

ST PAUL First Saturday Science at Metro State University

664 East Sixth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
The University hosts kid-friendly hands-on STEM activities the first Saturday of the month. December’s program explores the human body. December 8, 2024, 10am-12pm, FREE.

Twin Cities museums with free admission

Minneapolis Institute of Art – FREE daily, plus Family Day is great for all ages.
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis – FREE Thursday evenings & First Saturdays of each month
Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis – FREE daily

Free weekly Twin Cities kids 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.