April is literally blooming with free events and activities in the Twin Cities! Make sure to check our Family Fun Calendar for a complete listing of events around town.
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TWIN CITIES APRIL SPECIAL EVENTS – FREE
4/2/19: Free Tuesday @ Washington County Parks | Listing of parks here | Explore Washington Cty Parks free on the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday). No permit required.
4/5/19: Forever Wild Family Friday | Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan | 7-8:30pm
4/5/19: Friday Family Movie Night: Christopher Robin | Edinborough Park, Edina | 6:30pm
4/6/19: First Free Saturday: Portrait Party | 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.
4/6/19: Drop-in Discoveries | Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township | 10am-noon | Hands-on, family-friendly themed stations. Drop in anytime.
4/6/19: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Window Birdhouse | TC Home Depot locations | 9am-noon | 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.
4/6/19: Music & Melody Makers | Minnesota Youth Symphonies, St Paul | 9-11am | Kids ages 3-14 can try out instruments of the orchestra, ask the musicians questions, and hear a mini-concert. Registration required.
4/6/19: First Saturday Science: Saving Planet Earth | Metro State University, St Paul | 12-2pm |
The first Saturday of each month, kids explore a specific scientific field in a hands-on lab setting.
4/13/19: Animal Open House | Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, Eden Prairie | 1-4pm | Interact with a variety of animals including rabbits, a hedgehog, turtles and more.
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04/13/19: Phyllis Root & Betsy Bowen, THE LOST FOREST | Red Balloon Bookshop | 3:00PM In 1882, surveyors mistakenly mapped a 144 acres of old-growth trees as a lake, and the mistake remained on the map for 75 years! All are welcome at this author and illustrator event, which will be best appreciated by school-aged kids and adults. |
4/13/19: Second Saturdays at TPT | Twin Cities PBS, St Paul | 8-11am | Activities are all free but reserving a time slot is required.
4/14/19: Family Art Sunday: Flower Power | Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts | Fridley | 1-3pm | Take a scavenger hunt through the galleries and do a make-and-take project.
4/14/19: Urban Expedition: Vietnam | Landmark Center, St Paul | 1-3pm | Take a tour of Togo through music, crafts, dance, food and more.
4/14/19: Art Center Open House | Eden Prairie Art Center, Eden Prairie | 2-4pm | Teacher demonstrations, art activities for kids, and face painting.
4/14/19: 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.
4/14/19: Art in Bloom Family Day | Minneapolis Institute of Art | 10am-1pm
4/15/19: Free 3rd Monday | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska | 8am-5pm
4/16/19: Ballet Tuesday | Landmark Center, St Paul | 12pm | Join the Saint Paul Ballet as they perform excerpts from the company repertoire. Perfect for budding ballerinas.
4/19/19: 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.
4/20/19: Family Arts Blast | Ordway Center for Performing Arts, St Paul | 9:30am-12pm | So much to love here for kids: try out instruments, learn new dance moves, watch cultural performances and go behind the scenes of productions.
4/20/19: Earth Day | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley | 10-11am
4/21/19: 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.
4/27/19: The Great Minnsect Show | University of Minnesota, STP campus | 9am-3pm | The first annual event features interactive bug displays, insect-themed games and other educational activities.
4/27/19: Nature Art – May Day Baskets | Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis | 2-3pm
4/27/19: Kids Kraft: Earth Day | Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee | 10:30-11:15am | Get krafting the last Sat of each month Oct-April. Free; registration required.
4/27/19: Independent Bookstore Day – special programming at:
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 EASTER EGG HUNTS & ACTIVITIES – FREE
For our complete list of egg-citing hunts and all the sweet details, click HERE.
4/07/19 Aqua Egg Hunt | Rich Valley Athletic Complex, Inver Grove Heights
4/12/19: Flashlight Egg Hunt | McRae Park, Minneapolis
4/13/19: Spring Holiday Party | Arlington Hills Community Center, St. Paul
4/13/19: Excellent Egg Frenzy | HealthEast Sports Center, Woodbury
4/13/19: The Giant Egg Hunt | McDonough Rec Center, St Paul
4/13/19: Lunch with the Bunny | Jimmy Lee Rec Center, St. Paul
4/13/19: Spring Celebration | Hancock Rec Center, St. Paul
4/13/19: The Giant Egg Hunt | McDonough Rec Center, St. Paul
4/13/19: Helicopter Egg Drop | Langford Rec Center, St. Paul
4/13/19: Annual Spring Egg Hunt | Van Cleve Park, Minneapolis
4/13/19: Vadnais Heights Easter Egg Hunt | Community Park, Vadnais Heights
4/13/19: Easter Eggstravaganza | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School, Burnsville
4/13/19: Easter Egg Hunt & Candy Grab | Shakopee Community Center, Shakopee
4/1319: Community Egg Hunts | Rich Valley Athletic Complex, Inver Grove Heights
4/13/19: Rosemount Lions Club Spring Egg Hunt | Ames Soccer Complex, Rosemount
4/13/19: Easter Experience | Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Plymouth
4/13/19: Anoka Women of Today Bunny Party | George Green Park, Anoka
4/13/19 Egg Scramble | Veterans Memorial Park, Richfield
4/13/19: Easter Eggstravaganza | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
4/14/19: Easter Bunny Bonanza | United Methodist Church of Anoka
4/19/19: Flashlight Egg Hunt | Creekview Park, Minneapolis
4/19/19: Hip Hop Egg Drop | East Phillips Park, Minneapolis
4/19/19: Tiny Tot Easter Egg Hunt | Andrews Park, Champlin
4/20/19: 3rd Annual Spring Egg Hunt | Farview Park, Minneapolis
4/20/19: Bunny Party & Egg Hunt | Windom Park NE Minneapolis
4/20/19: Spring Egg Hunt | Casey Lake Park, North St Paul
4/20/19: Bloomington Egg Hunt & Family Fun | Normandale Lake Bandshell
4/20/19-4/21/19: Largest Egg Hunt in Blaine | Northpoint Elementary School, Blaine
4/21/19: Egg Surprise | Eastman Nature Center, Dayton
4/21/19: Community Egg Hunt | Lake Nokomis Park, Minneapolis
4/27/19: Spring Celebration | Linwood Rec Center, St. Paul
TWIN CITIES EARTH DAY & ARBOR DAY FAMILY EVENTS – FREE
4/20/19: Art Start’s EcoArts Fest | Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington.
4/20/19: Earth Day Celebration | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville | 10am-2pm | Enjoy free entertainment, beat a drum in the parade, and help with planting at this annual celebration.Top off the day with a slice of cake to celebrate the nature center’s birthday and watch the Lorax! FREE.
4/20/19: Earth Day Celebration | Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis | Naturalist led hike, self-guided nature exploration, art activities, face painting, and help clean up around the park while celebrating our Earth.FREE for all ages.
4/20/19: Family Funday – Earth Day Celebration | North Mississippi Regional Park, Mpls | 1-3p
4/22/19: Earth Day Wildflower Walk | Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Minneapolis | Garden Naturalist will lead a wildflower tour of the Garden. Walk the Garden trails while learning about and looking for Spring wildflowers.
4/26/19: Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration | Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis | Treehuggers of all ages can celebrate Arbor Day by helping to plant 200 new specimens, playing lawn games, climbing trees, and lots more. There’ll be music and food, too. 2-8pm, FREE.
4/27/19: Earth Day Cleanup & Garden Work Day | Tamarack Nature Center, 9am-noon | Volunteer for a morning at Tamarack by cleaning up the grounds and trails, as well as working in the Garden to get it ready for planting. RSVP at the above link.
4/27/19-4/28/19: Party for the Planet | Como Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul | 10am-4pm | Tons of free activities will take place throughout the weekend, focusing on creative ways to conserve energy. FREE.
4/28/19: Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration | Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield | 1-4pm | Enjoy the day at Wood Lake by planting trees and pulling buckthorn. FREE. Limit 30 participants.
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 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.
MayDay Build Workshops | In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, Minneapolis | Ongoing Saturdays, 9am-11am & 1-3pm | Come help create floats for the annual MayDay celebration in Powderhorn Park. Artists will guide volunteers in creating a piece of their own or a contribution to a parade float. Workshops also held every Tuesday & Thursday in April, 7-9pm. – Cancelled for 2020 (Look for it again 5/2/2021)
April Free Family Fun Days | Three Rivers Parks
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (Brooklyn Park side of the river) Sundays: 4/7, 4/21, 1-3pm
Richardson Nature Center: Ongoing Sundays, 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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