With 12 children between them, the parents of the Family Fun Twin Cities team sure are THANKFUL for a good deal, especially as the holidays are upon us. For hundreds more ideas on how to find free Twin Cities events for kids and families in November visit our:
Want to find free things to do in the Minneapolis-St Paul area this weekend? Find our current WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE, packed with suggestions. 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 NovemBER
Don’t view these ideas as a bucket list or one more to-do list you’ve got to hurry and check off before the end of the 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 FALL FUN IN NovemBER
FALL FLOWERS IN BLOOM AT COMO CONSERVATORY
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Autumn colors are on fire at the Fall Flower Show in the Conservatory’s sunken garden. Plus, it’s all indoors and balmy so noses won’t freeze. Admission is always free w/ donations gladly accepted. Daily, 10am-4pm.
More free fall 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 November 2022, 10am-12pm.
POND DAKOTA MISSION PARK LIVING HISTORY OPEN HOUSES
401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Hands-on living history programs fun and free of charge. New themes each Saturday in November. Drop in from 1-4pm.
November Free Family Fun Days with Three Rivers Parks
Three Rivers Park locations
Drop in for free nature programs at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK & RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. New themes each week. Sundays, Nov 6-27, 2022, 1-3pm.
FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY WITH DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS
Thompson County Park, 1200 Stassen Ln, West St Paul, MN 55118
Dakota County parks are host to free activities the first Friday of every month. This month travel to rural Africa through stories and song. Plus, the park features a great new playground. Meet at Dakota Lodge in the park. November 3, 2022, 6-7:30pm.
November Family Funday
North Mississippi Regional Park | 5116 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Become a nature detective & make an animal track to take home.November 13, 2022, 1-3pm. FREE, but registration required.
Discover Puppet & Art Adventures in the Park
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Take in a puppet show followed by make-and-take nature-inspired art OR take a guided hike with a naturalist around the trails and sculptures. So much outdoor fun to choose from at Silverwood Park. November 13, 2022, 1-3pm.
Free Admission to Minnesota State Parks
A Black Friday tradition. Explore one of the many Minnesota State Parks within an hour’s drive of the Minneapolis-St Paul area without a day pass. November 25, 2022.
Free Twin CIties Early Holiday Events in November
The Twin Cities sparkles in late November & early December as community holiday trees are lit up across the Twin Cities. We have gathered a complete list of those events in our 2022 TWIN CITIES HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING GUIDE. Find our quick list below of FREE events!
Twin Cities Christmas & Holiday Tree Lighting Events in November
APPLE VALLEY: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov 22)
BURNSVILLE: Winter Lighting Ceremony (Nov 23)
EDINA: Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov 26)
Shoreview: Holiday Lighting Event (Nov 14)
TAYLORS FALLS: Taylors Falls Lighting Festival (Nov 25-27)
WAYZATA: Light Up the Lake Celebration (Nov 25)
Twin Cities Holiday Festivals with Free Admission in November
Holiday Walk in the Woods Open House
The Woods Gifts | Woodbury & Maple Grove locations
Visit with Santa and his reindeer at this annual Holiday shopping event. Activities include, a visit from Santa and his reindeer, stories, face painting, and food demos. November 19, 2022, 9am-3pm.
Minneapolis Holidazzle
One of our very favorite metro-area winter festivals, MINNEAPOLIS HOLIDAZZLE is slated to set up back in Loring Park (on the south end of downtown Minneapolis) weekends from November 25 through December 18, 2022. The Holidazzle Yeti will also return along with Santa visits, fireworks and other free live entertainment.
MORE FREE THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER IN THE TWIN CITIES
Try Hockey for Free Day
This program gives kids (ages 4-9) a shot at experiencing the basics of hockey without financial commitment. Plus, coaches will be on hand to offer tips and provide equipment. November 5, 2022, see link for participating rinks.
FREE TWIN CITIES FAMILY ARTS EVENTS IN NovemBER
WALKER ART CENTER NovemBER 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. Get out and explore the awesome sculpture garden while if weather still permits. November 5, 2022.
Northern Clay Center Holiday Open House Workshop
2424 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
A hands-on workshop and holiday shopping event. Our family attended a couple years ago and the kids were able to make homemade clay gifts to give to family for Christmas. November 13, 2022.
BALLET TUESDAYS AT LANDMARK CENTER
75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Join the Saint Paul Ballet as they perform excerpts from the company repertoire. It’s the perfect sample outing for budding ballerinas. While you’re at Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul, stop for indoor fun and play with the instruments in the SCHUBERT CLUB MUSIC MUSEUM. An entire afternoon of free fun for young ones! November 15, 2022, 12pm.
Free Story & Art Time at Eden Prairie Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Drop in for free storytime & an art project. Mondays starting November 7, 2022. 10-11am.
Free Family Art Day with RumRiver Art Center
Free art classes are back for families with kids ages 4 & up. Lessons are free but advance registration is required as space is limited. November 26, 2022.
FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT IN November
NovemBER FIRST FREE SUNDAY AT MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
10 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Explore the revamped museum FREE of charge; expect to wait in line for admission. November 5, 2022. 9am-5pm.
MALL OF AMERICA TODDLER TUESDAYS
Live entertainment for the stroller set each week at the Rotunda. Plus, on Toddler Tuesdays you can purchase an unlimited ride wristband for Nickelodeon Universe for just $15 and kids eat free at participating restaurants w/ purchase of an adult meal. Tuesdays in November 2022, typically 11am-12pm with some exceptions.
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
SATURDAY VIBE AT GEORGE LATIMER CENTRAL LIBRARY
90 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Fresh, family entertainment – music, storytelling, puppets and more. Check the schedule for more details. Saturdays in November 5, 19 & 26, 2022, 11:30am.
FREE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT AT EDINBOROUGH PARK
7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Coming to the indoor park’s balmy amphitheater: Thursday brings a kid-friendly band (11am) & Friday screens the movie Encanto (5:30pm). Stay before or after to enjoy the huge indoor playground (not free, but reasonably priced for a full afternoon of fun). November 10 & 11, 2022.
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. TWIN CITIES 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 & TOT TIMES to run your littles ragged during the cooler months. Explore from our links below.
Fun Attractions that are Always Free
- Bde Maka Ska Park f/k/a Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis
- Bike at Cedar Lake Park, Minneapolis
- Como Zoo, Conservatory & Japanese Garden, St. Paul (Reservations are currently required)
- Cross-Country Skiing in Saint Paul (with your own skis & weather dependent). Most other park systems require a paid permit.
- Disc Golf Courses in local parks
- Mill City Farmers Market November 5th & 19th. (Back inside the Mill City Museum for the winter)
- Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis – View works of art or make some art on Family Day (Nov. 13)
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- Minnehaha Park & Minnehaha Falls Waterfall, Minneapolis
- Stone Arch Bridge and Mississippi River, Minneapolis
- Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Minneapolis
- Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
