Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This July Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of July 10-11, 2021. To find our most recent guide, click here.
As always, you can check our JULY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR for more fun ideas on what to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with your kids!
Twin CIties festivals this weekend for the family
Pan-o-Prog – Lakeville’s Summer Festival
Family Fun Fair & Carnival all weekend, plus two parades on Saturday.
Karl Oskar Days | Lindstrom
Kids Activity Zone in Beach Park all weekend, magic shows and other free entertainment & Saturday parade.
Whiz Bang Days | Robbinsdale
“Reverse” parade & fireworks, both on Sunday.
Monticello Riverfest | Monticello
Sunday parade, live music and kids games.
Family Fun Fest | Andover
Look for family entertainment including magic & juggling shows, & fireworks on Sunday.
fun outdoor activities in the parks
Saturday Farm Days
GALE WOODS FARM invites you and your kids to visit the animals and explore the barn, gardens, greenhouses and pastures. Reservations required. July 10, spots available from 9am-12pm, $5/pp.
Village Sampler Guided Tour
THE LANDING, a re-created historical village in Shakopee, is offering guideded tour inside several of the park’s historic homes to explore what life was like in a Minnesota River town of the late 1800s. July 10 & 11, two times slots, $5/pp. There is also a Meet the Animals guided tour from 1-2pm.
Water sports fun with Rice Creek Boat Club
Head over to LONG LAKE REGIONAL PARK (home of one of our favorite Twin Cities beaches) to try out kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and surf skis for free. July 10, 11am-1pm.
Family Nature Day | Lake Elmo
Located in at the nature center in SUNFISH LAKE PARK, stop by for scavenger hunt stations, a storywalk, nature play area and more. July 10, 9am-12pm, FREE.
Nature Centers Without WallS
Activities may include animal interactions, outdoor displays, nature challenges and checking out free exploration materials. Held at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington), MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK (Brooklyn Park), LOWRY NATURE CENTER (Victoria) & EASTMAN NATURE CENTER (Maple Grove). July 11, 1-3pm, FREE.
Try visiting a new park or nature center!
Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details on which buildings are open; all of these locations have outdoor trails to hike. Did you know that several of these nature centers have natural playgrounds nestled within them? You can build with natural materials, climb, balance, even wade and garden at some of the more elaborate spaces. This weekend’s featured photo comes from the nature play area at LOWRY NATURE CENTER.
Find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.
Universe in the Park
The program starts with a 20-30 minute presentation at 8:30 p.m. and then, weather permitting, an opportunity to view the sky through telescopes until 10 or 11 p.m. Participants can learn how to use a star map and go home with a free one. This month’s event is held at WILLIAM O’BRIEN STATE PARK in Marine on St Croix – a charming little town on the river to explore. July 10, FREE.
Minneapolis Movies & Music in the Park events
Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic dinners. Enjoy FREE movies and live theater performances in Twin Cities parks all summer long. Family favorite The Princess Bride will be screened in LAKE NOKOMIS PARK as part of the annual Minneapolis Music & Movies in the Park events. July 10, dusk.
Family-friendly music, will be performed at the LAKE HARRIET BANDSHELL. Maybe hit the LAKE HARRIET BEACH & playground first to make a day of it? July 11, 2pm.
Pass the popcorn! Find our complete listing of free Summer Movies in the Park.
Cool off this weekend in the twin cities
Find a new favorite splash spot by jumping over to our complete TWIN CITIES ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS or continue for a few ideas:
- Minneapolis wading pools are fun, free and some are splash and elaborate. Find our complete list at the link.
- We include our family favorites in our list of 20+ BEACHES, PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS TO TRY THIS SUMMER. We discovered the terrific WIRTH LAKE BEACH in Minneapolis last summer!
- Swimming pools are always a hit for their slides and fun features. Have you tried COMO REGIONAL PARK POOL in St Paul yet? There’s a great splashy area for toddlers, a lazy river, climbing plunge and an exciting zip line!
- Don’t forget that splash pads are a perfect place to cool off without the full investment of a day at the pool. This week we highlight the splash pad at HUSET PARK WEST in Columbia Heights. Scoot through the spraying hoops and watch out for the dump buckets (or don’t!) A playground and picnic shelter are located conveniently nearby. Get our huge list of the best 35 Splash Pads & Wading Pools in the Twin Cities!
more free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
Mill City Museum Open courtyard family day
Held in the museum’s open-air Ruin Courtyard – learn how St Anthony Falls powered the milling industry and other free exhibits. The STONE ARCH BRIDGE area of Minneapolis always makes for a super fun family outing! July 10 & 11, 10am-2pm.
GET TIPS AT: 10 THINGS FOR KIDS AT THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE IN MINNEAPOLIS.
2021 Minnesota & Wisconsin Co-op Farm Tour
Explor
This is a self-guided event and free for anyone to attend, brought to you by your local food co-ops. Learn More About The Co-op Farm Tour.
Como Harbor at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
The seals at Como Zoo have gotten a beautifully updated habitat – come see them swim in their underwater viewing area! We visited last week and loved it. Note that Sparky the Sea Lion shows have not yet resumed and reservations to visit the zoo are still required.
Always free to visit weekends:
Family Day at American Swedish Institute | Minneapolis
The new ASI Family Gallery calls on the ocean and sky to spark imagination in play. A special Family Day celebrates the opening of the new exhibit with games, crafts and interactive storytelling. Sun, March 1. 12-5pm. $6-$12/pp.