30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day: Ideas to help you make the most of what’s left of summer! One each day through Labor Day.

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 5

7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Start your Saturday morning on the farm – GALE WOODS FARM in Minnetrista, that is – where kids can explore the barn to meet animals! Participate in seasonal activities such as assisting with chores or harvesting from the gardens. Cost is $6/pp, register in advance.

Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
Meeting Chickens

August 6

8174 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
Visit the Joyer Adventure Farm at
WALDOCH FARM GARDEN CENTER. Your ticket includes a chance to meet all the barnyard animals (sheep, chickens and donkeys to name a few), plus have the run of the play areas, low ropes course and mazes. You’re also good to take pictures in the sunflower field and are permitted to pick-your-own produce (if desired, for an extra fee). This is the final day of summer before prices increase to $15. Tickets are sold online, $11/pp.

August 7

4008 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024
Get FREE admission to the
DAKOTA COUNTY FAIR ($10 parking) and while you’re there, visit charming DAKOTA CITY HERITAGE VILLAGE. The turn-of-the-century town will be bustling this time of year with demonstrations, musicians, a tractor parade and treats in the drugstore.

August 8

Plan a family meal in a new restaurant – perhaps one from our list of 10 SPOTS FOR OUTDOOR DINING WITH KIDS in the Twin Cities? We promise, each one gives littler diners some breathing room and parents perhaps more peace of mind. Pictured below, the Tiny Diner in Minneapolis has an outdoor patio where kids are welcome to wander through garden paths while waiting for their tasty and low-cost meals. 

outdoor dining

August 9

Your beach days in Minnesota are numbered. Discover a new swimming spot with this list of 20 TWIN CITIES BEACHES AND PLAYGROUNDS TO TRY THIS SUMMER.

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 10

1758 West River Rd N, Minneapolis.
Thursday nights on the Mississippi means the
Twin Cities River Rats perform their awesome FREE summer water ski show.  Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner, shows begin at 6:30pm. 

August 11

IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA kicks off on Harriet Island Regional Park across from downtown St Paul. Daily passes for youth are $15, adults pay $20 and under 13 are FREE. Admission includes all performances and cultural demonstrations. Lucky you!

August 12

10 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
It’s time for another Summer Block Party at the
MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM! Celebrate with outdoor activities like a live DJ, spray art, mini golf and other outdoor games. Stay and play in the indoor exhibits for a fee. 10am-2pm.

August 13

THEATER FOR YOUNGER KIDS? Try a free, professional puppet show performed by Open Eye Theater on their summer Driveway Tour: this summer’s traveling puppet show are Tucker’s Robot & Molly & the Magic Boot. Please check the schedule online as the performances literally travel around the Twin Cities to various hosts all summer. 

August 14

5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Explore an amazing natural playground for kids where they can clamber up rock walls, tend a garden, dig channels in the sand, hide out in caves and lots more. This awesome spot is called
DISCOVERY HOLLOW at TAMARACK NATURE CENTER. And it’s a completely free way to spend a summer day!

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 15

BATTLE CREEK WATERWORKS WATERPARK in Maplewood offers a Tot Tuesday special – $2.50 per person over one year of age. An additional fee of $4.50/person applies if staying after 10:30 a.m. During this special time, tots can look forward to zero-depth entry, water tables and other age-appropriate splash opportunities. Find more tot swim specials here while the weather’s still good for a splash!

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 16

4200 Queen Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Take a ride on the retro COMO-HARRIET STREETCAR LINE, shuttling passengers on a scenic route between Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. Wednesday afternoons are the only weekday you can ride from 1-4pm ($3/pp). Stay in the neighborhood to explore the Linden Hills neighborhood or grab an ice cream cone at Bread and Pickle on the lake.

Old street car with boy in front
Como Harriet Streetcar

August 17

12550 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337
Lots of last chances this month. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour concerts wrap up at Burnsville’s NICOLLET COMMONS PARK today. Bring your picnic, rock out to the kid-friendly tunes, then cool off in the most gorgeous splash pad in the Twin Cities!

August 18

Could this really be one of the last Fridays before school begins? Sensing a theme here. How about a Movie by Moonlight at TOWN GREEN, MAPLE GROVE? Bring a blanket, bug spray and movie snacks. The Incredibles is screened tonight.

August 19

Target Field Station Amphitheater, Minneapolis
Spend some time downtown Minneapolis with the kids – there’s much more to do with them they you might think, including a
Family Fun Day at Target Field Station. Activities will be themed to the exploring of natural landscapes: a climbing wall, live animals, rock scavenger hunt, face painting, art activities and a book reading. 11am-1pm, FREE! 

Also check out 10 FREE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS for more summer ideas!

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 2o

Have you brought your kids to the MILL CITY MUSEUM area of Minneapolis yet? It not, don’t wait a minute longer. The exhibits are exciting for all ages (including tweens and teens like our own) and there’s lots to do and see in the area including the historic STONE ARCH BRIDGE, MILL RUINS PARK, MILL CITY FARMERS MAREKT and the St Anthony Falls Lock and Dam.

August 21

Plan an afternoon at William O’Brien State Park (easy bike trails, swimming, maybe snag a last-minute campsite if you’re lucky?) All it costs is a $7 state park vehicle permit. Find more Minnesota State Parks to visit an hour’s drive or less from the metro area.

Kayaking on Lake Alice, William O’Brien State Park

August 22

Need some AC? It always seems that summer cranks up the heat one last time before chilling out into that sublime fall weather. Try one of these 10 FREE AIR CONDITIONED FAMILY OUTINGS – we’ve listed libraries, free museums, storytimes and mall play areas.

August 23

Wednesday nights in summer mean EAGAN’S CENTRAL PARK festival grounds are buzzing with activity: Market Fest runs 4-8pm with live music and other family interactives plus a chance to shop fresh local produce and other products. If you’re in need of cooling off, Central Park has a great splash pad.

August 24

Planning to visit the great MINNESOTA STATE FAIR this year? It kicks off today! Get the scoop on 50 THINGS TO DO AT THE STATE FAIR while you get-together, most of them free and all of them designed to make your day a truly family affair.

50 Things to Do at the Minnesota State Fair

 

August 25

Go enjoy a new one with this list of our 10 OF THE BEST TWIN CITIES PLAYGROUNDS – race your kids on the SCHAPER PARK CHALLENGE COURSE, splash your way around ROUND LAKE PARK or explore the re-imagined FRENCH REGIONAL PARK.

August 26

401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
POND DAKOTA MISSION PARK
hosts an open house each Saturday from 1-4pm – a hidden treasure tucked in an urban landscape. Take a guided tour of the historic Pond house and join in hands-on living history activities.

August 27

TAYLORS FALLS make a perfect end-of-summer day trip from the Twin Cities. Explore beautiful Interstate State Park, a quirky sculpture garden, a thrilling alpine slide and lots more. Can’t make it before school begins? Taylors Falls is gorgeous dressed for autumn, too.

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

August 28

Whip up a batch of these ice cream cookie sandwiches, plus discover a tasty new TWIN CITIES ICE CREAM SHOP. We tried rolled ice cream (find it at Wonder Ice Cream, St Paul) for the first time this summer!

ice cream

August 29

KIDS ENTERTAINMENT AT CENTENNIAL LAKES PARK is coming to a close this summer – catch it before it moves indoors and make a day of it at the park with more outdoor activities such as lawn games, paddleboats, a maze, and a farmers market.

August 30

Rent a surrey or paddleboat from WHEEL FUN RENTALS and take a spin around the lake – Calhoun, Como, Harriet, Nokomis and more. Our personal favorite location is at VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK in Richfield with close proximity to Malt-T-Melt’s treats and a round of mini golf.

August 31

Play a round at the whimsically wonderful BIG STONE MINI GOLF AND SCULPTURE GARDEN in Minnetrista. Check our roundup of Twin Cities Mini Golf courses for more indoor and outdoor options.

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day

September 1

Discover outdoor and indoor fun at one of these beautiful TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTERS. Did you know the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area has more than two dozen of these interpretive sites?

Nature Play Area at Eastman Nature Center

September 2

Because some of us can’t get enough of the Minnesota State Fair, here are 20 IDEAS FOR FREE FAMILY FUN at the great get-together.

September 3

Three Rivers Parks presents Free Family Fun Days at two parks in their system each Sunday in September. Choose from MISSISSIPPI GATEWEAY REGIONAL PARK in Brooklyn Park or RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER in Bloomington. Drop in from 1-3pm for free family nature activities.

September 4

Apple picking season has begun at many TWIN CITIES APPLE ORCHARDS. Find a dozen delicious destinations at the link for spending a fall day.

30 Things To Do in the Twin Cities Before Labor Day


Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!

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