Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of April 29-30, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here.
For more ideas on spending family time together this weekend, hop over to our MAY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING IN THE TWIN CITIES or our TWIN CITIES FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try our best to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs when you’re ready to get out and about in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area!
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN TWIN CITIES PARKS THIS WEEKEND
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in parks across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND
Friday, April 28th is Arbor Day in 2023, a day traditionally marked to celebrate the beauty and purpose of trees. Several Arbor Day events are noted in our TWIN CITIES WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDE; here are a few more winners taking place this Saturday:
Eden Prairie Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Join a walk and then peruse the Green Fair vendors for ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint. Bring a picnic and let the kids enjoy the playground while you are there. April 29, 2023; 10am-1pm.
Robbinsdale Arbor Day Celebration
Lee Park, 3648-3738 Lee Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Celebrate Arbor Day with fun activities, including making tree posters, planting a tree, receive a free tree seedling and cleaning up the park, trail or watershed area. April 29, 2023; 9:30am.
Savage Arbor Day Celebration
McColl Pond Environmental Learning & Event Center, 13550 Dakota Ave., Savage, Minnesota 55378
The City of Savage is bringing back its annual Arbor Day celebration at McColl Pond. Enjoy hands-on activities including a bald eagle demonstration by the Raptor Center. FREE & drop in. April 29, 2023; 10am-11:30am.Â
Try visiting a new park or nature center!
Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details. All of these locations have outdoor trails to hike and fun indoor exhibits. 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. For more about these, find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds. The featured photo this weekend comes from the nature play area at WARGO NATURE CENTER.
FEATURED TWIN CITIESÂ PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Saturday Morning on the Farm
Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Explore the barn, gardens, greenhouses and pastures and visit the new spring animals! Reservations recommended as they tend to fill fast. April 29, 2023, 9:30am-12pm. $6/pp.
Free Family Fun Day with Three Rivers Parks
Join naturalists for free, drop-in and kid-friendly programming at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER (Maple Grove), MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK (Brooklyn Park) and RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington). Explore the indoor exhibits while you’re at it. April 30, 2023, 1-3pm. FREE.
How about a May Day or Arbor Day scavenger hunt in the parks?
We’ve rounded up the best printable hunts across the Twin Cities to make the most of your park exploration.
Free admission to Minnesota State ParksÂ
Did you know there are 9 Minnesota State Parks & State Recreation Areas within an hour’s drive of the Twin Cities? Admission is free for all on Saturday in honor of Earth Day. Hit the link to explore – we’ve hit up all of them and recommend what not to miss in each with kids. April 27, 2024.
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Meet the Spring Farm Babies!
Waldoch Farm Open House
8174 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014
Kids can plant a spring pot and visit the baby farm animals in the Joyer Barnyard. Free this weekend only. April 29-30, 2023.
Twin Cities Spring Baby Animals Festival
Located at 109th Ave and Hwy 169 in Brooklyn Park
A $13 wristband will include access to the fuzzy farm babies, the play area and a hayride. Pictured is my little one loving on the bunnies. Events run weekends thru May 7, 2023.
Minnesota Zoo’s Farm Babies Opening Weekend
13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
It’s just about the time of year to start cooing over the baby farm animals at the Minnesota Zoo’s Wells Fargo Family Farm. Included with Zoo admission of $14-$20/pp.
Find more chances to meet fuzzy Minnesota farm babies!
Love books, reading, and shopping local?
Independent Bookstore Day – April 30
The Twin Cities is excited to promote Independent Bookstore Day on April 29th in 2023. On this day each year, many local bookstores participate in a fun passport program. Families can pick up a passport at participating stores and then get it stamped at as many stores as they can visit to qualify for prizes. Families can pick up their passport beginning April 22-24th and can visit the bookstores any time during the week to collect stamps. Jump over to find our list of participating independent booksellers. One of our favorites, RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP (pictured with one of our FFTC tots) is hosting an event with stories, bubbles and chalk art on the patio. April 29, 2023, 10am-5pm, FREE.
April 29 is also International Sculpture Day!
- Visit one of these super cool sculpture parks in Minnesota. Pictured below is a photo of our visit to FRANCONIA SCULPTURE PARK near Taylors Falls. Fun family day trip idea and FREE (minus the gas and produce)!
- The WALKER ART CENTER shares grounds with the MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN – home of the iconic Cherry & Spoonbridge.
- Silverwood Park International Sculpture Day Tour – take a guided tour of the park’s quirky sculptures then try your hand at crafting your own to take home with the help of local artists. April 29, 2023. Tour from 10-11am & art from 1-3pm. FREE.
St Paul Farmers Market Spring Kickoff
Get the market season rolling with live music while you shop for fresh and locally grown produce and other products. April 29, 2023, 7am-1pm.
MORE FREE OR LOW COST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Art In Bloom Family Event at Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 Third Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
This is the family-friendliest portion of the annual Art in Bloom event at MIA. Today only, kids can watch dance performances, do a flower art project and more. April 28, 2024, 11am. FREE.
