Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This May Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of May 6-7, 2023. For more inspiration on spending family time together this weekend, check our MAY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING IN THE TWIN CITIES or our well-stocked FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
PLAN AHEAD FOR SUMMER!
Valleyfair opens soon for summer fun!
Valleyfair will open its gates Sunday, May 14, marking the return of all your favorite thrills! Treat yourself and your family to a day filled with exhilarating rides, family-friendly attractions, games, and delicious food and drinks. From pulse-pounding coasters to squeal-worthy excitement for your littles, there’s something for
everyone at Valleyfair. With more than 75 rides and attractions, Valleyfair is the Twin Cities’ amusement park where families come to play the Minnesota way! Save on tickets at Valleyfair.com.
DID YOU KNOW? Valleyfair offers free Pre-K Passes for children ages 3 to 5. Learn more about the program and other seasonal updates.
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
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 event:
Drop-in Discoveries at Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Hands-on, family-friendly themed nature stations. If the weather permits, make sure to let the kids run and explore the amazing DISCOVERY HOLLOW NATURE PLAYGROUND. May 6, 2023. Drop in anytime between 10am-12pm.
Visit a Minnesota State Park
Eight Minnesota state parks are located within 60 miles of the heart of Minneapolis and St Paul; an hour’s drive or less. The current cost of a daily vehicle permit is $7. We share a few highlights of each HERE.
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Nature Table at Lowry Nature Center
7025 Victoria Dr, Victoria, MN 55386
Drop in at your leisure to learn fun facts about turtles, a live representative included. Program held at LOWRY NATURE CENTER. May 6, 2023, drop in between 10-11am. FREE.
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! Make-and-take a a fiber craft for a small fee. May 6, 2023, 9:30am-12pm. $6/pp.
Eden Prairie Outdoor Center Animal Open House
13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Meet a variety of reptiles, raptors and mammals that call the Outdoor Center home plus more special activities. Held directly after the Nature Rocks! Open House from 10am-1pm. May 6, 2023, 1-4pm. FREE.
Free Family Fun Day with Three Rivers Parks
Join naturalists for free, drop-in and kid-friendly programming at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK (Brooklyn Park) and RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington). Explore the indoor exhibits while you’re at it. No reservations needed. May 7, 2023. 1-3pm. FREE.
Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
ELOISE BUTLER WILDFLOWER GARDEN & BIRD SANCTUARY in Minneapolis has opened its trails for the season. Storytime and activities for kids are hosted at the visitor center. Print out and bring along this scavenger hunt! May 6, 2023, 2pm. FREE.
P.S. We LOVE scavenger hunts! So much, in fact, that we’ve collected a big list of the best ones across parks in the Twin Cities!
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
MEET THE SPRING FARM BABIES!
LAST CHANCE – FINAL WEEKEND! 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. Final weekend May 6-7, 2023.
Minnesota Zoo’s Farm Babies
The barn is back open in 2023 for you to meet all the fuzzy, cuddly newborns. Tickets are included with Zoo admission. $14-$20/pp plus $7 parking.
FIND MORE CHANCES TO MEET FUZZY MINNESOTA FARM BABIES!
VISIT A FRESH FARMERS MARKET!
Three Twin Cities-area farmers markets open this Saturday, May 6, for all your fresh spring must-have and locally-grown products:
Mill City Farmers Market
750 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Family Fun: On the second and fourth Saturdays of each months, Kids can participate in POP, sample the vegetable of the month and earn a $2 token. Storytime with the Guthrie will be on the second Saturday of the month this year. 8am-1pm.
Make a Day: This is our favorite farmers market to hit up in the Minneapolis-St Paul area because of the easy walk to so many family attractions. After you shop, you’re only steps from the super kid-friendly MILL CITY MUSEUM. Or, if you’d rather stay outdoors, my kids enjoy crossing the Mississippi River at the STONE ARCH BRIDGE and exploring Mill Ruins Park (located below street level). For the best view of St Anthony Falls, try stopping in at the St Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Visitor Center. Open during the summer months, tours and admission to the indoor exhibits are free.
MORE FREE OR LOW COST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
Walker Art Center First Free Saturday
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Free gallery admission for the whole family every first Saturday of the month plus art activities designed for kids. Don’t forget to explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! May 6, 2023, 10am-3pm.
Sing, Play, Learn! with MacPhail Center for Music
MacPhail Center For Music, 501 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
MacPhail’s Free Family Music series features two 30-minute concerts by a very kid-friendly band, instrument-making and snacks. May 6, 2023, concerts at 10:15 & 11:15am. No tickets necessary.
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Twin Cities Home Depot locations
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. Please pre-register. May 6, 2023, 9am-12pm.
MICHAELS SUNDAY MAKEBREAK
Participating Michaels stores across the Twin Cities are offering free weekend “Makebreak” classes and “Take & Make” Kids Club crafts. They’re simple, yet could lend a nice personal touch to a small gift. This weekend, paint a Mother’s Day canvas to gift. May 7, 2023, 2-4pm.
