Take your kids on a musical adventure in the Twin Cities with these affordable, fun, and educational music outings. From concerts to workshops, there’s something for every young music lover.
Music outings with kids are educational, uplifting and just plain fun! We’d like to introduce you to a few of the best venues and organizations that provide outreach to the public, specifically with young children in mind. Your kids, like ours have, will love getting acquainted (and even hands on) with a variety of musical styles.
MacPhail Center for Music Free Family Music Series
MacPhail’s Free Family Music Series is a fun outreach program that features a performance by a kid-friendly musical group in Antonello Hall (the Downtown MacPhail performance space) and typically a chance to craft a play-along musical instrument and try out a few more. Your experience may vary; when I attended with my kids several years ago we were able to get very hands-on with this musical outing. We had a great time sitting down close to the stage and getting up to move to the music when inspired. The concert experience is about 30 minutes long (there are usually two times to choose from) and there is no need to reserve space. Click here to see the upcoming schedule for MacPhail’s Free Family Music Series.
— originally published by Anne Kingston
Schubert Club Music Museum
Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Somewhat hidden away in the beautiful, historic LANDMARK CENTER, is the free SCHUBERT CLUB MUSEUM, a hidden gem that allows kids to experiment with a cacophony of musical instruments and learn some music history. The small museum and art gallery inside of a grand building includes rare instruments, a fascinating “instrument cyclone”, and interactive musical exhibits. The museum was renovated in 2020 to add the Music Makers Zone, a whole room of hands-on instruments, where my kids loved experimenting with trying their hand at composing their own selections and learning about musical instruments from other countries. In the Keyboard Journey exhibit, you can explore the development of keyboards, from the Italian Harpsichord to the Streicher grand piano. The Schubert Club is always FREE to visit, making it an ideal budget music outing.
Schubert Club performances
Schubert Club Family Concerts feature national and local musicians performing folk, ethnic and classical music. Performances include storytelling, dance and audience participation. Some concerts are sensory-friendly. Advanced tickets are encouraged. Visit the link to see the most current performance calendar.
Schubert Club KidsJam Workshops have been offered for young audiences on weekdays during the school year and were originally created for homeschool families, but anyone can sign up to attend. These do tend to sell out fast though, so sign up early. Please visit the link to find details on upcoming offerings as these tend to change.
Live Music for Kids at First Avenue
First Avenue, 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Music doesn’t have to be classical to be family-friendly. We had a blast at a ROCK AND ROLL PLAYHOUSE concert held at First Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis. These traveling tribute shows feature the music of various popular adult artists during Sunday morning kids concerts at Minneapolis’ most famous music venue. This tot rock experience is similar to the 18+ concerts we adults have attended at First Avenue but geared toward children. It’s loud, it’s dark and it is fun. I will caution you that our Apple Watch gave us a decible warning during the show we attended.
St Paul Chamber Orchestra: How to get Free Tickets for Kids, Teens & Families:
Although St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) no longer appears to offer their popular family concerts, they have opened up all concerts to families with free and/or affordable tickets for everyone.
- Free Tickets for Children of All Ages: For every adult ticket purchased to a SPCO concert, families can reserve up to 4 free child/teen tickets. Order child tickets while ordering adult tickets or season subscriptions to make sure you are all seated together.
- Free Student Tickets: If you or your child 17+ is a full or part-time student, you qualify for get free student tickets.
- Cheap Young Adult Tickets: Parents (or any adults between the ages of 18 and 39) can join Club2030 to get $10 best available tickets to SPCO concerts.
- Free Tickets with a Library Card: For those of us over the age of 39, the library smARTpass Program almost always has free SPCO tickets available. All together, young families can attend SPCO concerts for very cheap.
Minnesota Youth Symphonies: Music & Melody Makers
975 Snelling Avenue, St Paul MN
Here’s a sampling of the questions that start rolling around in my head when wondering if my kids are musically-inclined: Have they shown any particular talent? Band or strings? Have I already missed the boat for piano lessons? Where do I even begin to find these answers? If you’ve been asking some of the same questions, I encourage you to check out the free Music & Melody Makers program hosted by Minnesota Youth Symphonies.
What to expect at Music & Melody Makers
It’s a fun, low-stress way to introduce kids (ages 3-14) to the legions of beautiful instruments that make up the orchestra. My goal in our taking the kids was to see if they were drawn to any instrument in particular. They could try out the string, bass, woodwind and percussion instruments if they liked, or (when shyness took over) could watch students demonstrate. My favorite moments were watching my 5-year-old try her hand at the clarinet (like Mom & Grandma before her) and my 3-year-old get behind the timpani. After experimenting, we were treated to a mini-performance by the Minnesota Youth Symphonies Philharmonic (full-sized) Orchestra. The highlight was the conductor inviting my daughter, Emily, onstage to guest-conduct the students!
Tips to register for Music & Melody Makers
Registration is required because space is limited and is often full by the event date. You can watch for free Music & Melody Makers events on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. The event is completely free, including parking, and there is no sales pitch. Events typically take place in April. Check the MYS calander to find upcoming dates for Music & Melody Makers and other events with Minnesota Youth Symphonies.
Quick List of Twin Cities Music Outings with Kids
• Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, St. Paul
• MacPhail Center for Music: Free Family Music Series, Minneapolis
• Minnesota Youth Symphonies, St. Paul
• Schubert Club Museum, St. Paul
• St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: Target Free Family Music, St. Paul
• VocalEssence, Minneapolis
• Family Music Classes in the Twin Cities
TWIN CITIES SEASONAL MUSIC
One of the least expensive ways to introduce kids to a wide variety of music is to watch for FREE community concerts. These music groups are composed of mainly non-professional musicians who want to continue performing into adulthood. Many concerts offer kid-friendly music and mini lessons about the composers and music styles. Subscribe to their email lists or catch them during community concert series:
• Summer Concert Series in the Twin Cities
• Live Christmas Music Performances in the Twin Cities
LOCAL KIDS BANDS
In the Twin Cities, we are so lucky to have some great musical groups that write and perform music for children and families in genres of music from rock and hip hop to world music. Some are very much “kids music” while others will appeal to both kids and adults.
• Rock The Twin Cities: FFTC’s Guide to Family Friendly Entertainment
Discover the best kid-friendly music outings in the Twin Cities, with affordable, fun, and educational options for families to enjoy together. If we missed any music outings that your family loves, leave us a comment to share your idea with the community.Â