Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Weekend: November 18-19, 2023

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Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!

This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of November 18-19, 2023- the weekend before Thanksgiving. To find our most recent guide, click here

You’d better watch out! The holiday season will be descending upon the Twin Cities this weekend. We’ve highlighted some festive events to get you in the spirit. For more ideas on things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids, hop over to our NOVEMBER FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs – whether you’re keeping close to home or you need a break from it.

Early holiday events this weekend in the twin cities

Find Santa this weekend in the Twin Cities

Bachman’s Holiday Open House & Santa and Albert’s Annual Holiday Play

6010 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Have fun interacting with Santa and Albert after they make their grand entrance at the open house, reindeer and all (9:30am). We are hoping to see the duo perform in this year’s edition of Bachman’s annual holiday play. The plays are about 20 minutes long and include caroling and photo opps with Santa & Albert. Open house is November 18, plays run weekends thru December 17, 2023. FREE holiday fun!

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s

8400 Hudson Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125
Make your reservation to meet with Santa and get a free photo! Plus, browse Santa’s Toy Shop and take in the other fun attractions at Cabela’s. Thru December 24, 2023.

Twin Cities holiday shopping events this weekend

Make it the year to shop local or choose handcrafted gifts (we know grandparents love those most!) While we appreciate it’s not always a festive event to bring the kids along to tackle the holiday gift list, these events keep the whole family in mind with entertainment and other diversions. You may even find Santa!

Holiday Walk in the Woods Open House

The Woods Gifts, Woodbury & Maple Grove locations
Visit with Santa and his reindeer at this annual Holiday shopping event. Activities include a visit from Santa and (Maple Grove only) his reindeer. November 18, 2023, 9am-3pm.

Northern Clay Center Winter Open House

2424 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Shop for handmade gifts, watch pottery demonstrations and best of all, try out free hands-on clay activities. My daughters tried this a couple years ago and enjoyed sculpting and painting figures to give grandparents as holiday gifts. NCC fired them and we picked them up a couple weeks later. November 19, 2023. 12-4pm, FREE.

Northern Clay Center

Minnesota Waldorf School Holiday Fair & Market

70 East County Road B, Maplewood, MN 55117
The annual Holiday Fair & Artisan Market is ringing in 40 years. Admission to shop the wares is free; some children’s activities have a fee and others, such as the puppet shows and live music, are free. You’re sure to find something handmade and unique. November 18, 2023, 10am-4pm.

More holiday events this weekend in the Twin Cities

Holiday Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum

668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
A special holiday tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, the Night Trains season magically transforms the museum layouts. Buildings and street lights glow, and throughout the museum the layouts are adorned with Christmas lights. November 18, 2023. $15/pp.

Beauty and the Beast, Jr: Pay-What-You-Can-Day

Stages Theater, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343 Hopkins
The tickets (up to 6) must be reserved in advance by calling the box office. The day of the performance you make a donation of any amount on your way into the theater. This program strives to make theatre accessible to all families. November 19, 2023. 4pm show only. 

Find our complete 2023 guide to the holidays in Minneapolis-St Paul, the Twin Cities.

November Family Weekend: Here Come the Holidays

Fun outdoor activities in the parks this weekend in the Twin Cities

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 the parks.

SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND: All About Turkeys

Free Family Fun Day: Fall Hike – Turkeys!

Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Learn fun turkey facts, take a self-guided hike and try to spot a turkey from the wildlife viewing room. The Richardson Nature Center is a wonderful, hands-on place for kids to explore nature. November 19, 2023, 3-4pm. FREE, drop in.

Featured Twin Cities park events this weekend

Special event this weekend in North Mississippi Regional Park: Nature Art: Cornucopias

North Mississippi Regional Park, 5116 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55412 
Craft your own table centerpiece of plenty from materials found outdoors in the park. Free, but registration required. November 19, 2023, 1-2pm.

More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids

National Family Volunteer Day – Saturday, November 18, 2023

There isn’t a day on the calendar that’s not a great time to put into practice the idea of giving back, but Thanksgiving time might make a special impact on kids. If it doesn’t fit the schedule this weekend, we’ve got a list of FUN volunteering opportunities that can be taken on as a family both at and away from home. Check the link for details.

Girl volunteering at Feed My Starving Children
Gianna’s kids have volunteered at Feed My Starving Children

Need indoor activity ideas? Get moving!

If it’s time to head indoors with the kids but still want to get out of the house, here are a couple ideas:

Try a new indoor playground

For Minnesota parents it’s a must to know where to escape the elements and still keep those kids active and having fun. During the months of November through March we feature the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you discover something new: This week we highlight the KUBE Indoor Playground in Plymouth. Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience (or KUBE) brings backyard fun indoors with playhouses, ramps, slides towers with ladders. Best for ages 2-12. $5-$6/child. Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55447.

FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience (KUBE) in Plymouth, Minnesota

Kids Yoga & Music at Midtown Global Market

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Limber up with a yoga class just for kids at 10:30 by the stage in the central court, then groove and sing along with a Rockin’ Robins Music mini-class at 11. You’ll want to stay and pick a lunch spot from one of the many delicious market vendors. November 18, 2023. FREE.

Kids at the Castle: Grateful Hearts

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Kids at the Castle is a program for parents to explore American Swedish Institute with their children (ages 2-5 suggested) in tow. There is a circle time, stories, music and movement, plus you can take in the sights of  ASI’s annual holiday exhibition this month. November 18, 2023, 9-10am. $15/family.

Storytime in the Gallery at Museum of Russian Art

5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Currently, the museum is offering a FREE Storytime in the Gallery the third Saturday of the month with no charge for adults to accompany their kids. Take home make-and-take kit and explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt. Please pre-register. November 18, 2023, 10:30am.

Craft & create for free!

Lowe’s Kids Workshop

Participating Lowe’s locations invite young makers to the store Saturday to build a Thanksgiving turkey photo holder. Please register for a timeslot in advance. November 18, 2023, 10am, FREE.

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 kids paint a watercolor Christmas stocking. November 19, 2023, 2-4pm.

Need more indoor activity ideas? Try these to combat boredom if you’re stuck at home:

Kids at the Castle: Grateful Hearts

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Kids at the Castle is a program for parents to explore American Swedish Institute with their children (ages 2-5 suggested) in tow. There is a circle time, stories, music and movement, plus you can take in the sights of  ASI’s annual holiday exhibition this month. November 18, 2023, 9-10am. $15/family.

Storytime in the Gallery at Museum of Russian Art

5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Currently, the museum is offering a FREE Storytime in the Gallery the third Saturday of the month with no charge for adults to accompany their kids. Take home make-and-take kit and explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt. Please pre-register. November 18, 2023, 10:30am.

Craft & create for free!

Lowe’s Kids Workshop

Participating Lowe’s locations invite young makers to the store Saturday to build a Thanksgiving turkey photo holder. Please register for a timeslot in advance. November 18, 2023, 10am, FREE.

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 kids paint a watercolor Christmas stocking. November 19, 2023, 2-4pm.

Need more indoor activity ideas? Try these to combat boredom if you’re stuck at home:

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

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