Things to do in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Albertville, Andover, Anoka, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Dayton, Elk River, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Osseo, Otsego, Plymouth, Ramsey, Robbinsdale, Rogers & St Michael.
This guide covers the weekend of August 15-16, 2026. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
Twin Cities Northwest Metro events for families
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
⚈ 8:45 am - 10:45 am: Bunker Beach Tot Time - Bunker Beach Water Park, Coon Rapids⚈ 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Jumperoo Tot Time - Tuesdays - Twin Cities Urban Air Locations, Metro Area
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Eidem Farm Tuesday Open Gate Hours (FREE) - Historic Eidem Farm, Brooklyn Park
⚈ 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Plymouth History Center Story Time (FREE) - Plymouth History Center, Plymouth
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Tiny Tykes Tuesday: Caterpillar Rock Painting - Green Valley Garden Center, Ramsey
⚈ 10:30 am - 4:30 pm: Brooklyn Center Rec On the Go - Tuesday Fun (FREE) - Brooklyn Center Parks (see link), Brooklyn Center
⚈ 11:00 am - 7:00 pm: Bunker Beach Explore Your Parks Day - Bunker Beach Water Park, Coon Rapids
⚈ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Stories From the Porch (FREE) - Historic Eidem Farm, Brooklyn Park
⚈ 11:30 am - 1:00 pm: St Michael Cinema Kids Summer Movie Series - St Michael Cinema, St Michael
⚈ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Andrews Park Farmers Market - Andrews Park, Champlin
⚈ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Family Fun Skate: Princess & Superhero Night - Andover Community Center, Andover
⚈ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Tableside Magician & Kids Eat FREE - Broadway Pizza, Champlin
⚈ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Brooklyn Center Entertainment In the Park (FREE) - Centennial Park, Brooklyn Center
⚈ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Brooklyn Park Concert on the Lawn Summer Series (FREE) - Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, Brooklyn Park
⚈ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Osseo Music In the Park (FREE) - Boerboom Park, Osseo
Summer is winding down in the Twin Cities
But there’s still time to check our AUGUST FAMILY GUIDE, our 2026 ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES SUMMER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR for more fun ideas on what to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with your kids!
Twin Cities festivals this weekend for the family
- LINO LAKES Blue Heron Days
- NORTH HUDSON Pepper Fest
- ST PAUL Como Park Japanese Obon Festival
- ST PAUL PARK Heritage Day Festival
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS Days
Plan ahead for the last of the Minnesota summer festivals, including the great MINNESOTA STATE FAIR, in our TWIN CITIES AUGUST FESTIVAL GUIDE.
Beaches, pools, waterparks & splash pads in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro
We don’t want to be the ones to make the call that swimming season is over in Minnesota so we’ll let these beaches & pools do that instead. We’re coming up on the final few weeks for several spots in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro:
NEW HOPE Aquatic Park
4411 Xylon Ave N, New Hope, MN 55427
Last couple of weeks for swimming this season: fun features at this pool include a shallow water recreation area for tots, body slides and a vortex pool for the bigger kids. Open thru August 23, 2026, 11am-7pm.
Admission: $13-$14/pp.
- ANOKA AQUATIC CENTER (open thru August 30)
- BUNKER BEACH WATERPARK, Coon Rapids (thru August 30)
- GROVE COVE AQUATIC CENTER, Maple Grove (outdoor pool closes Labor Day)
- ELM CREEK SWIM POND (thru Labor Day)
There are still plenty of splash spots open for a few more weeks (especially beaches – typically through Labor Day) so go ahead and browse the finds in our complete TWIN CITIES ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS or continue for more ideas:
Featured Northwest Metro outdoor swimming pool
MAPLE GROVE Grove Cove Aquatic Center
12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Swimming pools are always a hit for their slides and fun features. This week we’re featuring GROVE COVE, the pool at MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER. Here you have the choice of swimming both indoors & out! Combine your trip to the pool with a visit to the jungle-themed MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND, also within the community center.
Twin Cities Northwest Metro Tot Swims this weekend
Where can the littles rule the pool before the big kids arrive? Start here for the day’s Northwest Metro schedule and find more on our page of TWIN CITIES TOT SWIMS.
CRYSTAL Crystal Cove Lil’ Splashers
4800 Douglas Drive N, Crystal, MN 55429
FINAL WEEK! During this swim time, the zero-depth pool is available exclusively to kids 7 and under and their adults. August 15, 2026, 9-10:30am. $4/child, adult free.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro parks this weekend
The following is just a sampling of all we’re keeping track of 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 Northwest Metro parks.
This beautiful park sprawls across almost 5,000 acres, passes through three northwest Twin Cities communities and is the largest in the Three Rivers Park District system. There is so much to do at ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE that you’d be hard-pressed to fit it into one day! If you’re interested in the highlights, here’s what we recommend trying:
- Your kids will go crazy for the giant, rainbow-hued ELM CREEK PLAY AREA (pictured). Great for all abilities!
- Spend a summer afternoon swimming at the chlorinated, sandy ELM CREEK SWIM POND ($7/pp).
- Explore the EASTMAN NATURE CENTER – filled with indoor exhibits and live animals, then head outdoors to find a boardwalk, trails and a sweet little nature playground. Check out free nature exploration materials at the front desk.
Want to explore more nature centers? Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for all the details.
BROOKLYN PARK Drop In Discoveries at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 5544
There is family programming every weekend at the park – nearly always a free option and often an inexpensive educational option, too. Don’t miss taking a short but exciting trip across the dam that connects to sister park COON RAPIDS DAM REGIONAL PARK. This weekend, kids can learn about river rocks. August 16, 2026, 1-3pm. FREE.
More things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids - Northwest Metro
ANOKA Food Truck Festival
2015 S 1st Ave, Anoka, MN 55303
Anoka’s annual Food Truck Festival pairs 50(!) delicious vendors with live music and giant lawn games like Connect 4 and bean bags the whole family can play. August 15, 2026.
GOLDEN VALLEY Rescue Readers
1411 Main St NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55448
Book a one-hour slot reading to a sweet rescue animal in need of some love. First, you’ll need to watch an orientation video online and, once trained, you can book your reading session on the Humane Society website. Only registered readers pay the fee (look at it as a donation to your furry friends) but an adult must be present. August 15, 2026, 1-3:30pm. $8/reader.
ST MICHAEL $1 Kids Summer Movie Series
St Michael Cinema, 4300 O’Day Ave NE, St Michael, MN 55376
FINAL WEEK! Yes, movies on the big screen all summer long for just a buck! You can get the complete schedule at the link. This weekend screens Scoobi. August 15-16, 2026.
FIND OUR MEGA-LIST OF FREE & CHEAP SUMMER MOVIES IN THE TWIN CITIES!
More free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities - Northwest Metro
BROOKLYN PARK Fleet Farm Touch-a-Truck
8400 Lakeland Ave N Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Kids and families can get up close to ogle vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, school buses, garbage trucks, and more. August 15, 2026, 9am-12pm. FREE.
NORTHWEST METRO August Lowe’s Kids Workshop
2700 Main St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
11201 Fountains Dr, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Free Lowe’s kids workshops are geared towards your “mini-DIYer” about age 4-11. Caregivers will need to remain onsite to supervise. This month at Lowe’s Coon Rapids, kids can participate in a Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Workshop. Learn more about Lowe’s Kids Workshops. August 15, 2026, 10am-1pm. FREE.
BROOKLYN PARK Art Day on Historic Eidem Farm
4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Drop by the historic farmstead for an extra special Saturday Open Gate: make nature stamps, flower crowns and other art activities. August 15, 2026, 10am-2pm.
ANOKA Avant Garden Bookstore: Saturday Story Hour
215 E Main St, Anoka, MN 55303
Kids will enjoy a storytime just for them, their grown-ups might appreciate that that the bookstore is also a coffee shop. Ongoing Saturdays. August 15, 2026, 10am. FREE.
Plan ahead! Family events this week in the Twin Cities: August 17-21 2026
