Things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Blaine, Centerville, Forest Lake, Fridley, Hugo, Lino Lakes, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, Oakdale, Scandia, Shoreview, St Anthony, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake.Â
This guide covers the weekend of January 13-14, 2024. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
That chill you felt in your bones this morning when you stepped outside? That’s winter, finally making itself known here in Minnesota. Here at FFTC we’re somewhat divided on our feelings about this frigid season, but what we all agree on is that it’s best to figure out the best way to go about embracing it with our families! This is a long weekend for many of us, most schools on break to observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day. For more activity ideas this weekend, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try our best to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs.
Winter festivals this weekend in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
Rounded up for you are the best of the Twin Cities’ weekend winter festivals – ways to get out and play in the elements with your family! For more frosty festival fun jump over to our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar. It comprehensively covers events across the greater Twin Cities. Here we present a few options in the Northeast Metro.
New Brighton Brave the BRRR
Brightwood Hills Golf Course, 1975 Silver Lake Rd NW, New Brighton
Between now and January 29 you can search for 15 gnomes hidden along the path (and enter to win a prize). Fri-Sun starting shop an indoor market (3-7pm) and try out activities with the parks dept (as always, weather dependent). Plus, a big deal: come check out a clue as to what this year’s Bartz snow sculpture will be – delayed but arriving hopefully next week.
White Bear Center For the Arts Winter Open House
4971 Long Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Snow sculpting, dogsledding and more free activities at this winter festival for families. January 13, 2024, 1-3pm. FREE admission.
Vadnais Heights Winter Shindig
641 E County Road F., Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Featuring hot chocolate, cookies, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more winter activities. Keep a watch for any weather-related cancellations. January 14, 2024. 2-4pm, FREE.Â
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro parks this weekendÂ
We keep tabs on all kinds of outdoor activities hosted by local, county and regional park systems across the greater Twin Cities. The following are just a few of our suggestions this weekend. 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:
Puppet Art Adventures at Silverwood Park
2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Take in a puppet show followed by make-and-take nature-inspired art. A hike with a park naturalist is scheduled from 2-3pm.  January 14, 2024, 1-3pm. Learn more about SILVERWOOD PARK.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve Bird Hike
1515 Keats Avenue North. Lake Elmo, MN 55042
You don’t need to be a family of birdwatchers to enjoy getting out in this lovely northeast metro park – but all ages might enjoy a guided hike and older kids might be interested in taking surveys to help collect data for the park. It’s budget family fun at just $7/vehicle. January 13, 2024, 9-10:30am.
Wintertime in Stillwater
Stillwater’s riverside LOWELL PARK is front and center to several classically cool happenings this weekend. Can’t make it out on short notice? That just fine – these events are meant to be enjoyed throughout the winter months (and they don’t require snow!).
Water Inn’s free ice skating rink– Not a large rink, but well maintained and close to downtown and free public parking lots. Glide within view of the Chestnut Street lights and the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Note that the rink is free, but there are no skate rentals available or a warming house. Available now thru February 25, 2024. Located behind 101 Water St S, Stillwater, MN 55082.
Winter lights display – Chestnut Street in historic downtown Stillwater has transformed into a winter wonderland. Last year, our family visited the free LED light show set to music one magical Friday night and had the whole street to ourselves! Come see for yourself while exploring the downtown shops and spots to grab dinner. Lighting up now thru February 2024, 5-10pm nightly.
Find more of the best things to do in Stillwater this winter with kids!
Snow tubing update in the Northeast Metro
The two major snow tubing venues in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro are busily supplementing our meager winter’s snowfall.
- GREEN ACRES, Lake Elmo: Tubing is open for business. Book slots from 11am-5pm, $20/2 hrs. Save this for your bigger kids – Green Acres doesn’t recommend tubing for those under 42″.
BADLANDS SNOW PARK, Hudson: Tubing sessions are now open for booking. 3-hr passes are $23/pp.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Northeast Metro
Fleet Farm Free Birdhouse Build
10250 Lexington Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55014
1001 Industrial Street Hudson, WI 54016
5635 Hadley Avenue North Oakdale, MN 55128
Kids and families can get crafty together assembling a birdhouse to house feathered friends during the winter. All supplies provided. January 13, 2024, 9am-1pm. FREE.
Oakdale Indoor Market & Discovery Center
4444 Hadley Avenue N, Oakdale, MN 55128
After browsing the indoor vendors to pick up tasty local treats, definitely stop in at the Discovery Center so kids can play around with natural objects and view an aquarium and a beehive. January 13, 2024, 9am-1pm. FREE admission.
Lakeshore Learning Fun with Science
1721 Beam Ave A, Maplewood, MN 55109
Hands-on educational fun includes a slime-making craft and in-store science experiments such as building a volcano, growing crystals and snow-making. January 13, drop in from 11am-3pm. FREE.
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor playground
New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
For Minnesota parents it’s essential to know where to escape the elements and still keep the kids active and happy. During the months of November through March we try to highlight the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you add a new space to your list: This weekend we feature Eagles Nest Indoor Playground in New Brighton. Kids will go nuts for the web tower, slides, playable giant piano keys, a tight rope, and a hanging foam forest. There’s a dedicated space for toddlers and crawlers, too. Admission $8/child up to age 12.
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
Family Tot Time Open Gym at Hayes Elementary
615 Mississippi St NE, Fridley, MN 55432
As it cools off outside, heat up indoors with large-motor activities such as balls, hoops, scooters and jump ropes. January 13, 2024, 10:15am-12:15pm. $2/child or $4/family.