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, Columbus, Forest Lake, Fridley, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lino Lakes, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, Oakdale, Scandia, Shoreview, St Anthony, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake.Â
This guide covers the weekend of March 7-8, 2026. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
Welcome to March in the Twin Cities!
Can you feel that tinge of spring in the air? The one that says an explosion of outdoor activities is just around the corner? We’re featuring many of those this weekend in our roundup of Northeast Metro family fun. And most of what we’re listing here is FREE to attend! For more ideas, hop over to our March Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs, tastes, size and budget.
Fun activities in the Twin Cities Northeast 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 the Northeast Metro parks.
Featured family fun ideas for this weekend: It’s maple syrup month!
March welcomes the season of bountiful sap and syrup in Minnesota. Our parks do this natural event up right with maple syrup programs for families across Twin Cities parks. We don’t know of any in the Northeast Metro this weekend but here’s what’s on the schedule in other communities. See our MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY PROGRAMS round-up for a complete listing:
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO, West St Paul: Dodge Nature Center Pancake Breakfast. March 7, 2026, drop in between 8-10:30am. (FREE!)Â
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO, Eden Prairie: Maple Syrup Making at Eden Prairie Outdoor Center. March 8, 2026, 1-2:30pm. $12/family.
MORE MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS: Schedule can’t fit maple syrup in this weekend? Events will be taking place over the next few weeks that we have collected into our MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY GUIDE.
More park events this weekend in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
MARINE ON ST CROIX Bird Hike at Carpenter Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN, 55033
We recommend this activity as something to do with tweens or teens – take a guided bird hike and learn how to identify species by their song. Or just enjoy getting outside and searching for signs of spring at the park. March 7, 2026, 9-11am. $5/pp.
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. March 7, 2026, 9am-1pm. FREE admission.
ST ANTHONY Puppet Art Adventures at Silverwood Park
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Start with storytime in the Great Hall, get hands-on with objects from nature and do a related art activity. If you like, join a naturalist afterwards for a guided hike. March 8, 2026, 1-3pm. LEARN MORE ABOUT SILVERWOOD PARK.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Northeast Metro
Take a walk on the wild side in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
Inject a little of the exotic into your winter routine this weekend – or, at the very least, impress kids who are excited and curious about animal encounters. There is respectable contingency of these in the Minneapolis-St Paul Northeast Metro. Let us introduce a few to keep in mind when you’re in the mood for something :
MAPLEWOOD Sustainable Safari
Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Avenue N, Maplewood
Most simply put, this is a very fancy petting zoo that can boast of over 100 species of animals, most of which you and yours can actually pet and feed. We’re talking kangaroos, sloths, porcupines and loads of unfamiliar critters whose names I’m stumbling even to type. Equally fancy ticket options allow you to purchase add-ons and packages if you’re interested. General admission tickets are $16.50/pp ages 5 & up.
MAPLEWOOD Snake Discovery
831 Century Avenue N, Maplewood MN
If you’re not squeamish about the slithery reptiles, this could be a cool family outing. And the exhibits aren’t limited to snakes, there are all kinds of scaly creatures and amphibians to meet on your guided tour (three types to choose from). Maybe you’ll be charmed by one of the inhabitants? Sat 11am-8pm & Sun 11am-6pm. $8-$10/pp.
ROSEVILLE Cafe Meow
1718A Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
So this idea isn’t so much exotic, but my youngest daughter simply loves cats so I have to blow this horn a little. We book an hour at this sweet rescue coffee shop and she gets a fix without the extra work at home. Kids over 7 (with a parent) can show some love to the cats and sip a warm beverage. 11am-7pm, $11.50/pp.
More ideas for free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids - Northeast Metro
MAPLEWOOD Free Slime Saturday at Maplewood Mall
3001 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, MN 55109
Twin City Slime offers free slime making, complete with instructions, and free open play today only. March 7, 2026, 10am-8pm.
MAPLEWOOD Lakeshore Learning: Sensory Explorers
1721 Beam Ave A, Maplewood, MN 55109
This month, get hands-on with art projects featuring putty, experiment with store products and try color mixing. March 7, 2026, drop in from 11am-3pm. FREE.
MAPLEWOOD Home Depot Kids Workshops
2360 White Bear Ave No, Maplewood, MN 55109
Kids can put together simple DIY projects the first Saturday of the month for free. This month kids can put together a mini leprechaun trap. March 7, 2026, 9am-12pm. FREE.
FRIDLEYÂ Storytime at Forgotten Star
38 Northern Stacks Drive, Fridley, MN 55421
Local author Laura Joswiak leads a storytime with a St Patrick’s Day theme. There will be a craft offered as well at this super family-friendly brewery. March 8, 2026, 10:30-11:30am. FREE.
ROSEVILLE Open Game Room
2180 North Hamline Ave, Roseville, MN 55113
Roseville Library pulls out its collection of over 30 tables games and invites families to bring their own along with friends to play with. March 7, 2026, 12-5pm. FREE.
FIND MORE CREATIVE INDOOR GAMES TO PLAY WITH KIDS WHEN IT’S COLD OUT!
