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.
This guide covers the weekend of March 16-17, 2024. 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. Here’s our pick for the Northeast Metro this weekend; check our MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY PROGRAMS round-up for a complete listing around the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro:
Sap to Syrup at Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Rd. White Bear Township, MN 55110
Learn all about the process of tapping maple trees for syrup during a 45-minute guided tour. Registration required for staggered start times. Learn more about events at TAMARACK NATURE CENTER. March 16, 2024; noon-3pm. $7/pp.
MORE MAPLE SYRUP THIS WEEKEND: With the mild winter we’ve had, the sap has been flowing extra early. Find more tapping programs in the Twin Cities Metro this weekend on this quicklist or our guide to MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES:
- TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO, Maple Grove: Journey Into the Sugarbush at Eastman Nature Center.
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO, Hastings: Maple Syruping at Carpenter Nature Center
FIND OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAMILY MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
More park events this weekend in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
New Brighton Spring Gnome Search
Vermont Park, 150 1st Ave SE, New Brighton MN
The gnomes are back at it in New Brighton Parks (did you catch their winter hunt at the golf course?) This time they’ve invaded Vermont Park and you’ll have to leave the path to discover them. As usual, snap a pic with them and post on socials to be entered into a prize drawing. Through March 21, 2024. FREE.
Sundae Bingo at Oakdale Discovery Center
4444 Hadley Avenue N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Your ticket includes 2 hours of BINGO and a chance to make your own ice cream sundae. Make time for kids to stop in at the Discovery Center so they can play around with natural objects and view an aquarium and a beehive. March 17, 2024, 1-3pm. $10/player.
Low cost & free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities – Northeast Metro
St Patrick’s Day Storytime at Forgotten Star
38 Northern Stacks Drive, Fridley, MN 55421
Irish or not, everyone loves listening to a story. And there’s a Patty’s Day craft involved, too. March 17, 2024, 11am-12pm. FREE.
Royal Tea Party at The Little Village
7750 Harkness Ave S suite 101, Cottage Grove, MN
Your royal ticket includes visiting with the princesses, sipping on tea party beverages and treats, storytime and songs. Feel free to dress in your finest. Space is limited. March 17, 2024, 10am-12pm. $35/child-adult pair.
March Lowe’s Kids Workshop
11651 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
5888 Nova Scotia Ave, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
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 in Blaine and Oak Park Heights, build a flower-shaped birdfeeder. Learn more about Lowe’s Kids Workshops. March 16, 2024, 10am. FREE.
Family Tot Time Open Gym at Hayes Elementary
615 Mississippi St NE, Fridley, MN 55432
When it’s chilly outside, heat up indoors with large-motor activities such as balls, hoops, scooters and jump ropes. March 16, 2024, 10:15am-12:15pm. $2/child or $4/family.