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, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Elk River, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Otsego, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Rogers & St Michael.
This guide covers the weekend of February 17-18, 2024 — President’s Day Weekend in the Twin Cities. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
The FFTC Team Kids are psyched for a long President’s Day weekend here in the Twin Cities. Meanwhile, the FFTC Team Parents are working around the clock to compile our lists of ideas for keeping them entertained. Can you relate? If you don’t find what you’re looking for right here, try checking our Minneapolis & St Paul weekend page for loads of stuff to choose from indoors and out. And remember, you can also skip over to our FEBRUARY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. Happy (long) weekending wherever it ends up taking you!
Winter festivals this weekend in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro
Winter festivals didn’t get much of a fighting chance here in the Twin Cities this winter – and it seems like they’re signing off this President’s Day Weekend before they were even able to get revved up. As of press time, there are a couple hopeful communities in the North Metro that still have festivities scheduled; check our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar for more details.
OTSEGO Winter Festival
Prairie Park, 13355 90th St NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Originally planned to include dogsledding, snowshoeing and a snowman-building contest, this last of the north metro winter festivals will either be scaled back to the medallion hunt or cancelled for this year. February 17, 2024, 10am-2pm. FREE admission.
More winter festivals in the Twin Cities North Metro:
STILLWATER Winterfest
Willing to head to the Northeast this weekend? Pick Saturday if you’re bringing kids – most of the festival events cater to adults but February 17th includes kids activities at the Loft at Studio J, a hot air balloon basket and an evening fireworks display. Kids not into the big booms? Stillwater also has a lovely LED light show downtown through the end of the month. February 17, 2024.
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 the parks.
Some fun family ideas for this weekend:
Champlin Expedition Yeti
Week #3 – Andrews Park, 7200 117th Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
Each Thursday in February (except the 29th), visit a different Champlin park to hunt down hidden yeti, collect clues and solve riddles to be entered in a prize drawing. The weekly hunts run Thursday through 4:30pm the following Tuesday. See the city’s website for official rules.
YMCA of the North: Kidarod
Fish Lake Regional Park, 14900 Bass Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55311
An exciting challenge the whole family (ages 5+) can participate in! The Kidarod is a two-mile winter adventure course filled with obstacles to climb, hike and slide around. We don’t know what the course will resemble without snow but stay tuned for more details. Sign up for spots Saturday, February 17, 4-7pm & Sunday, February 18, 11am-3pm. $39/participant.
Central Park Ice Loop Skating
12000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove, Minnesota, 55369
Sadly, this has not been Minnesota’s year for outdoor ice time. If you’re determined to lace up your skates, Central Park in Maple Grove is one of the very few spots to do so thanks to its refrigerated ice skating loop. BYO skates and the the outing is completely free – or you can rent a pair for $7.50. Open all weekend, 10am-9pm.
Free Family Fun Day at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
This weekend, meet the snakes (!) that call the interpretive center “home”. Learn more about MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK. February 18, 2024, 1-3pm. FREE admission.
Free Family Fun Day at Eastman Nature Center
13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Learn all about the birds that visit Eastman’s outdoor feeders during the winter months. There’s a bunch of other indoor exhibits to check out at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER, too. February 17, 2024, 9:30-11:5am. FREE.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids - Northwest Metro
SCHOOL BREAK CAMP! Animal Humane Society President’s Day Camp
845 Meadow Ln N, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Do you have a child who melts at the sight of a rescue pup? This might be the school-break camp for them: time spent with animals, educational activities, games and crafts make for a full day of learning and fun. Book your spot quickly, they will likely fill. February 19, 2024, 9am-4pm. $100/session.
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor playground
Plymouth Community Center – President’s Day Open Play
14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Here’s a sweet score on indoor play while the kids have a school break – $10 wristbands permit access to inflatables in the fieldhouse, the KUBE Indoor Playground and open gym time. A full day of fun that should wear the kids out! February 19, 2024, 9am-2pm. $10/child.
Urban Air Adventure Park – President’s Day Extended Hours
10 Coon Rapids Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
3580 Holly Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447
Packed with trampolines, ropes course, ninja obstacles – wow! Both Northwest Metro Urban Air locations are offering extended hours over President’s Day. You’ll want to study each spot to choose between a full roster of attractions and ticket options as it can bit somewhat of a splurge. February 19, 2024, 10am-8pm.
MORE INDOOR PLAY SPACES IN THE NORTHWEST METRO:
- ALBERTVILLE: Peekabooboo’s Play Cafe
- ELK RIVER: Avery’s Adventures
- GOLDEN VALLEY: Brookview Backyard
- MAPLE GROVE: Maple Maze Indoor Playground
- MAPLE GROVE: Playground Plaza
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
Maple Grove Community Center Tot Time – President’s Day
12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Tots get a designated time in the gym just for them, and it’s cheap at just $4/child, caregivers free. Kick it up a notch with admission to MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND, ($6/child) or the GROVE COVE AQUATIC CENTER ($8/pp) also located within the community center. February 19, 2024, 9-11am.
Buffalo Community Theater: Finding Nemo Jr
Discovery Auditorium, 210 1st Ave. NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
FINAL WEEKEND! Who can resist this sweet, hopeful show based on the Disney-Pixar hit movie? Just keep swimming – your kids will love live theater! February 17, 2024. Tickets just $8-$15/pp.
Avant Garden Bookstore: Children’s Storytime
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. February 17, 2024, 10am. FREE.