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, Elk River, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Otsego, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Rogers & St Michael.
This guide covers the weekend of January 13-14, 2024 – the weekend before MLK Jr Day. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
Nature may be saying otherwise, but according to the calendar, it’s official: winter is upon us in the Twin Cities. The job now is figuring out how to go about embracing it this weekend! And for many, this is a long weekend with Friday & Monday off of school in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day. In need of activity ideas? Skip over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. Our aim is to keep it stocked with options to inspire your family to make the most of the time together.
Winter festivals this weekend in the Twin CitiesÂ
Rounded up in our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar are the cream of the Twin Cities’ seasonal celebrations – ways to frolic in the elements with your family! This weekend isn’t seeing much frosty festival fun in the Northwest Metro but here’s an option not far away:
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.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro parks this weekendÂ
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:
Free Family Fun Day at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
This weekend, drop in to follow a frozen critter trail to learn about native animals in winter. Learn more about MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK. January 14, 2024, 1-3pm. FREE.
Free Family Fun Day at Eastman Nature Center
13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Learn all about the science of snowflakes and even preserve one for yourself. There’s a bunch of other indoor exhibits to check out at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER, too. Drop in anytime between 1-3pm. January 14, 2024. FREE.
Free Family Fun Day at Baker Park Reserve
2309 Baker Park Rd, Maple Plain, MN 55356
Drop in for two different activities – borrow a GPS unit to track hidden points in the park and try your hand at blowing frozen bubbles outside. Stop by a campfire to warm up and roast a smore. January 14, 2:30-4:30pm. FREE.
Snow tubing update in the Northwest Metro
The two major snow tubing venues in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro are currently busy at work trying to manufacture the stuff Mother Nature hasn’t yet blessed us with much of yet.
- ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE: Tubing is currently closed. Should conditions allow it to open, tubing hours are 10am-9pm weekends, $17/2 hrs.
WIRTH PARK WINTER RECREATION AREA: As of this publishing, the tubing hill is scheduled to be open Jan 13 & 14 from 1-6pm and MLK Monday, Jan. 15 from 10am-4pm. Last year, 2-hr passes were $17/pp.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Northwest Metro
Fleet Farm Free Birdhouse Build
8400 Lakeland Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
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.
Green Valley Garden Center: MLK Weekend Crafts
6530 Green Valley Rd, Ramsey, MN 55303
Little green thumbs in the family? Bring them out this weekend to create their own mini-planter, all supplies included, for $10. Plus, a small selection of planting crafts for anyone interested and FREE coffee & cocoa. January 13, 10am-1pm. Additional date: MLK Day, January 15, 10am-4pm.
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor play space
10 Coon Rapids Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MNÂ 55448
3580 Holly Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447
For Minnesota parents it’s a must to know where to escape the elements and still keep those kids active and having fun. During the months of November through March we feature the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you discover something new: This weekend we’re talking up URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK with two Northwest Metro locations in Coon Rapids and Plymouth. A lovely reader suggested we add this adventure hub to our list. Packed with trampolines, laser tag, mini golf, bowling, ropes course, zip line, ninja obstacles – wow! We recommend saving this indoor park for a splurge day. For younger ones seeking an indoor play area, the Tubes Playground fills that bill. $12/child under 5; $27-$42/pp 5+
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
MLK Day in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro
Open Play at Plymouth Community Center
14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
A great deal on indoor play while the kids have a school break today – $10 wristbands include 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. January 15, 2024, 9am-2pm. $10/child.
