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 July 18-19, 2026. Not finding the city you’re searching for? We also cover fun family events in the areas of:
Plenty of summer left in the Twin Cities!
As always, you can check our JULY FAMILY GUIDE, our 2026 ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES SUMMER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR for more fun ideas on what to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with your kids!
Twin Cities festivals this weekend for the family – Northwest Metro
EAST BETHEL Booster Day Party in the Park
22266 Palisade St NE, East Bethel, MN 55011
All kinds of free and family-friendly fun in the park: free inflatables and petting zoo plus live music, pony rides and fireworks. July 18, 2026.
ELK RIVER Sherburne County Fair
18335 Joplin St NW, Elk River, MN 55330
The county fair could be a good alternative to those whose kids might not be prepared for the massive crowds of the Minnesota State Fair. Or it could be a warm up to the main event. Whatever you call it, the county fair will have a carnival, farm animals to meet, entertainment such as a lumberjack show and a parade. July 18-19, 2026. $5/pp admission ages 6 & up.
RAMSEY Two Rivers Art Fair
7401 E Ramsey Pkwy, Ramsey, MN 55303
Free family art sample classes plus live music, artist demos and a beautiful park and playground. July 18, 2026, 10am-4pm. FREE.
MORE FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
- BURNSVILLE International Festival of Burnsville
- CENTERVILLLE Fete des Lac
- EXCELSIOR Crazy Days
- HASTINGS Rivertown Days
- HOPKINS Raspberry Festival
- MINNEAPOLIS: Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
- MOUND Spirit of the Lakes Festival
- STILLWATER Lumberjack Days
- TAYLORS FALLS Wannigan Days
Get planning for more Twin Cities Northwest Metro community festival fun through July!
 Beaches, pools, waterparks & splash pads in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro
Spend the day at the beach or pool! So many to choose from this weekend for swimming, splashing and all-around FUN. You’ll find our complete listing in SPLASH HAPPY: A GUIDE TO WATER FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Featured Twin Cities Northwest Metro beachÂ
ELK RIVER Orono Park
18599 Gary St, Elk River, MN 55330
What an exciting find this park was! It has all the makings of a perfect summer day, including a long and clean sandy beach (bring your own shade), an inclusive playground, splash pad, covered pavilions for picnicking, sand volleyball courts, kayak rentals, need I go on? I’m adding this one to our list of the BEST BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES – stat!
Featured Twin Cities Northwest Metro splash pad
MAPLE GROVE Central Park
12000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369
The Maple Grove splash pad at Central Park has become one of the favorites among Twin Cities parents. A super exciting playground is also onsite with challenges for a wide variety of ages and abilities. Interactive fountain open daily 10am – 8:30pm, (8:45pm – 10pm, show mode with lights.) This is just one of a few dozen fountains we’ve rounded up for our list of THE BEST SPLASH PADS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
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 Northwest Metro parks. All kinds of summery stuff in store here:
BROOKLYN PARK Drop In Discoveries at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 5544
There is family programming every weekend at the park – nearly always a free option and often an inexpensive educational option, too. Don’t miss taking a short but exciting trip across the dam that connects to sister park COON RAPIDS DAM REGIONAL PARK. This weekend, kids can make and float their own boats with natural materials. July 19, 2026, 1-3pm. FREE.
MAPLE GROVE Dragonfly Festival
13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Meet at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER in Dayton to discover dragonflies and and explore one of their habitats. The nature center is located within ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE, which also has a gigantic playground and a sand-bottomed swimming pond. Make a day of it! July 18, 2026, drop in anytime from 10am-2pm. FREE.
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BROOKLYN CENTER BC Bike Bash
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN, 55430
Centennial Park is the hub for the community’s first Bike Bash – including a 3.5-mile bike ride from the park amphitheater, food and drink vendors, games, crafts and other entertainment for families to enjoy together. July 18, 2026, 10am-2pm. FREE.
RODEO ROUNDUP Find all of the wheel-y cool Twin Cities-area bike rodeos this season! Bike rodeos are best for ages 4-18 but all are welcome.
More things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids - Northwest Metro
BROOKLYN PARK Open Gate Hours at Historic Eidem Farm
4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Drop by the historic farmstead for mainly self-guided exploration. There might be chores you can help out with, a garden to tend, trails to wander down and animals to meet in the barn. Open Gate hours run during the week, too. You’ll want to watch for special summer events such as weekly storytime. July 18, 2026, 10am-2pm. FREE.Â
July 19 is National Ice Cream Day!
What a perfect excuse to explore our tasty list of the BEST ICE CREAM SHOPS IN THE TWIN CITIES, chock full of spots to get cones, dips, sundaes, malts, double-decker scoops, waffle cones and toppings galore. You need not limit yourself to one day of celebration this summer, of course.Â
ST MICHAEL $1 Kids Summer Movie Series
St Michael Cinema, 4300 O’Day Ave NE, St Michael, MN 55376
Yes, movies on the big screen all summer long for just a buck! You can get the complete schedule at the link. This weekend screens Garfield Movie. July 18-19, 2026.
FIND OUR MEGA-LIST OF FREE & CHEAP SUMMER MOVIES IN THE TWIN CITIES!
More free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities - Northwest Metro
ANOKA Avant Garden Bookstore: Saturday Story Hour
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. July 18, 2026, 10am. FREE.