Things to do in the Twin Cities Southeast Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Afton, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St Paul, West St Paul & Woodbury.
This guide covers the weekend of March 14-15, 2026. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
Welcome to March in the Twin Cities!
Forward March your way into a fun and spring-like mix of things to do this weekend indoors and out. 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 budget, style, size and spot in the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Southeast Metro parks this weekend
We’re bringing you the scoop on dozens of outdoor (and some indoor) activities this weekend in Twin Cities parks carefully curated on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. Our top picks for the Southeast Metro center on the season of flowing sap and maple syrup in Minnesota.
HASTINGS Carpenter Nature Center Maple Syrup Program
12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN 55033
Families will learn about trees as they hike to the sugarbush. Tap maple trees and observe the process of turning sap into syrup with a sample at the end. Registration required. March 14, 2026, 1-3pm. $8/pp.
WEST ST PAUL Maple Syruping at Dodge Nature Center
365 Marie Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55118
Ages 6+ with caregivers can observe the process of turning tree sap into syrup at Dodge Nature Center. Visit the evaporator and sample real maple syrup and sugar if you like. DODGE NATURE CENTERÂ includes a working farm on its property and trails that wind through trees that can be tapped for maple syrup programs. Registration required. March 14, 2026. $8/pp.
MORE MAPLE SYRUP THIS WEEKEND: An extra mild winter means the sap gets 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:Â Journey Into the Sugarbush at Eastman Nature Center. March 14, 2026.
- TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO, White Bear Lake: Sap to Syrup at Tamarack Nature Center. March 14, 2026.
FIND OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAMILY MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southeast Metro
EAGAN Ice Bumper Cars & Open Skate
3870 Pilot Knob Rd, Eagan, MN 55122
The outdoor rinks may have called it a season in the Twin Cities but you can still head indoors for this super-cool skating idea: ice bumper cars! The only spot in the Metro you can find them? Eagan’s Civic Arena during Open Skate. They light up, spin 360 and will zip you around the ice for about 10 minutes. Stick around for open skate. March 14, 2026, see link for times and rules. $8/rider.
APPLE VALLEYÂ Breakfast at the Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Yum! Scarf up some pancakes with all the toppings, eggs, sausage and the works before embarking on a day exploring the trails (indoors if you want to stay cozy) at the Minnesota Zoo. Zoo admission not included. March 14, 2026, 8:30-10am. $20/adults, $14/youth 3-12.
Free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities - Southeast Metro
HASTINGS St Patrick’s Day Party
1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings, MN 55033
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Pleasant Hill Library with crafts and games. Best for kids ages 4 & up. March 14, 2026, 2-4pm. FREE.
BURNSVILLE New Horizon Academy Spring Egg Hunt
1885 E 134th St, Burnsville, MN 55337
Families with young ones are invited to visit the Burnsville location for a spring egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Free and open to the public! March 14, 2026, 11am.
THE HUNT IS ON! We know it’s a little on the early side, but we’ve already uncovered dozens of egg hunts listed in our huge GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES EASTER EGG HUNTS.
EAGANÂ Barnes & Noble Storytime
1291 Promenade Place, Eagan, MN 55121
Join Barnes & Noble at the Eagan Promenade location for a storytime and a short activity on Saturday mornings. March 14, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.