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, West St Paul & Woodbury.
This guide covers the weekend of March 23-24, 2024. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
Welcome to spring in the Twin Cities!
Spring, sprang, sprung – it’s time for a fresh batch of ideas for spending family time together. Which is our main goal in bringing you these weekend guides. For even more ideas, hop over to our March Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar. We try hard to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s budget, style, size and spot in the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area no matter the season or reason!
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 continue to highlight the thriving season of sap-to-maple syrup in Minnesota, though in many cases this is “last chance” weekend so plan ahead if a maple syrup program is on your spring wishlist:
Maple Syruping at Carpenter Nature Center
12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Last chance this spring for families to learn about maple trees as they hike to the sugarbush. Help tap the trees and learn the process of turning sap into syrup, with a sample at the end. Find out more about what CARPENTER NATURE CENTER has to offer.  March 23, 2024, 1-3pm. $8. Registration is required – Call 651-437-4359.
Maple Syruping at Dodge Nature Center
365 Marie Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55118
Last chance for maple syrup! Ages 6+ with caregivers can observe the sap-to-syrup process at Dodge Nature Center. Visit the evaporator and sample real maple syrup and sugar if you choose. DODGE NATURE CENTER includes a working farm on its property and trails that wind through trees that can be tapped for maple syrup programs. Registration required and space may be sold out. March 23, 2024. $8/pp.
MORE MAPLE SYRUP THIS WEEKEND: An extra mild winter meant the sap got 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:
- BLOOMINGTONÂ (SW METRO):Â Maple Sugaring at the Pond House
- BROOKLYN PARKÂ (NW METRO):Â Maple Syruping at Eidem Farm
- CHASKAÂ (SW METRO):Â Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Maple Fest
- EDEN PRAIRIEÂ (SW METRO):Â Maple Moon at Eden Prairie Outdoor Center
- LINO LAKES (NE METRO: Maple Syrup Festival at Wargo Nature Center
- MAPLE GROVEÂ (NW METRO):Â Eastman Maple Syrup Festival
- MAPLE PLAINÂ (NW METRO):Â Maple Syruping at Baker Outdoor Learning Center
- RICHFIELDÂ (SW METRO):Â Maple Syrup Wrap Up at Wood Lake
- ROSEVILLE (NE METRO): It’s Tapping Time! at Harriet Alexander Nature Center
- VICTORIAÂ (SW METRO):Â Maple Syrup Fest at Lowry Nature Center
- WHITE BEAR LAKE (NE METRO): Sap to Syrup at Tamarack Nature Center
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southeast Metro
Twin Cities Easter egg hunts & events
Dig out your Easter baskets, Twin Cities! This weekend is THE BIG ONE when it comes to egg hunts of all shapes, sizes, colors and numbers. They’re scattered all across the Metro Area, collected in our giant GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES EASTER EGG HUNTS – but if you’re interested in the Southeast Metro we’ve rounded those up here:
Cottage Grove Egg Hunt
Cottage Grove Ice Arena, 8020 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
The event includes searching for a limited number of eggs redeemable for a prize, pictures with the Bunny, and treats. Pre-register for time slots between 9-10:45am, March 23, 2024, $7/pp.
Cottage Grove Lions Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
9260 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Your breakfast ticket includes a menu of pancakes, eggs, sausage and biscuits plus a meet with the Easter Bunny. Kids can be entered in a prize drawing to win a new bike or scooter. March 24, 2024, 8am-12pm. $12/adults, $8/kids.
Inver Grove Heights Egg Hunt
Oakwood Park, 3534 78th St. E. (78th and Clayton), Inver Grove Heights, MNÂ
Sign up for egg hunt by age (ages 3-4; 5-7 & 8-10). March 23, 2024, 1pm-1:45pm. FREE.
Family Easter Egg Hunt
The Gym – Boltz’s Family Martial Arts Academy, 780 S Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Kids ages 1-8+ can join an age-specific Easter egg hunt, pose for pictures with the Easter Bunny and jump in a bounce house. Start times: Session 1: Ages 8+, 2-2:45pm with a 2:30 hunt. Session 2: Ages 5-7, 3-3:45pm with a 3:30 hunt & Session 3: Ages 1-4, 4-4:45pm with a 4:30 hunt. FREE. March 23, 2024.
Rosemount Lions Club Spring Egg Hunt
Ames Soccer Complex, 1300 145th Street East Co. Rd. 42, Rosemount, MNÂ
Kids 1-10 will be divided into 3 age groups to hunt for treats. Please bring your own bag. March 23, 2024, 10am. FREE, donations appreciated.
OMNI Winery Egg Hunt
15701 Biscayne Ave, Rosemount, MN 55068
Kids are invited to hunt for eggs around the winery grounds (two hunts, first starts at noon, second at 2pm) plus pet spring babies while adults shop a spring vendor market and enjoy a beverage if desired. March 24, 2024, 12-4pm, FREE admission.
Woodbury Breakfast with the Bunny
2695 Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125
Save room for a yummy breakfast buffet, get your pictures taken with the Easter bunny and make a craft. All ages are invited to attend; each individual registers if they are planning to eat. Spots from 8:30-10:15am. March 23, 2024, $20/pp.
