Things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro this weekend – with kids & family!
This Weekend Family Guide includes events and activities near the Twin Cities, Minnesota, communities of Bloomington, Burnsville, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, New Hope, Prior Lake, Richfield, Shakopee, St Louis Park, Victoria & Waconia.
This guide covers the weekend of January 27-28, 2024. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
It may have had a sloooow and steady start, but we’re squarely into winter this weekend. For those who are longing to finally get playing outdoors, we’ve rounded up activities like snow & ice festivals, ice fishing and snowshoe treks. For those hoping to remain cozy indoors, we’ve found crafting and work-your-wiggles out options. For more frigid-weather inspiration, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We give it our best effort to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs while having a good time doing it.
Winter festivals this weekend in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Rounded up in our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar are the top picks of the Twin Cities’ seasonal celebrations – this weekend and beyond. Here’s an idea in the Southwest Metro community; consult our calendar for a complete lineup:
Bundled Up! Winter Fun Day
Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave S, St Louis Park, MN 55426
Bonfires, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, cocoa, hayrides, s’mores and music are the highlights of this free community winter festival. January 27, 2024, 12-3:30pm. FREE.
More Twin Cities-area community winter festivals this weekend:
- BURNSVILLE: Lunar New Year Festival – Cultural performances, food and vendors. All weekend, 11am-8pm.
- GOLDEN VALLEY: Winter Fest – January 27, 2024, 12-2pm.
- MAPLE GROVE: Ice Castles – Real palaces made of ice you can walk through and explore. Read our review of Ice Castles here.
- MINNEAPOLIS: Art Shanty Projects – artsy, interactive icehouses to play in. January 27 & 28, 2024, FREE.
- MINNEAPOLIS: Lake Harriet Kite Festival – January 27, 12-4pm.Â
- SCANDIA: Vinterfest – Kicksledding and sled dogs, kids activities, outdoor showing of Frozen. January 27, 2024.
- ST PAUL: Winter Carnival – Vulcan Snowpark at the Fair, snow & ice sculptures and a grand parade. January 27, 2024.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro parks this weekendÂ
We’ve got the details on dozens of outdoor activities presented by local, county and regional park systems across the greater Twin Cities. The following are a few of our best suggestions for activities near your neighborhood this weekend. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or peruse the links below to seek out local outdoor things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
Bloomington Winter Fete Ice Fishing
Bush Lake Beach, 9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Bloomington’s annual answer to a winter festival stretches all the way through January and half of February. This weekend’s events include an Introduction to Ice Fishing program with all equipment provided. Make sure to register ahead. January 28, 1-3pm. $20/pp.Â
Free Family Fun Day at Richardson: Fire Building
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Learn the steps needed to build an outdoor campfire, from gathering wood to creating a spark without matches. Then warm up exploring the indoor exhibits. Learn more about RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. January 28, 2024, 3-4pm.
Snowtime Saturday at Staring Lake
13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Try a bunch of winter outdoor activities at the Outdoor Center: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and kick sleds. All equipment and brief instruction included. January 27, 2024, 10-11am. $12/family, must register one member.
Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open House
Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway
Drop in to meet the resident animals, learn about programs and events. January 27, 2024, 10am-1pm. FREE.
Winter Warm-up Breakfast at Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Warm right up with farm chores (gather eggs to cook, grind corn for muffins), devour a hot breakfast, then explore the farm outdoors and make a wool craft. Reservations required and may fill quickly. January 27, 8:30-11:30am, $15-$20/pp.Â
Twin Cities Southwest Metro winter activity update
As we’re all too aware, the snow and cold plan to stick around for awhile — at least for the next couple months or so. As the adage goes, if you can’t beat it – pile on the layers and do your best to enjoy some good, old-fashioned Minnesota winter fun!
Exploring the Twin Cities’ best sledding hills & ice rinks
From bunny slides to steep thrills, we list sledding spots across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro by community in our sledding hill guide. Most of the Southwest metro sledding hills on our giant directory are situated in city parks. Most of the free ice skating rinks in the South Metro are flooded and ready to go, too. Get out and take a glide.
FEATURED SLEDDING HILL:Â Hyland Lake Park Reserve
8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438.
This is a winter recreational haven – bring your own sleds or rent one for a buck at the Richardson Nature Center (also a fun place to warm up). The sledding hill is close to the nature center parking lot.Â
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southwest Metro
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor play space
10606 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
For Minnesota parents it’s beyond necessary to keep ideas in your virtual back pocket for escaping the elements while keeping kids active. During the months of November through March we try to present the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you combat that cabin fever. This weekend we feature the NEW Kids Empire in Bloomington. Brace yourselves – a giant maze area has spaces to climb, spin, build, ride motorized toys, slide, play soccer, dance and more. Dedicated space for tots, too. That ought to wear them out. Open 10am-8pm, $22.99 per child (up to 2 adults free per child).
MORE TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO INDOOR PLAY AREAS:
- ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND, Edina
- BE WITH ME CHILDREN’S PLAYSEUM, Minnetonka
- BROOKVIEW BACKYARD, Golden Valley
- PRAIRIE PLAY ZONE, Eden Prairie
- RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS, Bloomington
- WILLISTON TREEHOUSE, Minnetonka
FIND OUR ULTIMATE LIST OF TWIN CITIES-AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS!
Little Roos Boutique: Make Snowflakes with Anna & Elsa
122 Pioneer Trail, Chaska MN
Your ticket includes a snowflake to decorate, a meet-and-greet with the Frozen sisters, and a $5 shop credit. Encounter is 30 minutes total. Register in advance, space is limited. January 27, 2024, starting at 10am. $8/child.
Sustainable Winter Crafts at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd E, Minneapolis, MN 55425
You can stay indoors at the refuge and be cozy if you’d like – busily choosing from two craft options designed to be family-friendly. One, a sock snowman craft, the other, stick-weaving. Instruction provided. There are interesting indoor exhibits, too. January 28, 1-3pm. FREE.
Marcus Theatres Kids Dream Family Film Series
8380 Hansen Avenue, Shakopee, MN 55379
Marcus Kids Dream series entitles ticket holder to two free passes to the movie of the weekend. You do need to get an e-voucher prior to the show! Grab popcorn and drink specials for just $3.50 each plus tax. This weekend screens Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. January 26-28, 2024.Â
