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 6-7, 2024. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
Resolution: How about starting off the new year with some fresh activity ideas the whole family can get into? And how about saving some $ while you’re at it? Many of our suggestions for this weekend’s list of things to do in the Twin Cities are FREE or low-cost to attend. For more ideas, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs.
Fun outdoor activities in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro parks this weekend
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.
Some fun family ideas for this weekend: Go without snow!
As of press time, there isn’t so much as a powdering on the ground here in the Twin Cities and activities we would normally be enjoying during winter break have been postponed or cancelled altogether. But some communities must be holding out hope because their park-based festivities are still on the calendar. We’ll update this with any needed changes:
Eden Prairie Winter Blast
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347
Sledding, ice skating (BYO skates), crafts, outdoor games, and a bonfire make up this winter festival. January 6, 2024, 12-4pm, FREE admission.
Edina Winter Ice Festival
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Trolley rides, face painting, and skating for families – rent skates ($10) or bring your own. The pretty frozen interconnected canals and ponds are one of our favorite winter skating spots in the Twin Cities. January 7, 2024, 1-4pm, FREE. NOTE: As of this writing, the ice is closed.
For more frosty festival fun jump over to our TWIN CITIES WINTER FESTIVAL family calendar.
St Louis Park Gnome Search
The hunt began January 2. Each Tuesday in January a different gnome will pop up in a city park and a clue will be released via social media channels. By week 5, all gnomes will move to one central location. Happy hunting – and park exploring!
SIMILAR TWIN CITIES NEW YEAR’S GNOME HUNTS:
Parks events that don’t require snow!
Pond Dakota Mission Park: Tracks & Furs
Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Hands-on living history programs fun and free of charge. This week, play animal track BINGO and handle real furs then see if you can track critters on trails around the park. January 6, 2024, drop in between 1-4pm. FREE.
Nature Rocks! Eden Prairie Outdoor Center Open House
Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie
Drop in to meet the resident animals, learn about programs and events. January 6, 2024, 10am-1pm.
Free Family Fun Day: Meet the Amphibians
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Meet animal residents of the nature center and explore the indoor exhibits. Learn more about RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. January 7, 2024, 3-4pm.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southwest Metro
Need indoor activity ideas? Try a new indoor playground
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435
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 Adventure Peak, the massive indoor playpark inside Edinborough Park in Edina. With plenty of room to move, the kids are entertained for hours running back and forth between the soaring “peak” and the Great Hall, an activity room filled with balls, scooters and a bounce house. A small toddler area is included. Admission $9/child.
MORE TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO INDOOR PLAY SPACES:
- BLOOMINGTON: Kids Empire & Rainbow Play Systems
- CHASKA: Play Date
- EDEN PRAIRIE: Prairie Play Zone
- MINNETONKA: Be With Me Playseum & Williston Treehouse
- SHAKOPEE: The Lookout Indoor Playground
More snug indoor play
First Saturday Tots Winter Play Date in Richfield
Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423
In partnership with the Minneapolis Toy Library – the first Saturday of the month (Jan-May), borrow toys for free play from 9am-1pm. Drop in as you wish. January 6, 2024. FREE.
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store – Rob Stokes Live Music
1665 West End Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
As if we needed another reason to love this independent train-centric toy shop. Singing all your favorite train tunes live on Saturdays while you shop. Admission includes the concert and the pay-to-play train tables for your little engineers. January 6, 2024, 11am-12pm. $10/child.
Home Depot Kids Workshops
400 W 79th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
13100 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
6301 Richfield Pkwy, Richfield, MN 55423
1701 Co Rd 18, Shakopee, MN 55379
5800 Cedar Lk Rd S, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Kids can put together simple DIY projects the first Saturday of the month for free. This month kids can craft a mini Home Depot delivery truck. January 6, 2024, 9am-12pm.
