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, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Richfield, Shakopee, St Louis Park, Victoria, Waconia & Wayzata.
This guide covers the weekend of June 27-28, 2026. Not locating the city you’re looking for? We also cover tons of fun family events in the areas of:
Getting ready for July 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 – Southwest Metro
MINNETONKA Summer FestÂ
Minnetonka Civic Center Campus, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.
The day-long festival jump starts with a Tot Trot (for kids ages 2-8) followed by a fire department open house, live music, food trucks and fireworks. All activities are free except food! June 27, 2026, 4pm-10:30pm.
SAVAGE Dan Patch Days
13500 Dakota Ave South, Savage, MN 55378
The big Dan Patch Days Grand Parade steps off at 11am followed by family activities in Community Park: inflatable archery, games, face painting, live music and fireworks to end the evening. June 27, 2026, 10am-11pm.Â
WAYZATA Art Experience
Lake Street, Wayzata MN
If you’re bringing kids along to shop the dozens of high quality art vendors, here’s what you need to know: young ones will love the Activity Zone, a creative space on Lake Street stocked with activities like crafts and chalk art for kids. They also might enjoy a (FREE!) boat ride on Lake Minnetonka or watching the Boat Light Parade on Saturday night. Of course, there will be great food, too. All weekend, June 27-28, 2026.
MORE TWIN CITIES SUMMER FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND
- APPLE VALLEY Freedom Days
- BLAINE Festival
- COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Jamboree
- OAKDALE Summerfest
- ROSEVILLE Rosefest
- SOUTH ST PAUL Kaposia Days
Twin Cities Fourth of July/Independence Day fireworks & events
Fourth of July festivities are on in full force across the Twin Cities the next few days – parades, fireworks displays, concerts and other ways to celebrate with your family & community. We have all the details on city-hosted events bursting out of our 2026 GUIDE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Cool off this weekend in the Twin Cities
How to cool off family-style this weekend? We have the complete catalog of the best swimming beaches and splash spots in the Twin Cities metro area. You can find them all in SPLASH HAPPY: 2026 GUIDE TO BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS IN THE TWIN CITIES. Here are some of our top picks in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro:
Featured Twin Cities Southwest Metro beach: Lake Minnetonka Swim Pond
4610 County Rd 44, Minnetrista, MN 55364
The swimming beach at LAKE MINNETONKA REGIONAL PARK is a chlorinated pond with a sandy bottom, one of only a few of such swimming spots in the Twin Cities metro. $6/pp plus tax.
MORE TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO BEACHES TO VISITÂ Â
- BURNSVILLE Crystal Beach
- EDEN PRAIRIE Riley Lake Beach
- NEW PRAGUE Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
- PRIOR LAKE Cleary Lake Regional Park
- VICTORIA Carver Park Reserve Beach
- WACONIA Lake Waconia Regional Park
Featured Twin Cities Southwest Metro splash pad
BLOOMINGTON Cedarcrest Park
8700 Bloomington Ave S, Bloomington, MNÂ 55425
For those parents who, like Joy, are uncomfortable letting kids run through sprinklers on concrete, this could be the splash pad for you. It has a rubber tile floor (and the usual fun dump buckets and spray features). Find up to 40 TOP SPLASH PADS & WADING POOLS IN THE TWIN CITIES. in addition to this little gem in the Southwest Metro.
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. Some fun family ideas for you here:
BLOOMINGTON Drop-in Discoveries at Richardson Nature Center
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Road, Bloomington MN
This weekend, explore the park with a digital scavenger hunt. Once outdoors, your kids might like to have some free play, run-around time in the nature exploration area. June 28, 2026, 1-3pm. FREE.
CHASKA Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Drop-in Discovery Booths
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
As if you needed another reason to pick the early summer season for your visit to the Arboretum, here’s one that’s especially kid-friendly: drop-in Discovery Booths are set up in the garden with simple nature activities families can complete at their own pace. Ongoing Saturdays in June, 10am-1pm. Adults/$20 (in advance), under 16 admitted FREE.
MINNETRISTA Saturday Mornings on Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
You’re invited to visit the animals and explore the barn, gardens, greenhouses and pastures. Reservations recommended. June 27, 2026, 9:30am-12pm, $6/pp. Learn more about a visit to GALE WOODS FARM with kids.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids – Southwest Metro
Try a round of mini golf: Big Stone Mini Golf & Sculpture Garden
7110 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MNÂ 55364
This may be our pick for the best mini golf in Minnesota (and many others must agree as it is so popular we typically have to wait in line to play). Whimsical art, fountains, farm animals and lawn games abound and entertain while you’re waiting to play – or after a round. $14/ages 8 & under, $12/ages 9 & up. Make sure you bring the correct change. Cash or check only, no credit cards accepted.
FIND MORE MINI GOLF IN THE TWIN CITIES – OUTDOORS AND IN!
Pick your own strawberries near the Twin Cities
The strawberry season is nearing its end but there’s still time to check our guide to TWIN CITIES AREA STRAWBERRY PATCHES to see what’s picking.
RICHFIELD Farmers MarketÂ
Veterans Park, 64th Street & Portland Ave S, Richfield 55423
There is usually plenty for families to enjoy at the market in addition to perusing the produce: live music, yoga and more. Plus, kids can pick out a free fresh goods through the Power of Produce club. June 27, 2026, 7am-12pm.
MAKE A DAY The Richfield Farmers Market is held in the same park as the Wheel Fun Rentals 18-hole mini golf course and malt shop. Kids will have a ball, plus there’s a large playground at Veterans Park.
FIND MORE FRESH FUN AT FARMERS MARKETS ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES THIS SPRING!
More free things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities – Southwest Metro
CHANHASSEN Cars & Caves
1740 Motorplex Court, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Car lovers unite over this unique family event in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro. The facility is made up of garage condos the public is invited to gawk at during free monthly open houses. If the cars don’t amaze, the caves probably will. June 27, 2026, 9am-1pm. FREE.
EDEN PRAIRIE Players Presents: Legally Blonde, the Musical
Staring Lake Amphitheater, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie MN
How about some theater in the park this weekend? This is a fully staged live outdoor musical for the whole family. If kids need to run off the wiggles, there’s a great playground next to the amphitheater. June 27-28, 2026, 7pm. FREE.
BLOOMINGTON Living History Open House at Pond Dakota Mission Park
401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Each Saturday, history comes alive at the Pond House with activities that give a glimpse of life in the earliest days of Bloomington. June 27, 2026, drop in from 1-4pm. FREE, donations appreciated.
MINNETONKA Historic Burwell House Tours
13209 E. McGinty Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305
I’m a mom who doesn’t pass up a chance to tour a historic abode. Bonus points if the tours are kid-friendly. Check this guided tour out weekends starting in June and let us know how your kids liked it! June 27, 2026, 1-4pm. FREE.
WAYZATA Historic Train Depot Museum
402 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
Got a little (or big) train lover in the family? Head out to the HISTORIC WAYZATA TRAIN DEPOT MUSEUM. My kids loved the hands-on exhibits inside and the sweet model train layout outdoors. Open weekends from 12-4pm with free admission.
