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 March 9-10, 2024. 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!
Heading your way into March with a fresh assortment 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 needs, tastes, size and budget.
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.
Featured family fun ideas for this weekend: It’s maple syrup month!
There are a lot of maple syrup events trickling into the Northwest Metro area this weekend. Join in on observing this sweet process at an sap-to-syrup program at these Twin Cities parks or see our weekend schedule below for MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY PROGRAMS:
Free Family Fun Day at Richardson: Maple Syruping
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
In March, you can drop in to learn about maple syrup free of charge. Learn more about all the kid-friendly details at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. March 10, 2024, 3-4pm. FREE.
Maple syrup programs at Eden Prairie Outdoor Center
13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Join the EDEN PRAIRIE OUTDOOR CENTER, nestled within Staring Lake Park, for two maple syrup programs this weekend:
- MAPLE SYRUP MAKING:Â Families will learn the history of maple syruping and participating in making a makuk container. Registration required. March 9, 2024, 2pm-3:30pm. $12/family.Â
- SUGAR BUSH PHOTO HIKE: Naturalist-led photo hike through a maple-basswood forest. You’ll learn a little about the maple syrup process and taste samples. Pre-register for this event. March 9, 2023, 12:30–2:30pm. $6/pp.
Magical Maples at Wood Lake
6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield 55423
WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER, a quiet oasis in Richfield, is offering a lineup of maple syrup programs for all ages. During this weekend’s edition of Saturday & Sunday Specials, hike into the woods to help collect and boil syrup then learn a little history about how maple syrup is made. Pre-register to guarantee your spot. Walk-ins as space permits. March 9 & 10, 2024. $5/pp.Â
Journey Into the Sugarbush Photo Hike at LowryÂ
7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MNÂ 55386
LOWRY NATURE CENTER bursts with a mix of different maple syrup programs for all ages this March. Browse to get a feel for what might interest your family with this guided photo hike through a maple-basswood forest. You’ll learn a little about the maple syrup process and taste samples. March 9, 2024, 12:30–2:30pm. $6/pp.
MORE MAPLE SYRUP THIS WEEKEND: With the mild winter we’ve had, the sap gets flowing even earlier. 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.
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO, West St Paul: Dodge Nature Center Pancake Breakfast. (FREE!)Â
FIND OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAMILY MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
More activities in Twin Cities Southwest Metro parks this weekend
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. March 9, 2024, 10am-1pm. FREE.
Living History Tours at Pond Dakota Mission Park
Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Come by the historic Gideon Pond house in the park for guided tours. This weekend, try out needlework on hand towels with all supplies provided. There are extensive trails to hike around the park property if you want to stretch your legs. March 9, 2024, 1-4pm. FREE, donations appreciated.
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
Play Date Grand Opening
Play Date, 1018 Gateway Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
For Minnesota parents it’s beyond necessary to keep ideas at the ready for escaping the elements while keeping kids in motion. During the cold months we try to promote the best indoor play spaces in the Minneapolis-St Paul area, hoping to help relieve you of some of that cabin fever. This weekend we feature Play Date in Chaska. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can all thrive on imaginative playscapes and creative activities for as long as they’ll hold out in a day. This weekend, Play Date celebrates their official Grand Opening with a face painter, cotton candy and goody bags. March 10, 2024, timeslots from 10am-12pm. $5/child.
Little Roos Boutique: Muffins with Marshall
122 Pioneer Trail, Chaska MN
Your ticket includes a light brunch (muffin, fruit and juice) plus a coloring activity, Paw Patrol craft and photo opp. Tickets are limited. March 9, 2024, starting at 9am. $15/child.
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. March 9, 2024, 11am-12pm. $10/child.
