10 Best Things To Do: April in the Twin Cities

April is the month when spring finally decides to get serious about making an appearance in the Twin Cities. Our top 10 freshly-picked events have been carefully selected to help you make the most of the season:

Twin Cities Easter egg hunts & events

We’re not eggs-aggerating when we say that our Twin Cities Easter egg hunt round up is more massive than ever this year. A few highlights have been listed below to give you just a taste of what I mean, one hunt or event for each corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area. Hit the link for our complete listing of where to find all the egg hunts:

Minneapolis & St Paul Easter egg hunts

BUNNIES ON BIKES

Lake Nokomis Park, 4955 W Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Pre-register to bike to Lake Nokomis and receive a bike-decorating kit (including a bike basket), eggs to put in the basket, a book and snacks (donuts, coffee, juice box). Take a spin on the Bike Skills Course with your newly decorated wheels. Pre-registration required. 8:45am-12pm, $5/pp.

Merriam Park DUSK EGG HUNT

Merriam Park Recreation Center, 2000 St. Anthony, Saint Paul, MN, 55104
Families are invited to play games, make crafts, and enjoy activities! Dress for the elements because the egg hunt is out in the park. 6pm-8pm. FREE.

Twin Cities North Metro Easter egg hunt

Monarch Realty Easter Egg Hunt

Elmcrest Park, 16303 Quicksilver St NW, Ramsey, MN 55303
5000 candy-filled eggs, extra prizes, food trucks onsite. Pictures with the Easter Bunny and other fun photo opportunities for kids & adults. April 9, 2022, 11am-2pm. Free.

Twin Cities East Metro Easter egg hunt

Easter Egg-stravaganza at Aamodt’s Apple Farm

6428 Manning Avenue North, Stillwater, MN 55082
Aamodt’s Easter event includes an egg hunt with 2000+ candy-filled eggs (3pm), visits with the Easter Bunny (12-4pm) and an Easter scavenger hunt all day with prizes. Plus, live music from 2-5PM and food for purchase. April 16, 2022, 12-4pm. FREE!

Twin Cities South Metro Easter egg hunt

Rosemount Lions Club Spring Egg Hunt

 

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Down on the farm fun in April

Come on out and meet the fuzzy new arrivals — baby lambs, curious chicks, piglets, baby goats and all the rest — plus farmhands of all ages can partake in waking up the barns for spring. With our state’s farming tradition, we can find Minnesota farm babies throughout the Twin Cities. Here’s one of our favorite finds; for all the rest, jump over to our WHERE TO FIND THE  MINNESOTA FARM BABIES IN 2022.

Saturday Mornings on the Farm

Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Rd 110 W., Minnetrista, MN 55364

Rise, shine and get down to Gale Woods Farm this month for fun with the farm babies! Saturday Mornings on the Farm allow you and yours to climb into the pens and coops to get up close to the animals. There is typically action in the kitchen and greenhouse as well. Activities may vary from week to week. Read about a spring visit to the farm here. Held ongoing Saturdays in April 2022, 9:30am-12pm. $5/pp. Please register in advance.  

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Last call for Tot Time Open Gyms

We know April weather can be reluctant to commit, so most indoor open gym times for tots are still up and running this month. Our pick for best space to race is Turf Tots over at Hopkins Pavilion: balls, mini climbing wall, bounce house and all manner of wheels included. Through April 21, 2022; Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm. Ages 1 to 5 years old; $5 per session per child.

For more indoor play ideas, try our list of TWIN CITIES TOT TIMES, OPEN PLAY, GYM & SWIM SPOTS.

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Love your Mother (Earth) – Earth Day activities in the Twin Cities

Treat Mother Earth to a day of TLC. Families can choose from a variety of Earth Day celebrations this weekend at local nature centers or log a couple of hours volunteering in the parks. Keep in mind that some organized cleanups require advance notice. You can find our complete list of opportunities HERE. And if you feel like your littles aren’t quite ready to be out in the field, there are ways to observe Earth Day at home – we’ve got 22 meaningful ways to do that HERE.

Earth Day Celebration at Harriet Alexander Nature Center

2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113

Enjoy free entertainment, birthday cake, guided hikes and activity stations. The nature center is turning 32 in 2022! April 23, 2022, 10am-2pm. FREE.

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April means Arbor Day in the Twin Cities

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION

Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield 55423
Visitors are invited to plant a tree for Arbor Day and then help to pull buckthorn and pick up litter. Refreshments will be served. April 22, 2022, 1-4pm. FREE.

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Get gardening in April

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary

1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Spring means the arrival of new growth, birdsong and family rambles in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. In-person programming begins April 16, 2022. Storytime in the Garden begins May 5 and runs ongoing Thursday – free to drop in and enjoy. Families are invited to explore the garden at their own pace; download a map, pack binoculars and see how many bird species you can find flittering in the trees.

WALDOCH FARM OPEN HOUSE

8174 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014
Kids can plant a spring pot and visit the baby farm animals in the Joyer Barnyard. Free this weekend only. April 23-24, 2022.

 

 

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Minneapolis Institute of Art – Art In Bloom Family Day

The MIA blooms with arrangements inspired by artwork from the museum’s collection during this annual spring event. A special time has been set aside for families to experience the displays with storytelling, chalk art, crafting with fresh flowers and more. Art in Bloom runs April 28-May 1, 2022. Art in Bloom’s Family Day is actually May Day, Sunday, May 1, 2022. FREE.

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Independent Bookstore Day (or week!) in the Twin Cities

We adore ourselves some family owned and operated little book havens. Please go out and support them if you can on April 23-30, 2022 (Independent Bookstore Day) in the Twin Cities. Want to discover a new spot? We’ve listed some of our favorite neighborhood shops below. You should be able to pick up your “passport” to get stamped at participating shops to unlock special deals:

• RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP, St Paul – Get your passport stamped (or pick-up a passport) during business hours, Tuesday – Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Theater on the patio, live music and games. April 30, 2022, 10am.
• WILD RUMPUS BOOKS, Minneapolis – No special events scheduled, but come check out all the resident critters!
• MOON PALACE BOOKS, Minneapolis
• EXCELSIOR BAY BOOKS
• VALLEY BOOKSELLER, Stillwater

Check back often; most booksellers have not published their special events as of this date.