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:
April Circus Fun!
April is Circus month in Minnesota. Not only does the model railroad museum bring out its Circus Train exhibit each April, but this year, we’ll have a visit from the Royal Canadian Circus.
The Circus Train
Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul MN 55114
TCMRM’s annual Circus Train exhibit is back during all open hours in April. The O-Scale train display is inspired by the “Circus World Museum” in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and includes an operating Circus Train, several displays and a circus parade. Admission: $10 per person, Children 4 and under are admitted free of charge. Save with family rates.
Royal Canadian International Circus
Mall of America, 60 E Broadway, Bloomington 55425
The Royal Canadian International Circus is coming to town April 13-23, 2023! This modern circus is all about thrilling spectators with acrobatics, daredevils, and other feats of skill in the ring under the Big Top. We have an Exclusive 2-for-1 deal for Family Fun Twin Cities Readers.*
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
Midtown Global Market Kids Easter Egg Hunt
Midtown Global Market, Lake Street and 10th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Live music, egg coloring, bunny photos (bring your own camera), balloon art, kids crafts and egg hunt. April 8, 2023, 10am-12pm. FREE.
Phalen Eggstravaganza
Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 E. Wheelock, Saint Paul, MN, 5510
Egg hunts by age for crawlers through 5th grade, crafts, spin art, field games, photographs with the Easter Bunny. FREE and all ages. April 8, 2023, 10am-noon. Pre-Registration will be available through Mosaic Church, but is not required.
Twin Cities North Metro Easter egg hunt
Champlin Andrews Park Easter Egg Hunt
7200 117th Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
Two hunts to choose from: Tiny Tot Egg Hunt (11:00 a.m. for ages 4 & under) and the main Family Egg Hunt (11:45 a.m. for ages 5-9) plus a chance to meet with the Easter Bunny. No pre-registration required. April 7, 2023. FREE!
Twin Cities East Metro Easter egg hunt
Maplewood Easter Egg Hunts
Edgerton Elementary School, 1929 Edgerton St, Maplewood, MN 55117
Kids ages 3-8 can choose between two hunts – 9:30am-10am or 10:30-11am. Kids 2 and under can receive a treat bag without the hunt. There will also be breakfast treats, a craft area and a visit from the Easter Bunny at this event. Register here. April 8, 2023, 9-11am.
Twin Cities South Metro Easter egg hunt
Rosemount Lions Club Spring Egg Hunt
Ames Soccer Complex, 1300 145th Street East Co. Rd. 42, Rosemount, MN 55068
Kids 1-10 will be divided into 3 age groups to hunt for treats. Please bring your own bag. 9:30 am for kids with last name starting A-L; 11am for kids with last name starting M-Z. Donations appreciated. April 1, 2023. FREE.
Twin Cities West Metro Easter egg hunt
Chanhassen Annual Easter Egg Candy Hunt
City Center Park, 7700 Market Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Kids ages 12 & under hunt for candy and eggs in three different age-structured hunts: 4 & under, 5-8, and 9-12. Plus giveaways, a coloring contest, the candy hunt, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 9am. Register through the City of Chanhassen. April 8, 2023, $6/pp.
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 2023.
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 1-29, 2023, 9:30am-12pm. $6/pp. Please register in advance.
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 2023; Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm. 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.
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 22, 2023, 10am-2pm. FREE.
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 23, 2023, 1-4pm. FREE.
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 began in mid-April of 2022 so we’re expecting the same for 2023. 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 29-30, 2023.
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’s Family Day is April 30. 2023.
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 29, 2023 (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.
*We link to a paid post by Royal Canadian International Circus.
Your turn. Leave us a comment with your favorite things to do in April in the Twin Cities!
Related Articles:
- Family Fun: Como Zoo: Spring Checklist
- Family Fun: Minnesota Zoo Farm Babies
- Fun Activities This Weekend
- Twin Cities Spring Break Guide
- Get out the Bikes: The Best Minneapolis Bike Trails for Families
- Twin Cities Fun Things To Do With Kids of All Ages In April (Sorted by Age)