Family Fun Twin Cities is all about FREE and BUDGET-SAVVY events and activities to do with kids. Over the years, we have collected some of the best ideas and strategies for free family fun. Try some of these ideas this week:
Table of Contents:
Page 1: Today’s Calendar of Free Family Fun
Page 2: Quick Tips: 16 Budget-Friendly Things To Do With Kids in the Twin Cities Anytime
Page 3: Enjoy the Minnesota Seasons: Things to Do with Kids for Free & Cheap Through the Year
Page 4: DIY Fun: Inexpensive Things to Do with Kids at Home
Start Here: Our 10 Best Strategies for Family Fun on a Limited Income
We share techniques for finding cheap activities and free entertainment on the most limited budgets, including finding how to apply for Limited Income programs at several Twin Cities attractions such as the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Science Museum of Minnesota. READ MORE»
16 Budget-Friendly Things To Do With Kids in the Twin Cities Anytime
1. Eat Where Kids Eat Free or Cheap
Because dining out can be considered family fun…right? All of our entries have been personally verified and are updated regularly. Time to plan that family dinner date! KIDS EAT FREE LIST»
2. Look for Twin Cities Birthday Freebies for Kids
It may seem like many of the best Birthday Freebie deals are for ages 13 and up. If you look around, there are some good deals for kids, too. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Birthday Freebies that kids can get right here in the Twin Cities. FIND DEALS HERE»
3. Go On Outdoor Adventure at FREE Parks & Playgrounds
The Twin Cities metro has 100s of parks and playgrounds waiting to be explored. You could visit a different park every week and not see them all before your kids are grown. We have suggestions for some of the BEST PARKS IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO»
4. Attend Free Kids Activities & Entertainment in the Parks
The parks literally sing during the summer in the Twin Cities. Free kids entertainment, pop-up performances, puppet shows and more are presented all across the metro area. We’ve organized our list by region so you can easily find plenty of fun close by. PLAN YOUR SUMMER»
5. Nature Centers & Nature Play
There’s never any charge for visitors to explore at one of these Twin Cities-area nature centers or green playgrounds. LEARN MORE HERE.
6. Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops with Free Play Areas
Enjoy free play nooks to park the kids while you attempt to unwind with a warm cup and a snack. FIND YOUR NEXT CUP OF JOE»
7. Fix-It Clinics – Free Events Throughout the Twin Cities
Spend an afternoon with family members learning to fix something broken. Besides enjoying some free family fun, you save money and the planet by reducing waste all while learning valuable new skills. FIND A CLINIC NEAR YOU.
8. Take Advantage of Fun and Educational Storytimes
Free storytimes – often made extra animated with songs, crafts and even critters (!) can make a perfect outing without spending a penny. TOP KIDS STORY TIMES»
9. Visit A Public Library for Free Family Events & More
Not only can families find all their reading needs at their local public library, you can find discounts to shows at participating venues through the smARTpass Program, get free digital music of popular songs, check out a DVD for a family movie night, check out board games and video games. Some local libraries even loan out special cake pans. EXPLORE LOCAL LIBRARIES»
10. Go To The The Zoo
While there are two zoos in the Twin Cities, COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY is always FREE to visit. The Minnesota Zoo can be spendy but there are ways to save. We outline all the legitimate offers and opportunities. LEARN HOW TO GET FREE OR DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO MINNESOTA ZOO»
11. Free Aquarium Options
Little kids, in particular, love watching fish swim. Like zoos, the tourist-attracting aquariums can be a bit of a family splurge, so Gianna has gathered some ideas for FINDING FISH AQUARIUMS FOR FREE»
12. Look for Pay as You Can & Free Shows at Local Theatres
Introduce your kids to drama, comedy and musicals on the cheap. Scroll to the bottom our our Kid-Friendly Theater calendar to learn how to find discounts, rush tickets, free shows and Pay-What-You-Can days at local theaters. KID-FRIENDLY THEATER ON THE CHEAP»
13. Mall of America Toddler Tuesdays: Fun & Freebies
Tuesday is the best day to go the Mall of America with little ones. You’ll find special deals, discounts and kids-eat-free opportunities at various locations around the mall in addition to weekly FREE entertainment. LEARN MORE HERE»
14. Explore the Twin Cities on Scavenger Hunts
Spring, summer, fall or winter, it doesn’t matter in Minnesota. There is almost always some city or park system offering a FREE scavenger hunt. Plus we have rounded up several self-guided hunts throughout the metro area. THE QUEST BEGINS HERE»
15. Spend a Day with the Grandma / Grandpa
Most of the ideas on this list work just as well for grandparents as parents, but we have rounded up fun finds especially for intergenerational family fun. FUN FOR KIDS & GRANDS»
16. Free Days at Local Museums
ON THIS PAGE, we share the best deals at over 60 local museums, these include:
- Museums that are always free for guests
- Participating smARTpass Museums
- Free First Saturdays at the Walker
- Family history fun at the Minnesota Historical Society sites
- The “Museum on Us” program offers free general admission to Bank of America cardholders at a handful of local museums.
- Several local museums host Free Thursday Nights
- Free First Sundays at Minnesota Children’s Museum
- Limited Income Programs and
- Membership Discounts