Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of April 6-10, 2026. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. We’ve got you covered no matter your corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area!
How to plan your family fun this week
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Monday, April 6, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Monday
Let them bounce off someone else’s walls! Our list covers open gyms for tots across the Twin Cities where they can work their wiggles off during cooler weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS SPRING!
- ANDOVER Tot Time Open Gym (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under) ON BREAK THIS WEEK.
- APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- MAPLE GROVE Parent/Tot Time (10am-12pm, $4.25/child)
- NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime (12-3pm, $9/child)
- OTSEGO Open Play (10-11:30am, $3/child up to age 5)
- PLYMOUTH Open Field Play (9am-12pm, $6-$8/child)
- PLYMOUTH Preschool Open Gym (1:30-3:30pm, $6-$8)
- ROGERS Fieldhouse Tot Time (9-11am, $5-$7pp)
- SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime (9:30-11am, $4-$6/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Maple Grove Community Center
12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Tots get a designated time in the gym just for them, and it’s cheap at just $4.25/child, caregivers free. Kick it up a notch with admission to MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND, also located within the community center. Just look at that helix slide! April 6, 2026, 10am-12pm.
FIND OUR GIANT LIST OF SUPER FUN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES WHEN IT’S NOT QUITE PARK WEATHER!
Twin Cities library storytimes this week
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Puppet Storytime at Westwood Nature Center
8300 W Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MN 55426
Open play and exploration of Westwood Hills Nature Center, naturalist-led activities, puppet show and a hike. This month’s theme is “April Showers”. April 6, 2026. 10am-11am, $6/person. Registration required.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday
Tot Time open gyms across the Twin Cities are absolutely a saving grace for parents of squirrelly kids when it’s still too sloppy to be outdoors:
- EAGAN Blast & Play (10am-12:30pm, $8/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time (9-11am, $5/person)
- LINO LAKES Rookery Tot Time (9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $5)
- SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time (9-11am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS TCO Sports Garden Open Turf (9:30-11:30am, FREE
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Millz House Open Play
14645 Felton Court, Suite #104, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Work out the wiggles with indoor playsets, trampolines and basketball courts. Cost is $8/child; parents and babies under 18 months free. Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Wild Rumpus Storytime
2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
This is a popular story time for toddlers & preschoolers in the sweet Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! April 7, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
LINO LAKES Wargo Once Upon a Storytime: Sticks & Stones
7701 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN, 55038
The first Tuesday of each month, Wargo Nature Center offers a free story time for kids ages 2+ featuring far-off lands and nature adventures. You will absolutely want to stay to explore the nature center’s cool indoor exhibits and if the weather’s right, the outdoor nature play area. April 7, 2026, 9-10am. FREE.
LAKEVILLE Twin Cities Ballet “Dance With Me”
20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Perfect for introducing kids up to about age 8 to the art of classical ballet, these mini-performances are less than an hour long and are interactive. Reserve your tickets at the link. April 7, 2026, 10:30-11:30am. $10/pp.
ST PAUL Open Rock Climbing at Base Camp
6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111
Open rock climbing is available on climbing walls inspired by the natural rock face of the St. Croix River bluffs near Taylors Falls. There are 16 routes to try between 24 and 32 feet high. It is required that youth are accompanied by an adult who is able to belay for them at the climbing wall. Open archery is available too. Register at the link. April 7, 2026, 6-9pm. $15/participant (adult spotters free).
CHAMPLIN Tableside Magician & Kids Eat Free
Broadway Pizza, 11186 Commerce Drive, Champlin, MN 55316
Roman the Magician is in the house for Family Night at Broadway Pizza, performing magic tricks for all ages tableside from 5-7pm! Plus, kids eat FREE during this time – one free kids menu item per adult entree purchased. Champlin location only, weekly on Tuesdays. April 7, 2026, 5-7pm.
MORE MEAL DEALS We keep a TWIN CITIES KIDS EAT FREE calendar on our site so you’ll know where you can dine out for less with the whole family each week!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
- APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym (9-10:30am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child
- MOUNDS VIEW Toddler Open Gym (8-11am, $5/child)
- NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime (12-3pm, $9/child)
- PLYMOUTH Open Field Play (9am-12pm, $6-$8/child)
- ROGERS Fieldhouse Tot Time (9-11am, $5-$7)
- SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime (9:30-11am, $4-$6/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3 child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Storytime at Kiddywampus Hopkins
1023 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Spring storytime starts this week! Interactive stories, songs & rhymes for kids ages 2-5 at one of the coolest independent toy shops in the Twin Cities. No registration required. April 8, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, April 9, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday
- ANDOVER Tot Time Open Gym (9:30-11:30am, $5/child)
- EAGAN Blast & Play (10am-12:30pm, $8/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time (9-11am, $5/person)
- OTSEGO Open Play (10-11:30am, $3/child)
- SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time (9-11am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS Open Turf (9:30-11:30am, FREE)
THURSDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Turf Tots at Hopkins Pavilion
11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Drop-in and play with fun, gross motor equipment like bounce houses, a climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more. No registration necessary. The program is for children 5 and under. April 9, 2026, 8am-1pm. $5 per session per child.
THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Storytime at Red Balloon
891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Storyteller Angela hosts a storytime at the charming bookshop perfect for 3s & under (but all welcome). April 9, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
ST PAUL Little Explorers Thursday at Como Zoo
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Lil Explorer Thursdays is a fantastic free event aimed at preschoolers and includes all kinds of hands-on activities, manipulatives, games and crafts. Meet in the Visitor Center. April 9, 2026, 10am-noon. FREE.
April weather not cooperating for outdoor plans? Stay as toasty as the tropics wandering the indoor gardens and exhibits. The animal enclosures are heated, too. FREE, donations appreciated.
MINNEAPOLIS Free Thursday Night at Walker Art Center
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
We recommend this chance to visit the Walker for free with older children or teens who enjoy art in a less hands-on experience. For a more kid-friendly (and still admission-free) opportunity, make sure to visit the first Saturday of each month for special programming. April 9, 2026, 5-9pm.
MORE GREAT TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS KIDS WILL ENJOY
- BAKKEN MUSEUM, Minneapolis
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, St Paul
- MILL CITY MUSEUM, Minneapolis
- MINNNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, St Paul
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, April 10, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday
- APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- BURNSVILLE IGM Preschool Open Gym (Ages 1-6, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child)
- CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Family Night (9-11am, $5/person)
- HOPKINS Turf Tots (8am-1pm, $5/child)
- MAPLE GROVE Parent/Tot Time (10am-12pm, $4/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Time (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Gleason’s Gymnastics Open Gym
2015 Silver Bell Rd #180, Eagan, MN 55122
So flipping fun! This used to be a family go-to when the cold set in and my kids needed to get their wiggles out. Yours will love the opportunity to bounce on trampolines, scoot through obstacle courses, and play on the gym equipment. Register in advance for a discount. And hey, teens and tweens! There’s an open gym for you, too. April 10, 2026. Preschool open gym: Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:30 – 11:30am. Pre-register: $10/child; $15/family ($13/$20 at the door).
ST LOUIS PARK Puppet Storytime at Westwood Hills Nature Center
8300 W Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MN 55426
Open play and exploration of WESTWOOD NATURE CENTER, naturalist-led activities, puppet show and a hike themed on Animal Babies. April 10, 2026. 10am-11am, $6/person. Registration required.
More family fun ideas for Friday: Splish splash at indoor tot swims
Littles can splash the winter blues away at special TOT OPEN SWIMS reserved just for them. Here’s a couple indoor pools in the Twin Cities metro area that offer tot swims on Friday mornings (please tip us off if you know of others):
- EDEN PRAIRIE OPEN TOT SWIM – Most Fridays include an open swim at the EP Community Center just for kids up to age 5 (or age 7 if accompanied by a family w/ younger kids). 9-11:50am, $8 per person.
- SHAKOPEE CC PLAYTIME POOL – Ages 6 & under exclusive swim at Shakopee CC’s indoor Aquatic Center. 9-10:30am, $4-$6/child and caregivers FREE.
- ST PAUL CHILDREN’S POOL HOUR AT GREAT RIVER WATER PARK – Monday, Wednesday and Friday hours are “children’s pool only” from 9am-10am at this perfect little indoor splash spot. $8/pp or $30 for a group of 5.
FIND MORE TWIN CITIES INDOOR POOLS AND WATERPARKS FOR A SPRING SWIM!
More ideas for Friday family fun: Movie night!
EDINA Friday Family Movie Night at Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Bring the family down to the lovely indoor EDINBOROUGH PARK tonight for a screening of Moana 2 in the amphitheater. Admission to the enormous ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND within the balmy park is sold separately. The whole family can climb, slide and navigate the webs on this giant, multi-story play structure. April 10, 2026, movie from 5:30-7pm. Playpark admission $10/child.
Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities – April 11-12, 2026
Too many fun things to list here, I’ll tell you that. So we publish a separate guide each weekend with up-to-the-last-minute ideas for spending family time together.