THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL WITH KIDS!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of April 24-29, 2023. 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!
As always, you can check our APRIL FAMILY GUIDE, the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR for more fun ideas on what to do this week in the Twin Cities with your kids – satisfaction guaranteed (or close to it!)
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023
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 colder weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. A few options are winding down for their break during the late spring & summer so take note!
SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS SPRING!
- FINAL MONDAY! ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER (6 & under, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 9am-2pm. $5/child.)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $3/child)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! Parent/Tot Open Gym at Rosemount Community Center
13885 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068
Fun and FREE, youngsters 5 & under can play with balls and large motor equipment. Drop in Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:30-11am.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Monday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Victoria & Chanhassen library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Apple Valley Galaxie library.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Eden Prairie, Plymouth & Westonka library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Roseville, Shoreview & White Bear Lake library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Marvelous Mondays storytime at Savage Library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Rondo branch library.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Lakeland (Valley), Mahtomedi (Wildwood), Oakdale & Woodbury library branches.
MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Free Story & Art Time at Eden Prairie Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Drop in for storytime & an art project. Dress to get creative. No registration required. April 24, 2023, 10-11:30am.
More family fun ideas for Monday: Try a new indoor playground
K.U.B.E Indoor Playground – Plymouth Community Center
14800 34th Ave. N, Plymouth, MN 55447-1482
One of the newest, shiniest indoor playgrounds in the Twin Cities, K.U.B.E (Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience) tries to create an outdoors feeling inside the Plymouth Community Center. Fun features include a 28-foot climbing tower with a spiral slide, spinners and swings, and special tot area for kids ages 2 to 5. Come check it while the weather’s still iffy. $5-$6/per kid.
What else can I do nearby in Plymouth?
- If the weather works out, climb the nets outdoors at FRENCH REGIONAL PARK‘s huge play area. 12605 Rockford Road, Plymouth MN.
- Teens might enjoy testing their physical limits at the NORTHWEST GREENWAY CHALLENGE COURSE. Located on the east side of Peony Lane, south of 54th Ave. N, Plymouth.
- MONDAY NIGHT DINNER IDEA! Broadway Pizza in Plymouth features a Family Monday Night Dinner Buffet from 5-7:30pm: One free child’s buffet with each adult buffet purchased, includes pizza, pasta, hoagies, salad and dessert. 13705 27th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55441; Please call (763) 551-0155 to verify this deal!
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023
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 chilly or sloppy to be outdoors:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 9am-2pm. $5/child.)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERY (Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $4)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- SAVAGE SPORTS CENTER (Tot Time, 9-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! Hopkins Pavilion Turf Tots
11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Indoor turf where there’s more room to run! Kids 5 & under can play with bounce houses, climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more for kids ages 1-5. Through May 5, 2023; Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm. $5 per session per child.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Tuesday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, Norwood Young America & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven, Heritage (Lakeville), Pleasant Hill (Hastings), South St Paul & Wescott (Eagan) library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Maple Grove & Minneapolis Nokomis and Northeast library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY: Early Literacy class at New Prague Library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Arlington Hills, Highland Park, Merriam Park, St Anthony Park & West Seventh branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Bayport, Forest Lake Hardwood Creek, Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
More family fun ideas for Tuesday:
Independent Bookstore Day Passport Week
Love books, reading, and shopping local? The Twin Cities is excited to promote Independent Bookstore Day on April 29th in 2023. During the week leading up, many local bookstores participate in a fun passport program. Families can pick up a passport at participating stores and then get it stamped at as many stores as they can visit to qualify for prizes. Families can pick up their passport beginning April 24th and can visit the bookstores any time during that 7-day period to get stamped. Jump over to find our list of participating independent booksellers. Featured in this photo is one of our favorite independent sellers, RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP.
MORE FUN WITH BOOKS: New children’s area at Rondo Library opens
461 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55103
A brand new space for children to play and gain literacy skills opens today. Family activities start at 10:30 followed by a ribbon-cutting and free play. April 25, 2023. Find More Play and Learn Library Spaces in the Twin Cities!
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-12pm, $6/pp)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 9am-2pm. $5/child.)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
WEDNESDAY 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 $6/child; parents and babies under 18 months free. Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Wednesday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven, Heritage (Lakeville), Robert Trail (Rosemount), South St Paul & Wentworth branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Brookdale, Linden Hills, Minnetonka, Southdale & St Anthony library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: North St Paul & Mounds View library branches.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Dayton’s Bluff & Rondo library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury library branches.
WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Storytime at Kiddywampus
1023 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
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 26, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday:
- FINAL WEEK! ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER (6 & under, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 9am-2pm. $5/child.)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
THURSDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! Tot Times at St Paul Recreation Center
It’s fun, unstructured, nearly always free and a total sanity-saver during our cold months. I used it routinely when my firstborn was a toddler. He thrived on the small bikes, balls, tumbling mats and other provided equipment for free physical play. The following St Paul recreation centers have tot times on Thursday mornings this spring:
- FINAL WEEK! BATTLE CREEK RECREATION CENTER, 75 Winthrop St S, St Paul, MN 55119 (10am-12pm)
- FINAL WEEK! HAYDEN HEIGHTS RECREATION CENTER, 1965 Hoyt Ave E, St Paul, MN 55119 (10am-12pm)
- HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY CENTER, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116 (9-10:30am)
- PHALEN RECREATION CENTER, 1000 E Wheelock Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55106 (9:30-11:30am)
- WEST MINNEHAHA REC CENTER, 685 W. Minnehaha Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104 (9am-1pm
Twin Cities Storytimes on Thursday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Farmington, Hastings Pleasant Hill, Robert Trail, Wentworth & Wescott branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Oxboro, Plymouth, Richfield Augsburg Park & Wayzata library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY: Early Literacy Classes at Prior Lake library branch.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: George Latimer (St Paul) & Sun Ray library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove, Hardwood Creek & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
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 27, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
More family fun ideas for Thursday: Explore a new park in the Twin Cities
Guided Walks at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Join a naturalist for a guided tour to learn about seasonal plants in bloom. Families are also free 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. April 27, 2023, 11-11:45 am. FREE, fee of $1.50 to park in pay lot.
Family Nature Time at Westwood Hills
8300 W. Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426.
Program includes indoor and outdoor time exploring animals, reading stories, playing games and more. Please register in advance as space is limited. April 27, 2023, 10-11am. $5-$6/pp.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023
TOT TIME OPEN GYMS ON FRIDAY:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- BURNSVILLE – IGM GYMNASTICS (Ages 1-6, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child)
- EAGAN – GLEASON’S GYMNASTICS (K & under, 9:30-11:30am, pre-register for discount of $8/child or $10/family)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 9am-2pm. $5/child.)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! IGM Gymnastics Preschool Open Gym
12117 Riverwood Dr, Burnsville, MN 55337
This is a special Open Gym time reserved just for kids ages 18 months to 5 years. Work out wiggles on the trampolines, balance beams, obstacle courses and foam pit. No need to pre-register for open gyms. April 28, 2023 9:30-11:30am. $10/child or $15/family.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Friday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Norwood Young America library & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Farmington & Wescott library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Eden Prairie, Maple Plain, Minneapolis East Lake, Ridgedale , St Louis Park & Walker branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Mounds View & White Bear Lake branch library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Riverview, Merriam Park & Hamline Midway branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR FRIDAY: IT’S ARBOR DAY!
Arbor Day at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Take a self-guided trek to play Tree Bingo and learn more about trees on the arboretum grounds – then pick up your own free sapling to take home. Plus a tree-themed storytime for kids. The Arboretum is a wonderful, colorful place to explore with kids. April 28, 2023. Reservations required. $15 for adults 16+; FREE children 15 and under.
Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration
Windom Northeast Park, 2251 Hayes St. NE, Minneapolis MN
In 2022, the Minneapolis Arbor Day celebration will be held in downtown. Enjoy a street festival, help plant trees, participate in a variety of tree-themed art, games and activities. Live music and food trucks, too. FREE. April 28, 2023; 4pm-8pm.
LAST CHANCE! Como Zoo & Conservatory Spring Flower Show
The bright blooms of spring close after April 30, then take a short break to prepare for summer. A trip to the indoor conservatory is warm, relaxing and educational. You can always add on a visit to the animals! Remember, reservations are currently required but admission is always FREE.
FRIDAY NIGHT FAMILY FUN IDEA
Bell Museum April Star Party
Bell Museum of Natural History, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113
Explore the night sky with the aid of pros and a telescope on the museum’s outdoor observation deck. Recommended for families with kids ages 7+. FREE, but please register. April 28, 2023, 8:30-10pm.
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES – APRIL 29-30, 2023
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. 
FAMILY FUN ALL WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES
Ideas to pull out of your “back pocket” nearly any day of the week!
Best Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities
Kids bursting with extra energy (and their caregivers who often can’t keep up) will appreciate all the free and low-cost TOT TIME OPEN GYMS across the Twin Cities. Especially so when the weather is cold and we can’t just head down the street to the park. Most often, these unstructured programs offer balls, other gross motor play equipment, and room to run. Find our list of the communities that offer special open gym time this spring:
Twin Cities-Area Library Storytimes
Your local library is a wonderful place for kids to curl up for a storytime, browse books, play with educational toys and games and slow their pace. We cover more than 100 Metro area library branches in our GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES LIBRARIES: MAPPED. Or, pick from this quick list to find library storytimes and events:
BEST INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS & PLAY AREAS IN THE TWIN CITIES
We cover the top places for the indoor fun your kids are craving: climbing, sliding, jumping, crawling and just plain blowing off some steam.
TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTERS AND NATURE PLAY
Early spring is an exciting time to visit a Twin Cities area nature center, fresh with the promise of a new season and programming. But, as we know, April weather can be as temperamental as a toddler. Good thing these interpretive venues can be nearly as fun indoors as out.
TOP TWIN CITIES KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS
- BAKKEN MUSEUM – STEM-based fun
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
- MILL CITY MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER
- THE WORKS MUSEUM – engineering exhibits for kids
BROWSE OUR BIG LIST OF TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS TO VISIT WITH KIDS!
Got an event you’re excited to share? Find our submission form and guidelines here.