THiNGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL WITH YOUR KIDS!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of April 4-8, 2022. 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!)
Get your baskets ready for the hunt! As we get closer to Easter here in the Minneapolis-St Paul area we’ll be covering egg hunts and other fun Easter events in our weekly guide and over on our HUGE list of EASTER EGG HUNTS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Planning for spring break in the twin cities this week?
Why spring break? Because a Minnesota winter wrapping up is worth celebrating. Craft a fun staycation “Spring Break Trip” for your own family whether you have big kids or little kids. Be tourists right in the Twin Cities! Think mini golf, trampolines, scavenger hunts, rock climbing, museums and more. Get some inspiration from our 2022 GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Monday, April 4, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on 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)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
More family fun ideas for Monday:
TROLL TALE CAVE TOURS FOR KIDS
Wabasha Street Caves, 215 Wabasha St. S, Saint Paul 55107
A tour of the famous St Paul caves tailored especially for kids with a “troll” guide, craft and photo opp. $8/kids, $10/adults. 11am-12pm. Special tours for kids are available April 4-8, 2022.
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts & Activities
Lyndale Farmstead Bunny Trail
Lyndale Farmstead, 3900 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Follow the bunny trail to spot all the eggs and stamp your passport as you find them. Once your passport is full, stop by the rec center for your treat bag. Hunt anytime during park hours. Registration required to get passport. Trail will be up from April 4th-13th; treat bags will be ready for pick up anytime April 11th – April 15th from 3pm-9pm.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday:
- 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)
More family fun ideas for Tuesday:
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 5, 6-9pm. $10/participant (adult spotters free).
Mall of America Toddler Tuesdays
This week, the Crayola Experience at Mall of America is hosting coloring activities and character meet and greets. April 5, 11am-12pm. FREE!
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts & Activities
Egg Coloring Extravaganza at Folwell Park
Folwell Park, 1615 N Dowling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Celebrate spring by decorating eggs at the park. Take home your eggs and a treat bag. Kids ages 6-13. 1pm-3:30pm. Pre-register for egg coloring -$5-$7.50/pp.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:
- 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-12pm, $6/pp)
- 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)
More family fun ideas for Wednesday:
SPECIAL SCIENCE STUDIO HOURS AT THE BAKKEN
Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Join The Bakken Museum for Spring Break with special week-day Science Studio hours. See all the “hair-raising” fun Joy’s family had on their visit? Kids love all the fun, hands-on exhibits and they’re invited to tinker as much as they wish. Timed tickets: $6-$11. Tuesday-Friday, April 5-8, 2022; 10am-4pm.
Games Galore at Union Depot
214 4th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Games Galore is BACK! This is a great indoor activity – play giant-size versions of favorite games like chess, checkers, Connect Four, Dominoes, Jenga and more. Plus, the historic depot is great for train lovers to explore! April 6, 2022, 10am-8pm. FREE!
TOTS & TRAINS AT JACKSON STREET ROUNDHOUSE
193 Pennsylvania Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55130
Your little train lovers will go nuts for this playdate! Tinker around with train tables and interactive displays. Run through real passenger train cars. Create a craft to take home and listen to a transportation-themed story. Coffee for adults! April 6 2022, 10am-12pm. $7-$11/pp or $30/family pack.
WHERE ELSE CAN I BRING A KID WHO LOVES TRAINS IN THE TWIN CITIES?
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts & Activities
Spring Break: Egg-Scape Room
East Phillips Park, 2399 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Tweens and Teens ages 10-17 can attempt an egg-themed escape room, using cryptology and cryptography, puzzles, riddles and logic to solve the puzzle. FREE. 5pm-7pm. Register for limited openings.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Thursday, April 7, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday:
- 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)
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts & Activities
WAITLIST! Spring Bunny Hunt
Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN, US 55407
Families with kids 10 and under can stroll around Powderhorn Pond in search of colorful spring bunnies. April 7, 2022, FREE. 10:30am-11:30am.
Stewart Park Egg Decorating
2700 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Kids 10-16 can decorate eggs to take home. April 7, 2022, 5pm-7pm. FREE. Register here.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Friday, April 8, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday:
- 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)
- 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)
More family fun ideas for Friday:
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 8, 2022, 8:30-10pm.
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts & Activities
East Phillips Park Egg Hunt
East Phillips Park, 2399 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Celebrate spring with an outdoor hunt, art projects and crafts, games and an egg drop competition. Bring your own basket. April 8, 2022, 5pm-7pm. FREE.
Inver Grove Heights Flashlight Egg Hunt
Kids ages 10-13 can search for eggs after dark with a flashlight. 8:30-9:30pm. FREE. Register here.
Savage Flashlight Egg Scramble
Savage Sports Center, 13450 Dakota Ave., Savage, MN 55378
Scramble for 3-6 years at 8pm and 6-9 years at 8:30pm. Kids will exchange their eggs for a goodie bag. Inflatables and activities prior to the scrambles. Registration required. $6/child.
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.
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES – APRIL 9-10, 2022
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.
