Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of February 26-March 1, 2024. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.
For more winter inspiration you can check our MARCH FAMILY GUIDE, ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE 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!)Â
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Monday, February 26, 2024Â Â
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 colder weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS WINTER!
- ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under)
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (9-11am, $15/membership pass or $3 drop in option)
- CHANHASSEN RECREATION CENTERÂ (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (9-10:30am, $4/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS – LOGAN RECREATION CENTERÂ (Tiny Tot Indoor Playground, 10am-12pm, $4/child, coffee and snacks included.)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTERÂ (Open Playtime, 10-11:30am, $3/child up to age 5)
- PLYMOUTH FIELD HOUSEÂ (Open Play, 10:30am-1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $6-$8/child)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- SHAKOPEE COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Kids Playtime, 9:30-11am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERSÂ (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. February 26, 2024.
Twin Cities storytimes on Monday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES:Â Columbia Heights & Crooked Lake libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Chanhassen library.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES:Â Apple Valley Galaxie library.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Brooklyn Park & Westonka library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview & White Bear Lake library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES:Â Elko New Market, New Prague & Savage library branches have storytime events.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:Â No storytimes scheduled.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Lakeland (Valley), Mahtomedi (Wildwood) & Woodbury library branches.Â
MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Family Storytime with Learning Tree Yoga
Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126
Stories plus yoga designed for kids ages 2-5. No registration necessary, just limber up a little and join in. Doesn’t the Shoreview Library look cozy? February 26, 2024, 10:30-11am. FREE.
Jolly Pops at Oakdale Library
1010 Heron Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Dad-band favorites the Jolly Pops perform with their puppets and will keep you smiling all morning long. No registration necessary, just show up and rock out. February 26, 10-11am. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday:Â
Tot Time open gyms across the Twin Cities are absolutely a saving grace for parents of squirrelly kids when it’s too cold or sloppy to be outdoors:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Blast & Play Tot Time, 9am-12pm. $5/child.)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERYÂ (Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $4)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS – AUDUBON & KENWOOD RECREATION CENTERS (Pershing Park, 10:30am, FREE)
- SAVAGE SPORTS CENTERÂ (Tot Time, 9-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERSÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME: Jumperoo at Urban Air Adventure Park
10 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
A special bounce-fest for preschoolers and toddlers ages 5 & under, Jumperoo clears the trampolines and playground of the big kids for a couple hours each Tuesday & Wednesday morning from 10am-noon. February 27, 2024, $12/child.
Twin Cities storytimes on Tuesday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES:Â Blaine Johnsville & Northtown, Circle Pines, Ham Lake, Rum River & St Francis libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, Norwood Young America & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven (Burnsville), Heritage (Lakeville), Pleasant Hill (Hastings) & Wescott (Eagan) library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Excelsior, Maple Grove, Minneapolis Nokomis & Rogers library.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES:Â New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY:Â New Prague & Prior Lake libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:Â Arlington Hills, Highland Park, Merriam Park & St Anthony Park branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Bayport, Forest Lake Hardwood Creek &Â Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Highland Park Preschool Storytime
1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul MN 55116
Stories, songs, rhymes and more to build literacy skills in little ones. Meet in the children’s area. February 27, 2024, 10:30-11:30am. FREE.
Bookworms Story Hour at Eastman Nature Center
13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
This is a special story hour designed for parents to attend with their preschoolers hosted by Eastman Nature Center. February’s theme is Nature’s Gifts of Color. A short exploratory time outdoors follows the stories. Both adult and child register and pay. February 27, 2024, 10-11am. $6/pp.
Black History Month Film Festival: Soul
Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
The final film in the series lineup, this one is most appropriate for kids as it is rated PG and produced by Pixar. Discussion to follow the movie, but you can always duck out. February 27, 2024, 5-7:30pm. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $15/membership pass or $3 drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-12pm, $8/pp)
- CHANHASSEN RECREATION CENTERÂ (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- CRYSTAL COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Preschool Playtime, 10-11:30am, $3/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & RECÂ (See schedule for locations – type “indoor playground” into search bar, most FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- PLYMOUTH FIELD HOUSEÂ (Open Play, 10:30am-1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $6-$8/child)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- SHAKOPEE COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Kids Playtime, 9:30-11am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERSÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
WEDNESDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM:Â Tot Times at St Paul Recreation Centers
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 Wednesday mornings this winter:
- DAYTON’S BLUFF REC CENTER, 800 Conway St, St Paul, MN 55106 (10am-12pm)
- EDGCUMBE REC CENTER, 320 Griggs St S, St Paul, MN 55105 (9:30am-noon)
- LINWOOD RECREATION CENTER, 860 St Clair Ave, St Paul, MN 55105 (11am-1pm)
- NORTH DALE REC CENTER, 1414 St Albans St N, St Paul, MN 55117 (10am-noon)
- PALACE COMMUNITY CENTER, 781 Palace Ave, St Paul, MN 55102 (11:30am-1:30pm)
Twin Cities storytimes on Wednesday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Blaine Johnsville & Northtown, Coon Rapids Crooked Lake & Rum River libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven, Lakeville, Robert Trail & Wentworth branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Brookdale, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis Central & Washburn, Minnetonka, Rogers, Southdale & St Anthony libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Maplewood, Mounds View & North St Paul library branches.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:Â Dayton’s Bluff, Rondo and West Seventh library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Cottage Grove Park Grove & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Library Storytime at Oakdale Discovery Center
4444 Hadley Avenue N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Join a librarian for a special last-Wednesday-of-the-month storytime at the nature center (through May). Perfect for preschoolers up to age five, February’s theme is “colors”. Plan to stick around to explore the hands-on exhibits. February 28, 2024, 10:30am. FREE.Â
More family fun ideas for Wednesday: Indoor activitiesÂ
Try a new indoor playground
For Minnesota parents it’s a must to know where to escape the elements and still keep those kids active and having fun. During the months of November through March we feature the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you discover something new: This week we highlight GOOD TIMES PARK in Eagan for its indoors-but-outdoor feel: soccer turf, multi-level basketball hoops, huge jumping pillow, play equipment and ability to entertain a wide range of ages. Open daily, 7am-9:30pm, $12/pp ages 1-17. Admission is bought online in advance, space may be limited.
FIND OUR FULL LIST OF MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL AREA INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS TO EXPLORE THIS WINTER!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, February 29, 2024
Tot Time Open Gym on Thursday:
- ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $5/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & RECÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTERÂ (Open Playtime, 10-11:30am, $3/child up to age 5)
- SAVAGE SPORTS CENTERÂ (Tot Time, 9-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERSÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS TCO SPORTS GARDENÂ (Toddler Thursday, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.)
THURSDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM:Â 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.
Twin Cities storytimes on Thursday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Blaine Northtown, Circle Pines, Fridley and Rum River libraries
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Farmington, Hastings, Inver Glen, Kaposia, Trail, Wentworth & Wescott (Eagan) branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Oxboro, Plymouth, Southdale & Westonka library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY:Â New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Prior Lake & Shakopee libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:Â George Latimer & Sun Ray library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Bayport, Grove, Cottage Grove, Hardwood Creek & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIMES: Storytimes in the parks & independent bookstores
Tiny Tot Storytime at Big Hill Books
Storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Storyteller Angela hosts a storytime at the charming bookshop perfect for 3s & under (but all welcome). February 29, 2024, 10:30am. FREE.
Nature Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Nature stories and an activity for kids led by garden naturalists – meet inside the trailhead (and dress for the weather). February 29, 2024, 10-10:30am. FREE.
More family fun ideas for Thursday: World cultures & nature play
KidsJam with Schubert Club Museum
Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
This month, kids can listen to, learn about and play games related to percussion instruments played in cultures around the world. The SCHUBERT CLUB MUSIC MUSEUM is hands-on fun our own kids have enjoyed. February 29, 2024. FREE, but registration required. Act quickly as these seats fill fast. There is a second session of this KidsJam event on Friday, March 1.
Drop In Discovery at Minneapolis Parks
Nature games and activities presented by community parks in Minneapolis. Drop in for free fun in the parks. Here’s the Thursday schedule:
- VICTORY PARK: 10-11am
- BOTTINEAU PARK: 10:30-11:30am
- WHITTIER PARK: 12-1pm
- MATTHEWS PARK: 12:30-1:30pm
- PAINTER PARK: 1:30-2:30pm
- FARVIEW PARK: 3:30-4:30pm
- LINDEN HILLS PARK: 4:15-5pm
- POWDERHORN PARK: 4:30-5:30pm
- CURRIE PARK: 5-6pm
Lil Explorer Thursday at Como Zoo
Lil Explorer Thursdays program is a fantastic free event aimed at preschoolers and includes all kinds of hands-on activities, manipulatives, games, storytimes and crafts. Meet in the Visitor Center. February 29, 2024, 10am-noon. FREE.
Free Thursday Night at American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Have your kids ever thought it would be awesome to explore a castle? Here’s their chance (and yours) while the very family-friendly AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE offers FREE admission every Thursday after 3pm. There is a rotating family gallery kids will enjoy playing in and nooks and crannies to explore. February 29, 2024.
PAIR A VISIT WITH DINNER: Our kids have enjoyed the Swedish meatballs at FIKA Cafe in the museum. Plus happy hour pricing from 3 until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, March 1, 2024
Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or $3/drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- BURNSVILLE IGM GYMNASTICSÂ (Preschool Open Gym, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child or $15/family.)
- CHANHASSEN RECREATION CENTERÂ (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & RECÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- PLYMOUTH FIELDHOUSEÂ (Youth Open Play, 10:30am to 1:30pm, $6-$8/pp)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTERÂ (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERSÂ (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: Gleason’s Gymnastics Open Gyms
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. March 1, 2024. Preschool open gym: Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:30 – 11:30am. Pre-register: $10/child; $15/family ($13/$20 at the door).
Twin Cities storytimes on Friday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Fridley library.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Norwood Young America & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Farmington, Inver Glen, Kaposia & Wescott (Eagan) library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Eden Prairie, Maple Plain, Minneapolis Bottineau, Roosevelt & Walker, Ridgedale and St Louis Park libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Moundsview & White Bear Lake branch libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Merriam Park & St Anthony Park branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY:Â Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo library branches.
Science Museum of Minnesota OmniFest
120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
 OmniFest screens five films back-to-back daily with fascinating themes such as space exploration and exotic wildlife. You can preview the lineup here. Each film is priced at $9.95/pp – this doesn’t include admission to the Science Museum exhibits (a worthwhile add-on if you’ve got an entire afternoon and several extra dollars to spend). Now through April 7, 2024.
Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities, March 2-3, 2024
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.
FIND TONS MORE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS ON OUR TWIN CITIES FAMILY FUN CALENDAR!