Twin Cities Guide To Family Activities This Week: January 16-20, 2023

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL WITH YOUR KIDS!

This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of January 16-20, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.

Weekend Family Guide - Family Fun Twin Cities Banner.

Best wishes for extra family fun in 2023! For more winter inspiration you can check our JANUARY FAMILY GUIDEULTIMATE 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!) 

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

Martin Luther King Jr Day in the Twin Cities

Traditionally, we list the day’s Tot Time open gyms & library storytimes here, but most city facilities are closed today to observe MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY. Hit the link for ways to participate or ideas for activities you can do at home. 

Family Fun Twin Cities Martin Luther King Day Guide: Family Events & Activities

MLK featured event! CELEBRATION at Powderhorn

Powderhorn Recreation Center, 3400 15th Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55407
Powderhorn neighborhood’s family-friendly, 2-hour artist showcase featuring storytellers, visual artists and performing artists, art activities, lunch and giveways. January 16, 2023, 11am-2pm. FREE.

MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR MONDAY: GO PLAY Outside!

Flurries or flakes, powdery or packed, it can be SNOW much fun to play in! Especially when you’re a kid without all that responsibility to shovel the stuff. So let’s forget about the sidewalks and driveway for a minute and focus on all the frivolous ways we can enjoy snow. Such as:

EXPLORING THE TWIN CITIES’ BEST SLEDDING HILLS

From bunny slides to steep thrills, we list sledding spots across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro by community in our sledding hill guide. And each week, we feature a new slope we’ve recently given a test run. Today we’re sending you over to ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE. Hit this park up for the best sledding to be found in Maple Grove. Operated by the excellent Three Rivers Park District, Elm Creek features a free sledding hill and/or, for an extra thrill, a tubing area with lanes of varying steepness. Tubes rent for $17/2 hrs.. Elm Creek aims to fit most of your winter recreational needs – you can also ski, snowboard, snowshoe or kicksled in the park. 

Snow Tubing For the Family - Best Hills in the Twin Cities - Family Fun Twin Cities

TAKE A SPIN: OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINKS

We’re the metro area of 10,000 rinks in the wintertime. From frozen puddles at the local park to beautiful, refrigerated outdoor rinks, we catalog as many as possible in our TWIN CITIES ICE RINK-FINDER (most of them featuring FREE opportunities to skate). This week we’re highlighting the free skating ice skating rink at VIKING LAKES in Eagan. During their Winter Skolstice event a man-made skating rink will be open daily from 10am-10pm. There is a nearby warming house. Registration and waiver required prior to your first visit. 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan, Minnesota, 55121.

ICE MAZE! The Minnesota Ice Maze is also located at Viking Lakes – a bit of a splurge but could make for a fun family night out!

More family fun ideas for Monday: warm up indoors

TROPICAL OASIS WEEKEND AT COMO ZOO & CONSERVATORY

1225 Estabrook Drive, St Paul MN 55103
Escape the cold this weekend and head someplace a little more balmy. Free special adds at Como during MLK break include crafts, games, a scavenger hunt and animal enrichment programs. Plus, on the 14th, the Winter Flower Show opens and brightens up the Conservatory. Our family loves to escape the winter for a couple hours at Como. January 16, 2023, 10am-4pm. FREE.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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 too cold or sloppy to be outdoors:

TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! THE ROOKERY ACTIVITY CENTER IN LINO LAKES

Rookery Activity Center, 7690 Village Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
A special Tot Time held in the gym for ages 1-10. Make sure your little ones wear socks for the bounce house! January 17, 2023, 9am-12pm,  $4/child.

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON TUESDAY:

TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! Family Storytime at Woodridge Park

9000 90th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Singing, literacy and playing are all part of this indoor storytime at the park followed by a related activity for kids up to age 6. January 17, 2023, 10:30-11am. FREE.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

TOT TIME OPEN GYMS ON WEDNESDAY:

WEDNESDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM! PLYMOUTH FIELDHOUSE OPEN PLAY

When the temps dip, field house opens up for kids who need to run and scoot around indoors. Balls and objects for free play are provided – and inflatables for kids up to age 12 make a special appearance on Wednesdays. The fieldhouse is heated to 55 degrees so dress accordingly. January 18, 2023, 10:30am to 1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$6/pp. 14800 34th Ave., Plymouth, MN 55447-1482.

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON WEDNESDAY

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. January 18, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.

More family fun ideas for Wednesday: Indoor Activities

Mid-week is excellent to spot trains in the Twin Cities if that’s what your little ones (or big ones) are into. Here’s are a couple of places to consider; plan ahead and find more on our article MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, A TRAIN LOVERS DESTINATION:

  • TOTS & TRAINS AT JACKSON STREET ROUNDHOUSE – Play at the train tables, run through a read train car, hear a train-themed story and more. Located in St Paul. January 18, 2023. $7-$11/pp or $30/family.
  • GAMES GALORE AT UNION DEPOT – Play life-sized versions of favorite games like chess & Connect Four in the historic depot, then watch some of the modern trains roll in outside. January 18, 2023, 10am-8pm. FREE.
Girl by train car at the Minnesota Transportation Museum in Saint Paul, MN

HEARTFELT PRESCHOOL winter festival

4306 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
The seasonal festivaloffers a simple craft or two for the kids and their adult plus
a wholesome snack. To get an idea of Heartfelt’s winter craft lineup, browse hereJanuary 18, 2023. $24/first child, $12/additional. Please register in advance.

Heartfelt Parties

CHILDREN’S POOL HOUR AT GREAT RIVER WATER PARK

270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
Monday, Wednesday and Friday hours are “children’s pool only” from 9am-10am at this perfect little indoor splash spot. And admission isn’t bad either – $7/pp or $25 for a group of 5. January 18, 2023.

FIND MORE TWIN CITIES INDOOR POOLS AND WATERPARKS FOR A WINTER SWIM!

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

TOT TIME OPEN GYM ON THURSDAYS:

THURSDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM! TCO SPORTS GARDEN TODDLER THURSDAYS

Little ones with energy to spare: Come to Field 2 for indoor activities such as a bouncy house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run.  The fieldhouse is kept at 55 degrees so dress with this in mind. January 19, 2023, 9:30-11:30am. FREE!

TCO Sports Garden sign on the front of the new sports complex.
Image courtesy of Ramsey County Parks & Recreation

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON THURSDAY:

THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! LIL EXPLORER THURSDAY STORYTIME AT COMO ZOO

Lil Explorer Thursdays program includes two themed storytimes. This 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. January 19, 2023, 10am-noon. FREE.

More family fun ideas for thursday: VISIT A NEW TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTER

Roughly two dozen nature and interpretive centers in the Twin Cities metro are just begging to get your kids excited about the natural world. Through hands-on exhibits, naturalist-led activities and plain old play, these venues make learning fun! This week we would like to introduce you to WESTWOOD HILLS NATURE CENTER in St Louis Park. Special event at Westwood Hills: Family Nature Time – Program includes indoor and outdoor time exploring animals, reading stories, playing games and more. Please register in advance as space is limited. January 19, 2022, 10-11am. $5-$8/pp. 8300 W. Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426.

Children playing at Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park Minnesota
Westwood Hills Nature Center

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

TOT TIME OPEN GYMS ON FRIDAY:

FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM! ROCKIN JUMP JUNIOR JUMPERS

Rockin Jump Trampoline Park, 2015 Silver Bell Road, Suite 195, Eagan, MN 55122
Kids up to 6 years get a special jump time separate from the big kids. Yours will love the trampolines, foam pit and soft play area as much as mine do! January 20, 2023, 2-hr sessions starting at 9 & 10am. $12/child plus $3 re-useable jump socks.

Child attempting ninja course at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park in Eagan Minnesota

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON FRIDAY:

FRIDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! STORIES WITH ENGINEER PAUL AT CHOO CHOO BOB’S TRAIN STORE

1665 West End Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
The beloved train shop is BACK in a brand new location, complete with Engineer Paul’s train-tastic storytime. Our littles grew up with Choo Choo Bob’s original shop in St Paul so this is happy news. (Photo from the old store until we can get to the new one!) January 20, 2022, 10:30am.

More family fun ideas for Friday

Kids at the Castle: Winter Wonderland

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Music, movement and play aimed at kids ages 2-5 presented in a real castle! Registration in advance is required as space is limited. January 20, 2023, 9-10am. $10/family, museum admission included. Also offered January 21.

More GREAT TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS KIDS WILL ENJOY:

Water play at Mill City Museum

Candyland Trail at Edinborough Park

7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
A Candyland trail, themed bounce house and other activities are all part of this special event at
ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND – included with admission of $9/child. January 20, 2023, 9am-7pm.

FRIDAY FEATURED COMMUNITY FESTIVAL:

Eagan Frosty Festival

Eagan Community Center Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Sled to the DJ’d music, build a snowman, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies and get some great winter photos. January 20, 2023.
5:30-7:30pm. Tickets $5 and can be purchased here.

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