THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL WITH YOUR KIDS!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of January 2-6, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.
Best wishes for extra family fun in 2023! For more winter inspiration you can check our JANUARY 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!)
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON MONDAY, January 2, 2023
Lots of kids are enjoying their last or last few days of winter break today (my own kids included). There may still be some ideas worth checking out on our list of 16 THINGS TO DO OVER WINTER BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES (plus, many apply throughout the winter season).
Traditionally, we list the day’s Tot Time open gyms & library storytimes here, but most city facilities are closed today to observe the start of the New Year. Instead of an indoor activity, why not take advantage of the extra degrees added to the temp outdoors this week and explore:
RECOMMENDED TWIN CITIES SLEDDING HILLS
From bunny slides to steep thrills, we list sledding spots across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro by community. PICTURED: COLUMBIA PARK SLEDDING HILL IN MINNEAPOLIS. We rate this pictured hill as one for mild thrill-seekers, but there are other, gentler slopes in the park nearby.
FREE COMMUNITY outdoor ICE SKATING RINKS
Including multiple refrigerated outdoor rinks that are free to skate as well. PICTURED: CENTRAL PARK ICE SKATING LOOP, Maple Grove: Skate the serpentine loop free, skate rental available for $7.50. There are outdoor firepits or a cozy pavilion to warm up in. 12000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
BEST TUBING HILLS in the twin cities
Particularly for your tweens and teens or those who have outgrown the local sledding slope. We ourselves have a pack of older kids who think this is a way fun winter outing. PICTURED: BADLANDS SNO PARK, Hudson, Wisconsin. Badlands Snow Park claims some of the steepest, tallest and longest hills in the country among its 7 tubing hills. It may very well be true; but this not-so-brave Mom has only observed her big kids from the comfort of the chalet. 772 Kinney Road, Hudson, WI 54016.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, January 3, 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 too cold or sloppy to be outdoors:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERY (Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $4)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (Type “family indoor playground” into the search box to see schedule for locations, FREE)
- SAVAGE SPORTS CENTER (Tot Time, 9-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK (Little Tot Playtime, 9:30-11:30am, ages 1-5, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! BLAST AND PLAY
Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Blast & Play Tot Time includes admission to the space-themed Blast Indoor Playground and the community center gym for open play with equipment provided. January 3, 2023, 9am-12pm. $5/child.
The Blast Indoor Playground
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON TUESDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Pleasant Hill (Hastings) & South St Paul library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Minneapolis Central library.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: No storytimes today.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Arlington Hills, Highland Park & St Anthony Park branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Woodbury RH Stafford library branch.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! FAMILY STORYTIME AT COTTAGE GROVE RAVINE REGIONAL PARK
9653 Keats Ave S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
A special outdoor storytime at the park that coincides with Free First Tuesday in Washington County Parks. Indoor craft or activity to follow. Dress for the elements, however in the case of extreme weather, stories will be inside Ravine Landing. January 3, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR TUESDAY: try some indoor sports!
BASE CAMP OPEN CLIMB & ARCHERY
6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111
Base Camp is a place to try out exciting physical activities like open rock climbing and archery. Ages 5+ are invited to try scaling the indoor engineered rock walls on the first Tuesday of the month. Please pre-register. January 3, 2023, 6-9pm. $10/climber.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, January 4, 2023
TOT TIME OPEN GYMS ON WEDNESDAY:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-12pm, $6/pp)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12=3pm, $7/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- PLYMOUTH FIELD HOUSE (Open Play, 10:30am-1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$6/child)
- SHAKOPEE COMMUNITY CENTER (Kids Playtime, 9:30-11am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
WEDNESDAY 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. January 4, 2023. Preschool open gym: Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:30 – 11:30am. Pre-register: $10/child; $15/family ($13/$20 at the door).
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON WEDNESDAY
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today but Waconia branch library is hosting Wednesday Whimsy with self-directed crafts & activities (starts at 11:30am). Chaska branch hosts the similar Welcome Wednesdays today (4:30pm).
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Pleasant Hill (Hastings) & South St Paul branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Minneapolis Washburn library branch.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today but make-and-takes for kids all day at Moundsview branch library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Storytime has been cancelled today.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR WEDNESDAY:
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 4, 2023.
WHERE CAN I SEE THE TRAINS ON WEDNESDAY?
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 4, 2023, 10am-12pm. $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 4, 2023, 10am-8pm. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, January 5, 2023
TOT TIME OPEN GYM ON THURSDAYS:
- ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- 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)
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 5, 2023, 9:30-11:30am. FREE!
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON THURSDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Pleasant Hill (Hastings) & South St Paul branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Minneapolis Washburn library branch.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton branch library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Sun Ray branch library.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
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 5, 2023, 10am-noon. FREE.
FUN THINGS
TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, January 6, 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 (Preschool Open Gym, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child or $15/family.)
- EAGAN – ROCKIN JUMP JUNIOR JUMPERS (2-hr sessions starting at 9 & 10am. $12/child plus $3 re-useable jump socks.)
- PLYMOUTH FIELDHOUSE (Youth Open Play, 10:30am to 1:30pm, $5-$6/pp)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY 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 6, 2023, 10:30am to 1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$6/pp. 14800 34th Ave., Plymouth, MN 55447-1482.
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON FRIDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today, but Carver Library hosts Fantastic Fridays with self-guided activities for all ages.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Maple Plain, Minneapolis East Lake, Ridgedale & Walker branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Riverview & Hamline Midway branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo library branches.
More ideas for Friday night family fun:
FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY: SNOW FUN
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan MN
Bring your own sled for a night of sledding and snow-sculpting. Meet at the Visitor Center. January 6, 2023, 6-7:30pm. FREE.
Minnesota Ice Maze Opening Night
Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Suite 200 Eagan, MN 55121
The glittery, glowy, twisting and turning ice maze has moved to Eagan for 2023. It will still feature a fun themed scavenger hunt for all ages embedded into the shimmery blocks and a thrilling ice slide. There will be firepits to warm up at and drinks and snacks available for purchase. You’ll want to grab your tickets online in advance. January 6-mid February 2023, 4-10pm.
WATER INN’S FREE ICE SKATING RINK Opens
Located behind 101 Water St S, Stillwater, MN 55082
Not a large rink, but well maintained and close to downtown and free public parking lots. It’s located right behind the Water Street Inn. Note that the rink is free, but there are no skate rentals available or a warming house. The ice rink is available January 6-February 26, 2023.
Find more of the best things to do in Stillwater this winter with kids!
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES, JANUARY 7-8, 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.
FIND TONS MORE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS ON OUR TWIN CITIES FAMILY FUN CALENDAR!