Twin Cities Guide To Family Activities This Week: January 23-27, 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 23-27, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.

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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 23, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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!

MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER 

12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Tots get a designated time in the gym just for them, and it’s cheap at just $3/child, caregivers free. Kick it up a notch with admission to MAPLE MAZE INDOOR PLAYGROUND, also located within the community center. Just look at that helix slide! January 23, 2023, 9-10:30am.

Find our giant list of super fun indoor playgrounds in the Twin Cities when it’s not park weather!

Maple Maze Indoor Playground in Maple Grove Minnesota

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON MONDAY:

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. January 23, 2023, 10-11:30am.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO WHILE I’M OUT IN EDEN PRAIRIE? FAMILY ATTRACTIONS CLOSE BY:

  • PRAIRIE PLAY ZONE INDOOR PLAYGROUND: Kids play half price ($2.75-$3.25) after 1pm, Mon-Fri. Located within the Eden Prairie Community Center.
  • FUN AT SCHEELS SPORTING GOODS: Inexpensive family attractions include an indoor Ferris Wheel, mini-bowling, arcade games, a target game and a huge (taxidermy) animal display. We love it on a chilly day! Located within Eden Prairie Center.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 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! 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 23, 2023, 9am-12pm. $5/child.

The Blast Indoor Playground at Eagan Central Park, Eagan Minnesota

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON TUESDAY:

TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble Maple Grove

8040 Wedgewood Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Old and new stories dear to kids and a coloring activity to follow. Scheduled each Tuesday; please confirm on website. January 24, 2023, 10am. FREE.

More family fun ideas for Tuesday:

MAKE IT A DISCOUNT MOVIE DAY

Tuesday is the day of the ticket deal in the Twin Cities. We’ve rounded up all the theaters that screen movies today for under $6/pp (popcorn extra, sorry). For more the scoop, check out our: Cheap Flicks: Twin Cities Movie Discount Days page.

Two girls sharing popcorn during a movie at the Mall of America in Bloomington Minnesota

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 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 25, 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 Oakdale Discovery Center

4444 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Storytime plus a craft each last Wednesday of the month. You’ll absolutely want to stay to poke around in the OAKDALE DISCOVERY CENTER. My kids enjoyed the large aquarium, hands-on exhibits and book corner. Our picture shows a summer visit, but any season of the year is fun. January 25, 2023, 10-11am. FREE.

Find our extensive list of Twin Cities Nature Centers & Outdoor Interpretive Centers to explore this winter!
Girls exploring at the Oakdale Discovery Center in Oakdale Minnesota
Oakdale Discovery Center

Preschool Outdoor Winter Play

Roseville Library, 2180 North Hamline Ave, Roseville, Minnesota 55113
Play outdoors in the snowy “reading garden” – kids ages 2-6 can try snowshoes on for free. Of course, you’ll want to then warm up inside with a good book. January 25, 10-11;30am. FREE.

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. TOWN & COUNTRY CLUB (pictured below) in St Paul allows some of the best free sledding in the city plus a pretty view of the Minneapolis skyline. As the slopes make up parts of the club’s golf course, the terrain varies. You can find bunny hills for tots as well as steep thrills for teens. 300 N Mississippi River Blvd, St Paul, MN 55104.

FFTC kids sledding at Town & Country Club, St Paul

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

TOT TIME OPEN GYM ON THURSDAYS:

THURSDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM! 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.

Millz House Indoor Playground in Minnesota
Millz House, Apple Valley

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON THURSDAY:

THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! STORYTIME AT RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP

891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
We love to feature independent bookshops and encourage you to explore and support them. Red Balloon offers baby & toddler storytime each Thursday. Get there early for the best seating! January 26, 2023, 10:30am.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

More family fun ideas for Thursday:

 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 26, 2023, 10am-noon. FREE.

Twin Cities Festivals for families

Saint Paul Winter Carnival: Light the Park – Kickoff to Carnival

Rice Park, St Paul
When the lights flip on, it’s officially Carnival time in the capital city. The first 200 people to Rice Park will receive free glow wands and a brand new laser light show salutes the start of this 137-year-old festival. The classic Winter Carnival ice carvings to begin immediately following the show. Ultimate family winter date night? January 26, 2023, 5:30-7pm. FREE admission.

January 26-February 5, 2023: Find the best things to do at the St Paul winter Carnival for families!

snowy st paul

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

TOT TIME OPEN GYMS ON FRIDAY:

FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM! 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. January 27, 2023 9:30-11:30am. $10/child or $15/family.

TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON FRIDAY:

Friday featured storytime! Shake Your Sillies Out at St Anthony Park Library

2245 Como Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55108
Special activities for kids ages 2-5 that need to MOVE! in addition to enjoying a storytime. January 27, 2023, 10:30-11:30am. FREE.

MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR FRIDAY: TOT OPEN SWIMS

Littles can splash the winter blues away at special TOT OPEN SWIMS reserved just for them. We know of three indoor pools in the Twin Cities metro area that offer tot swims on Friday mornings (please tip us off if you know of others):

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

Twin Cities Indoor Waterparks and Pools

Friday Night Fun: Try a family skate date!

Ice Skate Party at Pamela Park

4303 W 58th Street, Edina, MN 55424
Music, cocoa and treats for skaters to enjoy while supplies last. January 27, 2023, 6-9pm. 

Another FREE ice skating option in the Edina area are the lovely frozen ponds of CENTENNIAL LAKES PARK. There’s skate rental available there, too, and a large warming pavilion. 

People skating the canals of Centennial Lakes Park in Edina, Minnesota.

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). Some notable rinks we like to highlight:

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!

St paul winter carnival 2023: VULCAN SNOW PARK AT THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS opens

The wily Vulcan Krewe (nemesis of King Boreas and Aurora Queen of the Snows, and their court) play host to a number of fun winter activities based out of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds starting Friday including:

  • WINTER CARNIVAL SNOW SCULPTURE PARK   Visitors are invited to come out to Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds to watch sculptors at work Friday & Saturday. Finished sculptures are lit after dark. FREE.
  •  SNOW MAZE – Our kids loved navigating the mini snow maze when they were little. Snow Park is located in the Kidway area of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
  • More carnival fun to come this weekend!

FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES, JANUARY 28-29, 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!

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