THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL WITH YOUR KIDS!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of January 9-13, 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 9, 2023
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 CENTER (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under)
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $3/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (Type “family indoor playground” into the search box to see schedule for locations, FREE)
- PLYMOUTH FIELD HOUSE (Open Play, 10:30am-1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$7/child)
- SHAKOPEE COMMUNITY CENTER (Kids Playtime, 9:30-11am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME AT NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER
Preschool Playtime in New Brighton is double the fun because it includes open play in the gym w/ equipment and inflatables AND admission to EAGLES NEST INDOOR PLAYGROUND. This special indoor playtime is held each Mon & Wed when school is in session. January 9, 2023. 12-3pm, $7/child. 400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112.
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON MONDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: No storytimes today.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Apple Valley Galaxie library.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Champlin, Linden Hills & Westonka library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Roseville, Shoreview & White Bear Lake library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: No storytimes today.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Bayport, Lakeland, Mahtomedi, Oakdale & Woodbury library branches.
MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! FREE STORY & ART TIME AT EDEN PRAIRIE ART CENTER
Staring Lake Park Building, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Drop in for storytime & an art project. Ages 2-6 years. January 9, 2023, 10-11:30am. FREE.
More family fun ideas for Monday: Go Play in the Snow!
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 the golf course in HIGHLAND PARK, St Paul. You can’t miss the safe, gentle grade under the twin water towers. And there are at least a half dozen spots to grab coffee and hot cocoa nearby when you’re done sliding. 782 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116.
Ever Tried snowshoeing?
It’s really just a winter hike made much easier by strapping on special gear to keep you (theoretically) on top of the snow instead of getting swallowed up by the drifts. And many parks offer groomed trails just for this purpose. We recommend starting with our list of nature centers and county parks that maintain trails and rent snowshoes for $5-$6 a pop. Pictured below are snowshoes rented at MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER.
Winter Pop-up Park
North River Hills Park, 19th Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337
Parks staff will facilitate outdoor winter games and activities to get youth out enjoying the snow. Aimed at kids ages 5-12. January 9, 2023, 4-6pm. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, January 10, 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 10, 2023, 9am-12pm. $5/child.
The Blast Indoor Playground
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON TUESDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, Norwood Young America & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven (Burnsville), Heritage (Lakeville), Pleasant Hill (Hastings), South St Paul & Wescott (Eagan) library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Maple Grove, Minneapolis Central, Nokomis, Penn Lake & Rogers library branches,
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: New Brighton & Roseville library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY: New Prague library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Arlington Hills, Highland Park & St Anthony Park branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Forest Lake Hardwood Creek & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! Music Together at Chaska Library
3 City Hall Plaza, Chaska, MN 55318
Join Music Together in the Valley for a singalong storytime at the library. No registration required. January 10, 2023, 10:30-11am.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR TUESDAY: Indoor activities
Tuesday is Discount Movie Day
We feel like going out to watch a movie on the big screen can still be a treat with our kids, a bit more special than Netflix at home in PJs (though don’t get us wrong, we enjoy being cozy as much as the next family). Our list of Twin Cities cheap flicks details theaters in town where you can pay $5-$6 a ticket, typically on Tuesdays. Sneak peek: RIVERVIEW THEATER in Minneapolis, WOODBURY 10 THEATRE & MANN THEATRES in St Paul do not require to you sign up as rewards members.
MALL OF AMERICA TODDLER TUESDAY: Lunar New Year
Now a monthly event, this month kids can ring in the Lunar New Year with a performance, craft and a visit from a Nick Jr character. Meet at the Rotunda. January 10, 2023, 11am-12pm. FREE. HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
Raptor Center Live Tours
1920 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Get up close to bald eagles, kestrels, owls and falcons during this kid-friendly tour. The Raptor Center, located on the St Paul campus of the U of M treats about 800 injured birds a year with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. The 45-minute tours must be booked in advance. $5-$8/pp. Learn more about visiting the Raptor Center with kids.
TWIN CITIES BALLET “DANCE WITH ME” EVENT
Lakeville Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville MN 55044
A fun-filled and highly interactive mini-show, where kids can dance alongside TCB’s professionals, and watch them perform in full costume. January 10, 10:30am. $6/pp, reserve your tickets.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, January 11, 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)
- CRYSTAL COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 10-11:30am, $3/child)
- 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! 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 11, 2023, 10:30am to 1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$6/pp. 14800 34th Ave., Plymouth, MN 55447-1482.
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON WEDNESDAY
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chaska, Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnhaven, Heritage (Lakeville), South St Paul & Wentworth branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Hosmer, Linden Hills, Minneapolis Washburn, North Regional & Rogers library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Moundsview & North St Paul library branches.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Storytime has been cancelled today.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
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 11, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS FOR WEDNESDAY: Kid-friendly museums
GREAT TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS KIDS WILL ENJOY:
- AMERICAN SWEDISH INTSTITUTE, Minneapolis: Features a dedicated children’s exhibit room, all housed in a castle-like mansion.
- BAKKEN MUSEUM, Minneapolis: Hands-on exhibits about electricity.
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, St Paul: A planetarium, wildlife dioramas and a touch-and-feel room among other interactive exhibits.
- MILL CITY MUSEUM, Minneapolis: Water play, imaginative play, a tasting lab & multimedia show attract all ages.
- MINNNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, St Paul: Three floors of exhibits and play designed just for kids.
- MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER, St Paul: Educational exhibits that still manage to be very interactive and lots of fun (we promise!)
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, January 12, 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 12, 2023, 9:30-11:30am. FREE!
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON THURSDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Waconia & Watertown library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Farmington, Inver Glen, Robert Trail, Wentworth & Wescott (Eagan) branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Augsburg Park, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Minneapolis Central, Oxboro, Plymouth & Wayzata library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY: Prior Lake library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: George Latimer (St Paul) & Sun Ray library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! STORYTIME AT RED BALLOON
891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Storyteller Angela hosts a storytime at the charming bookshop perfect for 3s & under (but all welcome). January 12, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
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 strapped on a pair and hit the canals and ponds of CENTENNTIAL LAKES PARK in Edina. Skating is free, rentals are available for $8.
Burnsville Community: Winter Outdoor Skate Party
Neill Park, 13501 Upton Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337
Ice skating, a bonfire, music, hot chocolate and character guests. January 12, 6-8pm. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, January 13, 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! 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 13, 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 FRIDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Norwood Young America & Waconia library branches.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Farmington, Inver Glen & Wescott library branches.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Maple Plain, Minneapolis East Lake, Ridgedale & Walker branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: White Bear Lake library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Hamline Midway, Merriam Park & Riverview library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo library branches.
Friday featured storytime: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME AT CARPENTER NATURE CENTER
12805 St. Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Each month at the nature center features a new nature theme and activities aimed at ages 2-5 w/ a caregiver. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve a space as they are limited. January 13, 2023, 10am. $6/child.
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):
- EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY CENTER POOL (Ages 5 & under, 9-11:50am, $5.75-$8/pp)
- GREAT RIVER WATER PARK – CHILDREN’S POOL ONLY HOUR (9-10am, $7/pp ages 3+)
SHAKOPEE INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER (Ages 6 & under, 9-10:30am, $5/child and caregivers FREE)
Find more Twin Cities Indoor Pools and Waterparks for a winter swim!
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES, JANUARY 14-15, 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!