Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Week: March 18-22, 2024

Things to do this week inĀ  Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!

This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of March 18-22, 2024. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our Weekend Family Guide.

As always, you can check our MARCH FAMILY GUIDEĀ or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR for more fun ideas on what to do this week in the Twin Cities with your kids. Plan ahead for nicer weather with our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES!

children in a family bike ride

Planning for Spring Break in the Twin Cities this week?

Why spring break?Ā  Because a Minnesota winter wrapping up is worth celebrating. Craft a fun staycation ā€œSpring Break Tripā€ for your own family whether you haveĀ big kidsĀ orĀ little kids. Be tourists right in the Twin Cities! Think mini golf, trampolines, scavenger hunts, rock climbing, museums and more. Get some inspiration from our 2024 GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES.

Spring Break in the Twin CIties

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Monday, March 18, 2024Ā 

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Monday:

Let them bounce off someone elseā€™s walls! Our list covers open gyms for tots across the Twin Cities where they can work their wiggles off during cooler weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS EARLY SPRING!

MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME: Tot Times at St Paul Recreation Centers

Itā€™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 Monday mornings this winter:

Indoor Toddler Activities

Twin Cities storytimes on Monday:

MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME:Ā Story & Art Time at Eden Prairie Art Center

7650 Equitable Drive, Eden Prairie,Ā MN,Ā 55344
An interactive storytime plus an engaging art project with all supplies provided. Caregivers must stay to supervise children. March 18, 2024, $10/child.

More family fun ideas for Monday: STEM activities!

Experience Gallery now open at The Works Museum

9740 Grand Ave. S, Bloomington, MN 55420
After a period of renovation, the super kid-friendly and hands-on engineering museum has opened their refreshed Experience Gallery.Ā The House exhibit explores the way necessary systems in a house (plumbing, electrical, protective barriers) are engineered.Ā Be mesmerized by the expanded K’nex ball machine. Open Mondays, 10am-1pm. $13/pp admission.

MORE FUN STEM-FOCUSED MUSEUMS FOR KIDS:
  • BAKKEN MUSEUM: All about electricity – it’s hair-raising science fun to explore. 3537 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55416.
  • BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: Far-out space exhibits and intriguing animal dioramas make it really special. Larpenteur Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN 55113.
  • SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA: World-class science exhibits and an IMAX theater. 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102.

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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 itā€™s too chilly or sloppy to be outdoors:

TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME:Ā Blast and Play at Eagan Community Center

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.Ā March 19, 2024, 9am-12pm. $5/child.

FIND OUR GIANT LIST OF SUPER FUN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES WHEN ITā€™S NOT QUITE PARK WEATHER!

The Blast Indoor Playground at Eagan Central Park, Eagan Minnesota

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.Ā March 19, 2024, 10:30-11am. FREE.

More family fun ideas for Tuesday: Edutainment for kids

Tour the Raptor CenterĀ 

1920 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Looking for spring break fun this week? 30-minute tours include learning about and meeting many species cared for and treated by The Raptor Center. Located on the St Paul campus of the U of M, the facility treats about 800 injured birds a year with the goal of releasing them back to the wild.Ā Learn more about visiting the Raptor Center with kids.Ā March 19, 2024, tours run 10am-3pm. $5/adults, $3/children.

Raptor Center, Saint Paul

Drop In Discovery at Minneapolis Parks

Nature games and activities presented by community parks in Minneapolis. Drop in for free fun in the parks – please note this is the FINAL week for the winter schedule. Spring programming will resume in April:

Visit Como Planetarium – Public Tuesday Nights

780 W Wheelock Pkwy #1315, St Paul, MN 55117
Telescopes will be set up to view the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and more in the night sky ahead of the solar eclipse.
Ā March 19, 2024. FREE, but must register as space is limited. Please see the link.

Dairy Queen Free Cone Day

A classic! Enjoy a free small vanilla cone at participating non-mall Dairy Queen locations on March 19. All day, limit one per person. And, in anticipation of warmer days ahead, we’ve updated our big list of Ā FREE CONE DAYS & FREE ICE CREAM SOCIALS IN THE TWIN CITIES.

Free Ice Cream Days & Cheap Cones in the Twin Cities

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM:Ā Plymouth Fieldhouse Open Play

While the temps are still cool the field house opens up for kids who need to run and scoot around indoors. Balls and objects for free play are provided. The fieldhouse is heated to 55 degrees so dress accordingly. March 20, 2024, 10:30am to 1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $6-$8/pp. 14800 34th Ave., Plymouth, MN 55447-1482.

Twin Cities storytimes on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME:Ā 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).Ā March 20, 2024, 10:30am. FREE.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

Preschool Open Gymnastics at Gleason’s

2015 Silver Bell Rd #180, Eagan, MN 55122
A trip to Gleasonā€™s for open gym is an instant mood-lifter. The kids willĀ loveĀ 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 are open gyms for you, too. March 20 & 22, 2023, 9:30 ā€“ 11:30am. $10 per child or $15 per family (online) / $13 per child or $20 (at the door).

Twin Cities nature play on Wednesday

ExploraTots at Como Regional Park Park

Streetcar Station, 1199 Midway Pkwy, Saint Paul,Ā MN,Ā 55103

Nature play stations include a story, a hike, and a take-home activity appropriate for the age range of 3-5 years. Must register in advance, space is limited. Donā€™t grab a spot? Plan ahead ā€“ this event is held monthly.Ā March 20, 2024, 10-11:30am. FREE.

Nature Adventurers: Maple Syrup at Wood Lake Nature Center

6710 Lake Shore Drive, RichfieldĀ 55423
This parent-child program from preschool kids ages 3-5 will include stories, crafts and outdoor discovery time. Dress for outdoors and please pre-register as space is limited.Ā March 20, 2024, 10am. $10/first child, $5/second child.Ā 

Volunteer showing girls how to tapa maple tree at a Warner Nature Center maple-syruping event, Minnesota

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, March 21, 2024

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gym on Thursday:

THURSDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: Andover Community Center Open Gym & Craft

Andover Community Center, 15200 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
We picked this special Tot Time this week because there’s also a special craft included. March 21, 2024.Ā 9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under.

Twin Cities storytimes on Thursday:

THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Winter 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 ā€“ meet inside the trailhead (and dress for the weather). One of the final winter storytimes of the season! March 21, 2024, 10-10:30am. FREE.

More family fun ideas for Thursday: Indoor activities

Free live entertainment at Edinborough Park

7700 York Ave. S., Edina,Ā MNĀ 55435
The indoor park’s balmy amphitheater hosts free live music on select Thursdays. This could be a nice break from a zany run around the giant ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND, also housed within Edinborough Park and reasonably priced at $10/child for hours of energy-busting fun. March 21, 2024, 10:30am.

Edinborough Park - Adventure Peak Indoor Playground

Try rollerskating – Family Night Thursdays at CheapskateĀ 

3075 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Skate to throwback prices and tunes. JustĀ $6.99 to skate plus skate rental fee (or bring your own). Ongoing Thursdays, 5-8pm.Ā For more rink locations, try ourĀ 
6 Twin Cities Roller Rink Family Deals.

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, March 22, 2024

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday:

FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: Hopkins Pavilion Turf Tots

Indoor turf where thereā€™s more room to run! Kids 5 & under can play with bounce houses, climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more for kids ages 1-5.Ā Through May 4, 2024; Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm. $5 per session per child.

Twin Cities Tot Times and other activities to do with my preschool child.

Twin Cities storytimes on Friday:

Eco-Art at Silverwood Park

2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Kids ages 7-12 can explore the outdoor ecosystems of Silverwood Park and examine them under the microscope. Then create your own habitat using natural materials. Registration is required. March 22, 2024, 9:30-11am. $8/pp.

Messy Monsters Toddler Art Program

Mess Hall, 906 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Let the studio take care of the mess so you parents don’t have to! Special for ages 2-6, tots can mess around with art in an educational environment and take home all of their creations. Ongoing Fridays including March 22, 2024, 10:30-11:15am. $28/child-adult pair.

Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities – March 23-24, 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.

children in a family bike ride

Family fun all week in the Twin Cities

Ideas to pull out of your “back pocket” nearly any day of the week!

Top Twin Cities kid-friendly museums:

Browse our big list of Twin Cities museums to visit with kids!
Giant Minnesota Post Card displayed at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul.
Minnesota Postcard

Best indoor playgrounds & play areas in the Twin Cities

We cover the top places for the indoor fun your kids are craving: climbing, sliding, jumping, crawling and just plain blowing off some steam.

Indoor Playgrounds in the Twin Cities, Minnesota - Child Playing in a Ball Pit

Best Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities

Turf Tots at Hopkins Pavilion

11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Drop-in and play with fun, gross motor equipment like bounce houses, a climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more. No registration necessary. The program is for children 5 and under. Mon-Fri, 9am to 2pm thru May 6, 2022. $5 per session per child.

Tot Time at Savage Sports Center

Heads up those with squirrelly kids in the Twin Cities southwest metro! At open Tot Time, preschoolers 5 & under can play on inflatables, with balls and bats and more. All gym equipment provided. Ongoing Tues & Thurs (March 22 & 24) 2022. $3/child.

Twin Cities Nature Centers and Nature Play

Early spring is an exciting time to visit a Twin Cities area nature center, fresh with the promise of a new season and programming. But, as we know, March weather can be as temperamental as a toddler. Good thing these interpretive venues can be nearly as fun indoors as out.

Ā 

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