Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of March 23-27, 2026. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. We’ve got you covered no matter your corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area!
MARCH YOUR WAY into an ideal a mix of things to do this week indoors and out. We try to keep our site stocked with options to fit your family’s needs, tastes, size and budget. How best to plan your family fun this week:
Planning for Spring Break in the Twin Cities this week?
Why spring break? Because a Minnesota winter wrapping up is worth celebrating. Craft a fun staycation “Spring Break Trip” for your own family whether you have big kids or 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 2026 GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Monday, March 23, 2026
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 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!
- ANDOVER Tot Time Open Gym (9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under)
- APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- MAPLE GROVE Parent/Tot Time (9-11am, $4/child)
- NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime (12-3pm, $9/child)
- OTSEGO Open Play (10-11:30am, $3/child up to age 5)
- PLYMOUTH Open Field Play (9am-12pm, $6-$8/child)
- PLYMOUTH Preschool Open Gym (1:30-3:30pm, $6-$8)
- ROGERS Fieldhouse Tot Time (9-11am, $5-$7pp)
- SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime (9:30-11am, $4-$6/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Andover Community Center Open Gym
Andover Community Center, 15200 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
Non-structured indoor play for kids ages 6 & under. Meet up with local families and let the kids play with age appropriate toys and sporting equipment. March 23, 2026, 9:30-11:30am, $5/child ages 5 & under.
Twin Cities library storytimes this week
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Storytime with Engineer Paul at Choo Choo Bob’s
214 4th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
In addition to the thrill of watching real trains rolls through the grand and historic Union Depot, Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store has moved in and is offering a pay-to-play space filled with train tables and storytime on Moniday mornings with the beloved Engineer Paul. March 23, 2026, 10:30am. Admission: $10/kids to 10 years, $2/ages 11+
BLOOMINGTON Ikea Family: Free Spring Break Crafting
8000 Ikea Way, Bloomington, MN 55425
IKEA Family members are invited to get crafty for FREE during spring break. This week, make a mini aquarium in a jar to take home, all supplies included. It’s easy and free to join IKEA Family! Register for your spot at the link. March 23, 2026, 12 & 1pm. FREE.
BLOOMINGTON Works Museum Monday Hours
9740 Grand Ave South, Bloomington, MN, 55402
Kids off school on spring break today? Why not head over to The Works for fun, hands-on STEM exhibits and the coolest K’nex ball machine you’ve ever dreamed of. March 23, 2026, 10am-1pm. $14/pp.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
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:
- EAGAN Blast & Play (10am-12:30pm, $8/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time (9-11am, $5/person)
- LINO LAKES Rookery Tot Time (9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $5)
- SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time (9-11am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS TCO Sports Garden Open Turf (9:30-11:30am, FREE
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME Millz House Open Play
14645 Felton Court, Suite #104, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Work out the wiggles with indoor playsets, trampolines and basketball courts. Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Wild Rumpus Storytime
2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
This popular story time for toddlers & preschoolers takes place weekly at this wonderful independent bookstore. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! March 24, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
More family fun ideas for Tuesday: Nature play
Could it be? Is spring truly going to stick in Minnesota? Get warmed up for some outdoor nature exploration with these ideas:
Explore a new Twin Cities nature center outdoors (and in)
RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER in Bloomington, for instance, offers things to occupy your kids indoors and out. You can spend an afternoon’s worth of free, cozy fun putting on a puppet show, taking a scavenger hunt through the huge wall murals and visiting the resident critters in their indoor tanks. Then, head outside to discover the unstructured Nature Exploration Area. Get the details for visiting in our list of 10 Things For Kids at Richardson Nature Center. 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438.
Jump over for more Twin Cities-area nature centers – ideas for indoor play and learning.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $15/membership pass or $3 drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-12pm, $8/pp)
- CHANHASSEN RECREATION CENTER (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- HOPKINS PAVILION (Turf Tots, 8am-1pm. $5/child ages 1-5)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations – type “indoor playground” into search bar, most FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- SHAKOPEE COMMUNITY CENTER (Kids Playtime, 9:30-11am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK REC CENTER (Little Tot Playtime, 9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE.
WEDNESDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM Gleason’s Gymnastics Preschool Open Gym
2015 Silver Bell Rd #180, Eagan, MN 55122
A trip to Gleason’s for open gym is an instant mood-lifter. The kids 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 are open gyms for you, too. March 25, 2026, or ongoing Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30am. $10/child or $15/family (or $13-$20/door).
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. March 25, 2026, 10:30-11:30am. FREE.
Find our extensive list of Twin Cities Nature Centers & Outdoor Interpretive Centers to explore this spring
Activities for kids who love animals!
Love Cats? Visit the Cafe Meow!
1718A Lexington Ave N, Roseville MN 55113
3524 Winnetka Ave N, New Hope MN 55427
My daughter absolutely loves cats but mean old mom isn’t up for having a pet. Our solution? We book an hour at this sweet rescue coffee shop and she gets a fix without extra responsibility. On spring break this week? Kids ages 7+ (with a parent) can play with the kitties and sip a warm beverage. 11am-7pm, $10/pp.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, March 26, 2026
Tot Time Open Gym on Thursday
- ANDOVER Tot Time Open Gym (9:30-11:30am, $5/child)
- EAGAN Blast & Play (10am-12:30pm, $8/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time (9-11am, $5/person)
- OTSEGO Open Play (10-11:30am, $3/child)
- SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time (9-11am, $3/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Times (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- VADNAIS HEIGHTS Open Turf (9:30-11:30am, FREE)
THURSDAY FEATURED TOT TIME 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. March 26, 2026. $5 per session per child.
THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME 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). March 26, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
ST PAUL Como Little Explorers Thursday
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Little Explorers Thursdays 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. March 26, 2026, 10am-noon. FREE.
March weather not cooperating for outdoor plans? Stay as toasty as the tropics wandering the indoor gardens and exhibits. The animal enclosures are heated, too. FREE, donations appreciated.
EDINA Kids Entertainment at Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
The indoor park’s balmy amphitheater hosts free live music on select Thursdays. This week features an instrument petting zoo! 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 26, 2026, 10:30am.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, March 27, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday
- APPLE VALLEY Pre-K Gym (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- BURNSVILLE IGM Preschool Open Gym (Ages 1-6, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child)
- CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym (8-11:30am, $4-$4.50/child)
- EDINA Braemar Field Family Night (9-11am, $5/person)
- HOPKINS Turf Tots (8am-1pm, $5/child)
- MAPLE GROVE Parent/Tot Time (9-11am, $4/child)
- ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime (9:30-11:30am, $3/child)
- ST PAUL Rec Center Tot Time (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM Braemar Field Family Night
7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN 55439
Braemar Dome & Batting Cages are open for a weekly family night on Friday evenings. Bring your outdoor sports equipment for open play. Parents must stay and supervise. March 26, 2026, 3-4pm. $5/person.
FRIDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Barnes and Noble Galleria Storytime
3230 Galleria, Edina, MN 55435
The Galleria location often offers a story time on Fridays. March 27, 2026, 10-10:30am. FREE.
ST PAUL Bell Museum Star Party
Bell Museum of Natural History, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113
Explore the night sky with the aid of pros and a telescope on the museum’s outdoor observation deck. Plus FREE planetarium shows and hands-on indoor exhibits. Recommended for families with kids ages 7+. FREE, but please register. March 27, 2026, 8:30-10pm.
Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities – March 28-29, 2026
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.
Tremendous post. Thank you for sharing this awesome post.
Thanks, Maladh. You’re about a month late for these events, but maybe they’ll come back next year. In the meantime, check out our Events Calendar for up-to-date activities for kids and families.