Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of May 15-19, 2023. 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!
As always, you can check our MAY FAMILY GUIDE, the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES 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, MAY 15, 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 cooler weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. A few options continue to wind down for their break during the late spring & summer so take note!
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $6/pp)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER (9-10:30am, $3/child)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
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 reasonable at just $6/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! May 15, 2023, 9-10:30am.
FIND OUR GIANT LIST OF SUPER FUN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES WHEN IT’S NOT QUITE PARK WEATHER!
Twin Cities Storytimes on Monday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Victoria library branch.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Apple Valley Galaxie library.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Brooklyn Park & Champlin library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Maplewood, 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: Lakeland (Valley), Mahtomedi (Wildwood), Oakdale & Woodbury library branches.
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. May 15, 2023, 10-11am.
More family fun ideas for Monday:
Como Conservatory Summer Flower Show
The summer blooms are now on display in the Sunken Garden to add an extra pop of color to your day. Just one more reason Como Park Zoo & Conservatory makes for the perfect budget outing with kids. Just remember, reservations are still required to visit. Daily, 10am-6pm. FREE. Other fun things to do at or near Como Zoo:
- Pay a visit to the animals
- Beloved Sparky the Sea Lion shows
- Wander through the peaceful Japanese Garden.
- Take a spin on Cafesjian’s Carousel.
- Treat your kids to amusement park rides at Como Town (opening May 20 for the 2023 season).
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023
Tot Time open gyms across the Twin Cities are absolutely a saving grace for parents of squirrelly kids when it’s still just shy of playground weather:
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-12pm, $6/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERY (Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $4)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! THE ROOKERY ACTIVITY CENTER IN LINO LAKES
Rookery Activity Center, 7690 Village Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
A special Tot Time held in the gym for ages 1-10. Make sure your little ones wear socks for the bounce house! May 16, 2023, 9am-12pm, $4/child.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Tuesday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes this week.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Apple Valley Galaxie library branch.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Maple Grove, Minneapolis Central, Nokomis & Rogers library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Arlington Hills & West Seventh branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Bayport, Forest Lake Hardwood Creek & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! Wild Rumpus Storytime
2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
This popular story time for toddlers & preschoolers is BACK after a lengthy hiatus. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! May 16, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
More family fun ideas for Tuesday:
Mall of America Toddler Tuesdays
This week in the Rotunda, Cascade Vacation Rentals gives kids the opportunity to play with sled dog puppies and sample donuts. May 16, 2023, 11am-2pm. FREE
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
Family Nature Play on Tuesday
Explore Caponi Art Park
1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Wander the trails through the quirky sculpture park at your own leisure. Bring a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it. Open Tues-Sun, 9am-8pm. Admission is always FREE unless noted for a special event.
WANT MORE SCULPTURE IN YOUR LIFE? We’ve got a list for that. Rounded up for you and yours are 12 SCULPTURE PARKS IN MINNESOTA TO VISIT WITH KIDS.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 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, $8/pp)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
WEDNESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME! Parent/Tot Open Gym at Rosemount Community Center
13885 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068
Fun and FREE, youngsters 5 & under can play with balls and large motor equipment. Drop in Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:30-11am.
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES ON WEDNESDAY:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes this week.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Robert Trail (Rosemount), South St Paul & Wentworth branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Minneapolis North Regional, Minnetonka, Rogers & St Anthony library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Mounds View & North St Paul library branches.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Dayton’s Bluff and Rondo library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend family events celebrating local authors. May 17, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.
ExploraTots at Como
Como Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55117
Nature play stations include a story, a hike, and a take-home activity. Must register in advance, space is limited. Don’t grab a spot? Plan ahead – this event is held monthly. May 17, 2023, 10-11:30am. FREE.
Eagan Arbor Day Celebration
Sky Hill Park, 3950 Blue Cross Road, Eagan, MN 55122
Celebrate Eagan’s “Tree City” status with family-friendly activities and a formal ceremony. See the Spring catalog for more information. May 17, 2023; 4-6pm.
More family fun ideas for Wednesday: Cool transportation!
Tots & Trains at Jackson Street Roundhouse
193 Pennsylvania Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55130
Your little train lovers will go nuts for this playdate! Tinker around with train tables and interactive displays. Run through real passenger train cars. Create a craft to take home and listen to a transportation-themed story. Coffee for adults! May 17, 2023, 10am-12pm. $10-$13/pp or $35/family pack.
WHERE ELSE CAN I BRING A KID WHO LOVES TRAINS IN THE TWIN CITIES?
Burnsville Pop Up Police Event
Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Pkwy, Burnsville, MN 55337
Stop by for a meet-and-greet with Burnsville Police in the Parking lot across from City Hall. Kids can get close up to squad cars, the command post and EVA to explore, a K-9 Unit, treats, car seat checks and a chance to chat with officers. May 17, 2023, 4-7pm. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023
Tot Time Open Gym on Thursdays:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, 9am-12pm, $5/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
Twin Cities Storytimes on Thursday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: No storytimes today.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: South St Paul & Robert Trail branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Bloomington Penn Lake, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Oxboro & Wayzata library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview library branches.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: George Latimer & Sun Ray library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove, Hardwood Creek & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
A naturalist hosts a different nature themed story each week within the Garden followed by an activity. Meet just outside the Visitor Shelter. Bring a blanket to sit on. May 18, 2023, 10am, FREE.
More family fun ideas for Thursday:
Lil Explorer Thursday at Como Zoo
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Lil Explorer 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. May 18, 2023, 10am-noon. FREE.
OPENS TODAY! Skyline Mini Golf at Walker Art Center
Artist-designed mini golf holes on the rooftop of Walker Art Center – clocking in at one of the most unique outdoor miniature golf courses in town. $12/pp, ages 6 & under golf free. Register as a new Walker member and your family plays a round of golf for free. Membership starts at $5/month. May 18, 2023.
FIND MORE OF THE BEST OUTDOOR MINI GOLF COURSES IN THE TWIN CITIES!
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, MAY 19, 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, $8/pp)
- BURNSVILLE – IGM GYMNASTICS (Ages 1-6, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child)
- EAGAN – GLEASON’S GYMNASTICS (K & under, 9:30-11:30am, pre-register for discount of $8/child or $10/family)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
Twin Cities Storytimes on Friday:
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Fantastic Friday at Norwood Young America library branch.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Inver Glen library branch.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Maple Plain & Walker branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Mounds View & White Bear Lake branch libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Riverview, St Anthony Park, Merriam Park & Hamline Midway branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo library branches.
FRIDAY FEATURED STORYTIME! Princess Storytime at Little Roos
More family fun ideas for Friday:
Farm Fridays at the Landing
2187 County Rd 101, Shakopee, MN 55379
Help prepare the garden for spring planting at this re-created historic village. May 19, 2023, 1-3pm. FREE.
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES, MAY 20-21, 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.
FAMILY FUN ALL WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES
Ideas to pull out of your “back pocket” nearly any day of the week!
Best Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities
Kids bursting with extra energy (and their caregivers who often can’t keep up) will appreciate all the free and low-cost TOT TIME OPEN GYMS across the Twin Cities. Especially so when the weather is cold and we can’t just head down the street to the park. Most often, these unstructured programs offer balls, other gross motor play equipment, and room to run. Find our list of the communities that offer special open gym time this spring:
Twin Cities-Area Library Storytimes
Your local library is a wonderful place for kids to curl up for a storytime, browse books, play with educational toys and games and slow their pace. We cover more than 100 Metro area library branches in our GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES LIBRARIES: MAPPED. Or, pick from this quick list to find library storytimes and events:
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.
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, April weather can be as temperamental as a toddler. Good thing these interpretive venues can be nearly as fun indoors as out.
TOP TWIN CITIES KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS
- BAKKEN MUSEUM – STEM-based fun
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
- MILL CITY MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER
- THE WORKS MUSEUM – engineering exhibits for kids
BROWSE OUR BIG LIST OF TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS TO VISIT WITH KIDS
Got an event you’re excited to share? Find our submission form and guidelines here.