Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of May 16-20, 2022. 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 16, 2022
Tot Time Open Gyms on Monday:
- 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)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
More family fun ideas for Monday:
Free Story & Art Time at Eden Prairie Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Drop in for storytime & an art project. May 16, 2022, 10-11am.
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 are back for the season!
- 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 14 for the 2022 season).
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
More family fun ideas for Tuesday:
Mall of America Toddler Tuesdays
This week, Hooperina presents special performances with her hula hoop in the Rotunda. May 17, shows at 11 & 11:30am. FREE!
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
Family Nature Play on Tuesday
OUTDOOR NATURE STORYTIME AT SUNFISH LAKE PARK
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center, Sunfish Lake Park, Entry Road, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
The nature center is hosting an outdoor nature storytime featuring music and nature play recommended for ages 0-6. Plus, kids will enjoy the hands-on indoor exhibits and messy play area. May 17, 2022, 10:30-11. FREE. Learn more about things to do in SUNFISH LAKE PARK.
Nature play at Sally Manzara Interpretive Center
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. PLAN AHEAD: this year, Caponi will celebrate its 30th anniversary with yoga in the park, forest bathing, theater in the park and a 30th celebration bash on June 5. 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 18, 2022
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)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (See schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
More family fun ideas for Wednesday:
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 18, 2022, 10am-12pm. $7-$11/pp or $30/family pack.
WHERE ELSE CAN I BRING A KID WHO LOVES TRAINS IN THE TWIN CITIES?
Wednesday fun in the parks
BLOOMA OUTDOOR LITTLE KIDS YOGA
Nokomis Naturescape Garden, 5000 E Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
A special yoga class for kids ages 9 mons-4 yrs w/ their caregivers. Simple yoga poses, stories and songs, all outdoors and a short walk from the LAKE NOKOMIS PLAYGROUND. May 18, 2022, 9:30-10:15am. $12/class, must register in advance.
Plymouth Pie Day at Northwest Greenway
Northwest Greenway, 5250 Peony Lane, Plymouth, MN 55446
YUM! Choose from slices ($5) of apple, key lime, cherry, peanut butter chocolate and more delicious kinds of pie. Play on the ninja-like Northwes
Fun things to do in the twin cities on Thursday, May 19, 2022
Tot Time Open gym on Thursdays:
- 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)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
More family fun ideas for Thursday: Big Rigs
EAGAN BIG RIG RALLY
Eagan Central Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Pt.
Celebrate National Public Works Week in Eagan with a tour and up-close look at the city big rigs: fire trucks, police cars, mowers, plow trucks and the garbage truck. Activities will include face painting, refreshments and giveaways. May 19, 2022, 4-7pm. FREE.
EDINA “BIG TRUCKS” PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE
Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd., Edina, MN 55439
Kids can view big trucks and power tools, go on a scavenger hunt to win candy and grab a free hot dog and refreshments. May 19, 2022, 4-7pm. FREE.
Find our complete calendar of twin cities touch-a-truck events this spring!
fun things to do in the twin cities on friday, May 20, 2022
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 (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)
More family fun ideas for Friday: Check out a new park!
Preschool Storytime at Carpenter Nature Center: Pigeon Party
12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
The CARPENTER-ST CROIX VALLEY NATURE CENTER offers a themed storytime once per month for kids ages 2-5. Registration is required. May 20, 2022, 10am. $6/child. If you can’t make storytime, the nature center is always free to visit, whether checking out the indoor displays or exploring the topography of the valley along the river.
FRIDAY FUN AT AUGSBURG ADVENTURE PARK
7000 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
This week features Storytime with a Firefighter – each week (thru Aug 26) will bring unique entertainment to the all-inclusive playground, followed by open playtime. May 20, 2022, 10am. FREE. Learn More About Richfield’s Augsburg Adventure Park.
Fun things to do this weekend in the twin cities, May 21-22, 2022
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.