Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of May 29-June 2, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. Because the parents that make up the FFTC are always dreaming up ways to make life easier to manage with kids, we’ve organized our summer event information by region of the Twin Cities metro area – we’ve got you covered no matter your corner!
- JUMP TO MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL SUMMER EVENTS
- JUMP TO TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO SUMMER EVENTS
- JUMP TO TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO SUMMER EVENTS
- JUMP TO TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO SUMMER EVENTS
- JUMP TO TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO SUMMER EVENTS
As always, you can check our JUNE FAMILY GUIDE, the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER 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 31, 2023
Memorial Day in the Twin Cities
Memorial Day Weekend is May 27-29, 2023. Sticking around town for the holiday? We’ve got some weekend suggestions that are sure to be memorable.
Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery
3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Enjoy live music and refreshments, create custom postcards and take guided trolley tours of the cemetery. May 29, 2023, 12-4pm, FREE.
More family fun ideas for Memorial Day:
Story Trail at Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118
Walk at your own pace around Thompson Lake while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail. Do NOT miss the brand-new inclusive playground! May 26-29, 2023.
Decoration Day at Historic Fort Snelling
Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111
Interact with costumed actors dressed in 1890s military clothing. Watch speeches that reflected on past conflicts, especially the American Civil War, commonly heard during the late 1800s. May 27-29, 2023; 10am-4pm. $8-$12/pp. Learn more about Historic Fort Snelling.
Outdoor Swimming – Beaches & Splash Pads Open Memorial Day
Spend the holiday at the beach!! Dozens are open for the business of swimming, splashing and FUN starting Memorial Day Weekend – see our guide for a complete listing of ideas. Don’t forget the splash pads for those with littles not yet ready for a full-blown swim experience:
- CARVER COUNTY PARKS SWIMMING BEACHES
- DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS SWIMMING BEACHES
- MINNEAPOLIS BEACHES
- RAMSEY COUNTY SWIMMING BEACHES
- THREE RIVERS PARKS SWIMMING BEACHES
- WASHINGTON COUNTY SWIMMING BEACHES (Lake Elmo opens June 10)
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023
Cafesjian’s Carousel – Free Rides!
1245 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55103
It has become a spring tradition of ours to visit Cafesjian’s Carousel in Como Regional Park, the beautiful antique merry-go-round. The daily price to ride is $3/pp but a handful of days during the summer are FREE. Note the carousel does not normally operate on Tuesdays. See our page on Cafesjian’s Carousel for more information. May 30, 2023, 11am-4pm.
Andrews Park Splash Pad Opening Day
Weather-dependent, look for the ANDREWS PARK splash pad to open today, and find our complete listing of Twin Cities Splash Pads to keep handy for summer.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023
Minneapolis Movies in the Parks
Waite Park, Minneapolis, MN 55415
The movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be screened. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, snacks and some bug spray. May 31, 2023, 8:45pm. FREE.
Wednesday Storytimes
Storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop
Storytime has returned in person to the beloved Grand Avenue bookshop. You’ll want to show up a few minutes early to get a good seat. Ongoing Wednesdays at 10:30am.
More family fun ideas for Wednesday:
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023
Let’s play in the park on Thursday!
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. June 1, 2023, 10am, FREE.
LIL’ EXPLORER THURSDAYS AT COMO ZOO
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
The beloved (at least by my family) preschool program is finally back offering weekly themed activities to the 4-and-under set. Think sand tables, sponge painting, worm digs and interactive storytimes. June 1, 2023, 10am-12pm.
Hit the beach!
Bush Lake Beach Opening Day
East Bush Lake Park, 9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN
The sandy beach is great, and if the kids are looking for something a little more adventuresome than the available tot lot, the fabled “Chutes and Ladders” playground (officially the HYLAND PLAY AREA if you look it up) is just across the road and is free to scramble around in. June 1, 2023. FREE admission.
Find more of the best Twin Cities beaches to hit up this summer!
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023
It’s National Doughnut day!
National Doughnut Day is a real thing – and we may as well enjoy every bite of it! We’ve rounded up a collection of our favorite independent donut shops and bakeries throughout the Twin Cities for you to browse. DUCK DONUTS in Woodbury is offering FREE cinnamon sugar donuts on the first Friday in June.
Flint Hills Family Festival
345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102 & Rice Park (downtown)
The whole shebang, from outdoor artist performances to the exhibit and activities tent, is FREE and great for kids. Gianna offers tips for bringing the whole family. The festival kicks off Friday, June 2, 2023 with Strings & Salsa Night at the Ordway.
More family fun ideas for Friday: Fun in the parks
Forever Wild Family Friday
Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trl, Farmington, MN 55024
Guided activities in the nature play area, a bonfire & smores. June 2, 2023, 6-7:30pm. FREE.
Minneapolis Movies in the Park
Washburn Fair Oaks Park, 200 E 24th St, Minneapolis
Free movies screened in Minneapolis parks every Friday night. Tonight’s screening: Kiki (PG-13). Bring a blanket or chairs, snacks and bug spray. 8:45pm.
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS, JUNE 3-4, 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! Now that summer is close to upon us, you’ll want to keep these ideas close at hand at beat boredom and keep kids active:
BEST outDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES
Here at FFTC we’re up to our ears covering more than 800 TWIN CITIES PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS in our Parks Directory. Or, to get just a taste of the best, head over to our round up of the TOP PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER.
