Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of May 30-June 3, 2022. 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 30, 2022
Memorial Day in the Twin Cities
MEMORIAL DAY WITH LAKEWOOD CEMETERY
3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Enjoy live music and create custom postcards. There will be guided trolley tours of the cemetery offered. May 30, 2022, 10am-2pm, FREE.
More family fun ideas for Monday: Fun in the parks
Music Monday at Como Zoo
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Members of the very family-friendly Jack Brass Band parade through the zoo grounds and families are invited to join in. Just one reason among a dozen to spend a day at the zoo – just remember to make an advance reservation. May 30, 2022, 10am-1pm. FREE.
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 30, 2022.
VILLAGE SAMPLER GUIDED TOUR AT THE LANDING
2187 County Rd 101, Shakopee, MN 55379
Explore what life was like in the late 1800s through a tour of this re-created village on the river. May 30, 2022. $5/pp, reservations recommended. Tours between 10am-3pm.
Cedarcrest Splash Pad Opening Today
8700 Bloomington Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425
CEDARCREST PARK makes the cut on our list of the TOP PARKS IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA!
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Tuesday, May 31, 2022
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 – including May 31. Note the carousel does not normally operate on Tuesdays. See our page on Cafesjian’s Carousel for more information.
COMMUNITY PARK SPLASH PAD OPENING TODAY
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, June 1, 2022
Minneapolis Movies in the Parks
The Commons, 425 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
The movie Ratatouille will be screened. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, snacks and some bug spray. If you’re able consider taking the light rail into downtown; the park is about a block away from the station and my kids think the train ride is part of the fun. June 1, 2022, 8-10pm. 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 including June 1.
Storybook Trail at Forest School park
4800 Douglas Dr. N. Crystal, MN 55422
The outdoor, self-guided story trail features Marmalade the Moose from 12-7pm.
More family fun ideas for Wednesday: 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.
Find more of the best Twin Cities beaches to hit up this summer!
Fun things to do in the twin cities on Thursday, June 2, 2022
Let’s play in the park on Thursday!
Exploratots at Phalen Regional Park
1600 Phalen Dr, St Paul, MN 55106
The program consists of themed activity stations, a story, hike and a take-home activity. Meet at the Lake Phalen picnic shelter. Must register in advance at the link. June 2, 2022, 10am, FREE. PHALEN REGIONAL PARK also has a beach, splash pad, playground and an attractive Chinese Garden.
Learn more about the Exploratots program in St Paul parks!
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 2, 2022, 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. Remember, a reservation to visit the Zoo is free, but required. June 2, 2022, 10am-12pm.
fun things to do in the twin cities on friday, June 3, 2022
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 – many of which are offering sweet specials – including FREE 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 great for kids. Gianna offers tips for bringing the whole family. The festival kicks off Friday, June 3, 2022 with Birdhouse Factory, an acrobatics, circus-like show at the Ordway. 8pm, $8/tickets.
More family fun ideas for Friday: Time for a swim!
Highland Park Aquatic Center Opening Day
1840 Edgcumbe Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
Bigger kids will enjoy its two-story water slide and climbing wall, while small kids can play it the splash pad. There is also a lap pool and diving boards for more serious swim practice. Open for pre-season swimming 12-6pm. Admission is $4-$7/pp ($5/pp in a group of 5+)
Find more Twin Cities outdoor swimming pools & waterparks to splash the summer away!
Beaches & Bonfires at Medicine Lake East
East Medicine Lake Park, 1740 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55441
Swim at the beach, then warm up at a bonfire and listen to a live steel drum band. June 1, 2022, 6:30-8:30pm. FREE. Learn more about EAST MEDICINE LAKE PARK in Plymouth.
More family fun ideas for Friday: Fun in the parks
Forever Wild Family Friday
Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trl, Farmington, MN 55024
Join a professional storyteller and clap, stomp, and chant as you help tell animal stories from around the world. 6-7:30pm. FREE.
Minneapolis Movies in the Park: Back to the Future
Armatage Park, 2500 W 57th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Free movies screened in Minneapolis parks every Friday night. Bring a blanket or chairs, snacks and bug spray. Movies start 15 minutes after sunset.
Fun things to do this weekend in the twin cities, June 4-5, 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! 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.
