Twin Cities Guide To Family Activities This Week: November 6-10, 2023

Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!

This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of November 6-10, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.

For more late autumn inspiration you can check our NOVEMBER FAMILY GUIDE or ourย FAMILY FUN CALENDARย for more fun ideas on what to do this week in the Twin Cities with your kids โ€“ satisfaction guaranteed (or close to it!)ย 

Fun things to do in the Twin cities on Monday, November 6, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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 either FREE or at a low cost to you.

TAKE NOTE! Several Twin Cities Tot Time Open Gyms are just getting started in the month of November. We’ve added several to our usual listings this week so make sure to check if your community has been included. See our full list of Twin Cities Tot Time Open Gyms this fall!

MONDAY FEATURED TOT TIME:ย Plymouth Fieldhouse Open Play

STARTS THIS WEEK! When the temps dip, field house opens up for kids who need to run and scoot around indoors. Balls and objects for free play are provided. The fieldhouse is heated to 55 degrees so dress accordingly. November 6, 2023, 10:30am to 1:30pm, ages 12 & under, $5-$7/pp. 14800 34th Ave., Plymouth, MN 55447-1482.

Twin Cities Storytimes on Monday:

MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIMES:ย Puppet Storytime at Westwood Nature Center

8300 W Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MN 55426
Open play and exploration ofย Westwood Hills Nature Center,ย naturalist-led activities, puppet show and a hike.ย November 6, 2023. 10am-11am, $5-6/person. Registration required.

Two puppets in a story time about maple syrup at Westwood Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Storytime with Engineer Paul at Choo Choo Bobโ€™s Train Store

1665 West End Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
The beloved train shop is BACK in a brand new location, complete with Engineer Paulโ€™s train-tastic storytime. Our littles grew up with Choo Choo Bobโ€™s original shop in St Paul so this is happy news. (Photo from the old store until we can get to the new one!)ย November 6, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.

Girl playing at train table in Choo Choo Bob's Train Store
Choo Choo Bobโ€™s bridges the gap for train lovers of little hands and big hearts.

More family fun ideas for Monday: Indoor activities

Children’s Pool Hour at Great River Water Park

270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
Monday, Wednesday and Friday hours are โ€œchildrenโ€™s pool onlyโ€ from 9am-10am at this perfect little indoor splash spot. And admission isnโ€™t bad either โ€“ $7/pp or $25 for a group of 5.ย November 6, 2023.

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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 playground season has come to an end.

TUESDAY FEATURED TOT TIME:ย Blast and Play at Eagan Community Center

Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Blast & Play Tot Time includes admission to the space-themed Blast Indoor Playground and the community center gym for open play with equipment provided. November 7, 2023, 9am-12pm. $5/child.

The Blast Indoor Playground at Eagan Central Park, Eagan MinnesotaThe Blast Indoor Playground

Twin Cities Storytimes on Tuesday:

TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Wild Rumpus Storytime

2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
This is a popular story time for toddlers & preschoolers in the sweet Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! November 6, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.

Girl standing in front of the tiny people door at the Wild Rumpus Bookshop in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A special purple door just for short people

Down on the Dodge Farm

Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St., West St. Paul, MNย 55118
Did you know?ย DODGE NATURE CENTER is the setting of a working farm in the city. There is no charge to wander the trails and maybe get a glimpse of the animals. But if you’d like to go a little more in-depth and meet some of the barn residents, consider registering for this program. Great for preschoolers. November 7, 2023, 10-11am, $7/pp.

Collage of spring farm baby event at Dodge Nature Center in South St. Paul, Minnesota

More family fun ideas for Tuesday: Active fun

Open Climbing at Base Camp

6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111
Open rock climbing is available on climbing walls inspired by the natural rock face of the St. Croix River bluffs near Taylors Falls. There are 16 routes to try between 24 and 32 feet high. It is required that youth are accompanied by an adult who is able to belay for them at the climbing wall. Open archery may be available too. Register at the link.ย November 7, 2023, 6-9pm. $10/participant (adult spotters free).

Rock Climbers receiving instruction at Base Camp in Bloomington Minnesota

It’s Election Day in the Twin Cities

We understand that Election Day and family fun don’t always go hand in hand. So over the years, we’ve put together some ideas to prepare for and enjoy Election Day with kids. Getting kids involved in the whole voting process takes some of the stress off of me and teaches them a little about our civic duties. You can find our ideas here.

Family Fun Twin Cities Election Day Family Fun - Election Sign

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: Preschool Playtime at New Brighton Community Center

Preschool Playtime in New Brighton is double the fun because it includes open play in the gym w/ equipment and inflatables AND admission to EAGLES NEST INDOOR PLAYGROUND. This special indoor playtime is held each Mon & Wed when school is in session. November 8, 2023, 12-3pm, $8/child. 400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112.

Twin Cities Storytimes on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Red Balloon Bookshop Storytimes

891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
We love to feature independent bookshops and encourage you to explore and support them. Red Balloon offers baby & toddler storytime each Wednesday. Get there early for the best seating!ย November 8, 2023, 10:30am.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

More family fun ideas for Wednesday: It’s National STEM Day!

Where to take your small fry to experience STEM fun through hands-on science? The Minneapolis-St Paul area has an excellent assortment of high quality museums with hands-on learning opportunities for all ages. Here’s a sampling:

Girl by large wooly mammoth diorama at Bell Museum of Natural History.

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, November 9, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday:

THURSDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: TCO Sports Garden Toddler Thursdays

Little ones with energy to spare: Come to Field 1 for indoor activities such as a bounce house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run.ย  The fieldhouse is kept at 55 degrees so dress with this in mind.ย November 9, 2023, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.

TCO Sports Garden sign on the front of the new sports complex.
Image courtesy of Ramsey County Parks & Recreation

Twin Cities Storytimes on Thursday:

THURSDAY FEATURED STORYTIME:ย Storytime at Kiddywampus Chanhassen

860 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Interactive stories, songs & rhymes for kids ages 2-5 at one of the coolest independent toy shops in the Twin Cities. No registration required.ย November 9, 2023, 10:30am. FREE.

KIDDYWAMPUS HOPKINS:ย This location hosts its storytime (โ€œJump in a Book with Jenโ€) on Wednesdays at 10:30am.

Lilโ€™ Explorer Thursdays at Como Zoo

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MNย 55103
The beloved (at least by my family) preschool program offers weekly themed activities to the 4-and-under set. Think sand tables, sponge painting, worm digs and storytimes. November 9, 2023, 10am-12pm. FREE!

Indoor fun at SCHEELS!

8301 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Who knew you could spend the day being entertained at the sporting goods store? This generationโ€™s variety features a 65-foot Ferris wheel, mini-bowling, a candy shop, archery range and arcade. No trouble getting the teens to join me on this outing. We love this on a chilly day. Visit anytime.

FFTC Kids riding the indoor Ferris Wheel at SCHEELS Eden Prairie

Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, November 10, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday:

FRIDAY FEATURED OPEN GYM: IGM Gymnastics Preschool Open Gym

12117 Riverwood Dr, Burnsville, MN 55337
This is a special Open Gym time reserved just for kids ages 18 months to 5 years. Work out wiggles on the trampolines, balance beams, obstacle courses and foam pit. No need to pre-register for open gyms. November 10, 2023, 9:30-11:30am, $10/child or $15/family.

Twin Cities Storytimes on Friday:

FRIDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime at Carpenter Nature Center

12805 St. Croix Trail S, Hastings,ย MNย 55033
Each month at the nature center features a new nature theme and activities aimed at ages 2-5 w/ a caregiver. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve a space as they are limited. This month’s theme is Farewell to Fall. November 10, 2023, 10am. $6/child.

More family fun ideas for Friday: Friday Night Fun!

Grand Slam Weekend Special

12425 River Ridge Blvd, Burnsville, MN 55337
My tweens and teens request this outing every so often because they’re confident everyone is going to end up having fun. Included in the $12.95/pp package price: unlimited laser tag, mini golf & krazy kars and 12 arcade credits. We choose to add on the trampolines for $4. Friday & Saturday nights, 7-10pm.

Friday Family Movie Night at Edinborough Park

7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Coming to the indoor parkโ€™s balmy amphitheater:ย Friday screens the movieย Shark Tale at 5:30pm. Stay before or after to enjoy the huge indoor playground (not free, but reasonably priced for a full afternoon of fun. November 10, 2023. $9/child admission.

MORE ABOUT ADVENTURE PEAK: For Minnesota parents it’s a must to know where to escape the elements and still keep those kids active and having fun. During the months of November through March we feature the best indoor playgrounds in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in the hopes of helping you discover something new: This week we highlight ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND in Edina. This is our familyโ€™s favorite metro-area indoor playground. With plenty of room to move, the kids are entertained for hours running back and forth between the 37-foot โ€œpeakโ€ and the Great Hall, an activity room filled with balls, scooters and a bounce house. A small toddler area is included.

FIND OUR GIANT LIST OF SUPER FUN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES WHEN ITโ€™S NO LONGER PARK WEATHER!

Edinborough Park - Adventure Peak Indoor Playground

We know you were just trick-or-treating something like yesterday, but the holiday switchover is coming whether we’re ready or not. (And in many cases, it’s well upon us. Out on a walk today I was counting the number of homes already dressed with Christmas lights next to the ones with pumpkins still on the front steps.) Be on the lookout for Twin Cities community HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING FESTIVITIES and other seasonal fun this weekend; find our complete list of Twin Cities Holiday Tree Lighting Events to plan ahead.

Rice Park Holiday Tree Lightingย 

109 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Once again to signal the start of the holiday season in St Paul, Rice Park will dazzle with thousands of twinkling lights throughout the winter. Music, holiday photo ops, hot cocoa and more all included. November 10, 2023, 5:30pm.

The Landmark Center in Winter
The Landmark Center in Winter – Image courtesy of the City of St. Paul

Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities, November 11-12, 2023

Too many fun things to list here, Iโ€™ll tell you that. So we publish a separate guide each weekend with up-to-the-last-minute ideas for spending family time together. Hereโ€™s a sneak peek of what to look forward to this weekend in the Twin Cities:

FIND TONS MORE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS ON OUR TWIN CITIES FAMILY FUN CALENDAR!

weekend family fun guide

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