Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of September 11-15, 2023. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE.
For more autumn inspiration you can check our SEPTEMBER FAMILY GUIDE, the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FALL 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, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
The start of fall means open season for a new round of Tot Time open gyms across the Twin Cities. A saving grace for parents of squirrelly kids when playground season has come to an end.
SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS FALL!
Tot Time Open Gyms on Monday:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER (9-11am, $3/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (Type “family indoor playground” into the search box to see schedule for locations, FREE)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
Twin Cities Storytimes on Monday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Columbia Heights & Coon Rapids Crooked Lake branch libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Chanhassen & Victoria branch libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Plymouth & Westonka library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Roseville, Shoreview & White Bear Lake library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES: Lakeland, Mahtomedi, Oakdale & Woodbury library branches.
Play free & green at a nature playground
DO THIS BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES! I get a deep satisfaction from watching my park-bound kiddos play in a more natural setting: digging, figuring out how to climb that tree, following paths, building forts. They become immersed in tossing rocks into the water, scouting frogs, collecting wildflowers. More places have popped up around the Minneapolis-St Paul metro where kids get the opportunity to interact with the landscape and, perhaps, develop a greater appreciation for it. We include 17 of these spaces in our roundup of TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAYGROUNDS. Pictured: Discovery Hollow at Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday:
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.
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERY (Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $4)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (Type “family indoor playground” into the search box to see schedule for locations, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
Twin Cities Storytimes on Tuesday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY: Blaine Johnsville & Northtown libraries, Circle Pines Centennial, Ham Lake North Central, St Francis & Rum River libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, NYA & Waconia branch libraries.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Apple Valley Wescott, Burnhaven, Robert Trail & South St Paul libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Maple Grove, Minneapolis Northeast and Rogers library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview branch libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Arlington Hills, Highland Park & St Anthony Park branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Bayport, Forest Lake Hardwood Creek, Wildwood & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Stories From the Porch at Eidem Farm
4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Bring your blanket to spread out and listen as children’s stories are read aloud, then stay to explore the farm and meet the animals. September 12, 2023, 11am storytime. FREE.
MALL OF AMERICA TODDLER TUESDAYS
Entertainment for tots in the Rotunda. Plus wristband and dining specials Tuesday only. September 12, 2023. FREE.
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 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)
- 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 OPEN GYM: Gleason’s Gymnastics
2015 Silver Bell Rd #180, Eagan, MN 55122
So flipping fun! This used to be a family go-to when the cold set in and my kids needed to get their wiggles out. Yours will love the opportunity to bounce on trampolines, scoot through obstacle courses, and play on the gym equipment. Register in advance for a discount. And hey, teens and tweens! There’s an open gym for you, too. September 13, 2023. Preschool open gym: Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:30 – 11:30am. Pre-register: $10/child; $15/family ($13/$20 at the door).
Twin Cities Storytimes on Wednesday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY: Blaine Johnsville & Northtown libraries, Coon Rapids Crooked Lake & Anoka Rum River libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Waconia & Watertown branch libraries.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Burnsville Burnhaven, South St Paul & West St Paul Wentworth libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Linden Hills, North Regional, Rogers & Washburn branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Mounds View & North St Paul branch libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Dayton’s Bluff & Rondo library branches.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove, Stillwater & Woodbury RH Stafford library branches.
WEDNESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME: Red Balloon Bookshop
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! September 13, 2023, 10:30am.
More family fun ideas for Wednesday: Indoor activities
Play, shop & eat at Ikea Twin Cities
8000 Ikea Way, Bloomington, MN 55425
After a couple years’ hiatus, IKEA Twin Cities has re-opened Smaland. Kids can check in to this fully-supervised play area for up to an hour for FREE between 12pm and 6pm daily while their adults can shop or just relax. (Tip: Join their Ikea Family program to get extra time for the kids and free coffee for the parents.) Then, when it’s time to chow, every Wednesday get two kids entrees free with purchase of adult entrée from the cafe.
Visit a kid-friendly museum
Hesitating at the thought of bringing your little ones out to a museum? We take the guesswork out of the process by suggesting some of our tried-and-true kid-friendliest outings:
- BAKKEN MUSEUM – STEM-based, hands-on fun for all ages
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY – particularly if you have kids interested in space (there’s a planetarium, too)
- MILL CITY MUSEUM – highlights include water play & multi-media activities
- MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – designed directly for kids!
- MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER – pure edutainment!
- THE WORKS MUSEUM – engineering exhibits for kids
BROWSE OUR BIG LIST OF TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS TO VISIT WITH KIDS!
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Tot Time Open Gym on Thursdays:
- APPLE VALLEY – MILLZ HOUSE (Open play 9am-4pm, $8/pp)
- STARTS TODAY! 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:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY: Blaine Northtown libraries, Circle Pines Centennial & Anoka Rum River libraries.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Chanhassen, Waconia & Watertown branch libraries.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Apple Valley Wescott, Farmington, Inver Hills Inver Glen, Farmington, Pleasant Hill, Robert Trail & West St Paul Wentworth libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Brooklyn Park, Edina, Hopkins, Maple Grove & Wayzata branch libraries.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: New Brighton, Roseville & Shoreview branch libraries.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: George Latimer, Hayden Heights & Sunray branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Bayport, Cottage Grove Park Grove, Forest Lake 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. September 14, 2023, 10am, FREE.
Nature play on Thursday:
Lil’ Explorer Thursday 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 storytimes. September 14, 2023, 10am-12pm.
Shop & play at a fall farmers market
We think a trip to a fall farmers market trumps a traditional grocery run any day of the week. There is nothing more inspiring than the stacks of brightly-colored autumn produce just waiting to be turned into cozy family dinners. Where can you shop local on Thursday?
Maple Grove Farmers Market
Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Kids can participate in the Power of Produce (POP) Club and earn free bucks to spend on fresh produce. September 14, 2023, 3-6pm.
Make a Day: The Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove Library and Town Green Park all interconnect through easy walking paths. Maple Maze Indoor Playground is open until 8pm on Thursdays. Or visit all our favorite Maple Grove Parks.
Centennial Lakes Farmers Market
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 55435
This week’s entertainment: Music on the Plaza from 4-6 p.m. Plus, Edina Art Center offers Pop Up Art Cart projects from 5-6pm. September 15, 2023.
Make a Day: There are 10 acres of kid-friendly space to explore within Centennial Lakes Park. Kids ages 8+ might enjoy the obstacles on the 18-hole putting course, younger kids may get a kick out of renting a paddleboat or seeking out the labyrinth.
EXPLORE MORE TWIN CITIES FALL FARMERS MARKETS!
Featured Twin Cities community festival:
North St Paul Fall Round-up Parade
The parade will make its way down 7th Ave. E. in downtown North St. Paul. The parade offers family fun for all ages, including a community celebration at the end of the route. September 14, 2023. Parade begins at 6pm.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 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 $10/child or $15/family)
- ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY CENTER (Parent/Tot Open Gym, 9:30-11am, ages 5 & under, FREE)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
FRIDAY FEATURED TOT TIME: SkyZone Little Leapers
SkyZone Trampoline Park, 2015 Silver Bell Road, Suite 195, Eagan, MN 55122
Kids up to 6 years get a special jump time separate from the big kids. Yours will love the trampolines, foam pit and soft play area as much as mine do! September 15, 2023, 90-min sessions from 9-10:30am. $17.99/child plus $3 re-useable jump socks.
Twin Cities Storytimes on Friday:
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY: Fridley Mississippi branch library.
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY: Norwood Young America & Waconia branch libraries.
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY: Apple Valley Wescott, Farmington & Inver Hills Inver Glen libraries.
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY: Bottineau, East Lake, Eden Prairie, Maple Plain, Penn Lake, Roosevelt, St Louis Park & Walker library branches.
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY: Mounds View & White Bear Lake branch library.
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Merriam Park & Riverview branch libraries.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY: Cottage Grove Park Grove & Lake Elmo library branches.
- HASTINGS MOVIES IN THE PARK: Levee Park. The Mitchells vs. The Machines. 6:30pm for free activities and giveaways, movie to follow at 7:30pm. September 15, 2023.
- MINNETONKA MOVIES IN THE PARK: Civic Center Amphitheater. Minions: The Rise of Gru, September 15, 2023, 7:40pm.
More family fun ideas for Friday:
Kids at the Castle at American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Music, movement and play aimed at kids ages 2-5 presented in a real castle! September 15, 2023, 9-10am. $10/family, museum admission included.
Featured Twin Cities community festivals:
Excelsior Apple Day
The Happy Apple Kids Corner is open this Friday. Listen to local music and try out regional food vendors. Tots will love the Happy Apple Kids Corner, parents may like the artisan vendors, music and street dance. September 15, 2023, 9am-10pm (events also run September 16-September17).
VISIT A TWIN CITIES APPLE ORCHARD THIS WEEK! Apple-picking could make a picture-perfect family fall outing and going during the week (if you’re able) often means less crowds and possibly discounted activities. Browse our list of the BEST TWIN CITIES APPLE ORCHARDS to get planning for a sweet time.
FEATURED ORCHARD: Afton Apple Orchard
There is lots to do here that is included with the admission fee such as the playground, huge tire mountain and petting farm. We’ve easily made a full day of it just with those diversions and riding the hay wagon into the orchard. It’s almost impossible to bypass the cow train (and your tots will want to ride it) but it’s a little easier to avoid paying extra for the jumping pillow and corn maze (opening Sept 18) if you’ve got a budget. tarting Labor Day Weekend, hayrides run Monday-Friday 12pm-6pm. Admission is $7/pp ages 5+, $5/pp under 5, includes some orchard activities.
FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES, SEPTEMBER 16-17, 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.