Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Week: September 11-15, 2023

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  

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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:

Twin Cities Storytimes on Monday:

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 PLAYGROUNDSPictured: 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 in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

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.

Twin Cities Storytimes on Tuesday:

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.

Eidem Homestead

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.
Family fun Twin Cities' Guide to the Mall of America - floor by floor - Title backdrop Pineapple Poppers ride at Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota
Family fun Twin Cities’ Guide to the Mall of America

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday:

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).Collage of Preschool Open Gym at Gleason's Gymnastics School in Minnesota

Twin Cities Storytimes on Wednesday:

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.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

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:

BROWSE OUR BIG LIST OF TWIN CITIES MUSEUMS TO VISIT WITH KIDS!

Giant Minnesota Post Card displayed at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Tot Time Open Gyms in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gym on Thursdays:

The Blast Indoor Playground at Eagan Central Park, Eagan Minnesota

Twin Cities Storytimes on Thursday:

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 CenterMaple 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 in the Twin Cities Minnesota this week

Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday:

 

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.

Child attempting ninja course at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park in Eagan Minnesota

Twin Cities Storytimes on Friday:

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.

Girl eating apple picked from a tree: "Twin Cities Apple Orchards - Family Fun Twin Cities"

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. 

weekend family fun guide

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top