Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of March 14-18, 2022. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our Weekend Family Guide.
As always, you can check our MARCH FAMILY GUIDE, our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING 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!
Planning for spring break in the twin cities this week?
Why spring break? Because a Minnesota winter wrapping up is worth celebrating. Craft a fun staycation “Spring Break Trip” for your own family whether you have big kids or little kids. Be tourists right in the Twin Cities! Think mini golf, trampolines, scavenger hunts, rock climbing, museums and more. Get some inspiration from our 2022 GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Fun Things to do in the Twin cities on Monday, March 14, 2022
Pre-K Monday at the Works Museum
Pre K Mondays are perfect for your 3-5 year future engineers. Honestly, the museum is fun for most ages any day of the week, but this special Monday offers half-price admission for kids ($5.50) and a special activities for preschoolers. March 14, 9am-3pm.
Free Story & Art Time at Eden Prairie Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Drop in for storytime & an art project. Dress to get creative. Mondays, March 7-28, 2022, 10-11am.
Visit the Science Museum of Minnesota
120 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Science Museum of Minnesota has announced that, beginning March 14, 2022, they will open 7 days a week, just in time for Spring Break. My family recently enjoyed visiting the dinosaurs and caught a movie at the Omnitheatre. Find tickets here.
Monday meal deal (plus more fun nearby)
7465 France Ave. So. Edina, MN 55435
Fresh, yummy and healthy are all ways to describe QCUMBERS RESTAURANT in Edina. On Mondays, you can add “a bargain” to this description when kids up to age 12 eat for just $2.99 (two per paying adult). It’s a buffet restaurant so if you’ve got kids who eat like mine, this is a great deal!
Find more KIDS EAT FREE & CHEAP MEAL DEALS in the Twin Cities for every day of the week!
FAMILY FUN NEARBY: We like to dine at QCumbers after we work up an appetite running around the enormous ADVENTURE PEAK INDOOR PLAYGROUND within the balmy, indoor EDINBOROUGH PARK. The whole family climbs, slides and navigates the webs on this giant, multi-story play structure. And then boy, are we ready to EAT! Open all week, $8/child, parents play FREE! 7700 York Ave. S. Edina, MN 55424.
Fun things to do in the twin Cities on Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Mall of America Toddler Tuesdays
This week, the National Eagle Center comes to the mall to present a live eagle show. Each participant will receive a gift bag with free passes to the Center, coloring pages + more, while supplies last. March 15, 11am-12pm. FREE!
Tuesday is Discount Movie Day!
Traditionally, Tuesday is the day of the deal at Twin Cities-area movie theaters. While we can’t guarantee a kid-friendly flick will be screening at your local cinema, we do keep track of a list worth checking out. $5 movies are offered across theaters in communities like Minneapolis, St Paul, Eagan, Shakopee, Woodbury and more. Pass that popcorn!
Fun things to do in the twin cities on Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Tots & Trains at Jackson Street Roundhouse
193 Pennsylvania Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55130
Your little train lovers will go nuts for this playdate! Tinker around with train tables and interactive displays. Run through real passenger train cars. Create a craft to take home and listen to a transportation-themed story. Coffee for adults! March 16, 10am-12pm. $7-$11/pp or $30/family pack.
Where else can I bring a kid who loves trains in the Twin Cities?
Discount open swim at GREAT RIVER INDOOR WATERPARK
Oxford Community Center, 270 N. Lexington Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Back open for splishing and splashing is the zero-depth entry play structure, diving pool and waterslides. Check our big list of indoor pools and waterparks for more indoor swimming opportunities. Savings tip: Swim between 9-11am on Mon/Wed/Fri and pay just $4/pp! Regular admission $7/pp.
Fun things to do in the twin cities on Thursday, March 17, 2022
Thursday is St Patrick’s Day! Whether you have Irish blood in your veins or not, it can be fun observing this holiday. As the Twin Cities have deep Irish roots, they’ll be giving their nod today with two parades! Find more activities in our ST PATRICK’S DAY ROUNDUP.
St. Paul’s St Patrick’s Day Parade
St Patrick’s Day is traditionally a time for the Irish in St Paul to show their deep roots and pride. March 17, 2022. Downtown St Paul, 12pm.
Minneapolis’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade
40th Avenue NE & Van Buren St., Columbia Heights MN
The 54th annual parade kicks off at the above intersection at 6pm. March 17, 2022.
fun things to do in the twin cities on friday, March 18, 2022
Kids at the Castle: Dragons
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
It’s a creative playdate at a real castle! The museum presents themed circle time, storytime, crafts, music and movement for kids ages 2-5 (with caregiver). Then you get to explore the rest of the castle on your own, including the interactive family exhibit. Advance registration required. March 18, 10-11am. $8/family. (Great deal!)
Gleason’s Gymnastics Open Gyms
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. March 18. Preschool open gym: Wednesdays & Fridays: 9:30 – 11:30am. Pre-register: $8/child; $10/family ($10/$15 at the door).
And hey! Did you know that March 18 is World Sleep Day? After a trip to Gleason’s make it mandatory naptime for everyone in the house, caregivers included!
Under the maple moon at eastman nature center
13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton, MN 55369, United States
Here’s a fun seasonal outing for you and the big kids: EASTMAN NATURE CENTER is offering a trip out to their sugarbush under the light of the full moon. Learn how sap can be transformed into sweet syrupy treats. March 18, 7-8:30pm. $5/pp.
We have oodles of family programs to share with you in our guide to MAPLE SYRUP IN THE TWIN CITIES. Most programs are on the weekends, but there are a few scattered throughout the week as well.
Fun things to do this weekend in the twin cities – March 19-20, 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!
Top Twin Cities Kid-friendly museums:
- BAKKEN MUSEUM – STEM-based fun
- BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
- MILL CITY MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
- MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER
- THE WORKS MUSEUM – engineering exhibits for kids
Browse our big list of Twin Cities museums to visit with kids!
Best indoor playgrounds & play areas in the Twin Cities
We cover the top places for the indoor fun your kids are craving: climbing, sliding, jumping, crawling and just plain blowing off some steam.
Best Tot Time Open Gym in the Twin Cities
Turf Tots at Hopkins Pavilion
11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Drop-in and play with fun, gross motor equipment like bounce houses, a climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more. No registration necessary. The program is for children 5 and under. Mon-Fri, 9am to 2pm thru May 6, 2022. $5 per session per child.
Twin Cities Nature Centers and Nature Play
Early spring is an exciting time to visit a Twin Cities area nature center, fresh with the promise of a new season and programming. But, as we know, March weather can be as temperamental as a toddler. Good thing these interpretive venues can be nearly as fun indoors as out.
