Things to do this week in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro with kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities Northeast Metro family activities for the week of May 11-15, 2026. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. We’ve got you covered no matter your corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area!
How to plan your family fun this week
More events this week around the Twin Cities Metro Area
Upcoming Twin Cities Northeast Metro Family Events
Saturday, May 16, 2026
⚈ 9:00 am - 10:00 am: Baby Time at the CAT (FREE) - Cafesjian Art Trust, Shoreview⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Shoreview Family Water Safety & Wellness Day (FREE) - Bobby Theisen Park, Shoreview
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Arden Hills Touch-A-Truck (FREE) - Perry Park, Arden Hills
⚈ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park Open - Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park, St Croix Falls
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Lowe's Kids Workshop: Garden Basket (FREE) - Lowe’s – Twin Cities Locations, Twin Cities
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Minnesota Waldorf May Faire (FREE) - Minnesota Waldorf School, Maplewood
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Stillwater Youth Bike Safety Rodeo (FREE) - St Croix Valley Recreation Center, Stillwater
⚈ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm: Maplewood Lakeshore Learning: Garden Wonders (FREE) - Lakeshore Learning Maplewood, Maplewood
⚈ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Safe Hands Rescue Meet and Greet (FREE) - Big Wood Brewery, Vadnais Heights
⚈ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Northern Lights Glow Party - Zero Gravity Adventure Park, Mounds View
Sunday, May 17, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park Open - Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park, St Croix Falls⚈ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: EMSO Concert: Brahms' Symphony No. 4 (FREE) - St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, North St. Paul
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Monday, May 11, 2026
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 Northeast Metro where they can work their wiggles off during cooler weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS SPRING!
NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime at New Brighton Community Center
400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
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. May 11, 2026. 12-3pm, $9/child.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro library storytimes
OAKDALE Library Storytime
1010 Heron Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Best for kids ages 2-6, engage in reading, singing and more starting at 10am followed by open playtime in the children’s area until 11am. No registration needed. May 11, 2026.
SHOREVIEW Library Family Storytime
4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
A program best fit for preschoolers ages 2-5 that offers stories, songs, fingerplays and movement to encourage an interest in literacy. Drop in, no registration required. May 11, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
SPOTLIGHT ON SHOREVIEW: After storytime at the Shoreview Library, it’s just a quick walk over to the super cool destination playground at SHOREVIEW COMMONS. Take advantage of the weather while you can!
ST ANTHONY My Child & Me: Eco Art
2500 County Road E, St. Anthony, MN 55421
For youth ages 7-12 with caregiver, explore the natural world and what is happening outdoors. First, learn about spring flowers out at Silverwood, then try your hand at knotless netting – use a needle and threat to decorate a river rock. Reservations required. May 11, 2026, 10-11:30am. $8 per person.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday
LINO LAKES Rookery Tot Time
7690 Village Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
Open to families with kids ages 1-10. Kids can play in the gymnasium and jump in a bouncy castle. Drop in at your leisure (and bring socks). May 12, 2026, 9am-12pm. $5/child.
LAKE ELMO Toddler Tuesday at Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Sunfish Lake Park, Entry Road, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
The first hour of this parent-child nature program explores this month’s theme “Here Fishy Fishy” and the final half hour is open play. Appropriate for ages 1-5 with caregiver, register at the link. May 12, 2026, 10-11:30am. $8/pp.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
NEW BRIGHTON Preschool Playtime at New Brighton Community Center
400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
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. May 13, 2026. 12-3pm, $9/child.
More family fun ideas for Wednesday: Outdoor nature play in the Northeast Metro
May is a wonderful month to enjoy outdoor, unstructured play areas – before the skeeters and other bugs descend upon summer. Featured this week is the natural playground at the MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER. Small, but it does the trick. The boulders and giant logs are particularly pleasing to scale, there’s a natural amphitheater for an impromptu performance, and the butterfly garden gives it a nice pop of color.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Thursday, May 14, 2026
NEW BRIGHTON Library Family Storytime
400 10th Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
Preschoolers will enjoy a storytime that offers stories, music and movement in a cozy children’s room. Drop in, no need to register. May 14, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
Thursday “Kids Eat Free” in the Northeast Metro
Dining out absolutely can be family fun if the venue welcomes kids, has a diversion or two, and you can save a little on the bill! Here’s a spot in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro to consider when it’s time to give your own kitchen a night off:
MAPLEWOOD Dog House Bar & Grill
2029 Woodlynn Ave, Maplewood, MN 55109
Kids can pick a meal off the kids menu for free with purchase of an adult entree – every Thursday from 4-8pm. Rounding out the family fun are games like darts and a free throw toss. Plus, the patio is dog-friendly!
FIND MORE KIDS EAT FREE LOCATIONS IN THE TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO!
NEW BRIGHTON Summer Concert Series
803 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112
Drop into Veterans Park for a free concert (see link for lineup). Consider bringing a picnic dinner and some comfortable seating. May 14, 2026, 6-8pm.
WARM UP THE MUSIC WITH OUR TWIN CITIES GUIDE TO FREE SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Friday, May 15, 2026
ROSEVILLE Fri-Yay!
2180 North Hamline Ave, Roseville Minnesota 55113
Fri-Yay! celebrates the end of the weekday for preschool set (ages 2-6) with special performers, storytimes, art projects and more. Drop into the Roseville library for one event or come weekly, no registration needed. May 15, 2026, 10:30-11:15am. FREE.
MOUNDS VIEW Zero Gravity Northern Lights Glow Party
2292 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112
The park GLOWS as your kids race around enjoying 2-hour unlimited access to the wall-to-wall trampolines, foam tumble pit, dodgeball court, ninja obstacle course, climbing wall and laser tag arena. May 15, 2026, 6-8pm. Tickets/$25, includes all the attractions plus a $10 arcade card.
Plan ahead: Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro this weekend
Find the big rigs in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro
ARDEN HILLS Touch-A-Truck
Perry Park, 3700 New Brighton Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Celebrate National Public Works Week in Arden Hills by getting a close-up look at some of your favorite vehicles, including a fire engine, squad car, boat, snowplow, and more in Arden Hills. May 16, 2026, 10am to 1pm.
Get your wheels ready to roll!
Spring means time for a bike tune-up and safety check-up before the kids take to the trails!
STILLWATER Youth Bike Safety Rodeo
1675 Market Drive, Stillwater, MN 55082
It’s that time of year! Young riders can get their bikes checked, navigate a skills course and learn important bike safety info. Even enjoy a free hot dog lunch. Limited to the first 120 kids who register – see link. May 16, 2026, 10am-1pm. FREE.
RODEO ROUNDUP Find all of the wheel-y cool Twin Cities-area bike rodeos this season! Bike rodeos are best for ages 4-18 but all ages welcome.
Then, once you’ve brushed up your bike skills, take to the trails with this roundup of some of our favorite TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO BIKE TRAILS.