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 April 27-May 1, 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
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Monday, April 27, 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. April 27, 2026. 12-3pm, $9/child.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro library storytimesÂ
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Family Storytime
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Drop in for a Monday morning preschool story time including stories, songs, and rhymes to build early literacy skills. Designed for ages 2-5, siblings are also welcome. April 27, 2026, 10:30am.
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. April 27, 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. April 27, 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!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Tuesday, April 28, 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). April 28, 2026, 9am-12pm. $5/child.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS Open Turf Toddler Tuesday
1490 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Indoor activities such as a bouncy house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run. The fieldhouse is kept at 55 degrees throughout the fall, winter and spring so dress accordingly. April 28, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.
Twin Cities Northeast Metro library storytimesÂ
FOREST LAKE Hardwood Creek Library Storytime
19955 Forest Road N, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Kids of any age with their caregivers can drop in Tuesday mornings for an inclusive storytime filled with stories, music, movement and more. April 28, 2026, 10am. FREE.
Discover a new nature center in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro!
WHITE BEAR LAKEÂ Tamarack Nature Center & Discovery HollowÂ
5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110
This week, explore with your kids indoors and out at Tamarack Nature Center. Make sure to let them run and clamber over the amazing DISCOVERY HOLLOW NATURE PLAYGROUND a space where kids can engage in unstructured play with natural materials. FIND OUR LIST OF THE BEST NATURE PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Wednesday, April 29, 2026
 Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
MOUNDS VIEW Toddler Open Gym
5394 Edgewood Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112
Free play with balls, scooters, hoops to shoot, music and more. Kids under 5 years of age are invited to attend with their caregivers, no registration required. April 29, 2026, 8a-11am. Cost is $5 drop in fee per family.
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. April 29, 2026. 12-3pm, $9/child.
OAKDALE Storytime at Oakdale Discovery Center
4444 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Storytime plus a craft each last Wednesday of the month. You’ll absolutely want to stay to poke around in the OAKDALE DISCOVERY CENTER. My kids enjoyed the large aquarium, hands-on exhibits and book corner. Our picture shows a summer visit, but any season of the year is fun. April 29, 2026, 10:30-11:30am. FREE.
Find our extensive list of Twin Cities Nature Centers & Outdoor Interpretive Centers to explore this spring!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Thursday, April 30, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday
VADNAIS HEIGHTS Open Turf Toddler Thursday
1490 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Indoor activities such as a bouncy house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run. The fieldhouse is kept at 55 degrees throughout the fall, winter and spring so dress accordingly. April 30, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.
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. April 30, 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!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro on Friday, May 1, 2026
ROSEVILLEÂ Fri-Yay! Little Art Studio
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 1, 2026, 10:30-11:15am. FREE.
MOUNDS VIEWÂ 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 1, 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
Touch-a-truck events for families
Truck lovers of any age, climb up into the cab of a big rig! Two events in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro to get your engines revving this weekend:
FOREST LAKEÂ Big Rig Day
19955 Forest Road North, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
Floor it over to the Headwaters Transit Center behind the Hardwood Creek Library to see vehicles like an ambulance, fire truck, garbage truck and more. May 2, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.
LINO LAKESÂ Truck Day
575 Birch Street, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014
Families can explore big trucks from around the community during Truck Day at Rice Lake Elementary! No registration required. May 2, 2026, 10am-12pm. FREE.
TOUCH MORE TRUCKS! If you’ve got a kid who loves big rigs you will definitely want to check out our Twin Cities Touch-a-Truck Calendar so you don’t miss an event!
Spring down-on-the-farm fun events
ST CROIX FALLS Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park Opens
2131 US-8 , St Croix Falls, WI 54024
Slow down your pace and visit with a variety of animals such as goats, cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits, fox, mink, wolves, moose, otters, beavers and hedgehogs. There is also a sweet deer yard, chances to touch, handle and feed critters and ride ponies. $11.50/adults, $10.50/kids.
