Things to do this week in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro with kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities Southwest 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 SOUTHWEST 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 Southwest Metro Family Events
Saturday, May 16, 2026
⚈ 6:00 am - 10:00 pm: Chanhassen Gnomadic Gnome Hunt - The Garden by the Wood, Chanhassen⚈ 7:00 am - 12:00 pm: Richfield Farmers Market - Richfield Veterans Park, Richfield
⚈ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Hopkins Mainstreet Day - Mainstreet, Hopkins
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Lowry Bird Banding (FREE) - Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
⚈ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm: Saturday Morning on the Farm - Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
⚈ 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Shakopee CC Playtime - Pool - Shakopee Community Center, Shakopee
⚈ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm: Spring Arboretum Drop-In Discovery Booths - Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:45 am: Eden Prairie Open Tot Swim - Eden Prairie Community Center, Eden Prairie
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Lowe's Kids Workshop: Garden Basket (FREE) - Lowe’s – Twin Cities Locations, Twin Cities
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Mission Pawlooza! "Barking" Lot Carnival (FREE) - Mission Animal Hospital, Eden Prairie
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:15 am: Taylor Swift's Biggest Hits (Acoustic) with Brianna Helbling - Charlson Thun Community Bandstand, Victoria
⚈ 11:00 am - 8:00 pm: Shakopee Food Truck Festival - The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee
⚈ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm: SLP Lakeshore Learning: Garden Wonders (FREE) - Lakeshore Learning St. Louis Park, St Louis Park
⚈ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm: Songkran Festival (FREE) - Wat Promwachirayan, St Louis Park
⚈ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Bloomington Naturalist Program: Discovering Dandelions (FREE) - Pond-Dakota Mission Park, Bloomington
⚈ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Pond House Living History Open House (FREE) - Pond-Dakota Mission Park, Bloomington
Sunday, May 17, 2026
⚈ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Bloomington Indigenous Art Fair (FREE) - Bloomington Civic Plaza, Bloomington⚈ 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Shakopee CC Playtime - Pool - Shakopee Community Center, Shakopee
⚈ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Richardson Drop-In Discoveries (FREE) - Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
⚈ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Raptors Up Close (FREE) - Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
⚈ 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: BIG Open Skate Sunday - Bloomington Ice Garden, Bloomington
⚈ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Edinborough Sunday Night Family Entertainment (FREE) - Edinborough Park, Edina
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest 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 Southwest Metro where they can work their wiggles off during cooler weather either FREE or at a low cost to you. We’re nearing the end of the seasosn! SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS SPRING!
CHANHASSENÂ Tot Time Open Gym
2310 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
No need to register, just show up for open play at the Rec Center. May 11, 2026, 8:30-11am. $4-$4.50/child.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro storytimes this week
PRIOR LAKE Library Toddler/Preschooler Early Literacy Class: Construction
16210 Eagle Creek Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372
A special story-and-play based early literacy class at the library for kids around 1.5 to 5 years. Drop right on in! Each week has a new theme. May 11, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
MINNETRISTAÂ My Preschooler & Me: Farm Beginnings
7210 County Road 110 West, Minnetrista, MN 55364
You and yours will love Gale Woods, a real working farm in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro. Preschoolers can step inside the barn, meet chicks, explore outdoors and play. Register ahead. May 11, 2026. $6/person.
BLOOMINGTON Museum Monday at The Works
9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55402
Kids can engage in hands-on STEM activities and learn through play in a quieter, less busy setting at this wonderful engineering-focused museum in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro. Open most Mondays, please check the venue to confirm. May 11, 2026. $14/person.
CHASKA Community Bike Rodeo
619 Creed Rd, Chaska, MN, 55318
Visit stations to test bike knowledge and skills. Safety checks include bike and helmet inspections and rules of the road. Extra activities like a newspaper toss, watermelon drop, music and games round out an afternoon of free family fun. May 11, 2026, 5:30-7pm. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BLOOMINGTON Mall of America Toddler TuesdaysÂ
This week in the Rotunda: Concert & Family Dance with Conductor Jack. These activities are designed for toddlers to participate in right alongside their caregiver. May 12, 2026, 10am-12pm. FREE.
HOT TIP! WHEN YOU VISIT, TAKE ALONG OUR MALL OF AMERICA GUIDE: FLOOR BY FLOOR.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Wednesday, May 13, 2026
 Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
CHANHASSENÂ Tot Time Open Gym
2310 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
No need to register, just show up for open play at the Rec Center. May 13, 2026, 8:30-11am. $4-$4.50/child.
RICHFIELD Intergenerational Fishing Night
6105 Bloomington Ave S , Richfield, MN 55423
Grab the grands and head to Taft Park for free basic fishing instruction with all gear will be provided. May 13, 2026, 6-7:30pm. FREE, but pre-registration required – see link.
Discover a new nature center in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
Roughly two dozen nature and interpretive centers in the Twin Cities metro are just begging to get your kids excited about the natural world. Through hands-on exhibits, naturalist-led activities and plain old play, these venues make learning fun! This week we would like to introduce you to LOWRY NATURE CENTER in Victoria. Inside, visitors can check out seasonal interpretive displays, visit live animals and observe birds through the viewing windows. Outside enjoy the nature play area. Admission is free.Â
Spring festivals in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro
MINNETRISTA Trista Day
7701 County Road 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
The community’s spring festival includes a free hotdog meal, free bounce house, petting zoo and other activities for kids, safety demos and an exciting helicopter landing. May 13, 2026, 4:30-7pm.
FIND OUR FULL CALENDAR OF TWIN CITIES SPRING FESTIVALS TO CELEBRATE THE NEW SEASON!
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Thursday, May 14, 2026
CHASKA Tulips & Storytime at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
The Arb is an incredible outdoor getaway that’s full of whimsy and delight for little ones, visit after visit. A visit in late spring means the grounds are bursting with color from tulips, daffodils and crabapple trees. Kids enjoy features such as the hedge mazes, fish ponds, the Bee Discovery Center and a nature play area. StoryTime in the Andersen Horticultural Library is 10:30am. May 14, 2026. Tickets are $20/adults, kids FREE. Reserve in advance.
ST LOUIS PARK Arbor Day Celebration
4900 Highway 7, St Louis Park, MN 55416
The city’s annual Arbor Day celebration includes tree-focused activities for the whole family. May 14, 2026, 5-8pm.
ST LOUIS PARK Thursday Night Rollin’ at the ROC
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Roller skate to tunes at these fun all ages skate nights. $5/pp (includes roller skate rental if needed — first come, first served). May 14, 2026, 6-8pm.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Friday, May 15, 2026
EDINA Barnes & Noble Galleria Storytime
3230 Galleria, Edina, MN 55435
Galleria location hosts a free Friday storytime for kids. Keep reading for more to do nearby! May 15, 2026, 10-10:30am.
Plan ahead: Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro this weekend
Spring farm fun nearby in the South Metro
APPLE VALLEY Minnesota Zoo Farm BabiesÂ
13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley MN 55124
FINAL WEEKEND! Farm Babies at Minnesota Zoo’s Wells Fargo Family Farm opens this weekend for you to meet fuzzy, cuddly newborns. The zoo expects goat kids, lambs, piglets, and calves to be born in April and May. Tickets are included with Zoo admission. Farm Babies 2026 – now through May 17.
FIND MORE SWEET MINNESOTA FARM BABIES TO MEET THIS SPRING!
