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 April 20-24, 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
Upcoming Twin Cities Southwest Metro Family Events
Saturday, April 18, 2026
⚈ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Fleet Farm Kids Crafts: Build a Birdhouse (FREE) - Twin Cities Fleet Farm locations, Twin Cities Metro Area⚈ 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
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: DIY Fairy Gardens - Little Roos Children’s Boutique, Chaska
⚈ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm: Eden Prairie Eco Expo (FREE) - Eden Prairie Center, Eden Prairie
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:45 am: Eden Prairie Open Tot Swim - Eden Prairie Community Center, Eden Prairie
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Edina Earth Day Clothing Swap (FREE) - Edina Senior Center, Edina
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Lowe's Kids Workshop: Terrarium (FREE) - Lowe’s – Twin Cities Locations, Twin Cities
⚈ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Lowry's Earth Day Celebration (FREE) - Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Minnetonka Sensory Friendly Fire Dept Open House (FREE) - Minnetonka’s Fire Station #1, Minnetonka
⚈ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm: MN Valley Wildlife Refuge Story Stroll (FREE) - Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington
⚈ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open House (FREE) - Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, Eden Prairie
⚈ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm: Become at World Explorer at International Day 2026 (FREE) - International School of Minnesota, Eden Prairie
⚈ 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Many Hands Many Meals Mini-Packathon - Mount Calvary Lutheran Church – Excelsior, Excelsior
⚈ 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Royal Canadian International Circus - Mall of America, Bloomington
⚈ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Pollinator P'arty Edina Art Center (FREE) - Edina Art Center, Edina
⚈ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Pond House Living History Open House (FREE) - Pond-Dakota Mission Park, Bloomington
Sunday, April 19, 2026
⚈ 8:30 am - 12:30 pm: Waconia Spring Pancake Breakfast & Fire Truck Rides - Waconia Fire Station, Waconia⚈ 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Shakopee CC Playtime - Pool - Shakopee Community Center, Shakopee
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Nature Discovery Day: Earth In a Jar (FREE) - Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington
⚈ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Bloomington Naturalist Program: Fairy Gardens (FREE) - Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 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, April 20, 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. SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TWIN CITIES TOT TIME OPEN GYMS THIS SPRING!
CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym
2310 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
No need to register, just show up for open play at the Rec Center. April 20, 2026, 8:30-11am. $4-$4.50/child.
HOPKINS Turf Tots
11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Indoor turf where there’s more room to run! Kids 5 & under can play with bounce houses, climbing wall, sport balls, crawl tunnels, blocks, trikes and more for kids ages 1-5. Through April 29, 2026; Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm. $5 per session per child.
SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime
1255 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379
Caregivers and their kids may bring clean trikes, riding toys, or play items to use in the gym. Some equipment is also provided. April 20, 2026, 9:30-11am. $4-$6/child.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro storytimes this week
VICTORIA My Preschooler & Me: Lowry Bookworms
7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MN 55386
Just for kids ages 4-6 with caregiver! Start with a picture book story then head outside for some nature exploration. Register at the link. April 20, 2026, 10-11am. $6/person.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Tuesday
EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time
7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN 55439
Indoor space to run, age appropriate toys and some organized games. Keep in mind the temperature inside is set at 55 degrees. For kids ages 1-5 w/ caregiver. April 21, 2026, 9-11am. $5/person.
HOPKINS Turf Tots
11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Indoor turf time is back on Tuesdays. 8am-1pm. $5 per session per child.
SAVAGE Sports Center Tot Time
13450 Dakota Ave S, Savage, MN 55378
Toddlers and preschoolers ages 6 & under can play on inflatables, throw balls, hit with bats, and more, all equipment provided. April 21, 2026, 9-11am. $3 per child.
ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Preschoolers can ride on big wheelers, play with cars, trucks, blocks and more engage in free play activities. April 21, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. $3 per session.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro library storytimes this week
EXCELSIOR Family Storytime
337 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331
Best for kids up to age 5 with a caregiver. Sing, read and play together. Drop in, no registration required. April 21, 2026, 10am. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Wednesday
CHANHASSEN Tot Time Open Gym
2310 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
No need to register, just show up for open play at the Rec Center. April 22, 2026, 8:30-11am. $4-$4.50/child.
SHAKOPEE Kids Playtime
1255 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379
Caregivers and their kids may bring clean trikes, riding toys, or play items to use in the gym. Some equipment is also provided. April 22, 2026, 9:30-11am. $4-$6/child.
ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Preschoolers also have the chance to attend on Wednesdays. April 22, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. $3 per session.
Independent Bookstore Day Passport Week
Love books, reading, and shopping local? The Twin Cities is excited to promote Independent Bookstore Day on April 25th in 2026. During the week leading up, many local bookstores participate in a fun passport program. Families can pick up a passport at participating stores and then get it stamped at as many stores as they can visit to qualify for prizes. Families can pick up their passport beginning April 22nd and can visit the bookstores through April 26th to get the passports stamped. Here’s a notable Twin Cities Southwest Metro bookstore participating in the event:
EXCELSIOR Excelsior Bay Books
36 Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331
SPECIAL THIS WEEK! Stop by to get your passport stamped and hunt for the golden ticket to win 12 free audio book credits. Then browse a children’s section filled with hand-picked books and toys that the owners feel are both high-quality and fun.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Thursday, April 23, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Thursday
EDINA Braemar Field Tot Time
7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN 55439
Kids have indoor space to run complete with age appropriate toys and some organized games. Keep in mind the inside temp is set at 55 degrees. April 23, 2026, 9-11am. $5/person.
ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Thursdays also host this drop in tot time. April 23, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. $3 per session.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro storytimes this week
CHANHASSEN Storytime at Kiddywampus
860 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Spring storytime starts this week! Interactive stories, songs & rhymes for kids ages 2-5 at one of the coolest independent toy shops in the Twin Cities. No registration required. April 23, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
Celebrating Earth Week in the Twin Cities
CHANHASSEN Gnomadic Gnome Hunt
78 W 78th Street, Chanhassen, MN, 55317
Starting today, drop into the Garden By the Wood Garden Center to pick up your free gnome figurines and codebook to get started solving puzzles on a special spring quest. Now through June 21, 2026. FREE.
MORE SPRING QUESTS! For families who LOVE adventure try these Twin Cities Quests, Scavenger & Treasure Hunts for Families.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro on Friday, April 24, 2026
Tot Time Open Gyms on Friday
EDINA Braemar Field Family Time
7509 Ikola Way, Edina, MN 55439
FINAL SESSION! Get your last Family Time in today with the full field open (batting cages closed). April 24, 2026, 2-4pm. $5/person.
ST LOUIS PARK Little Tot Playtime
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Finally, Fridays also host this drop in tot time. April 24, 2026, 9:30-11:30am. $3 per session.
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! April 24, 2026, 10-10:30am.
Explore a new park in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro!
EDINA Centennial Lakes Park
7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
This Edina park is a full 24 acres of outdoor family fun! Attractions open on Friday include the park’s lawn bowling, paddle and swan boats, ($20-30/45 min) and the putting course (they call it “golf in miniature”. $11/18 holes). Plus, you might get lucky and spot a member of the Edina Model Yacht club! April 24, 2026, 4-7pm.
Plan ahead: Fun things to do in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro this weekend
Arbor & Earth Day Family Events
Find out what’s happening in the Southwest Metro and other areas in our TWIN CITIES ARBOR DAY EVENTS GUIDE.
CHASKA Arbor Day at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Take a self-guided trek to play Tree Bingo and learn more about trees on the arboretum grounds – then pick up your own free sapling to take home. Plus a tree-themed craft for kids. The Arboretum is a wonderful, colorful place to explore with kids. April 25, 2026. $20-$25 for adults 16+; FREE children 15 and under.
EDEN PRAIRIE Arbor Day Celebration
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Join a walk and then peruse the Green Fair vendors for ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint, hands-on activities and a kids tree climb. Bring a picnic and let the kids enjoy the playground while you are there. April 25, 2026, 10am-1pm.
RICHFIELD Wood Lake Earth Day Celebration
6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423
Visitors are invited to celebrate Earth Day with hands-on activities at the nature center. April 25, 2026, 1-4pm. FREE.
SAVAGE Arbor Day Celebration
McColl Pond Environmental Learning & Event Center, 13550 Dakota Ave, Savage
The City of Savage is back with its annual Arbor Day celebration at McColl Pond. Sustainable Safari Wildlife Show introduces you to some intriguing animals like baby kangaroos and porcupines. April 25, 2026; 10am-11:30am. FREE.
