2019 Twin Cities Spring Break Guide

Sticking close to home with your crew this Spring Break? (Same here. Hence all this research.) Craft a fun staycation for your own family in the Twin Cities with the following ideas:

Spring Break in March?

3/8/19: Junior Jump Time | Rockin Jump Trampoline Park, Eagan | 9am-12pm | $12/child, $4/additional sibling | Have you checked out one of the newest, shiniest places to fly in the metro? Wall-to-wall trampolines, a ninja challenge course, soft play area, climbing wall and lots more to keep all ages entertained and active over break.

3/9/19: Second Saturdays at TPT | Twin Cities PBS, St Paul | 8-11am | Activities are all free but reserving a time slot is required – get yours quick as they tend to disappear.

3/10/19: Family Day: Underwater Adventures | Minneapolis Institute of Art | 11am-5pm | Mia’s newest exhibit “Egypt’s Sunken Cities” inspires activities for all ages throughout the galleries. FREE.

3/11/19:Tail Time | Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis | 10:30am | Arrive early if you want to get a decent spot at this popular story time. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! For more of these events try our Top Preschool Storytimes in the Twin Cities.

3/12/19: Ballet Tuesday | Landmark Center, St Paul | 12pm | Excerpts from the classics; perfect for budding ballerinas. FREE.

3/13/19: Spring Break at the library | Don’t forget about your local library! The branch locations are packed full of FREE events to take advantage of during spring break. The handy MELSA tool dateBOOK allows you to use one engine to search for activities at 7 county library systems and the St Paul Public Library:

Storytimes for all ages
Sing, Play, Learn! with MacPhail
Children’s Museum of Minnesota Smart Play Spots
The Brain Box: Space to Make – for teens (Ramsey County locations)
LEGO Build Clubs
smARTpass – free or discounted tickets to area attractions
Arts, STEAM, and cultural entertainment

3/14/19: Free Thursday Nights | Walker Art Center, Minneapolis | 5-9pm | Admission is waived – a great opportunity to visit as a family.

3/15/19: Have you made your way to the brand new Bell Museum yet? Here’s a chance to get a FREE taste of the new planetarium – and explore the night sky with the aid of pros and a telescope on the museum’s outdoor observation deck. Recommended for families with kids ages 7 & up. Reservations are required. 8-9:30pm.

3/16/19: St Patrick’s Day Celebrations | Whether or not you identify as Irish, there’s fun for all throughout the weekend, including a parade in each of the Twin Cities and an Irish Celebration at Landmark Center.

3/17/19: Kids Club: Spring MAKE Camp | participating TC Michaels locations – find yours for spring break schedules, classes run in March & April | 30-minute sessions, 1-3pm | $2-$5 per project for cost of supplies | Select Michaels locations are hosting weekday Kids Club crafts for kids ages 3+ in addition to their regularly-scheduled Saturday morning crafts. To find a store schedule near you click here.

3/18/19: Tropics Waterpark & Tropical Adventure Indoor Playground | Shoreview Community Center | Special Spring Break waterpark hours can be found here | day pass: $8.50-$11/pp, $35-$42/family | Pretend you’re on vacation in the tropics! A day pass includes both admission to the waterpark and indoor playground. For more places to splash inside until summer, try our list of Twin Cities Indoor Waterparks & Pools.

3/19/19: Storytime at the Planetarium | Como Planetarium, St Paul | 5:30pm | $5/pp | Take a tour of the solar system with a family-friendly planetarium show. Shows offered most Tuesday evenings. A 7pm show follows that is suitable for older kids and adults.

3/20/19: Preschool Spring Festival | Heartfelt, Minneapolis | 10:30-11:45am | $18 for the first child/adult pair, each additional child $10 | Meet a live bunny, craft, and other activities. Also held March 21. Advance registration required.

3/21/19: Lil’ Explorer Thursdays | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul | Ongoing Thursdays through April 2019, 10am-noon | Hands-on activities, manipulatives, art projects and games perfect for the 4 & under set. Explore a different theme each week. FREE. For more ideas, consult our Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Spring Checklist.

3/22/19: The Farm Babies have arrived at the Minnesota Zoo so go love up some newborns on the Wells Fargo Family Farm. If the weather cooperates, the Zoo boasts a couple really cool nature-themed playgrounds that are also included in the price of admission. $12-$18/pp plus parking.

3/23/19: Can Can Wonderland | St Paul | $10-$14/pp | Open Thurs-Fri starting 11am and weekends at 10 | Offers mini golfing at the coolest course in town. Each artist-designed hole is an attraction in itself, entertaining all ages while you’re waiting in line to putt. Plus, there are vintage arcade games and a malt shop. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

3/24/19: The Current’s annual music & arts festival for the 8-and-under set, arrives on the scene. Rock the Cradle can be a touch crazy, in our opinion, so keep that crowd level in mind before heading out. Things start heating up at 11am, FREE admission.

3/25/19: Pre-K Days: Searching for Spring | Base Camp, Bloomington | 9am-12pm | $10/parent-child pair | Go hunting for clues that spring is on its way, play games indoor and out, and join in stories and crafts. Aimed at ages 2-5.

3/26/19: Cheap movie day – Tuesday is the day of the deal in the Twin Cities: Plaza Maplewood hosts $2 Tuesdays, daily $2 matinee movies at Riverview Theater in Minneapolis, daily $2.50 matinees at Hopkins Cinema 6 and many more theaters screen for $5, including the Mall of America location.

3/27/19: It’s half price day at Great River Water Park in St Paul – swim for just $3-$3.50/pp during open swim hours, 10:30-12:30 & 4-8pm. Best swim deal in town and features to fit all: zero-depth and splash play for the youngest swimmers and slides for the elders.

3/28/19: Kids Entertainment at Edinborough Park | Edina | 12pm | Ongoing Thursdays, free family entertainment is scheduled in the indoor park’s amphitheater. Make a day of it with an afternoon at Adventure Peak, the metro’s largest indoor playground and, for further ways to work the wiggles out, check our list of Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds.

3/29/19: Preschool Open Gym | Gleason’s Gymnastics School, Eagan & Brooklyn Park | Wed 9:30-11:30; Fri 9:30-11:30 & noon-2pm | $8/child or $10/family | If the good weather isn’t aligning for spring break, work wiggles out at Open Gym where they can run, bounce, tumble and climb to their heart’s content. For more indoor opportunities see our 13 Open Play & Open Gym Spots for Tots.

3/30/19: MapleFest Weekend | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska | 9am-3pm | $15/pp ages 13+, under 13 admitted free | Hike the maple trail to learn about the syruping process, then get a taste of the sweet stuff in the Sugarhouse. Special brunches full of fresh maple goodies will take place on the weekend for an additional charge (reservations recommended). For more maple syrup family events, try our Maple Syruping with Kids in the Twin Cities list

3/31/19: Drop-in Playtime in the Discovery Center | Snapology Minneapolis | Unlimited play for $8 per child | Open Sun, 9am-5pm. Find other hours at the link | Guaranteed to entertain with opportunities to build with LEGO bricks, K’nex and other materials.

Spring Break in April?

4/1/19: Minneapolis Parks School Release Days | Recreation centers host special hours from 12-9pm during spring break. Rec opportunities include open gym times, Night Owlz teen time, field trips and classes in art, baking, sports and nature. Check the link to register for programming.

4/2/19: Free Tuesdays | Minnesota History Center, St Paul | 3-8pm | Explore the highly interactive and kid-friendly exhibits – FREE for the whole family.

4/3/19: Tots and Trains | Jackson Street Roundhouse, St Paul | 10am-noon | Family rates available | Play with train tables and new display additions, create a craft to take home, and listen to train-themed story time. Caregivers can enjoy coffee and treats.

4/4/19: Throwback Thursdays | Cheap Skate Roller Center, Coon Rapids | 6-9pm | $3/pp admission plus $3-$4/pp skate rental | Throwback prices and tunes! For more rink locations, try our 6 Twin Cities Roller Rink Family Deals.

4/5/19: Twin Cities Nature & Interpretive Centers | April doesn’t always want to commit to spring in Minnesota. However, nature centers across the metro offer the best of both worlds — nature play areas and trails to hike outdoors AND engaging indoor exhibits. We have two dozen of these wonderful centers dotting the Twin Cities; find a new place to explore at the link.