Twin Cities Spring Break Guide

Spring Break in the Twin CIties

Sticking close to home with your crew this Spring Break? (Same here. Hence all this research.)

Why spring break?  Because a Minnesota winter wrapping up — even as mild as this one — is worth celebrating. Craft a fun staycation “Spring Break Trip” for your own family whether you have big kids or little kids. Be tourists right in the Twin Cities!

Spring Break in March in the Twin Cities?

March 4-10, 2024

Ideas for the first week of spring break in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area! Many of these activities you can do all month long. Get our day-by-day suggestions for:

  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 4-8, 2024
  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 9-10, 2024

Can Can Wonderland Miniature Golf

755 Prior Ave N Suite #004, St Paul, MN 55104
The quirkiest mini golf course in the Twin Cities is open to entertain you over spring break! Each artist-designed hole is an attraction in itself, entertaining all ages while you’re waiting in line to putt. Plus, there’s a HUGE vintage arcade, a malt shop and an on-site brewery. Cover charge includes unlimited arcade games and any live shows, mini golf is an extra fee of $13-$15/pp. Tues-Wed/$11 cover, Thur-Sun/$14 cover.

March 6 Jackson Street Roundhouse Tots & Trains

193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130
Got kids who love trains? They will adore this place. It’s filled with train stuff to tinker with, real train cars to run through, train play tables, a craft and storytime. March 6, 2024, 10am-12pm. $9-$15/pp or a $45 family pack available.

Tinker with trains at the Jackson Street Roundhouse.

March 7 It’s always balmy at Como Zoo & Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
March weather not cooperating for outdoor plans? Stay as toasty as the tropics wandering the indoor gardens and exhibits. The animal enclosures are heated, too. Best day of the week to visit with toddlers and preschoolers is Lil’ Explorer Thursday with special free programming from 10am-noon. March 7’s theme is Jr Gardener. FREE, donations appreciated.

28+ Days of Cozy Indoor Play in February

So much more than shopping at SCHEELS!

8301 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Who knew you could spend the day being entertained at the sporting goods store? This generation’s variety features a 65-foot Ferris wheel, mini-bowling, a candy shop, archery range and arcade. No trouble getting the teens to join me on this outing! Visit anytime.

Sunday Funday in St Paul, Minnesota

Urban Expedition: Brazil

Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St Paul MN 55102
Travel the globe and learn about a new culture without hopping a plane! Experience through music, food, crafts and exhibits. While you’re at the beautiful LANDMARK CENTER, pop in to the free SCHUBERT CLUB MUSEUM, a hidden gem that allows kids to experiment with a cacophony of musical instruments. March 10, 2024. 1-3pm. FREE admission!

Girl trying bell tree at the Schubert Club Museum in Saint Paul, MN

Troll Tales Cave Tours

Wabasha Street Caves, 215 Wabasha St. S, Saint Paul 55107
A tour of the caves tailored especially for kids with a “troll” guide, craft and photo opp. These are real, urban caves that naturally occur in the sandstone bluffs on St Paul’s West Side. Lots of history lurking in the caverns – but we promise it’s kid-friendly! $10/pp, Under 2 FREE. 12:30pm. Tours for kids are available March 10, 2024.

March 11-17, 2024

Ideas for the second week of spring break in the Twin Cities!

  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 11-15, 2024
  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 16-17, 2024

Explore downtown St Paul with kids

Within about three city blocks of each other, set in a roughly linear north-south fashion, are three St Paul landmarks you could plan a Sunday around with kids: the aptly-named LANDMARK CENTER, the equally gorgeous GEORGE LATIMER CENTRAL LIBRARY and the world-class SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA. Connecting these venues is RICE PARK, home to sculptures of the Charlie Brown Peanuts gang and author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Meters around the park are free on Sundays but if you’re planning to spend time at the Science Museum, you’ll want to park in the museum ramp.

March 13-14 Bell Museum Pi Day

Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113
Help the museum to continue the Pi Day chain they started in 2019. Add your own link to this endless number. This popup program will continue all weekend. The museum and planetarium are wonderful to explore, filled with hands-on exhibits and intricate dioramas. March 13, 2024 during open hours. $12-$15/pp, planetarium shows additional.

Girl at Bell Museum of Natural History - Touch and See Lab.

EXPLORE ANYTIME! Science Museum of Minnesota

120 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Science Museum is always a winner for my kids. You can’t go wrong delving into the permanent and traveling exhibits. Visit the dinosaurs or catch a movie at the Omnitheatre. During Science Museum ‘s OmniFest five films are screened back-to-back daily with fascinating themes such as space exploration and exotic wildlife. You can preview the lineup here. Each film is priced at $9.95/pp. Now through April 7, 2024.

FREE at the Science Museum: Did you know there is a Mississippi National River and Recreation Area visitor center tucked into the lobby with some interesting hands-on exhibits? Kids can play at fishing, boat or canoe, try birdwatching, and take a virtual bike ride or hike along the river.

St Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities – March 16, 2024

Minneapolis-St Paul St Patrick’s Day Parades & Celebrations

For more ways to celebrate the Irish holiday, see our list of Twin Cities St Patrick’s Day events.

St. Patrick's Day at Home or Around Town - Family Fun Twin Cities Banner

Beyond visiting Minneapolis & St Paul

Outdoors brought in at Good Times Park

3265 Northwood Cir #100, Eagan, MN 55121
We love Good Times Park in Eagan for its indoors-but-outdoor feel: soccer turf, multi-level basketball hoops, huge jumping pillow, play equipment and ability to entertain a wide range of ages. Open daily, 7am-9:30pm, $12/pp ages 1-17. Admission is bought online in advance, space is limited.

March 18-24, 2024

Ideas for the third week of spring break in the Twin Cities!

  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 18-22, 2024
  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 23-24, 2024

Design your own Twin Cities scavenger hunt

Design your own scavenger hunt throughout the Twin Cities using our big list of hunts we’ve collected. These mostly take place in public parks so they are completely FREE.

Twin Cities Quests and Treasure Hunts for Families

March 19 Visit Como Planetarium – Public Tuesday Night Star Party

780 W Wheelock Pkwy #1315, St Paul, MN 55117
This could be a special event to attend with your tween or teen –  telescopes will be set up at the planetarium to safely view the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and more in preparation for the spring equinox. March 19, 2024, FREE.

March 20 & 22 Preschool & Up Open Gym

2015 Silver Bell Rd #180, Eagan, MN 55122
A trip to Gleason’s for open gym is an instant mood-lifter. The kids will love the opportunity to bounce on trampolines, scoot through obstacle courses, and play on the gym equipment. Register in advance for a discount. And hey, teens and tweens! There are open gyms for you, too. March 20 & 22, 2024, 9:30 – 11:30am. $10 per child or $15 per family (online)-$15 per child or $20 (at the door).

For further ways to work the wiggles out, check our list of Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds. Have the kids bounce of someone else’s walls for a change!

Maple syrup weekend in the Twin Cities: March 23 & 24, 2024

Maple Fest at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Your ticket includes the maple syrup programming and admission to the Arboretum – this is a wonderful place to explore with kids! For more maple syrup family events, try our
Maple Syruping with Kids in the Twin Cities list. March 23, 2024, 9am-2pm. $15/adult, 15 years and under FREE. Reserve tickets in advance.

It’s Tapping Time! at Harriet Alexander Nature Center

Harriet Alexander Nature Center, 2520 Dale St N., Roseville, MN 55113
A FREE event of outdoor activities — with tours and stations for identifying maple trees, tree tapping, sap cooking, and sampling maple flavor. Craft kits to take home. March 23-24, 2024. 10am-4pm on Saturday and 12-4pm on Sunday. 

So many Easter egg hunts in the Twin Cities!

Easter is celebrated Sunday, March 31 in 2024 so the weekend before is one to keep on the radar if your kids are interested in egg hunts and bunny meets. We keep a GIANT master list of all the Easter egg hunts in the Twin Cities, organized by region of the metro area. Browse it to plan ahead for some Easter fun at the end of the month!

Easter egg hunts & activities in the Twin cities

March 25-31, 2024

Ideas for the fourth week of spring break in the Twin Cities!

  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 25-29, 2024
  • ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES: MARCH 30-31, 2024

Head for the Tropics at Shoreview Community Center

Swim your cold weather cares away at Tropics Indoor Waterpark – with its Bamboo Bay addition. Add a run through Tropical Adventure indoor playground to give your day an extra boost of warm-weather vibes. Daily passes to the Shoreview Community Center run $9-$13/pp.

March 29 Family Night Thursdays Rollerskating

3075 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Skate to throwback prices and tunes. Just $6.99 to skate plus skate rental fee (or bring your own). March 29, 2024 or ongoing Thursdays, 5-8pm. For more rink locations, try our
6 Twin Cities Roller Rink Family Deals.

Spring Break in April in the Twin Cities?

April 1-5, 2024

Love cats? Visit the Cafe Meow!

2323 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
My daughter absolutely loves cats but mean old mom isn’t up for having a pet. Our solution? We book an hour at this sweet rescue coffee shop and she gets a fix without extra responsibility. On spring break this week? Kids ages 7+ (with a parent) can play with the kitties and sip a warm beverage. 11am-7pm, $15/pp for one hour.

Spend Spring Break at the library

Your local library is a perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon during your spring break! The branch locations are packed full of FREE events to take advantage of during spring break, and occasionally your local library includes some special programming for your local school district. 

April 2 Open Rock Climbing at Base Camp

6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111
Base Camp has 16 unique indoor natural rock climbing routes to choose from. Try your hand at archery, too. Book a slot in advance if you can, but walk-ins are welcome. $10/youth ages 5-18 w/ adult to belay. April 2, 2024, 6-9pm

Base Camp Rock Climbers
Kids can come climb someone else’s walls at Base Camp!

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.

Learning is anything but dull at Minnesota History Center

345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
There’s never a dull moment for kids here, we promise; the museum takes special care to install exhibits that are highly hands-on and kid-friendly. Read about our all-ages favorites for families here. Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun, 10 am-4 pm, Thurs 10 am-8 pm | $8-$12. 

 

Discover new bike trails

Spring can make you want to get the bikes out from winter storage and explore. Anne has mapped out her favorite bike paths for a family ride:

Day Trip Ideas for the Whole Family

Are you looking for a day trip during your Spring Break? Wanna get away but not for an extended period of time or at a large financial cost? Try one of these ideas.

Lake Superior and the North Shore

You can explore Lake Superior in Duluth or along the North Shore. 

However, it’s really good to head up there with a short itinerary.  There are so many things to do that it’s really easy to become overwhelmed and turn around without doing anything. (Ask me how I know).

For Duluth, I recommend the Great Lakes Aquarium and Canal Park’s Lake Superior Maritime Museum.

Along the North Shore, you could drive all the way to Grand Marais if you wish. There are lots of fun places to pull over and enjoy the lake along the way to Two Harbors. (Remember to bundle up.  It will still be chilly.)

Southern Minnesota and the Mississippi River

We have been traveling to Rochester and heading in southern Minnesota quite a bit these past few months. We are starting to discover some of the fun things to do in the area. Check out Red Wing, Wabasha, or Albert Lea. If you wanted to head a little southwest, explore New Ulm.

Looking for the right summer camp for your kiddos this summer? 

We’ve got the best included in our 2024 Guide to Twin Cities Summer Camps. 

Guide to Twin Cities Summer Camps

Got an event you want to share? Find our submission form and guidelines here.

2 thoughts on “Twin Cities Spring Break Guide”

  1. Another great place is REM5 virtual reality lab in St. Louis Park. Check their website for hours and reservations. We’ve been there once with our twin 10-year-olds and now going back again soon. It is very open and wasn’t crowded at all when we were there on a Sunday. It’s fun for kids (school-aged, I’d say) and adults alike.

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