THINGS TO DO IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES
May is such an exciting month, filled with the anticipation of longer days, warmth, sunshine, park and picnic weather. In our family, we count down the days until school lets out and start dreaming of becoming tourists in our own city. Did you find us while searching up ideas for your own spring family outings? We’ve compiled some of the best in things to do in the Twin Cities, sorted by age, for the month of May. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, tweens and teens – we’ve had them all! We understand how important it is to be able to find activities to do that can in get everyone in the family involved.
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THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY IN THE TWIN CITIES – MAY
Bring baby outdoors for fresh air & sunshine
A dose of sun and breeze on sweet little baby cheeks might even help your little ones sleep schedule. If you’re able, strap baby on and take a nature walk in a peaceful environment. Feel yourself relaxing simply at the thought? A few places we recommend:
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary
1 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55422
Lots of options for tranquility with baby here on a lovely May day:
– take a self-guided walk (borrow a Garden Guidebook at the Visitor Center to bring along)
– take a structured Garden Walk with a naturalist. Tues-Sun, 11am, FREE.
– GOT PRESCHOOLERS ALONG, TOO? Garden Storytime and activities for younger kids are hosted by a naturalist. Thursdays, 10am & Saturdays, 2pm. FREE.
Minneapolis-St Paul area gardens & arboretums
These parks tend to be more peaceful as they do not include the play equipment that draws energetic little locals. Stroll quietly with baby along landscaped paths, pause by a trickling fountain and be sure to stop to smell the flowers:
- MAPLE GROVE ARBORETUM – Find the Angel of Hope statue, discover a small waterfall or, if older kids are along, download the arboretum’s Tree Bingo activity. 9400 Fernbrook Lane North, Maple Grove, MN.
- MINNEAPOLIS LYNDALE PARK ROSE GARDEN – Fragrant summer roses, pollinators and a peace garden are sure to soothe. 1300 West 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55409.
- EDINA’S ARNESON ACRES PARK – 28 different gardens bursting with blooms, a peaceful Memory Garden, and a greenhouse. 4711 W 70th St, Edina, MN 55424.
- ROSEVILLE’S MURIEL SAHLIN ARBORETUM – Sit beside the large water fountain and learn about the various themed gardens. 2525 Dale Street North, Roseville, MN, 55113.
FIND MORE BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC FLOWER GARDENS TO BRING YOUR BABY THIS SPRING.
Happy Mother’s Day!
If you’re in search of ways to get out and about with baby, it may be that you’re celebrating your very first Mother’s Day this year. Welcome to a very special society, Mom. We hope there’s someone in your circle to treat YOU today, be that with a memorable outing or simply some space to rest and rejuvenate. We have ideas for both options on our list of TWIN CITIES MOTHER’S DAY EVENTS.
THINGS TO DO WITH TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS IN THE TWIN CITIES – MAY
Fuzzy farm babies continue in May
Our parent hearts are just as fuzzy watching our own babies cuddle new life on the farm. Yours will love meeting baby lambs, curious chicks, piglets, tiny goats and all the rest right here in the suburban Twin Cities. All the adorable continues in May – check our guide to WHERE TO FIND THE MINNESOTA FARM BABIES IN 2023 and find events like these your littles will love:
Dodge Nature Center Rock the Barn
Main Property, Farm Entrance 3, 1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Farm animals in the barnyard, hayrides around the nature center and live bands on the lawn. May 20, 2023, 3-6pm. $8/pp advance, $10/door.
Did you know? DODGE NATURE CENTER is the setting of a working farm in the city. There is no charge to wander the trails and maybe get a glimpse of the animals if you’d like to visit on your own
Minnesota Zoo’s Farm Babies
Wells Fargo Family Farm, Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124
The zoo expects more goat kids, lambs, piglets, and calves to be born in May. Tickets are included with Zoo admission. $14-$20/pp plus parking.
Holz Farm Spring Festival
Holz Farm Park, Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Drive
Old-fashioned farm activities, including a hayride. 11am-3pm. $3/pp, tickets available online or at the gate.
Discover the joy of a nature playground with your preschooler
Go green and give your active preschoolers the opportunity to interact with the landscape and, perhaps, develop a greater appreciation for it. We’ve collected more than a dozen “nature playgrounds” across the Twin Cities that were intentionally designed with this goal. Here are a few highlights, one in each corner of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area. Find more in our list of NATURE PLAYGROUNDS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
NORTH METRO: Tamarack Nature Center: Discovery Hollow & Garden
All but guarantees hours of entertainment. It contains all the classic elements of nitty-gritty outdoor play: sand, water, mud, natural building materials, a garden to tend and, though engineered, a beautiful cliff of rocks to climb. 5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN 55110.
SOUTH METRO: Patrick Eagan Park Nature Play Area
The park combines elements of traditional playground equipment — like a zipline and climbing webs – with natural elements. 3995 Lexington Ave S, Eagan, MN 55123.
WEST METRO: Lowry Nature Center Nature Exploration Area
A true “nature exploration” area contains a collection of stumps, fallen trunks, and club-sized sticks. Don’t miss the indoor nature center exhibits as well. 7025 Victoria Dr, Victoria, MN 55386.
EAST METRO: Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center’s Messy Play Area
The spot includes a sand area, sticks for open play, stepping-logs, a crawl through passage, and a stick-fort building area. Sunfish Lake Park, 3554 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042.
Big rigs & more in May – National Public Works Week with kids
What a thrill for kids to get up close to exciting, important safety & service vehicles! We’re talking fire trucks, ambulances, plows, police cars and other rescue rigs. May is THE month to see ’em as communities observe National Public Works Week. A sampling of our TWIN CITIES TOUCH-A-TRUCK CALENDAR:
- EDINA VEHICLE DAY – Southdale Center, May 6.
- ARDEN HILLS TOUCH-A-TRUCK – Perry Park, May 20.
- BLOOMINGTON PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE – May 20.
- COON RAPIDS PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE – May 20.
- FARMINGTON POLICE DEPT OPEN HOUSE – May 20.
- INVER GROVE HEIGHTS TOUCH-A-TRUCK – VMCC, May 20.
- OTSEGO TOUCH-A-TRUCK – Prairie Park, May 23.
- BURNSVILLE PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE – May 25.
THINGS TO DO WITH SCHOOL-AGED KIDS IN THE TWIN CITIES – MAY
MayDay! MayDay! (is back)
Powderhorn MayDay Parade & Festival
Community organizations such as ArtCars, ArtBikes and Wearable Contraptions, Battle Train, Stilt Walkers and Cardboard Camp Artists of Minnesota have teamed up to revive the annual MayDay Parade at Powderhorn Park. Don’t miss this spring tradition! Now go cross your fingers for perfect weather. 12-4pm, FREE. Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
KIDS CAN GET INVOLVED! Got creative kiddos interesting in helping bring MayDay creations to life? The community is invited to public workshops at Adventures in Cardboard to construct parade floats the following dates & times: May 1-5, 7-9pm & May 6, 10am-3pm.
Step back in history with your kids
May is ripe with the excitement of seasonal attractions shining up and throwing open their doors to curious families. We like to create a wish list this month of places to visit this summer, several of which welcome guests starting Memorial Day weekend. Immersive living history events make their way onto this list every time. Some of our favorites to share with you include:
Historic Gibbs Farm
2097 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113
Take a guided tour tour of the farmhouse, one-room schoolhouse, bark lodge, and a tipi. Kids will also like puttering around near the farm animals. Tours offered every hour on the hour. Open select Fridays & Saturdays for public tours starting June 3, 2023, 10am-4pm. $5-$10/pp.
SPECIAL EVENT: Opening Day at Gibbs Farm invites kids to greet the farm animals, taste homemade ice cream, hear a story and make a craft. May 27, 2023.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111
Explore the historic buildings, chat with costumed interpreters, watch cannon and musket firings and join in historic games. Open Memorial Day weekend then Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm. $8-$12/pp.
SPECIAL EVENT: Decoration Day was an early version of our modern Memorial Day. Special activities all weekend long might interest your school-aged kids. May 27-May 29, 2023.
Gammelgarden Museum’s Immigrant for a Day
Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN 55073
Your kids can experience 1850’s immigrant family activities such as churning butter, playing pioneer games and doing farm chores. Tours of the historic buildings are free today. May 28, 2023, 1-4pm, FREE admission.
PRESCHOOLERS PLAY HERE TOO! See how many Swedish Dala horses my sweet preschooler discovered? There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Gammelgarden.
FOR MORE IDEAS & FURTHER PLANNING, SEE OUR LIST OF TWIN CITIES ATTRACTIONS OPENING IN MAY 2023!
Spring fun in Como Park for kids
- OPENS MAY 1! CAFESJIAN’S CAROUSEL starts to spin today. Kids of all ages (and their adults) can hop a horse and ride free on May 30.
- OPENS MAY 6! COMO PARK MINI GOLF offers a choice of 9, 18 or a whopping 27 holes of outdoor miniature golf. $6-$12/pp.
- OPENS MAY 20! COMO TOWN AMUSEMENT PARK is a fun destination for the 12-and-under set that includes attractions like a junior rollercoaster, an exciting zip line, swings, kiddie cars, spinning teacups and a big splash zone. Purchase points for the individual attractions or an all-inclusive wristband. Open Wed-Sun, 11am-6pm. 1301 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55103.
- Consult our COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY SPRING CHECKLIST for more on the animals, exhibits, gardens and programs kids will enjoy.
THINGS TO DO WITH TWEENS & TEENS IN THE TWIN CITIES – MAY
Valleyfair opens for summer fun!
Valleyfair opens its gates Sunday, May 14, marking the return of 75+ rides, family-friendly attractions and games. Our tweens and teens love the adrenaline rush of the rollercoasters and other thrill rides. Hit the link to get a seasonal update and tips on finding discount park tickets.
GOT PRESCHOOLERS? Valleyfair offers free Pre-K Passes for children ages 3 to 5. And there are plenty of pint-sized attractions to make a trip to Valleyfair fun for younger kids. Learn more about the program. 1 Valley Fair Dr, Shakopee, MN 55379.
Attention art-lovers!
Art-A-Whirl Weekend
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
Individual artists and galleries are back showcasing their finest across various locations in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. We recommend this indulgence-of-the-arts weekend for those with tweens and teens who enjoy shopping and watching artist demonstrations. Find a map here. FREE admission and many free activities all weekend.
TEMPTED TO VISIT ART-A-WHIRL WITH YOUNGER KIDS? Read our tips & strategies here.
More fun & games with teens & tweens
How about some outdoor games to divert your tweens and teens from all those screens? May we suggest a couple of spots for mini golf and other lawn games? Always a hit with my big kids, no eye rolls included.
Centennial Lakes Park outdoor attractions
7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Now open for the season are the park’s paddleboats to explore the ponds and canals ($20/45 min), the greenway putting course ($10/pp for 18 holes), and lawn bowling ($20/lane per hour). And don’t miss pop-up shows from the Edina Model Yacht Club (FREE!).
Skyline Mini Golf at Walker Art Center
Your tween or teen may love artist-designed mini golf holes on the rooftop of Walker Art Center – clocking in at one of the most unique outdoor miniature golf courses in town. $12/pp, ages 6 & under golf free. Register as a new Walker member and your family plays a round of golf for free. Membership starts at $5/month.
Shop the farmer’s markets with young foodies
Try getting your older children interested and active in family meal prep with a trip to the farmers market. Most of the entries on our list of three dozen FAMILY-FRIENDLY TWIN CITIES FARMERS MARKETS offer entertainment, kids activities and food trucks. Many are also located near other fun attractions, so you can make a day of your marketing.
BEST ALL AGES ATTRACTIONS TO TAKE VISITORS TO THE TWIN CITIES IN MAY
