We love a good, fresh start in the fall: new season, new reasons to get out and explore the Twin Cities with your family. We have organized these activity ideas by age group but please note, many will overlap if you’re planning for an outing with multiple kiddos.
In September, skip to activities:
Things to do with your baby in the Twin Cities – September
Take your baby to a pumpkin patch
Yes, really! Our FFTC team member Joy lays out all the benefits (adorable photos, health benefits and outdoors time, how’s that for a spoiler?) in her article 5 REASONS TO TAKE YOUR BABY TO THE PUMPKIN FARM. Of course, you can stock up on your needs for a Halloween jack-o-lantern and, if you have older kids, they will absolutely love all the activities that many farms pack into their patches. For instance, let’s take a little tour around the corners of the MSP Metro:
WEST METRO Everly Farms
6480 County Rd 26, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Pumpkins are offered in a variety of shapes, sizes & colors. Activities include hayrides, live music, corn hole, face painting, hay mountain, kids scavenger hunt, giant sandbox, playground and Halloween events. 10am-6pm daily. $7-$10/pp.
EAST METRO Country Sun Farm
11211 N 60th St, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Admission to the farm is free, with a charge for all fall activities with the exception of the petting farm and outdoor display photo ops. Play in a giant corn pit outfitted with buckets, slides and toys ($3), bounce house ($3), Silly String Zone ($3), make your way through the corn maze ($4), enjoy the fall scenery on a hay ride ($6), pan for gems ($8-$25). Fall activities open September 18, 2024. Weekdays 9am – 7pm, weekends 9am – 6pm. Activities are up and running Saturdays 10am – 5pm, Sundays 11am.
NORTH METRO Dehn’s Pumpkins
17270 125th Ave N, Dayton, MN 55327
Dehn’s offers free admission to the market place and pumpkin patch, great news if you’re visiting with a tiny one. For older kiddos, wristbands prices vary from $8-$12/pp. Not all activities are available each day and some come at an additional cost. The fall activity list includes classics such as a corn maze and scenic hayride. Opens September 21, 2024. Mon-Thu: Noon-6pm; Fri: Noon-9pm; Sat: 9am-9pm; Sun 9am-6pm.
SOUTH METRO Barten Pumpkins
5716 W. 280th St., New Prague, MN 56071
Pick a pumpkin – available in every shape and size (pre-picked). This year, enjoy photo ops in the pumpkin patch, stilt-walking, nature pay area and log cabin, and free entertainment such as live music select weekends. Hayrides for groups by appointment. Open daily September 20th through October 31, 2024. Free admission and free parking.
Things to do with toddlers & preschoolers in the Twin Cities – September
Caregivers with kids between the ages of 1 and 5, these events and activities are geared toward your family. You know your child best, so we encourage you to peruse our full Family Fun Calendar and try any of the all-ages events there, but we publish here a quick list of toddler activities and pre-school family fun ideas.
Twin Cities Toddler and Preschool Events This Week
Visit an apple orchard
Arguably, this activity can be enjoyed by just about anyone of any age and inclination – crisp fresh air, crisp fresh apples, the satisfaction of buying and supporting a local family farm. But we focus here on the toddler-preschoolers because many apple orchards cater to this set with irresistible, adorable activities like little barrel trains, colorful corn pits and tiny green John Deere pedal trikes. Fall photo opps galore. Here are a few orchards we suggest for a fall family outing – find many more in all corners of the Twin Cities metro in our guide to THE BEST APPLE ORCHARDS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
WEST METRO LuceLine Orchard
2755 Rose Ave, Watertown, MN 55388
Apples are now pick-your-own while supplies last. There are lots of other activities onsite for kids to stay busy, including some that are open on weekdays – a hay mountain, petting zoo, corn boxes and swings. The orchard offers free admission; some fees for additional activities or purchase a $20 wristband to include unlimited access to diversions like the corn maze, hay rides and jumping pillow.
EAST METRO Aamodt’s Apple Farm
6428 Manning Avenue North, Stillwater, MN 55082
There are a couple free activities (such as meeting the resident goats) and activities that require a small fee (sweet little wagon and train rides pictured below, weekends only, $5/pp). Adults who’d like something to sip on may enjoy the onsite winery or hard cider, also brewed right on the farm.
NORTH METRO Sunrise River Farm
7602 Wyoming Trail, Wyoming, MN 55092
Pick your own apples in a quiet, charming atmosphere with free family activities such as a farmyard and small play area. Take some time to groom the pets and let your teen push you on the tire swing. There are also train and wagon rides for a small fee.
SOUTH METRO Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
Apple Lovers Lane, 8251 Old Hwy 169 Blvd, Jordan, MN 55352
One of the apple orchards with animals, you’ll want to visit the barnyard for a visit with the critters, try out the apple cannon or brave the corn maze. So many activities here for kids to enjoy – admission to Apple Blossom Park with its fall activities is $15 ages 2+ (includes a FREE season pass).
Tot times at Twin Cities community & recreation centers
Tot Times & Open Gym were my savior when my firstborn was a squirrelly toddler who needed a space to run off his pent-up energy. He thrived on the small bikes, balls, tumbling mats and other provided equipment for unstructured physical play — and naptime was a GIVEN afterwards! Many St Paul and Minneapolis-area community and re centers offer free or low-cost open gyms that begin in September with the start of the school year:
- APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (Mon/Wed/Fri, 9-11am, $15/membership pass or drop in option)
- EAGAN COMMUNITY CENTER (Blast & Play, Tues/Thurs, 9am-12pm, $8/child)
- LINO LAKES ROOKERY (Tues Tot Time, 9am-12pm, ages 1-10, $5)
- MAPLE GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER (Mon, 9-11am, $4/child)
- MINNEAPOLIS PARKS & REC (Type “family indoor playground” into the search box to see schedule for locations, FREE)
- NEW BRIGHTON COMMUNITY CENTER (Mon/Wed, Preschool Playtime, 12-3pm, $8/child includes admission to Eagles Nest Indoor Playground)
- ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS (See schedule for locations, FREE)
Preschooler & toddler outings this fall: Farm fun
Have you met a little can resist the magnetic pull of sweet farm animals, toddling through a hay bale maze or taking a big ‘ol juicy bite out of a freshly harvested apple? September is the perfect month for kiddos to get down on the farm. Check out these recommendations:
BROOKLYN PARK Open Gate Hours at Historic Eidem Farm
4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
You and your little one can slow down and explore at your personal pace, visiting farm animals, helping with chores, poking around the garden and more self-directed activities. There is space for your toddler to move about freely and – guess what? – they can’t destroy anything! Open gate hours in September: Mon-Wed, 10am-4pm & Thurs thru 7pm. FREE!
EAGAN Holz Farm Fall Festival
4665 Manor Dr, Eagan, MN 55123
An annual fall festival with all kinds of old fashioned fun farm: pedal tractors, kids coin hunt, animals in the barn, fun farm chores & more. We personally attended a few years ago with a toddler, preschooler AND school-aged kiddo so can personally attest it’s a great festival fit for all ages. September 21, 2024, 11am-4pm, $3/admission.
FALCON HEIGHTS Gibbs Farm Apple Festival
2097 W Larpenteur Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55113
All things apple greet your preschooler: treats, games, wood block printing, face painting, a tour through the orchard, farm animals and live music. Gibbs Farm is a wonderful place for families to take a step back in time. Walk through the historic farmhouse and one-room school. Explore how native Minnesotans lived on the prairie. September 21, 2024, 10am-2pm $5-$10/pp.
MINNEAPOLIS Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Nestled in the southern portion of Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Minneapolis is the magical ELOISE BUTLER WILDFLOWER GARDEN & BIRD SANCTUARY. It’s a place where families can take in fall colors, or preschoolers can attend free storytimes on Thursdays from 10:30-11am. Meet at the Visitor Center.
ST PAUL Lil’ Explorer Thursday at Como Zoo
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
The beloved (at least by my family) preschool program offers weekly themed activities to the 4-and-under set. Think sand tables, sponge painting, worm digs and storytimes. Thursdays in September 2024, 10am-12pm. FREE.
Things to do with school-aged kids in the Twin Cities – September
Twin Cities Kids Events This Week
So many fall festivals!
Dozens of family-friendly fall festivals dot the Twin Cities this time of year. We’ve come up with a particular crop with activities that appeal to kids in the school-age range…though with the right attitude, everyone in the family’s gonna have fun. Find the perfect fall festival in September for your family here.
MINNEAPOLIS Monarch Festival
49th St & Woodlawn Blvd, Minneapolis MN
In September, monarch butterflies typically begin their annual flight south to Mexico. Come learn about this journey and send the monarch off with a parade (kids up to 12 invited to join in), a tag-and-release activity, games, and tours of the Lake Nokomis Naturescape for pollinators. September 7, 2024.
ROSEVILLE Harriet Alexander Nature Center Wild Rice Festival
2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113
Games for all, activities with Gibbs Farm, Native American dancing and drumming, apple cidering & wild rice demonstrations. We encourage you to explore the nature center’s indoor exhibits (pictured below) and take a little fall hike on the outdoor boardwalk. September 21, 2024, 10am-4pm, FREE admission.
HASTINGS Fall Raptor Release
Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
The University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center (a wonderful outing for kids, I should mention) releases rehabbed birds at the nature center in two waves (11am & 2pm) plus wagon rides, kids activities and educational displays. September 28, 2024, 11am-2pm, FREE admission.
More outdoor fun for bigger kids
ST ANTHONY Silverwood Park Field Trip
Make a fall day of it at Silverwood Park with your bigger kids. The annual Silverwood Park Field Trip is packed full of opportunities to listen to live music, play lawn games, explore art sculptures and shop the outdoor art fair vendors. September 14, 2024, 12-4pm. FREE admission.
Things to do with tweens & teens in the Twin Cities – September
Twin Cities Tween & Teen Events This Week
Find their way out of a corn maze
Personally, I always vote for less stress and haphazard running around in my life. But my kids of this age all enjoy solving a good puzzle – and a corn maze kind of falls into this category in addition to getting them outdoors. Find our guide to the BEST CORN MAZES IN THE TWIN CITIES – and/or skip down for a few recommendations:
CHALLENGE YOUR TEENS & TWEENS: Pick one of the giants in the Twin Cities, say SEVER’S CORN MAZE & FALL FESTIVAL (Minnesota’s original, located in Shakopee) or the 20-acre monster TWIN CITIES HARVEST FESTIVAL CORN MAZE (up north in Brooklyn Park). These mazes will run you in the range of $14-$22/pp if you book online in advance but remember they also include a boatload of other fall activities like hay and train rides, petting farms, jumping pillows and the like. There are also special puzzles to solve within each of these labyrinths that older kids might find entertaining.
FOR YOUNGER KIDS: We recommend a mid-level corn maze such as the one found at PINE TREE APPLE ORCHARD (White Bear Lake area). Or, for the very youngest, try the newer hedge maze at APPLEWOOD ORCHARD in Lakeville. Littles will love the pedal tractors, too. These mazes are decidedly more budget-friendly at less than $10/pp.
Shop & play at a fall farmers market
Anyone else out there find that kids are way more enthused to eat veggies they have harvested themselves? We are a not a family of green thumbs, so it is off to the local farmers market we go for fresh produce and salad fixings. One of our fall favorites makes its home at the Centennial Lakes Farmers Market. In addition to perusing the produce, you can still take advantage of the following through the month of September: the 18-hole putting course, paddle boats and lawn games might appeal to your hard-to-please tweens and teens. Market hours are ongoing Thursdays thru the end of September, 3-7pm. Find more family fun at Centennial Lakes Park Here.
Jump over here for more fall farmers market options paired with fun fall outings!
Visit the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Do not be daunted by this niche-y, popular fall festival. Yes, there is a substantial admission fee, but said fee covers a bounty of free family-friendly activities such as the jousting tournaments, storytellers, and mermaid encounters. Open weekends thru September 29, 2024, 9am-7pm. $16.50-$27.95/pp, discount tickets available for purchase in advance.
GOT TOTS? Don’t be deterred! Our very own Joy Peters offers up some tips for visiting the Minnesota Renaissance Festival with young ones on board.
Create a fall color tour with your teens
Just a couple weeks ago I was inspired to shove my tween and teens into the car and head out for beautiful Interstate State Park. The park is a little haven that hugs the St Croix River Valley in the community of Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Only about an hour’s drive from the center of the Twin Cities metro, it’s the perfect destination for a fall colors hike. Our kids have been long fascinated by the mysterious potholes that pockmark the park and the rushing river that divides us from our neighbor Wisconsin. Explore with caution if you’ve got little ones in tow.
MAKE A DAY OF IT: Using suggestions on our list of TOP THINGS TO DO NEAR TAYLORS FALLS WITH KIDS. For more inspiration on where to get out and admire the fall colors with your family, try our take on 6 Twin Cities Metro-Area Minnesota State Parks, all only an hour’s or less drive from the middle of the metro. $7 per day vehicle permit required for state parks.
Jump over here for more fall color tour ideas!
