Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Weekend: March 9-10, 2024

weekend family guide

Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!

This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers events in Minneapolis & St Paul the weekend of March 9-10, 2024. Want to discover family fun this weekend across the Twin Cities Metro Area? Browse our guides for the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest & Southeast communities. Happy exploring, wherever your weekend may take you!

Welcome to March in the Twin Cities!

March your way into an ideal a mix of things to do this weekend indoors and out. For more ideas, hop over to our March Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs, tastes, size and budget.

Fun activities in the parks this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul

Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in parks across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro. Featured Twin Cities park events this weekend include:

"Maple Syrup Time" Background shows golden color of maple syrup in the shape of a maple leaf.

Maple syrup family programs 

March is traditionally the best time to tap maple trees in Minnesota. The weather, particularly this winter, is ideal for maple sap when we reach that freeze/thaw period – where there are warmer daytime temperatures (near the 40s), but then below freezing temps overnight. Maple syrup family programs are warming up at parks and nature centers across the Twin Cities this weekend – sweet! Here’s the schedule; note that none of these are in Minneapolis or St Paul but in the surrounding suburbs:

MORE MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS: Schedule can’t fit maple syrup in this weekend? Events will be taking place over the next few weeks that we have collected into our MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY GUIDE.

Volunteer showing girls how to tapa maple tree at a Warner Nature Center maple-syruping event, Minnesota

Family Funday – Signs of Spring

North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis
Hike with a naturalist to seek signs of spring and animals – even tap a tree! Please register as space is limited. March 9, 2024, 10:30am-12pm. FREE.

North Mississippi Regional Park hides behind the I-94 freeway wall only a few miles north of the bustling downtown. It offers particularly close views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding woods and prairie. North Mississippi is the home of the CARL KROENING INTERPRETIVE CENTER and is a favorite of our team’s kids. You can read more about the interpretive center at the link above. A variety of free programs are offered year-round at the park and can be registered for at MPRB Online Recreation Services.

Mississippi River

Planning for spring break in the Twin Cities this week?

There is plenty of stuff to do if you plan to be a tourist in your very own Twin Cities this Spring Break. Think mini golf, trampolines, scavenger hunts, rock climbing, museums and more. Get some inspiration from our 2024 GUIDE TO SPRING BREAK IN THE TWIN CITIES.

More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids

Fun indoor games & activities: Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds & Play Areas

We’ve updated our huge master list of Twin Cities indoor playgrounds & play areas to give you some options when the kids need to climb up someone else’s walls during these chilly months. Please remember that capacity may be limited and tickets may need to be purchased in advance.

Puss In Boots from Ballet Co.Laboratory

276 E Lafayette Frontage Rd / St. Paul, MN 55107
FINAL WEEKEND! Designed specially for toddlers and preschoolers, the classic story comes to life through dance, a pre-show craft activity, post-show mini-movement class and even real kitties to meet. March 9 at 2 & 6pm and March 10 at 2pm. Tickets $25-$30/pp.

Alice In Wonderland

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Is your child ready for a day out at the theatre? This beloved story is best enjoyed, according to CTC, by kids ages 6 & up. If you haven’t, we recommend reading a version of the book with your kiddo prior to the performance. Then, join Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole to a curious new world. Shows this weekend: March 9, 11am & 2pm and March 10, 2 & 5pm, 2024. Tickets $15-$87.

Discounts: We understand theater tickets can be a splurge for the family. Rush tickets are $15-$25/pp. Lap passes available for kids 3 and under.

Family Day at Historic Fort Snelling

200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111
Programs planned that make learning about history intriguing and fun! This month’s theme is “Military Music”. Activities and other hands-on exhibits are offered in the new Plank Museum & Visitor Center and, if you wish, a guided tour of the fort is included in your ticket. In our experience, the fort is better explored at your own pace during the summer but definitely see it now if you get the chance. We often purchase a family membership to the Minnesota Historical Society so return visits are basically free. March 9, 2024, 10am-4pm. $8-$12/pp.

Troll Tales Cave Tour at Wabasha Street Caves

215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107
The Wabasha Caves are famous in St Paul for their past as a gangster hideout – but this tour is designed for kids and guided by a friendly troll. Includes the tour, photo opp and craft. Grab this opportunity – it doesn’t come around often. March 10, 2024, 12:30pm. $10/pp.

Bell Museum Storytime for Kids

2088 Larpenteur Avenue W, St Paul, 55113
Included with regular museum admission, this storytime is designed for kids ages 7 & under. This month’s story is Tree Hole Homes and will be followed by STEM activities for kids. Plus, you’ll have access to all the wonderful exhibits at the Bell Museum and a chance to see a planetarium show. March 9, 2024, storytime at 10:30am. $12-$15/pp.

Coffee and Creative Play at Snapology

2649 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Parents, need a quick break? Enjoy a delicious beverage from Bob’s Java Hut (next door to Snapology) while your child plays at Snapology. If they are 5-14, you can drop them off! Playtime at Snapology is a creative building experience that includes LEGO bricks, a race track, magnatiles, train tracks, k’nex, polydrons, marble mazes and more. March 10, 2024, 9-11:30am, $15/child, includes beverage. 

More free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory 

The Conservatory and Visitor Center of Como Park Zoo are particularly wonderful places to spend a chilly day on the verge of spring. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a tropical vacation! The animal exhibits are heated, too. Catch the Winter Flower Show before it withers away on March 17, 2024. All weekend, 10am-4pm, FREE admission.

First Chapter Storytime at Next Chapter Bookseller

38 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55105
A picture book read-aloud plus related activity just for kids. March 9, 2024, 10:30-11am. FREE.

Free Open Swim Sundays at Great River Water Park

270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
A special FREE open swim is hosted ongoing Sundays with water safety training provided from 3-3:25pm. The zero-depth entry splash pool is perfect for tots trying to get used to the water and there are two tube waterslides for the big kids. March 9, 2024, 12-5pm.

Families swimming playing at the Great River Waterpark in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Urban Expedition: Brazil 

Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Travel the globe (in this case, south to Brazil) without leaving St Paul – music, crafts, food & more to get a feel for the culture of the country. March 10, 2024, 1-3pm. FREE.

ALWAYS FREE TO VISIT WEEKENDS

Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!

During this cold weather, find tons of fun indoor games for kids you can play right at home.

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