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 2-3, 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!
This weekend will be ideal for getting outside and enjoying a break from the cold. We also offer a mix of things to do this weekend indoors. There’s lots to choose from! 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 – whether you’re keeping close to home — or want a break from it.
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 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 just getting starting at parks and nature centers across the Twin Cities this weekend – sweet! Here’s the schedule:
Maple Syruping at Fort Snelling State Park
101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
FORT SNELLING STATE PARK has a long annual tradition of presenting maple syrup programs to Twin Cities-area folk and ensuring they are kid-friendly. Make sure to register by one day prior. March 3, 2024, 12-2pm. FREE admission, but a $7 park day vehicle permit is required. The program will also take place March 17 and 30.
MORE AT FORT SNELLING: Our family enjoys spending time in this urban state park, close to the center of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro. We hike and bike the trails along the Minnesota River. There’s exciting HISTORIC FORT SNELLING with its new visitor center atop the bluff to explore, too (separate fees apply).
MORE MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS: Not finding your area of the Twin Cities metro on this page? Maple syruping events are also taking place this weekend on March 3, 2024:
- TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO, Maple Plain: Maple Syruping at Baker Outdoor Learning Center.
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHWST METRO, Bloomington: Free Family Fun Day – Maple Syrup at Richardson Nature Center.
- TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO, Eden Prairie: Maple Syrup Making at Eden Prairie Outdoor Center.
Hike with a Ranger at Crosby Farm Park
2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
It might not feel like winter but we can still try to spot signs of wildlife hunkering down for the season. A ranger will guide this all ages hike; make sure to dress to be outdoors. March 2, 2024, 10am-12pm. FREE.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids
Stay cozy this weekend – fun indoor activities
Keep warm with arts & crafts, kid flicks, live entertainment and indoor play spaces!
Michaels Sunday Makebreak
Participating Michaels stores across the Twin Cities are offering free weekend “Makebreak” classes. The projects are simple, yet could lend a nice personal touch to a small gift. This weekend, kids can decorate a spring wreath to hang. March 3, 2024, 2-4pm.
ArtScraps
1459 St Clair Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
The ArtScraps Reuse store is a little treasure trove of crafting materials you can browse and purchase for a fraction of what you’d spend at a chain craft store. Take your haul home and get creative!
Walker Art Center First Free Saturday: Kids Film Fair
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
It’s not always easy to enjoy art with little ones (or grade schoolers or tweens, for that matter), but Walker attempts to make it a more inclusive experience during their First Free Saturdays. The museum buzzes with art-making workshops, kid films, scavenger hunts in the galleries and live performances that stretch young attention spans and might spark conversation about the art. March 2, 2024, 10am-3pm, FREE.
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. Please remember that capacity may be limited.
Puss In Boots from Ballet Co.Laboratory
276 E Lafayette Frontage Rd / St. Paul, MN 55107
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 2 at 2 & 6pm and March 3 at 3pm. 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 2, 11am & 2pm and March 3, 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.
More free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
First Free Sundays at Minnesota Children’s Museum
Free days are BACK at the museum and we’re super excited about it! Explore the exhibits admission-free the first Sunday of each month thanks to Securian Financial. Reservations required. March 3, 2024, 9am-4pm.
Kids Dream Family Film Series
FINAL WEEKEND! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 3, 2024, feature favorite family flicks. Head to your nearest participating Marcus Theatres® location. 2 FREE tickets to the show are available this weekend – just click here to redeem vouchers.
- Abominable screens March 1-3. Popcorn & drink specials: $3.50/each. Participating theatres include Marcus Oakdale, Rosemount and Southbridge Crossing (Shakopee) Cinemas.
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 2, 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 2, 2024, 12-5pm.
ALWAYS FREE TO VISIT WEEKENDS
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free each first Saturday/month)
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – note that fall & winter hours are 10am-4pm.
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.
Always free to visit weekends
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free each first Saturday/month)
- Weisman Art Museum – located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota
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.