Things to do in Minneapolis-St Paul this weekend!
FEBRUARY 22-23, 2020
All January we longed for the snowfall, didn’t we? And February has more than granted our wish, dumping deep drifts onto the Twin Cities that beg to be purposed into sledding hills, snow forts and the scenic backdrop for wintry activities. We’ve got lots of suggestions for getting out to play with the family this weekend; for more inspiration, check our February Family Guide or our Family Fun Calendar.
Not the weekend you’re searching for? Jump over to our Weekend Events Guide page.
Many families feel more comfortable with a little extra armor during the Minnesota winters. We’ve beefed up our annual Winter Break Survival Guide to help you make the most of the season whether you want to get out and play or stay in and be cozy. Find our sledding hills guide, outdoor ice skating rink-finder, and our huge round up of indoor playgrounds and play areas.
SNOWY FESTIVAL
Winter Fun Festival | Dodge Nature Center, West St Paul
Live DJ, bonfires and outdoor heaters, horse-drawn sleigh rides, icy games, snow sports, nature activities and crafts. Food & beer available. Sat, Feb 22, 3pm-6pm. FREE.
SLEDDING & SNOW TUBING – final days
The hills are sporting a sleek new coat after the recent snowfall and the windchill is no longer biting little cheeks – get some sledding in while you still can. Here are just a few ideas of the where you might find the right-sized slope for your crew; for more, visit our Twin Cities Sledding Hills Guide.
- Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill, Eagan
The popular tubing hill will be open from 12-8pm. Rental is $4; bringing your own sled is not permitted. Note there are no tow ropes here. - Wirth Park, Minneapolis
2 options for the adventurous here: a free sledding hill open 7am-9pm (bring your own craft) or snow tubing ($15 rental for 2 hours). - Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie
Visitors will find a 700-foot (!) sledding hill on the north side of the warming house during winter months. The warming facility is supervised and the hill is lit during open hours. No charge; bring your own craft.
SNOWSHOEING
If you’ve ever thought it might be nice to take a winter hike on some freshly packed powder, the following local parks rent snowshoes and groom trails. Keep in mind that snowshoes require sturdy boots to fit properly.
- Mississippi Gateway Regional Park | Feb 22, 10-12pm | $5, ages 8+
- Maplewood Nature Center | Daily | $5/pair rental ages 4 & up
- Harriet Alexander Nature Center | Weekend rental in child sizes only, $6/pair
- Fort Snelling State Park | Daily, 8am-2pm | $7 vehicle permit plus $6 rental fee
- Additional parks: Baker Park Reserve, Cleary Lake Regional Park, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Elm Creek Regional Park, Gale Woods Farm, Carver Park Reserve & Hyland Lake Park all have rentals and maintained winter trails. Snowshoes rent for $5/pair plus tax.
ICE HOCKEY
Saturday, February 22nd is Try Hockey for Free Day in the Twin Cities. On the fence about making the investment to put your kid in hockey? We understand. We’ve been there ourselves. And we highly recommend you give the sport a try for free first. The event gives kids (ages 4-9) a shot at experiencing the basics of hockey without financial commitment. It’s strictly for fun! Plus, coaches will be on hand to offer tips and provide equipment. Hit the link to find participating locations.
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
- 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.