TWIN CITIES GUIDE TO FAMILY ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND: JUNE 3-4, 2023
Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This June Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of June 3-4, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here.
The temps are rising, the end of the school year is within reach and family festivals are popping up on the calendar. Feels like summer to us! For more inspiration on spending family time together this weekend, check our JUNE FAMILY GUIDE, our ULTIMATE TWIN CITIES SUMMER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try our best to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs when you’re ready to get out and about in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area!
TWIN CITIES FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FAMILY
Check out St Paul this weekend for the biggest round up of family-friendly festivals!
BROOKLYN PARK: TATER DAZE PARADE
The parade features emergency vehicles, visiting royalty, live music, community organizations and the city mascot. June 3, 2023, 11am.
EDEN PRAIRIE: SCHOONER DAYS
Round Lake Park, 16691 Valley View Rd., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Festival includes a carnival, face painting, food and ice cream, and shopping. June 2-4, 2023.
EDINA: EDINA ART FAIR
50th & France district
Over 250 artists and crafters to shop and a Kids Zone with face painting, music and games. June 2-4, 2023.
MAPLE PLAIN: PARTY IN THE PARK
Veterans Memorial Park, 5050 Independence St, Maple Plain, MN 55359
Live music, food vendors and family fun. June 3, 2023.
NEW BRIGHTON: RHUBARB FEST
New Brighton History Center in Long Lake Park, 700 Park Drive, New Brighton, MN 55112
The historic train depot will be open and delicious rhubarb treats will be available for purchase. June 4, 2023, 1-4pm.
ST PAUL: ART IN THE HOLLOW
Parking: Saint Paul Brewing, 688 Minnehaha Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
Over 50 visual & performing artists, many creating works on site. Note: you will need to park above the hollow and walk down into this park. June 3, 2023, 10am-5pm.
ST PAUL: FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL
345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102 & Rice Park (downtown)
The whole shebang, from outdoor artist performances to the exhibit and activities tent, is great for kids. Gianna offers tips for bringing the whole family. June 2-3, 2023. FREE.
ST PAUL: GRAND OLD DAY
The traditional St Paul summer street festival returns with its signature parade down the shopping and dining artery, live music tents and kids activities. 8:30am-6pm.
ST PAUL: LAKE PHALEN WATERFEST
Phalen Regional Park, 1600 Phalen Dr, St Paul, MN 55106
Featuring all kinds of fun activities on and around the water: Voyageur canoe and sailboat rides; watercraft check-out, fishing lessons and contest, water games, climbing walls, a jump castle, arts and crafts, face painting and lawn games. June 3, 2023.
ST PAUL: UNION DEPOT TRAIN DAYS
Union Depot, 214 Fourth Street East, Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Train Days will include train equipment tours, a vendor marketplace, model trains, concessions, train photography exhibit, family friendly activities and more! June 3-4, 2023, 10am-4pm.
ST PAUL SPLURGE: WATER FESTIVAL
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
Visit the Science Museum on Saturday to celebrate water! June 3, 2023, 10am-2pm. Adults $29.95; Children $19.95.
Plan ahead for fun-filled family festivals in the Twin Cities with our complete June festival HERE.
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN TWIN CITIES PARKS THIS WEEKEND
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.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND
Try visiting a new park or nature center
Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details on which buildings are open; all of these locations have outdoor trails to hike. Did you know that several of these nature centers have natural playgrounds nestled within them? You can build with natural materials, climb, balance, even wade and garden at some of the more elaborate spaces. Find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.
Visit a Minnesota State Park
Eight Minnesota state parks are located within 60 miles of the heart of Minneapolis and St Paul; an hour’s drive or less. The current cost of a daily vehicle permit is $7. We share a few highlights of each HERE. This week’s featured photo is from INTERSTATE STATE PARK in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. This pretty river town is packed with things to do with kids and families. And at just under an hour away, it makes the perfect day trip from the Twin Cities. A naturalist-led tour of the park’s glacial potholes will be held June 3 & 4 from 12-1pm.
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
FREE FAMILY FUN DAY WITH THREE RIVERS PARKS
Join naturalists for free, drop-in and kid-friendly programming at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER (Bloomington), MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK and EASTMAN NATURE CENTER (Maple Grove). Explore the indoor exhibits while you’re at it. No reservations needed. June 4, 2023. 1-3pm. FREE.
Centennial Lakes Park Attractions
7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Attractions open include the park’s lawn bowling, paddle boats, ($20/45 min) and the putting course (they call it “golf in miniature”. $10/18 holes). Live music is featured Sunday, June 4. Plus, you might get lucky and spot a member of the Edina Model Yacht club!
Wheel Fun Rentals in the Parks
Explore your city parks by surrey, chopper, canoe, paddleboard and more. Rentals are open at the following locations Memorial Day Weekend (please visit the website for hours):
- Bde Maka Ska
- Lake Como
- Lake Harriet
- Lake Nokomkis
- Minnehaha Falls
- Veterans Memorial Park – Richfield
COOL OFF THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
Suppose the heat gets turned up this weekend – how to cool off family-style? We have the rundown of the best swimming beaches in the Twin Cities metro area. You can find them all in SPLASH HAPPY: 2023 GUIDE TO BEACHES, POOLS, WATERPARKS & SPLASH PADS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Featured Twin Cities Beach: Lake Minnetonka Regional Park Swim Pond
4610 County Rd 44, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Akin to the popular pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, the swimming at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park is also in a man-made, chlorinated facility with well-marked areas of varying depth. While you’re in the neighborhood, there’s lots to do within a 10-minute drive from the park: the sprawling CARVER PARK RESERVE next door houses the LOWRY NATURE CENTER, two nature playgrounds, and an archery practice space where kids under 16 are admitted free with a paid adult. $6/pp daily plus tax or $20/pp season pass.
Featured twin Cities Splash Pad: M Health Fairview Sports Center Splash Pad
4125 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129
This weekend’s featured splash pad is the spray zone at M HEALTH FAIRVIEW SPORTS CENTER in Woodbury. Located conveniently next to MADISON’S PLACE inclusive playground!
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Want to make art with your kids?
Walker Art Center First Free Saturday
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Activities are geared towards kids ages 6-12, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your littler ones! Free gallery admission for the whole family. Explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt and get hands-on with art activities. June 3, 2023, 10am-3pm.
Bowled over by fun?
Kids Bowl Free at Bowlero Spring Kids Fest
12200 Singletree Ln, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
61 Little Canada Rd W, St Paul, MN 55117
11129 162nd St W, Lakeville, MN 55044
7545 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
7941 Southtown Dr, Bloomington, MN 55431
Join Bowlero on June 4 for a day of family fun on the lanes. Includes one hour of free bowling/shoe rentals for children under 18 years old, a discounted adult rate and other specials. PLEASE SEE INDIVIDUAL BOWLERO LOCATIONS FOR DATES, TIMES & DETAILS!
ALWAYS FREE OR LOW COST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES
First Free Sunday at Minnesota Children’s Museum
Free days are BACK at the museum and we’re super excited about it! Explore the exhibits, including the brand new Shipwreck Adventures admission-free the first Sunday of each month thanks to Securian Financial. Space may be limited – tickets available thru June 2, 4pm. June 4, 2023.
Always free to visit weekends:
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