Twin Cities GUIDE TO FAMILY ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND: February 4-5, 2023
Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of February 4-5, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here.
There’s another classic winter weekend in the forecast, Twin Cities. These are just the sort that makes our family want to layer and up head outdoors! Last weekend we hit both the snow and ice sculptures at the ST PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL. We also managed to fit in a little casual puck-passing on one of our favorite free neighborhood ICE SKATING RINKS
The “crowning” glory of our weekend was a trip to the MINNESOTA ICE MAZE. It glitters, it glows, it twists and turns. There’s a fun themed scavenger hunt for all ages embedded into the shimmery blocks of ice. We all finished off our visit with several thrilling trips down the palace’s icy slide! You’ll want to reserve your weekend tickets several days in advance – they go quick!
What are your classic winter favorites? This weekend we have suggestions for outdoor activities, but also a mix of things to do this weekend indoors. There’s lots to choose from! For more ideas, hop over to our FEBRUARY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Winter festivals this weekend in the twin cities
Rounded up for you here are the best of the Twin Cities’ weekend winter festivals – ways to get out and play in the elements with your family! For more frosty festival fun jump over to our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar.
ALL WEEKEND, FEB 4-5: St Paul Winter Carnival Events
WINTER CARNIVAL ICE SCULPTURES – Visit the magical sculptures throughout the run of the Winter Carnival in Rice Park (or while Mother Nature permits). FREE admission.
WINTER CARNIVAL SNOW SCULPTURE PARK – Visitors are invited to come out to Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds to see the finished sculptures throughout the run of the festival. Our kids love navigating the mini snow maze. Snow Park is located in the Kidway area of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
WINTER CARNIVAL KIDS & FAMILY DAY – Feb 4 at Landmark Center. Free cultural activities and crafts from 11am-5pm.
See our Top Family Activities for this winter festival extravaganza, including family days, the favorite Vulcan Snow Park and traditional parades.
2023 Art Shanty Projects
4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Not only are these unique ice houses designed by local artists, they are strongly encouraged to be interactive and fun! Great for families with kids. A bit of a twist this year – instead of “on ice”, the festival takes place along the lakefront, in Bandshell Park, and in the park picnic grounds. February 4-5, 2023, 10am-4pm. FREE admission.
Twin CIties Community Winter Festivals
This weekend is PRIME for classic winter festivals in all four corners of the Twin Cities Metro. They bring it all: your ice skating, your kicksledding, the bonfire and hot cocoa when your toes go numb, probably a winter scavenger hunt or two and most definitely at least one fireworks display. These festivals are FREE and, with one noted exception, these taking place SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4:
Anoka Winterfest
George Enloe Park, 631 Lund Blvd, Anoka MN
New this year, a traveling petting zoo in addition to the traditional sledding, kicksledding & snowshoeing. 11am-2pm.
Apple Valley Mid-Winter Fest
Johnny Cake Ridge Park West, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN
Plus unique-sounding events like frozen kite flying and cart train rides. And a warming bus! 3-7:30pm.
Chanhassen Febuary Fest (Feb Fest)
Lake Ann Park, 1456 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317
The 30th anniversary festival includes the traditional ice fishing contest, wagon rides and bonfires among other winter outdoor activities. 12-3pm.
Columbia Heights SnowBLAST 2023
Huset Park, 40TH Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Lots of free activities: mini pony rides, free popcorn & smores and hot beverages. Plus, traditional winter activities like skating and sledding. 4-7pm.
Crystal Winterlude
Valley Place Park, 6822 32nd Ave N, Crystal, MN 55427
Ice bocce, anyone? And a sledding contest, kicksledding and kits to build snow people? 10am-1pm.
Maple Grove Wonders of Winter
Maple Grove Central Park, 2000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369
We have no idea what “Crokicurl” is, but it’s happening at the festival along with skating on the loop in Central Park and horse-drawn wagon rides. 1-4pm.
Minneapolis Fire & Ice at Luxton Park
Luxton Park, 112 SE Williams Avenue, Minneapolis MN
A huge bonfire awaits at the festival. 6-8pm.
Pond Dakota Winter History Fest
Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Play outdoor winter frontier games, explore the park on a guided snowshoe hike, tour the historic Pond House and warm up by the campfire. Drop in from 10am-2pm.
SUNDAY! Minnetonka Kids Fest
Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins
Free stuff to do: dog sled rides, horse-drawn trolley rides, face painting, ice sculptures, crafts and more. February 5, 2023, 11am-2:30pm.
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 the parks.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND:
Have we reached winter’s halfway point yet? Since we have another couple months of cold weather to go, we’re still big time plugging these sledding hills (free!) or snow tubing hills (not free). Most of the sledding hills on our huge list are located within city public parks. Free ice skating rinks across the Twin Cities are flooded and ready to go, too. Try one of these outdoor ice skating rinks with a pretty backdrop:
- CENTENNIAL LAKES PARK (EDINA)
- MAPLE GROVE CENTRAL PARK ICE SKATING LOOP (free ice skating, rentals available for $7)
- ROSEVILLE OVAL ($8/pp, rentals $5)
Please make sure to double check operating hours before heading out!
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Ramsey County Winter Recreation Sampler
Lake McCarrons County Park, 1795 North Rice Street, Roseville, MN 55113
Free winter fun for all ages! Try out kick-sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding and more. February 4-5, 2023. 12-4pm.
FEBRUARY FREE FAMILY FUN DAYS WITH THREE RIVERS PARKS
Three Rivers Parks locations
Drop in for free nature programs at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER, MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK & RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. New themes each week. February 5, 2023, drop in between 1-4pm (see link for schedule). FREE admission.
Eden Prairie Snowtime Saturdays
Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
On Snowtime Saturdays families can try out activities like ice fishing, snowshoeing, kick-sledding and cross-country skiing. Must register in advance, February 4, 2023, 10am-1pm. $12/family.
Polar Party at Lowry Nature Center
Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve, 7025 Victoria Dr, Victoria, MN 55386
Celebrate winter at the park with snowshoeing, kicksledding, mini golf and bowling on ice. There’s a medallion hunt, too! Registration required. February 4, 2023, 1-4pm. $7/pp.
more ideas for things to do this weekend in the twin cities with kids
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.
Cozy Indoor Activities
Walker ARt Center First Free Saturday
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 See the new gallery exhibit, borrow snowshoes for a walk around the sculpture garden, make art cozily indoors and watch a kid-friendly short film. Free admission for the whole family. February 4, 2023, 10am-3pm.Saturday Vibe! at Central Library
George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102 The Roe Family Singers are performing at the downtown library this weekend (while the Winter Carnival delights right outside the doors). February 4, 2023, 11am-noon. FREE.Explore our Indoor Playgrounds Guide
It’s packed full of indoor playgrounds & play areas across the Twin Cities where your littles can work their wiggles out all winter long!
more free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
Always free to visit weekends:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Weisman Art Museum
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
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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