Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekenD!
This January Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of January 7-8, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here.
Start off the new year right with a mix of fun indoor, and outdoor activities to choose from. What we appreciate after the holidays have wrapped is frugal entertainment. Most of our ideas for this weekend’s list of things to do in the Twin Cities are FREE or $5/pp and under to attend. For more ideas, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN 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.
Winter Festivals this weekend in the twin cities
Ice Castles
The magical Ice Castles will be held in New Brighton again this year. Once inside, explore the ice palaces for as long as you’d like! Read our review of Ice Castles here. Weekend admission, $16-$22/pp. January 7-8, 2023.
EDEn PRAIRIE WINTER BLAST
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347
Sledding, ice skating (BYO skates), crafts, outdoor games, and a bonfire. January 7, 2023, 2-4:30pm, FREE admission.
EDINA WINTER ICE FESTIVAL
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Trolley rides, face painting, and skating for families – rent skates or bring your own. The pretty frozen interconnected canals and ponds are one of our favorite winter skating spots in the Twin Cities. January 8, 2023, 1-5pm, FREE.
For more frosty festival fun jump over to our TWIN CITIES WINTER FESTIVAL family calendar.
Fun OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES in the 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
The snow is here to stay — at least for the next few months (or so…). What better way to enjoy than hitting up one of 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. Several free ice skating rinks across the Twin Cities are flooded and ready to go, too. Or try one of these pretty, refrigerated outdoor ice skating rinks:
- MAPLE GROVE CENTRAL PARK ICE SKATING LOOP (free ice skating, rentals available for $7.50)
- ROSEVILLE OVAL ($8/pp, rentals $5)
- MINNETONKA – DICKS HOUSE OF SPORT ICE RINK (open skate slots $8)
- WOODBURY HEALTH EAST SPORTS CENTER ice rink (free skating)
Please make sure to double check operating hours before heading out!
Featured Twin Cities Park Events this weekend
FAMILY NATURE EXPLORATION SATURDAYS
Sunfish Lake Park & Sally Manzara Nature Center, 3554 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
No registration is needed, just show up to explore nature. January 7, 2022, 10-11am. $5 donation requested per family.
FAMILY ICE FISHING
Lake Rebecca, 415 Lock & Dam Road, Hastings, MN
Learn to ice fish with Park & Rec staff with all equipment provided free. Please register. January 7, 2023, 10-11am.
Introduction to Ice Fishing
Bush Lake Beach, 9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
This activity is presented as part of Bloomington’s annual Winter Fete. Register in advance, all equipment provided. January 8, 2023, 12-2pm. $10/pp.
January Free Family Fun Days with Three Rivers Parks
Three Rivers Parks locations
Drop in for free nature programs at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK & RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. New themes each week. January 8, 2023, drop in between 1-4pm (see link for schedule). FREE admission.
PUPPET ADVENTURES & LET’S GET STARTED
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Take in a puppet show followded by make-and-take nature-inspired art. January 8, 2023, 1-3pm.
more ideas for things to do this weekend in the twin cities with kids
Cozy indoor activities
Walker Art Center First Free Saturday
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 the Walker attempts to make it a more inclusive experience during First Free Saturdays. The museum buzzes with art-making workshops, family films, scavenger hunts in the galleries and live performances that stretch young attention spans and might spark conversation about the art. Free gallery admission for the whole family. January 7, 2023, 10am-3pm.
Arm yourself for winter with kids!
Many families feel more comfortable with a little extra armor during the Minnesota winters. We’ve beefed up our annual ULTIMATE WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE to help make the most of the season whether you want to get out and play or stay in and be cozy.
Always free to visit weekends
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- 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.
