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:

Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day in 2024, a day traditionally marked to celebrate the beauty and purpose of trees. Several Arbor Day events are noted in our TWIN CITIES WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDE, most notably the Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration. Held at McRae Park, families can participate in tree-themed activities, take in live music and pick dinner from food trucks. April 26, 2024, 4-8 pm. FREE.

Here are a few more winners taking place this Saturday in other communities around the Twin Cities:

• Eden Prairie Arbor Day Walk & Green Fair
• Maple Grove Arbor Day Celebration
• Robbinsdale Arbor Day Celebration
• Savage Arbor Day Celebration

Try visiting a new state park or nature center!

Check out the links on our big list of Twin Cities nature & interpretive centers for details. All of these locations have outdoor trails to hike and fun indoor exhibits. 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. For more about these, find our list of the best Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds.

Free admission to Minnesota State Parks 

Did you know there are 9 Minnesota State Parks & State Recreation Areas within an hour’s drive of the center of Minneapolis-St Paul? This Saturday, the vehicle fee is waived in honor of Earth Day. Hit the link to explore – we’ve hit up all of them and recommend what not to miss in each with kids. 

Fort Snelling State Park

101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
Our family enjoys spending time in this park, the most urban in the state park system. It’s laid out below the city along the quiet Minnesota River and feels peacefully removed from the hustle. We mostly hike and bike the trails along the river and make a stop at the exhibits in the visitor center. There’s exciting HISTORIC FORT SNELLING atop the bluff to explore, too (separate admission fee applies). 

How about a May Day or Arbor Day scavenger hunt in the parks?

We’ve rounded up the best printable hunts across the Twin Cities to make the most of your park exploration.