Cool off at a local splash pad
Our guide to Twin Cities covers every colorful spot in the Metro!
Go on an ABC scavenger hunt
We LOVE scavenger hunts because they can be whipped up on the fly almost any time, any place. You might get some ideas from our big list of .
Play a round of miniature golf
Summer mini golf is a classic choice. Our favorite whimsical outdoor miniature golf course is in Minnetrista. Rained out? Head indoors to CAN CAN WONDERLAND MINI GOLF in St Paul. It will not disappoint! Find more Twin Cities mini golf courses HERE.
Shop fresh at a farmer’s market
Plan a meal together, then shop for fresh produce at one of these Twin Cities Farmer’s Markets. Free admission, plus many have fun little activities to interest kids.
Stroll across the Stone Arch Bridge
After your trip across the river, stop in at the St Anthony Falls Lock & Dam Visitor Center. FREE tours are offered daily at 11am & 2pm during the summer. Find more things to do in Minneapolis near the Stone Arch Bridge with kids.
Catch a free summer movie in the park
Enjoy a free flick at a local park (bring a blanket & picnic) or inside an air conditioned movie theater. Hit the link for our big list of summer movies, June-August.
Kids Bowl Free
Sign yours up so they can bowl free all summer long – 2 free games per day per kid at 30+ locations in Minnesota (shoe rental not included).
Take a day trip to Duluth
Summer is the perfect time for a visit to Duluth, Minnesota. Stroll around Canal Park, visit Park Point across the lift bridge, or drive a little farther to enjoy thewaterfalls along the North Shore of Lake Superior. If a trip toDuluthis a little too much for you this year, you can enjoyMinnehaha Falls or other waterfalls in theTwin Cities.
Sparky shows entertain at Como Zoo
The Como Harbor habitat for the famous Sparky the Sea Lion hosts shows year-round. Visit this summer – and bring along our Como Summer Checklist to make the most of it. PLUS –Groovin’ in the Garden will bring back summer outdoor concerts to Como. Another great picnic opportunity. Concerts are ongoing Wednesdays starting June 7, 2023, 6-8pm. FREE.
Take a spin on one of our local bike trails
Whether you decide to pedal throughMinneapolis(find trails here)or St. Paul(find trails here), we have miles of trails to explore. We take care to note the ones best for littler cyclers along for the ride.
Go back in time with one of Minnesota’s historical museums
- Take a ride at the MINNESOTA STREETCAR MUSEUM – an old fashioned streetcar ride along some of the Twin Cities’ loveliest lakes. Choose from trolleys in Minneapolis & Excelsior. Just $3/pp – all aboard!
- MILL CITY MUSEUM – Have you brought your kids yet? Tons of exhibits designed just for them and enough to entertain the tweens and teens. 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401.
Challenge yourself on a Ninja course
Here’s something I guarantee your tween will love: knowing they can beat you at the SCHAPER PARK CHALLENGE COURSE! (At least mine could; perhaps you’re more in shape?) Let’s hope the timer is working this summer. Located in Golden Valley.
“Chutes & Ladders” Park
Climb and slide your way around HYLAND LAKE PARK RESERVE PLAY AREA (aka Chutes and Ladders to the initiated). Be warned, it is quite possibly the largest playground in Minnesota!
Day trip to Wabasha, Minnesota
Take a day trip to the nearby NATIONAL EAGALE CENTER in Wabasha, Minnesota. Just 5 miles south is the whimsical Lark Toys – trust us, stop there, too. Plan your road trip stops with our ideas for .
Pick-your-own fresh berries
My kids love to harvest their own snacks. Grab a basket and pick-your-own fresh berries at one of these Twin Cities PYO Produce Farms. Strawberries, raspberries or blueberries – what’s your favorite?
Discover a new nature center
We have the details of at least 2 dozen including favorites like: LOWRY NATURE CENTER (Victoria) TAMARACK NATURE CENTER (White Bear Lake) and CARPENTER NATURE CENTER (Hastings). For all the down-to-earth details, jump over to our big list of TWIN CITIES-AREA NATURE CENTERS.
Explore Landmark Center
Lovely LANDMARK CENTER in St Paul and its hidden, kid-friendly (and free!) little museums: SCHUBERT CLUB MUSEUM & GALLERY OF WOOD ART. Make a day of it with St Paul’s CENTRAL LIBRARY right across the street.
Paddle the Mighty Mississippi
For the wee bit adventurous, rent a single or tandem kayak with your kids ($20-$40) and take to the water through the Mississippi River Paddle Share program. 6 locations on the river for all paddling abilities.
Safe Summer Nights
Be a guest of Safe Summer Nights in St Paul Parks. Barbecue and kids activities with St. Paul Police officers select Thursday evenings from 5-7pm. See schedule for park locations. FREE.
Splash at the Wabun Wading Pool
Got littles who aren’t quite ready for the big pool yet? Try a day at Wabun Picnic Area Wading Pool – splashy summer fun and a super cool playground next door. Find our complete list of free Minneapolis wading pools HERE.
Farm fun in the northern suburbs
Pick-your-own produce and visit the Joyer Adventure Farm Barnyard at Waldoch Farm Garden Center in Lino Lakes. The animals are out during Waldoch’s retail hours. New this year, you can purchase a ticket to the Adventure Farm to visit the animals and have access to the giant play area and other outdoor activities. Opens June 9, 2022. Thurs-Sun, 10am-5pm, $15/ticket.
Make it a beachy day
And discover a new favorite with this awesome list of . Pictured is the wide sandy stretch of BIG MARINE PARK RESERVE BEACH in Marine on St Croix.
A funky sculpture park
Find this quirky summer outing destination just outside Taylors Falls. FRANCONIA SCULPTURE PARK is free and interactive. If you’d prefer to stick closer to home, the MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN at the Walker Art Center is pretty cool, too – and Walker is FREE first Saturday of the month.
Hit the playground at French Regional Park
The play equipment at FRENCH REGIONAL PARK was brand new in 2018, retains the original concept of nets and ropes, and looks awesome. Go early in the morning to beat the crowd. Located in Plymouth.
We all scream for ice cream
Slurp up an ice cream cone (or roll, or malt, or float…) from a local scoop shop – we’ve listed our favorites in The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Twin Cities. Pictured is the perfect but so simple (and cheap) chocolate shake from Hastings Dairy Store. Just $1.50!
Play frisbee (or disc) golf
Our tweens and teens especially like this outing. There are many FREE disc golf courses scattered around the Twin Cities to try.
Day trip your way to Taylors Falls, Minnesota
The river town of Taylors Falls makes a perfect end-of-summer mini road trip. Explore beautiful INTERSTATE STATE PARK by foot or canoe, a quirky sculpture park, a thrilling alpine slide, a waterpark and lots more just one hour from the Twin Cities Metro.
Free living history programs
POND DAKOTA MISSION PARK in Bloomington hosts an open house each Saturday – a treasure tucked into an urban landscape. New living history themes each week. 1:30-4pm.
THE LANDING in Shakopee also occasionally offers free programming (we did a fun scavenger hunt last summer) at its re-created village. Check the Three Rivers Parks website to find upcoming events.
Spot some airplanes
Park your car and let the kids watch airplanes take off and land at the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport’s Aircraft Viewing Area.
Make it a pizza night down on the farm
Either call it a homemade, top-your-own pizza kind of night starting with this delicious white whole wheat pizza dough recipe. Or, if baking isn’t your thing, take a drive out to one of these scenic Twin Cities Pizza Farms and let someone else do the job for you.
Marketfest Wednesdays in Eagan
Wednesday nights in summer mean Market Fest at Eagan’s CENTRAL PARK. Live music, fresh produce, family activities and a splash pad run from 4-8pm.
Find a new fishing hole
Try fishing at FORT SNELLING STATE PARK near St Paul. Fishing gear is free to use and a license is not required in state parks. Or, consult our popular list of the best fishing holes in the Twin Cities for families.
So much for kids at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Horticulture is anything but dull at this beautiful mega-garden in Chaska. Here are 10 things kids will love, including hedge mazes, bee exhibits, hands-on activities and a nature playground. Adults/$15, kids FREE.
Free kids soccer camps
Sign your kids (ages 5-12) up for FREE soccer camps throughout the Twin thanks to the Sanneh Foundation. Pick a date and sign up early.
Pick a “green” nature playground
Our top pick from our big, green list of Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds is the amazing DISCOVERY HOLLOW NATURE PLAY AREA at TAMARACK NATURE CENTER, White Bear Lake. Climb, splash, build, and even garden!
Eat on the patio with the kids
We have ideas for the best summer dining with kids in the Twin Cities, patios included. Be sure to check our Kids Eat Free Guide first. Pictured: my happy kids at The Tiny Diner in Minneapolis.
Here comes the puppet wagon!
Attend a Puppet Wagon performance in a number of parks across the Twin Cities: Roseville, Woodbury, Shoreview & Eagan parks have all offered mobile puppet theaters. Bring a picnic and a blanket and spend the afternoon. Check our community entertainment calendar for dates.
Go birdwatching
Try in Minneapolis for a peaceful birdwatching hike. Joy has pulled together a checklist for those of us first-timers.
Take me out to the ballgame
Catch a St Paul Saints baseball game at CHS Field in downtown St Paul. Tickets start at just about $10 for a super family-friendly experience. Bonus summer fun: ride the Light Rail into downtown!
Universe in the Park
Hosted by Minnesota State Parks and the Three Rivers Park District, the stargazing program is out of this world! Select Friday & Saturday evenings, 8:30 pm. Free event, $7/vehicle permit.
Cafesjian’s Carousel Free Day
On the last Tuesday of Each Month Memorial Day-Labor Day, guests are invited for one of only a handful of chances to ride the beautiful antique Cafesjian’s Carousel FREE this year. 11am-4pm.
