FREE Summer Family Fun Ideas in the Twin Cities! (2024)

FREE Family Twin Cities Fun Ideas!

We found the best 12 free activities in the Twin Cities for families!

It feels like summer! With so many sunny summer days ahead, it makes sense for parents to wonder about the best free things they can do in the Twin Cities with their kids. When the school bell rings for the last time this year, fill your summer bucket list with these exciting, kid-friendly places and activities. Spend warm days lounging on the beach, watching movies in the park, or exploring a nearby nature center. On rainy days (or when you need to beat the heat), head inside to one of the many free museums in the area. Indeed, from Minneapolis and Saint Paul to the greater Twin Cities metro area, there are many fantastic free things to do with kids of all ages. Please keep reading to discover 12 of our favorite FREE summer things to do in the Twin Cities with kids!

1. See the Animals at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Nestled in the heart of Saint Paul, is a summer must for families! It is also the oldest zoo in Minnesota, opening its doors for the first time in 1897. Here, families can enjoy several indoor and outdoor exhibits and other amenities throughout the park.

Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the many outdoor exhibits and attractions. You’ll encounter beautiful creatures like zebras, polar bears, orangutans, and giraffes along the route! When you’re ready to head inside, keep your eyes peeled for tropical frogs, a sloth, and small reptiles, not to mention beautiful indoor gardens. The tropical gardens are the perfect escape from rainy days! If you have more time, consider adding one of the other on-site attractions, like Como Town (a small amusem*nt park) or the historic Cafesjian’s Carousel (both an additional expense). Alternatively, the large park and playground across the street are perfect for a quick picnic or to burn any extra energy kids may have. Although Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is one of the best free things to do in Saint Paul with kids, donations are appreciated to help care for the animals and facilities.

2. Explore Minnehaha Regional Park (Minnehaha Falls)

Are you looking for a place that will impress kids of all ages this summer? Pack a picnic and head to Minnehaha Regional Park. This park is home to one of the best natural wonders in Minneapolis: Minnehaha Falls! This towering urban waterfall is 53 feet tall. And it’s just off the parking lot, making it easy for kids to reach it.

After viewing the falls from above, take the stairs down to view them from below, too. This is a great spot to take pictures! Nearby, you will also find trails meandering along the river. Back at the top of the falls are several green spaces and picnic tables to set up a family picnic. Alternatively, Sea Salt Eatery is a great spot for lunch with views of the falls from the patio (though they do not have a kids’ menu). After lunch, enjoy the rest of the day playing at the playground, wandering the rose garden, or splashing in the wading pool. Several trails for walking and biking are available nearby, too. Finally, check the city calendar; the Minnehaha Bandstand often hosts live music and movies in the park.

Even though this is one of the best free things to do in the Twin Cities with kids, you may need to pay for parking. Several paid parking spaces and lots are located near the park, and some free street parking is also available.

3. Get Inspired at the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Free things to do in Minneapolis with kids aren’t restricted to outdoor spaces and parks; several museums in the city are also free for all ages! If you are looking for a rainy day (or an “it’s too hot today”) activity, add the Minneapolis Institute of Art to your agenda. One of the oldest museums in the United States, its collection boasts over 90,000 pieces! Plus, it offers several diverse exhibits and activities suitable for all ages.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art offers numerous long-term and visiting exhibits. The collection features everything from traditional Native American and Latin art to American Gothic pieces. Take your time exploring each room. Along the way, encourage kids to select and discuss their favorite works together. Then, when your kids need a break from viewing art pieces, check out the Family Center for a little free play. The Minneapolis Institute of Art also hosts many family-friendly free events throughout the year, including a dedicated Family Day. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum has hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demonstrations, gallery hunts, self-guided tours, and more for all ages.

Are you looking for more family-friendly museum ideas? Read about our top picks for the 13 Best Museums in the Twin Cities for Kids (Babies to Teens) – many are free or host free admission days throughout the month.

4. Explore Our Many Nature Centers

Exploring nature centers together ranks highly amongst the best free things to do in the Twin Cities with kids! These natural havens offer everything from beautiful hiking trails and outdoor spaces to fun playgrounds, indoor interpretive centers, enriching educational activities, and more. Luckily for us, there are so many great options to choose from!

In White Bear Lake, Tamarack Nature Center is a leading choice amongst Minnesota families. Parents drive near and far to play together at the Discovery Hollow Play Area. When you’re done exploring the many on-site trails, head inside the nature building, where you can see several small creatures like turtles and honeybees. Meanwhile, families also love Dodge Nature Center for its working farm, raptor mews, and bee apiary. Located in West St. Paul, this nature center offers trails through several habitats, including prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. Finally, Wood Lake Nature Center is a hidden gem nestled along 35W in Richfield. This nature center boasts several wildlife viewing areas, a boardwalk trail beloved for birding, a natural playground, and much more. No matter which ones you choose, nature centers offer some of the best free things to do as a family in the Twin Cities this summer!

Find all our favorite nature centers in the Twin Cities by reading 8 Best Nature Centers in the Twin Cities for Families – Fun in all Seasons!

5. Meander the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center

Few things are more iconic to Minneapolis than the Spoon and Cherry installation at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! Fortunately, the entrance to this beautiful sculpture garden is also free all year round, making it a great place to inspire creativity and whimsy in your kids.

When you arrive, grab one of the self-guided tour sheets. This guide will map out all the on-site sculptures. Encourage your kids to use it as a checklist to ensure your family doesn’t miss anything! Depending on where you park, the Spoon and Cherry will likely be the first sculpture you see! Before moving along, be sure to snap a quick family photo! Then, challenge your kids to find their favorite statues scattered across the garden. From the colossal blue rooster to the wind chime tree and the hare leaping over the bell, they have many whimsical ones to choose from! Finally, as one of the best free things to do in Minneapolis with kids, you can pop into the sculpture garden to enjoy the warm summer weather all season long!

Pro Tip: Kids 18 and under are always free at the nearby Walker Art Center, just across the street from the sculpture garden. Admission is free on Thursday nights and the first Saturday of every month. Finally, there is also an admission discount for EBT cardholders.

6. Walk & Play at a Minneapolis Lake

Few things epitomize Minnesotan culture, quite like basking in the warmth of a leisurely summer day by the lake. Fortunately, you needn’t venture far to experience some of Minnesota’s best lakes. In Minneapolis, several urban lakes beckon families to relax and explore along their shores. These lakes offer some of the best free things to do with kids in the Twin Cities, from playgrounds to walking paths!

Are you wondering which Minneapolis lake to explore first? Here are a few of our favorites for families with kids of all ages. Firstly, Lake Harriet, located in southwest Minneapolis, is surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods and lush green spaces. Beloved for its massive bandshell, Lake Harriet also boasts an enormous playground, two beaches, a fishing pier, and a 2.8-mile loop walking path around the lake. While you stroll together, challenge kids to find the tiny elf house! Then, Lake Nokomis provides picturesque scenery alongside several family-friendly amenities, including two sandy beaches. Lake Nokomis also has two fishing piers, a playground, sports fields, and a 2.5-mile walking path around the lake. Finally, Lake Bde Maka Ska is the best-known lake in Minneapolis – and for good reason! You will find three beaches, two playgrounds, a fishing pier, sports fields, and a 3.2-mile loop walking/biking trail around the lake.

7. Splash About at Bush Lake Beach

Want to do more than look at the lake? Let’s jump into one of the best beaches in the Twin Cities! Beaches provide a great escape from the heat, allowing families to splash about and make great summer memories together. In addition to the beaches listed above, Bloomington’s Bush Lake Beach is one of the best free summer things to do in the Twin Cities!

In Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve, Bush Lake Beach is a great spot for a summer outing with kids – especially on hot sunny days! The beach is open from early June to Labor Day Weekend, and admission and parking are always free. A small playground and a sand volleyball court are nearby when you need a break from swimming and splashing. Plus, there is a small concession area near the beach. Restrooms and drinking fountains are also available. Swim diapers are required for children who are not potty trained. Finally, please note that there are no lifeguards on duty here.

Pro Tip: Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve also features a few more free activities for families in the Twin Cities, including Hyland Play Area (or the “chutes and ladders park”), walking and biking trails, a disc golf course, and more.

8. Play Together at Madison’s Place Playground + Splash Pad

Playgrounds are always a great idea, especially when searching for free things to do with kids in the Twin Cities! Madison’s Place Playground in Woodbury is one of our favorite playgrounds in the Twin Cities. In addition to being a phenomenal place to play together, Madison’s Place Playground is also one of the top inclusive and accessible playgrounds in Minnesota. Kids and adults alike will be impressed by the fantastic features and epic play spaces!

When you’re ready to play, Madison’s Place Playground includes many captivating play areas (including wheelchair-accessible play equipment), from swings and slides to merry-go-rounds. Kids can also enjoy the playground by zipping, hanging, swinging, and sliding to their heart’s content. Plus, kids of all abilities, skills, and strengths can navigate the playground thanks to a series of ramps and decks. Meanwhile, hot summer days are best spent at the nearby splash pad, divided into sections for big and little kids. The splash pad features dump buckets, spray nozzles, and more watery fun throughout the area, sure to delight your kids! Finally, the playground also offers plenty of shaded areas and benches. Pack a picnic to make it a full day! Ample, free parking is available. The indoor bathrooms include changing areas and attached water fountains.

9. FREE Family Twin Cities Fun: Enjoy a Movie in the Park Together

Take your kids to a movie in the park to put a new spin on the classic family movie night. Several cities around the Twin Cities metro area offer movies in the park, including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Oakdale, Bloomington, Columbia Heights, Roseville, Stillwater, Burnsville, and more. Check the movie schedules beforehand, as only some features are kid-friendly.

Families adore the summer tradition of packing up their kids (and favorite treats!) and bringing them to a movie in the park! Not only can you enjoy a beautiful night outside together, but watching movies in the park adds a fun twist to cinematic entertainment for all ages! Additionally, these film experiences often foster a sense of community, as neighbors can gather to share in the collective experience. The relaxed atmosphere also allows children to roam a bit and socialize freely while enjoying a new film or an old favorite.

10. Inspire a Sense of Wonder at Franconia Sculpture Garden

Are you up for a little trek? Embark on a fun adventure with your kids filled with whimsy and wonder at Franconia Sculpture Park. This unique outdoor museum is located in Shafer, Minnesota, just 45 minutes from Minneapolis. And it’s open every day of the year!

The park spans 50 acres and features contemporary sculptures set against a scenic backdrop. Some installations even encourage kids to interact, ensuring a touch-friendly experience (while some other structures are also marked “no touch”). Children can run and get inspired throughout the grounds, while parents enjoy spending the day with kids in a creative and beautiful environment! After exploring the outdoor installations, take advantage of the indoor gallery and gift shop. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best free things to do with kids near the Twin Cities this summer!

11. Tour the Minnesota State Capitol

Did you know that the Minnesota State Capitol, the seat of our state’s government, is also one of the best free things to do in Saint Paul with kids? You will be excited to learn that it is! Free guided tours are offered several times a day, Monday through Saturday. Tours leave at the top of the hour and are 45 minutes long. These tours are an excellent way to learn about the building’s incredible architecture, art, and history – with impactful stories shared along the way. In addition, self-guided tours are also an option (you can find the suggested itinerary here).

Kids will be captivated by the Minnesota State Capitol’s towering height and the beautiful golden statues that adorn the top. Inside, you will be greeted by a grand staircase leading to historic legislative chambers and numerous art installations. As if that weren’t enough to impress kids of all ages, the world’s second-largest self-supported marble dome is also inside! Overseen by the Minnesota Historical Society, the free guided tours cover topics of history, art and architecture, and Minnesota state government. Weather permitting, the tour also includes a walk to the Quadriga (those golden horses you saw on top of the building) on the roof! Parking information can be found here.

12. Check Out the Museums at the Landmark Center

When looking for free things to do in Saint Paul with kids, take advantage of the historic Landmark Center downtown! In addition to admiring its enchanting architecture (the building opened in 1902), there are several free museums inside, too. The Landmark Center has eight museums and exhibits (each has its own hours, so plan accordingly).

Firstly, on the lower level, a cozy exhibit highlights the early years of the Landmark Center as the area’s first post office. Then, families adore the Schubert Club Music Museum. It’s also one of our top picks for must-visit Twin Cities museums with kids. It offers several kid-friendly galleries dedicated to hearing and playing instruments from around the world (either hands-on or through innovative technology!). Families may also be interested in the Landmark Gallery, the Uncle Sam Worked Here exhibit, the Gallery of Wood Art, and the Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans In Minnesota. Finally, parking information can be found here.

Have Fun Exploring the Twin Cities with Your Kids this Summer!

We hope this list helps you find a few new fun and FREE things to do with your kids this summer in the Twin Cities. Whether you want to enjoy fun in the sun or beat the heat and head inside, this list has something for every family. Have fun exploring the many free activities in the Twin Cities for families!

Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram@knead.to.roamand on herwebsite. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.

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