June explodes with FREE family events that bring on summer! And, in order to better serve our readers, we’ve organized our usual roundup of activities by regions of the Twin Cities Metro. As always, if you don’t see a favorite event listed in YOUR hometown, please drop us a line and we’ll add it. Happy June savings from FFTC!
6/4: First Free Saturday @ Walker Art Center, Minneapolis • 10am-3pm • Details: Activities are geared towards kids ages 6-12, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your littler ones! Free gallery admission for the whole family.
6/4: Home Depot Kids Workshop @ TC Home Depot locations • 9am-noon • Details: The first Saturday of each month kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany children.
6/4: Waterfest @ Phalen Regional Park, St. Paul • 11am-4pm • Family highlights: Celebrate clean lakes and outdoor rec with family canoeing, fishing lessons, crafts, games, interactive exhibits and more.
6/4: Maker Fest @ George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th St, St. Paul • 1-4pm • Details: Local “makers” meet to showcase their crafts and allow you a chance to get hands-on too.
6/4-5: Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, Downtown St. Paul • Family highlights: The whole shebang, from outdoor artist performances to the exhibit and activities tent, is great for kids. Get tips for bringing the whole family at the link.
6/4-5: Grand Old Days, Grand Ave, St. Paul • Family highlights: Plenty of kids activities in the Family Fun District (for a fee), but no charge to enjoy the live music and parade.
6/15: Groovin’ in the Garden @ Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, also 6/29 • Details: FREE concerts, a climbing wall, bounce house, and lawn games for kids, and food available for purchase.
6/17-19: GermanFest Minnesota, @ Historic Schmidt Brewery, 900 7th St W, St. Paul • Family highlights: Kids can make FREE Father’s Day cards in the Art Tent on Fri (4-7pm) & Sat (10am-6pm) plus daily music and maypole dances.
6/17-19: Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Minneapolis • Family highlights: Take a stroll across the bridge to seek out the Family Activities Area with birdhouse-building, games, and a family photo opp.
6/19: Target Free 3rd Sunday @ Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul • 9am-5pm • Details: Explore the museum free, including the newest exhibit Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit thanks to the generosity of Target. Keep in mind that the museum is currently under renovation and many exhibits are currently closed.
ONGOING JUNE EVENTS – MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul • Daily, spring/summer hours 10am-4pm • suggested donation of $2/child & $3/adult, but all are welcome whether or not you choose to donate.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis • Daily, 11am-5pm.
Minneapolis Music & Movies in the Park, various parks (schedule here) • Mon-Sat, movies begin 15 min. past sunset
Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids @ Twin Cities Lakeshore Learning locations • Ongoing Saturdays, 11am-3pm
Saturday Live! @ George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul • Ongoing Saturdays, 11:15am • Details: Fresh entertainment each week including live music, puppetry, magicians and more.
Saturday Puppet Shows for Kids w/ In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre
@ Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis • Ongoing Saturdays, show at 10am with a make-and-take following for the first 100 kids.
Grimm Farmhouse Open House @ Grimm Farm Historic Site • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm
Free Family Fun Days @ Three Rivers Parks • Ongoing Sundays
Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis • Ongoing Sundays, Noon-5pm • Details: Explore the very kid-friendly Touch and Feel room and the wildlife dioramas free.
Let’s Sing music class @ Teeny Bee Boutique, St. Paul • Ongoing Tuesdays, 10:30-11:15am • Details: Aimed at kids ages 0-6 with singing, movement and rhythm.
Wee Wednesdays @ Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis • Ongoing Wednesdays, 10:30am – 1pm • Details: In the past, MGM has offered dance troupes, cooking lessons, and live animals to entertain kids. Park in the adjacent Midtown Exchange Ramp up to 1.5 hrs. free with validation.
Games Galore @ Union Depot, St Paul • Ongoing Wednesdays, 10am-8pm • Details: Play giant-sized versions of classic games including chess, checkers, Connect Four, Dominoes, Jenga, etc.
Twin Cities River Rats Ski Shows, 1758 N West River Rd, Minneapolis • Ongoing Thursdays, 6:30pm starting 6/9/16.
6/5: Rhubarb Fest @ New Brighton History Center Museum, 700 Park Dr, New Brighton • 1-4pm
6/12: Family Art Sunday @ Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, Fridley • 1-3pm • Details: Drop in for art projects, a scavenger hunt, snack, and occasional special entertainment.
6/9-12: Spring Lake Park Tower Days, Spring Lake Park • Family highlights: Festival at Lakeside Lions Park (6/12, 10am-dusk) features interactive lumberjack shows, a visit from the Ghostbusters of MN, and other kids activities.
6/16: Entertainment in the Park @ Hilde Performance Center, Plymouth • Details: FREE open-air concert, 50’s car show, food trucks and a movie at dusk. More to come in July & August.
6/16-18: Tater Daze Festival, Brooklyn Park • Family highlights: Parade (6/16), free root beer float social, live music and a movie in the park (6/17).
6/17: Night at the Movies, Townsend Park, New Brighton.
6/22-26: Columbia Heights Lions Jamboree, @ Huset Park, 3965 Jefferson St NE, Columbia Heights • Family highlights: Jamboree Parade (6/24) and FREE activities in the park including rock climbing, an obstacle course, and an art class (6/25).
6/23-25: Earle Brown Days Festival, Brooklyn Center • Family highlights: A full Saturday (6/25) of fun in Centennial Park with a petting zoo, crafts, family games, horse-drawn wagon rides, ice cream and more.
ONGOING JUNE EVENTS – NORTHWEST TWIN CITIES METRO
Pierre Bottineau House Open House @ Historic Pierre Bottineau House, Maple Grove • Ongoing Saturdays starting 6/4, 1-4pm.
Summer Concert Series @ Coon Rapids Regional Park performance pavilion, ongoing Thursdays starting 6/9.
Sounds of Summer @ Town Green Maple Grove, 7991 Main St N, includes Celebrate the Family, ongoing Thursdays starting 6/16 and Movies by Moonlight to come in July & August.
6/9-12: Hugo Good Neighbor Days, Hugo • Family highlights: Parade and fireworks (6/11).
6/10-12: Wannigan Days, Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls • Family highlights: Kids parade through Taylors Falls (6/10, 6pm).
6/16: Roseville Puppet Wagon Preview Party @ Kinderberry Hill, Roseville • 6:30pm.
6/16-7/4: Manitou Days, White Bear Lake • Family highlights: Movie on the beach (6/18), sandcastle contest (6/20), Family fun night (6/24), free pontoon rides (6/27).
6/23: Music in the Parks Summer Concert Series @ Hause Park, North St. Paul.
6/23-25: Oakdale Summerfest, @ Walton Park, 15th St & Hadley Ave, Oakdale.
6/23-27: Rosefest, Roseville • Family highlights: Skate for FREE at the Roseville Skating Center or hit up Family Fest at Central Park (6/24), roast smores around the campfire at Harriet Alexander Nature Center (6/25) and get up in some big rigs on 6/26. Annual Rose Parade is held 6/27.
6/25: Midsommar Dag @ Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia • Family highlights: Tour the historic buildings FREE, complemented by kids “Immigrant for a Day” activities plus Swedish music and dance.
ONGOING JUNE EVENTS – NORTHEAST TWIN CITIES METRO
Drop-in Discoveries @ Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake • 10am-12 • Ongoing Saturdays starting 6/4 (not held 6/18).
Live @ The Rog! Performance Series @ Frank Rog Amphitheather, Roseville • Ongoing Sundays starting 6/12.
Shoreview Puppet Wagon @ Shoreview parks • Ongoing Mondays starting 6/20.
Roseville Puppet Wagon @ Roseville parks • Ongoing Tues-Thurs starting 6/21, plus kickoff party 6/16 @ Roseville Kinderberry Hill, 6:30pm.
Concerts in the Commons @ Shoreview Commons at Shoreview Community Center • Ongoing Wednesdays starting 6/15, 7pm.
6/2-10: I Love Burnsville Week • Family highlights: New sculpture/water feature unveiling in Nicollet Commons Park (6/2, 5:30-9pm) with live music & free apps, Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour & Rockin’ Readers for kids kicks off 6/9, and Friday Fest is held 6/10, 6:30-10pm, a free movie at dusk.
6/3: Forever Wild Family Friday: @ Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan • 7-8:30pm.
6/4: Springtime & Rhubarb Festival @ Le Duc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St, Hastings • Family highlights: Tour the historic house, grub on some rhubarb, visit the chicken coop and more.
6/7: Free Tuesday @ Washington County Parks • find a listing of parks here • Details: Explore Washington County Parks with no vehicle permit required the first Tuesday of the month (non-holiday).
6/11: Lakefest 2016 @ Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Rd, Eagan • 10am-2pm • Family highlights: nature art projects, kids science experiments, no fishing license required to fish; equipment provided.
6/14-18: Farmington Dew Days, Farmington • Family highlights: Tour the Dakota City Heritage Village on Friends & Family Fun Day (6/17, 10am-noon, $5/pp).
6/16-21: Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest, @ Kingston Park, 9195 75th Street S, Cottage Grove • Family highlights: Free kids tractor pedal pull (6/16), free petting farm (6/18, 1-5pm), self-guided StoryWalk through the festival, and $3 tethered hot air balloon rides.
6/18: Starlight Cinema Outdoor Movie Series: Alexander and the…Very Bad Day @ Ojibway Park, Woodbury • pre-show activities begin at 7pm, movie starts at dusk.
6/24-26: Kaposia Days, South St. Paul • Family highlights: Try your hand at kids carnival games at Central Square (6/25, 10:30am-2:30pm), FREE kites to fly 6/26.
6/25-26: Eagan Art Festival, Eagan Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan • Family highlights: Art activity tents sponsored by the Eagan Art House.
6/27-7/4: Apple Valley Freedom Days, Apple Valley.
ONGOING JUNE EVENTS – SOUTHEAST TWIN CITIES METRO
Eagan Puppet Wagon @ Eagan parks, ongoing Mon-Fri starting 6/11. Bring a blanket for the shows, then stay after for art projects and interactive activities.
Woodbury Puppet Wagon @ Woodbury parks, ongoing Mon-Thurs starting 6/13. Plus, Puppet Wagon Preview Party at Kinderberry Hill, 6/8, with shows, crafts and popsicles. All activities are FREE.
Caponi Art Park
Family Fun Tuesdays @ Caponi Art Park, Eagan • Ongoing Tuesdays in June-August 30, 2016, 10am.
Eagan Market Fest, Eagan Central Park Festival Grounds • Ongoing Wednesdays, 4-8pm starting 6/1. FREE family fun: The grounds buzz with weekly concerts and themed nights including one devoted solely to families (Kidsdance DJs, free inflatables, lawn games and craft projects galore). Get the full lineup of entertainment here.
Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour Concerts & Thursday Rockin’ Readers @ Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville • Ongoing Thursdays, concerts begin 6/9 at noon, read-alouds begin 6/16, 11:15am.
Friday Night Flicks on the Bricks @ Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville • Ongoing Fridays, movies begin at dusk.
Music in Kelley Park, Apple Valley • Ongoing Fridays starting 6/3 with FREE music 6-9pm, food available for purchase, prizes and a splash pad for the kids to cool off in.
6/3: Friday Family Movie Night: @ Edinborough Park, Edina • 6:30pm.
6/3-5: Edina Art Fair @ 50th & France • Family highlights: Live music and a Kids Zone filled with art activities, inflatables and a shady place to rest.
6/4: Nature Rocks! Open House @ Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, Eden Prairie • 9am-noon • Details: The first Saturday of each month enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more!
6/11-12: Art on the Lake, Excelsior • Family highlights: Get creative in the Kids Art Tent and treat the whole family to a discounted cruise on the Steamboat Minnehaha ($5/pp).
6/14: Kids Entertainment Series @ Fireman’s Park, Chaska • 10:30am (also 6/28).
6/16-19: St. Louis Park Parktacular, St. Louis Park • Family highlights: Both the Grand Day Parade (noon-2pm) and Kidtacular Family & Kids Activities (2-6pm) are 6/18. Activities are free or low cost.
6/17: Itty Bitty Beach Party @ Round Lake Park, Eden Prairie • Ongoing Fridays through 7/29, 10am
6/17-18: Theater in the Park: The Wizard of Oz @ Minnetonka Civic Center Amphitheater, Fri 10:30am & 7pm, Sat 10:30am & 4pm.
6/17-19: Eden Prairie Park Players Presents: Seussical @ Staring Lake Amphitheater, Eden Prairie • 7pm (also 6/23-26).
6/25: Summer Fest 2016 @ Minnetonka Civic Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd • 4-10:30pm • Family highlights: All activities are FREE (excluding food): pony rides, petting zoo, kids races, games, fire department open house, music, fireworks and more.
6/28: KidStock @ Staring Lake Amphitheatre, Eden Prairie • Ongoing Tuesdays through 7/26, 10:30am
6/30: Ice Cream Social & KidsDance @ Fireman’s Park, Chaska.
ONGOING JUNE EVENTS – SOUTHWEST TWIN CITIES METRO
Centennial Lakes Park is a haven for FREE summer entertainment! Events are held daily Sun-Thurs and include family-friendly concerts at the outdoor amphitheater starting 6/1, Movies in the Park ongoing Thursday evenings starting 6/2, the Farmers Market ongoing Thursdays starting 6/16 and the Edina Model Yacht Club races on select Thursdays starting 6/4.
Free Family Flicks: @ Theatres at Mall of America • Ongoing Saturdays, 10am.
Grimm Farmhouse Open House @ Grimm Farm Historic Site, Victoria • Ongoing Saturdays, 1-4pm
Moonlight Movies @ Red Haddox Field, Bloomington • Ongoing Saturdays starting 6/17 (plus opening night movie 6/10).
Monday Morning Kids Series @ Moir Park, Bloomington • Ongoing Mondays starting 6/13, 10:30.
MOA Toddler Tuesdays, Mall of America Rotunda • Ongoing Tuesdays, 10am – noon • Details: Live entertainment and activities guaranteed to excite the stroller set. View upcoming event details here.
Kids Entertainment Series @ Augsburg Park, Richfield • Ongoing Tuesdays through 8/16, 12-1pm.
Children’s Entertainment @ Edinborough Park Amphitheater, Edina • Ongoing Thursdays, noon.
Itty Bitty Beach Party @ Round Lake Park, Eden Prairie • Ongoing Fridays starting 6/16-7/29, 10am.
Drop-in Playtime @ Amma Parenting Center, Edina • Ongoing Fridays, 11:45am-12:45pm • Details: Drop-in play for newborns through walking age.
TWIN CITIES JUNE FAMILY FESTIVALS – FREE ADMISSION
TWIN CITIES JUNE FARMERS MARKETS FAMILY ACTIVITIES
TWIN CITIES BEACHES, POOLS, WATER PARKS & SPLASH PADS – many with FREE ADMISSION
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