Winter in the Twin Cities can get pretty cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside until spring arrives. There’s plenty of places to go and things to see and do around the Twin Cities, indoors and outdoors, for the entire family during the winter months. Here’s our list of the top 10 family friendly winter activities in the Twin cities.
1. Lil’ Explorer Thursdays | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Every Thursday until April, Como Zoo hosts a free program from 10am-12pm, perfect for kids 1-3 years old. Each week the program changes from meeting animals to story time to playing games to other fun activities. There are plenty of weeks left to find the perfect program for your family.
Credit: @fastfreddyferin
2. Ice Skating | Guidant John Rose MN Oval
At the Oval in Roseville you can ice skate indoors if it’s too cold or outdoors where you can take in the beauty of winter. Outdoor ice skating at the Oval, the largest outdoor refrigerated skating facility in the world, is typically open until the middle of March [depending on weather]. Indoor ice skating is open all year round. Prices for both skating rinks are $5.50 and skate rental is $4.
Credit: @artjadendesigns
3. Family Day | Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Bring the family to the museum to create art, go on artful adventures, meet local musicians, dancers, and storytellers, plus much more. The museum is free every day, including this special family day every second Sunday of the month. Also, this is the MIA’s 100th Birthday Year with something new and surprising every week.
Credit: @umnrec
4. Cross-Country Skiing
You don’t have to get out of the Twin Cities to find groomed and ungroomed cross-country skiing paths, they are closer than you think. You can ski and rent skis at University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course, rent skis and snow-shoes from Roseville Parks & Recreation with groomed ski trails at Langton Lake Park and Cedarholm Golf Course, or ungroomed trails at Reservoir Woods, or bring your own skis/snow-shoes to the beautiful Fort Snelling State Park.
Credit: @chel
5. Kids Events & Storytimes | Ramsey County Library – Roseville
The largest library in Ramsey County features some amazing family spaces to relax and get cozy on colder winter days. Grab a warm drink from Dunn Bros, located inside the library, before heading over to the large children’s room and Children’s Reading Garden. Find what special events and storytimes are taking place on their monthly calendar.
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6. Minnehaha Park | Minneapolis, MN
One of the prettiest spots in the Twin Cities, no matter the season, is Minnehaha Falls located in Minnehaha Park. Take your breathtaking photos of the falls from afar, the steps going down to the falls are closed during the winter. Next, venture out into the 193-acre park on its 9.91 miles of trails lined with oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry, and cottonwood trees.
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7. Raptors of Minnesota | The Raptor Center
Meet a variety of live raptors, learn what you can do to help protect the environment we share and tour The Raptor Center and the outdoor housing area, home of 32 education raptors, every Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-2pm. Openings available on a first-come, first-serve basis. $5.50 child/student and $8.00 adult.
Credit: @ericaellen12
8. Weekend Family Fun | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
See the beauty of the season with more than 1,100 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails within the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Every weekend is Weekend Family Fun at the arboretum, 12pm-4pm inside the Learning Center. Plant seeds, explore the greenhouse, and more seasonal activities. BONUS, the arboretum is free throughout the month of January.
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9. Family Fun Nights | Minnesota Timberwolves
Did you know that the Minnesota Timberwolves offer Family Fun Night tickets? Get your choice of four lower/upper level tickets, along with vouchers for ice cream treats or regular popcorns, and a postgame free throw opportunity on the court for each ticket holder. Family Fun Night upcoming games are listed on their website.
Credit: @tkdries22
10. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park | St. Paul, MN
What better way to get rid of your kids energy than jumping around on a room full of trampolines? Sky Zone offers programs for all ages starting with Toddler Time every Tuesday and Friday, 9:30am-11am, perfect for ages 5 and under. All Toddler Time activities are designed for children and only $4 per person. Open Jump is for all ages and includes access to the Main Court (free jump), the Foam Zone (freestyle jumping into foam), Ultimate Dodgeball, SkySlam, and more!
What do you like to do with your family during winter? What did we miss? We would like to hear from you! See what else is happening in the Twin Cities this winter on our calendar of events.