Saturday · north
Sochacki Serendipity Hike - Winter
Free, 9:30 to 11 am. Join a naturalist to see how this suburban pocket park is adapting for winter.
Twin Cities families · November 6 to 8, 2026
37 free or cheap family outings across the Twin Cities, sorted by area so you can stay close to home. Forecast: Saturday 51° with a 10% chance of rain; Sunday 52° with a 20% chance of rain.
Short version
Three free picks in different corners of the metro. Everything else is below, by area.
Saturday · north
Free, 9:30 to 11 am. Join a naturalist to see how this suburban pocket park is adapting for winter.
Sunday · south
Free, 3 to 4 pm. Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences.
Saturday · Minneapolis
Free, 10 am to 5 pm. Wear your favorite winter hat and enjoy free museum admission all day.
Lake Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Chaska, Waconia
Library programs fill out each area.
Calling all future engineers and architects! We've got the bricks, but we need you to bring your imagination. No experience necessary. We'll also have DUPLOS®, so all ages are welcome. No registration is required.
Maple Plain Library, Maple PlainFor children of all ages and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement.
Ridgedale Library, MinnetonkaAll ages with a focus on children age 2+. ¡Bienvenidos a La Hora de Lectura Bilingüe con cuentos, música, movimiento, y manualidades! Welcome to Spanish/English Bilingual Storytime with stories, music, movement, and crafts!
Chaska Library, ChaskaPreschool and school age children. Reading to therapy animals encourages reading confidence. Presented by North Star Therapy Animals. 15-minute sessions on a first come, first served basis.
Chanhassen Library, ChanhassenK-grade 5. Cuddle up with a certified therapy animal (usually a dog) and practice reading aloud. Sign up when you arrive for a 15-minute slot. First come, first served.
Maple Plain Library, Maple PlainBloomington, Edina, Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee
Library programs fill out each area.
Read to trained therapy dogs in a supportive environment to help build literacy skills and confidence in reading out loud. Event will be held in the Children's Area. For youth ages 5–10.
Pleasant Hill Library, HastingsFor children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement in a format especially designed for babies. No registration required.
Eden Prairie Library, Eden PrairieCalling all future engineers and architects! We've got the bricks, but we need you to bring your imagination. No experience necessary. We'll also have DUPLOS®, so all ages are welcome.
Penn Lake Library, BloomingtonLearn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences.
Richardson Nature Center, BloomingtonBring the whole family and give archery a try!
Know: Cost: $12/person. Sign up ahead.
Cleary Lake Regional Park, Prior LakeMaple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka
Library programs fill out each area.
Join a naturalist to see how this suburban pocket park is adapting for winter.
Sochacki Park, RobbinsdaleBrowse handmade goods from 65 vendors featuring unique gifts, seasonal décor, and one-of-a-kind crafts, perfect for holiday shopping.
Maple Grove Community Center, Maple GroveCome spend an evening by a cozy fire and enjoy Eastman at night.
Know: Cost: $6/person. Sign up ahead.
Eastman Nature Center, DaytonFor children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement in a format especially designed for babies.
St. Anthony Library, St. AnthonyFor children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.
Champlin Library, ChamplinMake flowers, turtles, butterflies, hopping frogs and more from paper you fold yourself.
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, Brooklyn ParkWatch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature.
Silverwood Park, St. AnthonyParks, museums and libraries across the city
Library programs fill out each area.
Wear your favorite winter hat and enjoy free museum admission all day.
The Museum of Russian Art, MinneapolisFor children of all ages and their caregivers. Connect with your child during this drop-in program exploring early literacy activities. No registration required. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Northeast Library, MinneapolisFor children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.
Arvonne Fraser Library, MinneapolisK-grade 5. Cuddle up with a certified therapy dog and practice reading aloud. Sign up when you arrive for a 15-minute slot. First come, first served. Collaborator: PAWS to READ is a program of North Star Therapy Animals (NSTA).
Northeast Library, MinneapolisJoin the Colleagues of Calligraphy for an informal reception celebrating their exhibit, The Art of Letters. Explore the works on display and take the opportunity to meet and chat with the exhibiting calligraphers.
Minneapolis Central Library, MinneapolisCalling all future engineers and architects! We've got the bricks, but we need you to bring your imagination. No experience necessary. We'll also have DUPLOS®, so all ages are welcome.
Nokomis Library, MinneapolisSt. Paul, Roseville, Washington County, Dakota County
Library programs fill out each area.
Take a deep dive into the colorful world beneath the surface during Fish Chat in the Tropics! Join one of our interpretive staff in Tropical Encounters as they introduce you to the fascinating fish that call this habitat home. Learn fun facts, discover who eats what, and see how these finned…
Know: Como Zoo and Conservatory admission is free.
Tropical Encounters, St. PaulJoin us in the children's area at R.H. Stafford Library for a special Saturday storytime featuring music and creative movement! This storytime is great for practicing gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills. Music and Movement Storytime is designed for children developmental ages 2–6.
R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury), WoodburyNow. Make. Art is back at the library with an interactive program that will have folks moving, singing, and creating through a rich play process! This program includes process art & play stations designed specifically for ages 6 and under that focus on expanding sensory skills, building gross & fine motor skills, and creating connection between families.
Rice Street Library, St. PaulNow. Make. Art.'s Process Art Adventures is an interactive program that will have folks moving, singing, and creating through a rich play process! This program includes process art and play stations designed specifically for ages 7 and under that focus on expanding sensory skills, building gross and fine motor skills, and creating connection between families.
George Latimer Central Library, St. PaulJoin us for STEAM Saturday. This kid and family program has a different focus each week. Join us this week and have fun with Legos! We have lots of Legos you just need to bring your engineering spirit and imagination.
Saint Anthony Park Library, St. PaulDrop in to hang out and make cool stuff at FunLab! Featuring crafts, science experiments, engineering projects, video games, and more. This program is designed for ages 7-11.
Arlington Hills Library, St. PaulDrop in to hang out and make cool stuff at FunLab! Featuring crafts, science experiments, engineering projects, video games, and more. This STEAM drop-in program is designed for ages 7-11. FunLab!
Dayton's Bluff Library, St. PaulMake a move and come play chess at the library! Kids and caregivers are invited to practice your chess skills with some new partners and each other. Beginners welcome, drop-in anytime during the session. Appropriate for ages 5 - 18.
Shoreview Library, ShoreviewOpen every day
Always-good places, so they repeat from week to week. Hours are from each place's own page.
Hike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Carver Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Lowry Nature Center, VictoriaHike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet resident raptors, reptiles and amphibians up close in Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Richardson Nature Center, BloomingtonHike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Elm Creek Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Eastman Nature Center, DaytonWalk among the outdoor sculptures beside the Walker Art Center. No tickets needed.
Know: Free and open daily from 6 am to midnight, all year.
Minneapolis Sculpture GardenA free art museum on the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus.
Know: Open 10 to 5 on weekdays, 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Garage parking is $3 an hour, $13 at most.
Weisman Art MuseumA free zoo, open daily, and the indoor Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Know: Free. A voluntary donation of $8 per adult and $5 per child is appreciated.
Como Park Zoo & ConservatoryNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service forecast for the Minnetonka area, checked Monday, November 2 at 5:15 am.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North northeast wind around 5 mph.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 0 mph.
Partly sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Before you go
A few things that change the plan.