FreeMinneapolis–St. Paul · The Twin Cities

Free things to do with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul this week: we found 27 free outings, including Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center, Little Explorer Thursday! and Baile latino para niños / Latin Dance for Kids (Sumner), plus 17 library programs. Four free days and events are coming up, including three museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And eight places never charge admission, like Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and Como Park Zoo.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

27free outings this weekincl. 17 library programs4free days and events coming upincl. 3 museum or zoo free days8places that are always freeMarjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park Zoo4free storytime calendarsHennepin County Library and Saint Paul Public Library, Ramsey County Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Twin Cities this week

Every free outing on this week’s Twin Cities list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon–Sat Oct 19–2412pm

Story Time at Como Zoo

Visitor Center · 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103

A short nature-themed storytime at the Como visitor center.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Mon Oct 1910–10:30am

Baby Storytime (Linden Hills)

Hennepin County Library – Linden Hills · 2900 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410

Songs, rhymes and books for babies and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Mon Oct 199:30–10am

Family Storytime With ECFE (Brooklyn Park)

Hennepin County Library – Brooklyn Park · 8500 W. Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

A family storytime led with Early Childhood Family Education.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:15am

Baile latino para niños / Latin Dance for Kids (Sumner)

Hennepin County Library – Sumner · 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55411

A bilingual Latin dance class for kids and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–8
Tue Oct 204:30–6:30pm

LEGO Lab (St. Anthony)

Hennepin County Library – St. Anthony · 2941 Pentagon Dr. N.E., St. Anthony, MN 55418

Drop in and build with the library’s LEGO bricks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Tue Oct 2010–10:30am

Family Storytime (Excelsior)

Hennepin County Library – Excelsior · 337 Water St., Excelsior, MN 55331

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:15am

Storytime in the Park (Saint Anthony Park)

Saint Paul Public Library – Saint Anthony Park · 2245 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108

An outdoor storytime at College Park (2223 Carter Ave.) for babies through preschoolers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 2110–10:30am

Family Storytime (Minneapolis Central)

Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central · 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 214–6pm

LEGO Lab (East Lake)

Hennepin County Library – East Lake · 2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Drop in and build with the library’s LEGO bricks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Wed Oct 2110am–12pm

Playdate (Highland Park)

Saint Paul Public Library – Highland Park · 1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116

A drop-in morning playdate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 224pm–8pm

Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center

Minnesota History Center · 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

Free admission and parking on Thursday evenings at the Minnesota History Center.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Thu Oct 2210am–12pm

Little Explorer Thursday!

Visitor Center · 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103

A free morning for 1- to 3-year-olds with animal visitors, a story and games.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Thu Oct 225:30–7pm

Family Movie Night (North Regional)

Hennepin County Library – North Regional · 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

A family movie in the library, free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–12
Thu Oct 2210:15–10:45am

Family Storytime (Augsburg Park)

Hennepin County Library – Augsburg Park · 7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, MN 55423

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 224–5pm

SHEEKO SHEEKO: Somali Family Storytime (Rondo)

Saint Paul Public Library – Rondo · 270 N Kent St., Saint Paul, MN 55102

A family storytime in Somali and English.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–8
Thu Oct 226–6:30pm

Pajama Storytime with Drake Callender (Sun Ray)

Saint Paul Public Library – Sun Ray · 2105 Wilson Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55119

Come in pajamas for an evening storytime with special guest Drake Callender.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–6
Fri Oct 2310–10:30am

Family Storytime (Ridgedale)

Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale · 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55305

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 2310–10:30am

Baby Storytime (Walker)

Hennepin County Library – Walker · 2880 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408

Songs, rhymes and books for babies and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Sat Oct 2410–11:30am

Chess and LEGO Play (Walker)

Hennepin County Library – Walker · 2880 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408

Drop-in chess and LEGO building for kids and families.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Sat Oct 2410:30–11:15am

Family Storytime (Webber Park)

Hennepin County Library – Webber Park · 4440 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Sat Oct 242–3pm

Early Learning Saturdays: Connect and Play (Champlin)

Hennepin County Library – Champlin · 12154 Ensign Ave. N., Champlin, MN 55316

Drop-in play for kids from birth to 5 and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Sat Oct 242–4pm

LEGO Lab (Northeast)

Hennepin County Library – Northeast · 2200 Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55418

Drop in and build with the library’s LEGO bricks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Sat Oct 2411am–12pm

Saturday Vibe: Puppet Storytime (George Latimer Central)

Saint Paul Public Library – George Latimer Central Library · 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

A puppet storytime for the whole family.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–8
Sat Oct 242:30–4pm

STEAM Saturday: Pumpkin Decorating (Saint Anthony Park)

Saint Paul Public Library – Saint Anthony Park · 2245 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108

Decorate a pumpkin at the library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Sat Oct 242–3pm

Author Visit: Cristina Oxtra, “What Lolo Wants” (Highland Park)

Saint Paul Public Library – Highland Park · 1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116

The author reads her Minnesota Book Award–finalist picture book.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–8
Sun Oct 252–2:45pm

Family Storytime (North Regional)

Hennepin County Library – North Regional · 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Sun Oct 253:30–4pm

Family Storytime (Hosmer)

Hennepin County Library – Hosmer · 347 E. 36th St., Minneapolis, MN 55408

Stories, songs and rhymes for young children and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Showing all 27 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Twin Cities

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

Mill City Museum, Minnesota History Center, and Historic Fort Snelling · Minneapolis and St. Paul

Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Nov26

Turkey Day 5K

Downtown Minneapolis

8 a.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Who gets inFree for kids 18 and under (TC Kids Run Free); adult prices on the race page
First Sunday of every month

Securian Financial Free First Sunday at Minnesota Children’s Museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum · Downtown St. Paul

Reserve a time and arrive within 10 minutes of it. These Sundays get busy.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree; reservations required
Any open day

All Play tickets at Minnesota Children’s Museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum · Downtown St. Paul

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Who gets in$5 tickets for families who show EBT, WIC, a National School Lunch Program letter or a tribal ID

Any day

Places that are always free in Twin Cities

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Library

300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · Downtown MinneapolisFree, with books, a children’s area and no ticket to buy.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Hennepin County Library and Saint Paul Public Library

Baby, toddler and family storytimes at branches across Hennepin County and St. Paul.

Weekly; days and times vary by branch

BabiesToddlersFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Ramsey County Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby & Me Storytime (Thursdays 10:30am, Maplewood) and Family Storytime (Mondays 6:30pm, Roseville), with more at Mounds View, New Brighton and White Bear Lake.

Weekly at 5 locations; Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, mostly mornings, plus an evening session

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Dakota County Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Storytime for Babies (Tuesdays 9:30am, Heritage Library) and Storytime for Babies and Toddlers (Wednesdays 10am, Wescott Library), with more at Farmington Library, Inver Glen Library, Kaposia Library and Pleasant Hill Library and other branches.

Weekly at 8 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Washington County Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Storytime (Mondays 10:30am, R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)) and Sing and Play: Baby Storytime (Mondays 11:15am, Wildwood Library (Mahtomedi)), with more at Bayport Public Library, Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake), Lake Elmo Library and Oakdale Library and other branches.

Weekly at 8 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Twin Cities

Indoor play in Twin CitiesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in Twin CitiesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Twin CitiesKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in Twin CitiesDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul: the FAQ

This week we found 27 free outings for ages 0–6, including Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center, Little Explorer Thursday!, Baile latino para niños / Latin Dance for Kids (Sumner) and LEGO Lab (St. Anthony). See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Securian Financial Free First Sunday at Minnesota Children’s Museum: First Sunday of every month. All Play tickets at Minnesota Children’s Museum: Any open day ($5 tickets for families who show EBT, WIC, a National School Lunch Program letter or a tribal ID). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Turkey Day 5K is free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park Zoo, Lake Nokomis beaches, Gale Woods Farm and Minneapolis Institute of Art and 3 more don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park and Minneapolis Institute of Art. See all of them on indoor play places in Twin Cities.

Yes. Hennepin County Library and Saint Paul Public Library, Ramsey County Library, Dakota County Library and Washington County Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

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