Spring break is a full week off for kids (and sometimes even longer), and in Minnesota is typically in March.

Whether your kids’ week off is in early or late March (or even April), this guide should help you think of fun things to do!

Basically I’ve compiled multiple guides from my site – some listing fun things to do in Minnesota, discounts for fun, and even things kids can do at home when they’re bored.

And at the end I have some free spring cleaning resources for your family too (for your kids to help you with, of course! ha).

Highlights for spring in the Twin Cities (plus exclusive discounts!):

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice – Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. Now through May 11th. Go for FREE on the first Sunday of the month!

Or save the MOST on tickets with my exclusive code. Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets! You can also use that code in person, OR to save $20 on a membership as well.

See my above guide for all the ways to save money on admission!

Save 50% at Zero Gravity Adventure Park in Mounds View with my exclusive code TCFM! They have trampolines, dodgeball, laser tag, a human claw machine (above) and so much more. Read about our visit and get more info here.

Sundays at Landmark – Landmark Center, St. Paul. There are Urban Adventure days and other events throughout the spring – all free. For example, on March 30th enjoy Guatemala, and on April 13th, enjoy Venezuela.

Como Zoo – Always free, though donations appreciated. In St. Paul.

Minnesota Zoo – It’s not free, but there are ways to save, especially if you receive government assistance. Get tickets here!

Visit a library! Libraries are full of books and movies, but also story times and other special events! You can also check out games and activities.

Enjoy FREE and discounted fun at the Mall of America!

See my guide: 15 Free Things to Do with Kids at the Mall of America (& FREE Printable Scavenger Hunt)

SeaLife Aquarium is a fun destination at the Mall of America. Right now they have a Turtle Rescue Event. Included with admission. Read our review and save on admission!

Here are some other highlights:

Brave the Rainforest exhibit
Minnesota’s only Ocean Tunnel
Interactive Touchpool Experience
Coral Caves
Ray Lagoon
Jellyfish discovery

We’ve gone there as a family many times. It’s fun for all ages, and even for a date outing!

Get SeaLife tickets!

Scheels – Located in Eden Prairie, this store is like an amusement park. It has a ferris wheel, aquarium, candy store – lots of fun! Read about our visit.

assembly union park small slides — Assembly Union Park in St. Paul

Explore a unique playground! There are many fun, unique parks and playgrounds to explore! These include:

Bossen Field Park in Minneapolis
Assembly Union Park in St. Paul
Madison’s Place Inclusive Playground in Woodbury
Keewaydin Park in Minneapolis
Cedar Park in Forest Lake
Shoreview Commons Destination Playground in Shoreview
French Park in Plymouth
Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater (now open for the season!)

For events happening this month and ongoing:

Twin Cities Deals & Events Calendar

This calendar includes local events (& deals!) for the current month, and is updated regularly.

Staycation & Short Trip Ideas in Minnesota

Austin, MN – We had a perfect weekend getaway here! The SPAM Museum and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center are both FREE, plus there are fun shops and restaurants.

Duluth, MN – I grew up here, but visit here often with my kids. I’ve written many recaps of our visits including Spirit Mountain, Glensheen Mansion, the Vista Fleet, North Shore Railroad and Great Lakes Aquarium.

If you’re visiting Duluth, check out my guide, Ten Ways to Enjoy Duluth on a Budget!

Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington – We stayed here twice and love how there’s so much to do on-site!

Lanesboro, Minnesota is a beautiful destination with cute shops, biking and a community theatre. It’s just a couple hours south of the Twin Cities. We went there last fall and enjoyed a fall festival and sightseeing. And we stayed at a nice, quaint hotel. It’s lovely in the springtime too. Read about our stay here.

Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America – We also stayed here twice and love how it’s so nice and connected to the Mall of America for unlimited fun.

Stillwater, MN – We go here all the time and here’s my review of our weekend visit.

Shafer, MN – You have to stop at the free Franconia Sculpture Park! Less than an hour from the Twin Cities.

Bigger Road Trips within the Midwest!

Bismarck, North Dakota – Read about my visit and 12 Must-See Attractions for Families Visiting Bismarck, North Dakota.

New Day Dairy Guestbarn in Clarksville, Iowa – This is truly a unique place to get away! New Day Dairy Guestbarn is a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom vacation rental that overlooks a dairy barn! Plus you get tours of the farm. It’s only 3-1/2 hours south of the Twin Cities in Clarksville, Iowa. Read about our fun visit.

Quad Cities – There are so many hidden gems here to explore! It’s located only 6 hours southeast of the Twin Cities on the border of Iowa and Illinois. Here are 18 unique things for families to do here.

Gulf Shores, Alabama! My husband and I went here for our honeymoon but it’s a great place to bring families! Enjoy the warm, white, sandy beaches and many activities. Spring is the perfect time of year to go as the temperature is ideal. Read my post: 12 Unique Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

Kansas – From Animals to Oz to Ziplining: Plan this Epic Family Trip to Northeast Kansas!

St. Louis, Missouri – Read my guide: St. Louis with Kids: Our Visit and Guide to an Amazing Family Trip.

Shipshewana, Indiana! We just went here last summer but spring is an awesome time to go. I wish I were there right now! It’s in Amish Country and it’s just beautiful and so welcoming. There are many things for families to do too! Here is my blog post about our visit: 11 Must-Do Family Adventures in Shipshewana, Indiana.

Gulf Shores, Alabama – My husband and I went here for our honeymoon and it’s a beautiful destination year-round for families too! Enjoy the warm, white, sandy beaches and many activities. October is the perfect time of year to go as the temperature is ideal.

Read my post: 12 Unique Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

Visiting a national park and have a 4th grader? Sign up for the FREE National Parks Pass and get free admission.

Guides!

The Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun

This lists tons of places a family can find fun in Minnesota, organized alphabetically by category! Cities/locations are included.

Originally created as a list by one of my readers, I then expanded this list and published it here. Then another reader created an interactive spreadsheet for me to include! It’s all here:

Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families

All the ways you can save money at places all around the Twin Cities, compiled here.

Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota

Do you or or a family member receive assistance such as WIC, Medical Assistance, or SNAP? You may qualify for free or discounted admission to many places in Minnesota, plus other benefits! This is a complete list of what you may be eligible for.

Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home

Originally written at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but updated in March 2022, this lists tons of free Minnesota-based resources online. There is plenty to keep kids busy from home here!

Hidden Gems for Families in the Twin Cities

My guide to fun, unique places around Minnesota many don’t know about!

Freebies for Kids & Families in Minnesota

After blogging for the past 13 years and posting about one freebie after another throughout that time, I realized there were so many it was worth compiling into a single list, and here it is!