In years past there were fun places to visit in the Twin Cities on Mother’s Day weekend where moms and grandmas get in FREE, then events were free to everyone. Now there are more FREEBIES for moms than I’ve seen in a long time!
Of course, you could be like me and be just fine napping in bed all day! But if you’re looking for family fun, here are some ideas:
Free Printable to Enjoy with Mom!
First, be sure to print out my FREE Mother’s Day Activity Page!
FREEBIES FOR MOMS!
Como-Harriet Streetcar Line. Moms ride free on Sunday, May 11th (12:30 – 8:30pm).
Crayola Experience Mall of America – Moms Get In FREE May 9 — 11 in honor of Mother’s Day weekend! Moms receive free admission with a purchase of one full-priced child admission ticket. Valid onsite only 5/9—5/11/25.
Fishing – It’s Take-a-Mom Fishing Weekend! Moms can fish free without a license this weekend both Saturday and Sunday. During the weekend, mothers can fish only for species that have open fishing seasons. (For residents of Minnesota.)
Twin City Model Railroad Museum – On Sunday, May 10th all moms get in free all day (Noon to 5!). Also, all kids 4 and under also get in free every day! Located in St. Paul.
Urban Air – Urban Air Adventure Park – Urban Air is celebrating moms this Sunday, May 11th with a special offer: Moms Jump FREE all day at all three Minnesota locations—Apple Valley, Plymouth, and Coon Rapids. Park hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
FREE & DISCOUNTED MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES!
Como Zoo. Free! No reservations needed.
Mother’s Day Bonsai Show. 10:00am – 6:00pm. May 10 & 11. Como Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul. Free.
Mother’s Day Weekend Art Festival Pop-up. May 10 – 11. Mall of America. This Mother’s Day weekend, guests can enjoy a sneak peek of Minnesota’s premier summer art festivals at Mall of America. The Huntington® Bank Rotunda will transform into a gallery of talent, showcasing stunning work from artists featured at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Loring Park Art Festival, and Art in Bayfront Park.
Springtime & Sunshine Festival! May 9 – 11. Anoka County Fair, Anoka. FREE! There will be 100+ Handmade Crafters, Boutique Vendors, Food Trucks, Fair Food, Mini Midway, Live Music, Fair Food, Kids’ Activities, Beer Garden AND MORE!!
Mother’s Day Plant a Pot! Saturday 9:00am – 12:00pm. All Fleet Farm locations. FREE KIDS ACTIVITY! 
Don’t miss our annual FREE Mother’s Day Plant a Pot! No matter who you’re planting for, this hands-on activity is the perfect opportunity to create a special one-of-a-kind gift for the mom in your life. Bring your family along and make this year’s Mother’s Day that much more special!
Landmark Center – Sunday, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. The annual Mother’s Day Saint Paul Civic Symphony concert is back, and is the perfect way to spend time with the mothers in your life. Free.
Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s Family Day on Sunday, May 11th from 10:00am – 5:00pm. The theme is “Big and Small.”
Walker Art Center. Sunday is Sensory Friendly Sunday from 8:00am – 11:00am. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly free event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities.
Zero Gravity – They have many AMAZING deals right now, and one is my exclusive 50% code: TCFM. Use that code to save 50% on regular passes!
Sales & Shopping
Free Mother’s Day Weekend Cookie Sampling. Saturday 1-3pm. Minnesota History Center Store, St. Paul. Get samples of local cookie company Thumbs Cookies at the History Center store.
Friends School Plant Sale – May 9-11. Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. The Friends School Plant Sale is a fund-raiser for the Friends School of Minnesota, a small Quaker K – 8 school in Saint Paul. This three-day sale, almost entirely run by volunteers, offers more than 2000 plant varieties at affordable prices.
Minneapolis Farmer’s Market is open all weekend!
The St. Paul Farmer’s Market is also open all weekend and there’s a Mother’s Day event. A Free Kids Flower Pot Painting Activity! Check website for hours.
Other Ideas for Fun (Not Free)
Check out a nature center, park, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary (free but parking is not).
This is just a sampling!
MORE EVENTS
See my Deals & Events Calendar for more!
Mother’s Day Deals
Groupon has some great deals on beauty and spa experiences. What other events and deals do you know of?
Need more ideas? How about my Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun!
