(Please note: This list is updated as events become known. Be sure to check with the event host/venue in advance as there may be changes or cancellations at any time.)
Have an event to add to this list? Please email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com. Thanks!
EVERY DAY: Get The Works Museum Discount Tickets!
- Regular admission is $11.00 per person, but you can get admission for $9.00 per person with my special code! (Children 2 and under are free.) For $2 Off Admission: Use code TCFMB$2OFF in the “promo code” field on the shopping cart page. (Not valid for special events) Purchase via THIS LINK.
- Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
- 50% off admission for limited income families through their Gateway program
EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!
EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!
- Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets both online and in person. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership either in-person or online.
- There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here.
Also, be sure to check my Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families for how to save (and get FREE admission!) at places all around the Twin Cities! (Note that many locations are closed right now.)
And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota! Note: Check before you go as many have updated their offerings since COVID began.
October 2023
Immersive Disney Experience. Minneapolis. March 23 – October 9. Get discounts!
The Rock and Rock Playhouse: Concerts for Kids!. First Avenue & 7th St Entry, Minneapolis.
October 2023
Events by Date
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
Free First Sunday. Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul.
Sensory Friendly Sundays at Science Museum of Minnesota. On the first Sunday of the month, the Science Museum hosts Sensory Friendly Sunday, where visitors who learn best in a calmer environment can experience a lights-up, sound-down Omnitheater show at 10 a.m.
Just Between Friends White Bear Lake Kids Consignment Sale. September 28 – October 1. White Bear Lake Hippodrome, 4855 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. HALF PRICE DAY!
Sensory-Friendly Sundays at the Plymouth Community Center. 8:30 – 10:30am.
Pinehaven Farm Craft Fair. September 30 – October 1. Wyoming, MN.
Anoka Halloween Great Pumpkin Expo. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Downtown Anoka. Who will be the big winner? Sunday October 1st in downtown Anoka, the Halloween capital of the World.
Shakopee Food Truck Event. 4:00 – 11:00pm. 50 Food Truck Event — Come and Eat, Eat and Eat! (Pending)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3
FREE First Tuesday at Washington County Parks. On the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday), visit any Washington County Park FREE. No Vehicle Permit required.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
sota clothing’s Fall Warehouse Sale. October 5-7. 6518 Walker Street, Saint Louis Park, MN.
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at American Swedish Institute. Admission is FREE 3-8pm. 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN. 55407
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6
sota clothing’s Fall Warehouse Sale. October 5-7. 6518 Walker Street, Saint Louis Park, MN.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
sota clothing’s Fall Warehouse Sale. October 5-7. 6518 Walker Street, Saint Louis Park, MN.
Fall Fest. October 7-8. Three Rivers Park District-Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Meet the farm animals, explore nature with our naturalist team, watch the sheepherding dog trials, explore the farmers market, make cider and more.
FREE Kids Workshop. 9:00am – 12:00pm. Home Depot locations. Build a Rescue Floatplane!
Free First Saturday: Look Close. 10:00am – 3:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Free First Saturday also features free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month. Gallery admission tickets are available online in advance and on-site on the event day from the Main Lobby desk.
FREE Community Showing of Super Mario Bros Movie! 10:00am. CineMagic Hollywood 12, Rochester.
Storytime Trolley. 10:30am. Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, Stillwater MN 55082.
Free JcPenney Kids Zone Craft. 11:00am – 12:00pm at participating JCPenney locations. Parents get a 10% off.
Heavy Metal Dine-In. 3:00 – 6:00pm. Extreme Sandbox, Hastings. Tickets are only $5.00 in advance. Save 50% with my code frugalmom.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
Fall Fest. October 7-8. Three Rivers Park District-Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Meet the farm animals, explore nature with our naturalist team, watch the sheepherding dog trials, explore the farmers market, make cider and more.
Sensory Friendly Sunday. 8:00 – 11:00am. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities.
Family Day. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Join us for our free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum is filled with hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours and more — all inspired by Mia’s incredible collection.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9
Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution. 4:30pm. Bring $25 and 2 large totes for an ABUNDANCE of food. No income or residency required. ALL WELCOME! Doors open at 4:30. Read about my experience here!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10
Toddler Tuesdays LIVE: Toddler Roundup. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Huntington Bank Rotunda, Mall of America. Get ready for a great play date with Blue and Rainbow Puppy! Step inside to explore Blue’s world with crafts, meet & greets, and of course, clues!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Games Galore. 10:00am – 8:00pm. Union Depot, Waiting Room, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at American Swedish Institute. Admission is FREE 3-8pm. 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN. 55407
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
Alpaca Open Farm Event. 9:00am – 3:00pm. Triple T Alpaca, Foreston.
Storytime Trolley. 10:30am. Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, Stillwater MN 55082.
Super Hero Time at Little Roos – Featuring Ghost Spider with Royal Princess Party. 11:00am. Little Roo’s MN, Chaska.
Family Board Game Night. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Highlander Games, Coon Rapids.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16
Bargain Monday! St. Michael Cinema 15. $5 movie tickets all day. $5 snack packs.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Games Galore. 10:00am – 8:00pm. Union Depot, Waiting Room, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at American Swedish Institute. Admission is FREE 3-8pm. 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN. 55407
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Sensory Friendly Saturday at Bell Museum. 8:00am – 10:00am. Bell Museum, St. Paul.
Storytime Trolley. 10:30am. Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, Stillwater MN 55082.
Rockin’ Robins Kids Music. 11:00am – 11:45am. Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis.
STEM Saturday – Green Chemistry. 11:00am – 1:30pm. Hmong International Academy 1501 N 30th Ave Minneapolis, MN 55411. Lunch provided. Register in advance.
Family Board Game Night. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Highlander Games, Coon Rapids.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
Bargain Monday! St. Michael Cinema 15. $5 movie tickets all day. $5 snack packs.
FREE tickets now available for Free First Sunday at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, October 1st.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
Games Galore. 10:00am – 8:00pm. Union Depot, Waiting Room, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
Storytime Trolley. 10:30am. Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, Stillwater MN 55082.
Family Board Game Night. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Highlander Games, Coon Rapids.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30
Bargain Monday! St. Michael Cinema 15. $5 movie tickets all day. $5 snack packs.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. 310 Airport Rd Hangar 3, South Saint Paul, MN. Museum is open to the public Wednesdays and Saturdays each week from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please call ahead on all major holidays as the museum may be closed. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always welcome and appreciated when visiting.
EVERY THURSDAY
Walker Art Museum – Gallery Admission is free from 5:00-9:00pm.
EVERY SATURDAY
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. 310 Airport Rd Hangar 3, South Saint Paul, MN. Museum is open to the public Wednesdays and Saturdays each week from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please call ahead on all major holidays as the museum may be closed. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always welcome and appreciated when visiting.
Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.
SELECT SATURDAYS
Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary.
MORE FUN & RESOURCES
Science Museum Learn at Home. The museum IS OPEN but also has a website with many at-home learning activities.
For online Minnesota fun, see my guide, Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home.
