Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities this Week: June 8-12, 2026
Things to do this week in Minneapolis & St Paul with your kids!
This guide covers Twin Cities family activities for the week of June 8-12, 2026. If you are in search of things to do with your family this weekend, jump over to our WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. Because the parents that make up the FFTC are always dreaming up ways to make life easier to manage with kids, we’ve organized our summer event information by region of the Twin Cities metro area – we’ve got you covered no matter your corner!
How to plan your family fun this week
More events this week around the Twin Cities Metro Area
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Monday, June 8, 2026
Cool off this week: Free Minneapolis wading pools
Don’t want to commit to a full day at an outdoor swimming pool or waterpark and set aside money for admission? Try one of the FREE WADING POOLS scattered around Minneapolis – perfect a simple splash and cool down. This week we travel to WAITE PARK in Minneapolis. (Joy says, “Of all the splash pads near me, this is our hands-down favorite. The mix of pool and splash pad is perfect.”)
But if that’s out of your neighborhood, you’re bound to find an alternative on our huge list of the 40 BEST SPLASH PADS & WADING POOLS IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Around the Twin Cities Metro: Tot Time Open Swims
Minneapolis & St Paul do not have weekday tot swims, but there are several pools around the greater Twin Cities metro that offer these special times. Make sure to note for tot swims that each pool sets their own age limit to participate. These typically range from kids under 5-8 years of age so you’ll want to hit the link for details before heading out to swim. Also note that not each venue offers a discounted admission rate – but many do! FIND ALL THE DETAILS ON TWIN CITIES TOT SWIMS HERE!
- APPLE VALLEY Splash Valley Tots-Only Swim – 9:30-10:30am
- EAGAN Cascade Bay Little Mates – 9:30-10:30am
- EDINA Aquatic Center Lil Lagoon Tot Time – 10-11:30am
- SOUTH ST PAUL Lorraine Park Splash Pool Toddler Time – 11am-12:30pm
- ST LOUIS PARK Aquatic Park Parent & Tot Time – 9:30am-11am
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Around the Twin Cities Metro: Tot Time Open Swims
- APPLE VALLEY Splash Valley Tots-Only Swim – 9:30-10:30am
- COON RAPIDS Bunker Beach Tot Time – 8:45-10:45am
- EAGAN Cascade Bay Little Mates – 9:30-10:30am
- EDINA Aquatic Center Lil Lagoon Tot Time – 10-11:30am
- SOUTH ST PAUL Lorraine Park Splash Pool Toddler Time – 11am-12:30pm
- ST LOUIS PARK Aquatic Park Parent & Tot Time – 9:30am-11am
TUESDAY FEATURED STORYTIME Wild Rumpus Storytime
2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
This popular story time for toddlers & preschoolers is one of our favorites in the Twin Cities. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! June 9, 2026, 10:30am. FREE.
MINNEAPOLIS Movies in the Parks: Luca
2728 S 39th Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55406
The Disney/Pixar movie Luca (PG) will be screened at Brackett Field Park. June 9, 2026, 9pm. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Around the Twin Cities Metro: Tot Time Open Swims
- APPLE VALLEY Splash Valley Tots-Only Swim – 9:30-10:30am
- EDINA Aquatic Center Lil Lagoon Tot Time – 10-11:30am
- SOUTH ST PAUL Lorraine Park Splash Pool Toddler Time – 11am-12:30pm
- ST LOUIS PARK Aquatic Park Parent & Tot Time – 9:30am-11am
ST PAUL Groovin in the Garden at Como Zoo
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Como’s free concert series start this week out front of the conservatory. Some food and beverages will be available to purchase or bring your own picnic. Concerts will take place in visitor center if it rains. Tonight’s performing artist is the Innocent Reggae Band. June 10, 2026, 6-8pm.
BONUS FUN: Como Zoo is open until 6pm. Extend the fun: have a day exploring at the zoo, conservatory or COMO TOWN AMUSEMENT PARK before the concert.
MINNEAPOLIS Movies in the Parks
The Commons, 425 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
The movie The Fifth Element (PG-13) will be screened. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, snacks and some bug spray. June 10, 2026, 9pm. FREE.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Thursday, June 11, 2026
Around the Twin Cities Metro: Tot Time Open Swims
- APPLE VALLEY Splash Valley Tots-Only Swim – 9:30-10:30am
- COON RAPIDS Bunker Beach Tot Time – 8:45-10:45am
- EAGAN Cascade Bay Little Mates – 9:30-10:30am
- EDINA Aquatic Center Lil Lagoon Tot Time – 10-11:30am
- SOUTH ST PAUL Lorraine Park Splash Pool Toddler Time – 11am-12:30pm
- ST LOUIS PARK Aquatic Park Parent & Tot Time – 9:30am-11am
FEATURED TWIN CITIES SPLASH PAD: Phalen Regional Park Splash Pad
1600 Phalen Dr, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Kids can make a quick dash from the splash pad fountains to the large and sandy Phalen Park beach. This beautiful park also offers trails, a tot lot, a fire ring, a rec center, tennis courts and regular family events. Daily 9am-9pm. FREE.
ST PAUL Little Explorers Thursday at Como Park Zoo
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
The beloved (at least by my family) preschool program offers weekly themed activities to the 4-and-under set. Think sand tables, sponge painting, worm digs and storytimes. June 11, 2026, 10am-12pm. FREE.
Thursday night movies in the park
MINNEAPOLIS Movie Night at Target Field Station
Platform 2, Minneapolis, MN, 55401
MPRB screens free flicks weekly across its lovely parks system. Tonight’s movie on the lawn outside Target Field Station is Zootopia 2. June 11, 2026, 7pm. FREE.
MINNEAPOLIS Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
A naturalist hosts a different nature themed story each week within the Garden followed by an activity. Meet just outside the Visitor Shelter. Bring a blanket to sit on. June 11, 2026, 10am, FREE.
MINNEAPOLIS Bottineau Park Ice Cream Social
2000 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
We all scream for ice cream in the park – especially when it’s FREE! June 11, 2026, 6-8pm.
Fun things to do in the Twin Cities on Friday, June 12, 2026
Around the Twin Cities Metro: Tot Time Open Swims
- APPLE VALLEY Splash Valley Tots-Only Swim – 9:30-10:30am
- EAGAN Cascade Bay Little Mates – 9:30-10:30am
- EDINA Aquatic Center Lil Lagoon Tot Time – 10-11:30am
- RICHFIELD Outdoor Pool Tot Time – 10-11am
- SHAKOPEE SandVenture Splish & Splash Tot Time – 9:15-10:45am
- ST LOUIS PARK Aquatic Park Parent & Tot Time – 9:30am-11am
More beachy fun in Minneapolis & St Paul
MINNEAPOLIS Wirth Lake Beach
3200 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
We found this to be a wonderful free beach option with very low crowds, rare shade structures and nice playground.
FIND MORE OF THE BEST BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER!
Fun things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities, June 13-14, 2026
Too many fun things to list here, I’ll tell you that. So we publish a separate guide each weekend with up-to-the-last-minute ideas for spending family time together.
