Mother's Day Weekend FREE List for the Twin Cities 2022

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.

This year there are mostly events that are free for everyone! 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!

FREE & DISCOUNTED MOTHER’S DAY FUN IN THE TWIN CITIES!

Cinco De Mayo at Midtown Global Market. Saturday. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis. The Midtown Global Market will provide a family-friendly, free event celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, May 7 from noon until 3 p.m.

Como-Harriet Streetcar Line. Moms ride free on Sunday, May 8th (12:30 – 8:30pm).

Como Zoo. Free but open by reservation only, so plan ahead!

Mother’s Day Bonsai Show. 10:00am – 6:00pm. May 7 & 8. Como Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul.

Environmental Fun Fair. Saturday. 10:00am – 1:00pm. Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley. The Fridley Environmental Fun Fair is BACK! Fridley Recreation, Springbrook Nature Center and Anoka County 4-H have teamed up to offer this free fun and educational event at Springbrook Nature Center on May 7, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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.)

Landmark Center – Sunday, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. The annual Mother’s Day concert is back, and is the perfect way to spend time with the mothers in your life. Free.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Sunday, May 8th is this month’s Family Day at the MIA from 10:30am – 5:00pm. The entire event is free. Art is still in Bloom! Enjoy a day filled with floral fun. Create a funky paper bouquet inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s eye-catching artwork with teaching artist Natalie Vilter. Make and paint a botanical flower journal with Mia’s Art Team to celebrate a month of color and growth. Don’t forget to collect a special gift in the lobby.

Walker Art Center. Saturday is Free First Saturday: Care to Share! 10:00am – 3:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. What makes you feel cared for? How do you support others in your life? We all need help sometimes, and we can all give it, too! Let’s think about and celebrate ways we care for ourselves, each other, and our communities through interactive art-making projects and activities designed for the whole family. Or grab an art kit to get creative at home!

Sales & Shopping

Free Comic Book Day! Many participating stores in the Twin Cities.

Friends School Plant Sale – May 6-8. 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. They do have some COVID rules in place: you must have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, plus masks must be worn.

Hennepin Technical College Plant Sale. 9:00am – 8:00pm. May 5-7. Hennepin Technical College. Hennepin Technical College Plant Sale is in-person this year in Brooklyn Park. Shop inside multiple greenhouses that are bursting with annuals, perennials, herbs, veggies, hanging baskets and colorful container gardens. Perfect Mother’s Day gifts. Proceeds support student scholarships. May 5, 6, and 7. Hours: 9am-8pm.

JBF Eagan Kids Spring Consignment Sale. HALF PRICE DAY! 10:00am – 4:00pm. Eagan Civic Arena, 3870 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. Free parking! $5 off a $50 purchase with my coupon! May 5 – 7. OPEN COUPON IN NEW WINDOW HERE.

Minneapolis Farmer’s Market and St. Paul Farmer’s Market are open! They’re both open Saturdays and Sundays now.

Other Ideas for Fun (Not Free)

Dino & Dragon Stroll. 10:00am – 4:00pm. St. Paul Rivercentre. May 7-8. DINO & DRAGON STROLL is the only North American Tour that lets up walk-thru and get up close to life-like and life-size dinosaurs AND dragons!

Minnesota Transportation Museum. Saturday, May 7th is a train event for mom: Mimosas and Roses on the Train. Not free but fun. Minnesota Transportation Museum is in St. Paul.

Minnesota Zoo – It’s Farm Babies time! Farm Babies is back for an up-close look at farm life in Minnesota. Celebrate the season with animals, farm demonstrations, and more. Included with paid admission.

Twin Cities Spring Babies Festival. Open weekends through May 8th. Brooklyn Park, MN (right off 169). Tickets are $13 online.

Check out a nature center, park, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (open by reservation only), the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary (free but parking is not).