(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 LOWEST-PRICED Crayola Experience Mall of America Discount Tickets via my link!
EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNT Crayola Experience Mall of America tickets through my special link! Tickets are $13.99 (regularly $21.99; save $8 per ticket!) THIS IS THE LOWEST PRICE OUT THERE!
- Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM. (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
- You’ll be able to purchase and print the tickets right away, saving you time waiting at the entrance turnstiles and bypassing ticket booth lines! And they’re valid for up to a year.
EVERY DAY: Get The Works Museum Discount Tickets!
EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for The Works Museum in Bloomington with my special code! Tickets are $7.00 (regularly $9.00; save $2 per ticket!)
- Regular admission is $9.00 per person, but you can get admission for $7.00 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.
- You can also save on family memberships: $5 Off Family Memberships (includes Dual, Family, and Family Plus memberships only):
Use code FRUGAL5OFF at checkout. Purchase this at: https://theworks.org/hands-on-kids-museum/membership/. - Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
- $4.50 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 $2 per admission!
- Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $2 per admission on tickets online.
- There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here: https://www.twincitiesfrugalmom.com/2017/06/our-first-visit-new-minnesota-childrens-museum/
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!
And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota! The latest to be added to the list is the ALL NEW Bell Museum in St. Paul!
January – February Ongoing Events
Night Trains. Twin City Model Railroad Museum. Saturdays through February 29th. Admission to this special show is $15.00 per person and FREE for children age four and under.
Ice Castles. Open NOW! Save $2 per admission with my code! More here.
Hot Wheels: Race to Win. Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. January 18 – May 24. Don’t forget to use my discount code “TCFM” to save $2 per ticket every day online!
Bartz Snow Sculptures. January 5 – February 4. We are excited to unveil this year’s snow sculpture. Walvis the Whale! Invite your friends, it will be fun! FREE stickers & postcards for everyone. We are raising money for clean water in Niger & Uganda in Africa. A $25 donation will make Walvis blow steam 🙂 (If there is someone out at the sculpture)
FREE Admission for Preschoolers at the Crayola Experience Mall of America. Weekdays January 13 – February 28.
St. Paul Winter Carnival! January 23 – February 2.
$6 Disney Classics on the BIG SCREEN at Marcus Theatres! The $6 film lineup:
The Lion King (1994) – January 31 – February 2
Sleeping Beauty (1959) – February 7 – 9
Pocahontas (1995) – February 14 – 17 (extended through Monday for President’s Day!)
February Events by Date
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Read It Down! Ramsey County Libraries/All Day. Hey kids and teens – got fines or fees? Read them away! Visit any Ramsey County Library on the first Saturday of every month to participate. Earn $1 for every 15 minutes you spend reading.
Free Kids Workshop at Home Depot – 9:00am -12:00pm. FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. Offered the 1st Saturday of every month at all The Home Depot stores. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin. One workshop kit, apron and pin per child. Scheduled on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register online.
Indoor Winter Market. 10:00am. Mill City Museum, Minneapolis. Shop from over 40 local farmers, food makers and artists for holiday meals, unique handmade gifts and weekly groceries. Mill City Farmers Market is your trusted source for healthy, local and organic food all year round. January 4 & 18.
Free Drop-In Discovery Stations. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Lake. “Owls Up Close.”
FREE FIRST SATURDAY FAMILY DAY at the Walker Art Center from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Family activities scheduled from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Activities are recommended for ages 6-12. Each month has a different theme!
Space Fest. 10:00am. Feb 1 – 2. Bell Museum. Join us for our annual celebration of the cosmos, 10 am–5 pm Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2 (with a special Star Party on Fri Jan 31 from 7:30-9 pm)! We’ll be exploring the many women in space science and their contributions to the field. There will be special guest speakers, science demonstrations, and hands-on astronomy activities all weekend long. Free with museum admission.
Really, Really Free Market. 1:00 – 3:00pm. East Phillips Park, 2307 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN. Everything here is FREE: clothes, toys, household items, food, art, and company. Bring things, take things, share with your neighbors! Just offer what you’d like to give and take what you would like to receive.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Space Fest. 10:00am. Feb 1 – 2. Bell Museum. Join us for our annual celebration of the cosmos, 10 am–5 pm Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2 (with a special Star Party on Fri Jan 31 from 7:30-9 pm)! We’ll be exploring the many women in space science and their contributions to the field. There will be special guest speakers, science demonstrations, and hands-on astronomy activities all weekend long. Free with museum admission.
Free Family Fun Day: Crafts, Candy and History. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Goodhue County Historical Society, 1166 Oak St, Red Wing. Get out of the House and come Join us at the History Center for our Free Family Fun Day. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Free Family Fun Day: Crafts, Candy, & History at the Goodhue County History Center. On Saturday, February 1st, visit the History Center and create a variety of fun Valentine’s Day gifts and cards—including a Peanuts-themed paper airplane—while learning the history behind the famous Hallmark holiday. The program begins at 12 PM and runs until the museum closes at 3 PM.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3
FARE FOR ALL Warehouse Sale in New Hope. 9:30am-7:00pm. Low cost groceries! Takes place on the first Monday of the month. There are other opportunities to get discounted groceries though. See my review for more information.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
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.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Free Pet Food Distribution. 3:00pm. St. Paul City Middle School, 643 Virginia St, Saint Paul. The Community Outreach department at AHS has partnered with St. Stephanus Church, Second Harvest Heartland and the Frogtown Neighborhood Association to continue bringing free pet food into the Frogtown Community. Each household will receive ONE FREE gallon-sized bag of dog and/or cat food. All locations are first come, first serve — while supplies last.
Annual Passholder Night! Roaring ’20s. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Crayola Experience, Mall of America. Save on tickets and membership on my site:
- Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM. (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Tech Fest. 10:00am – 4:00pm. The Works Museum. Get ready to dive into the world of technology and engineering at The Works Museum’s annual Tech Fest family event. With dozens of hands-on activities led by real scientists, engineers, and educators, families can spend the day learning and exploring together. Whether it’s exploring solar power, trying their hand at biomedical engineering, or programming robots, kids will leave inspired and excited about engineering!
Free Frozen Movie Night at Union Depot. 5:00 – 8:00pm. Union Depot. Join Union Depot for a FREE movie night featuring, Frozen! Come meet your favorite characters for a photo experience, pose with Frozen themed backdrops, play oversized games and participate in a Twin Cities Road Crew show with Frozen themed games and prizes!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Sensory Friendly Mornings. 9:00am. Como Zoo. Head there from 9-10 a.m. for an inclusive experience at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Spend time exploring exhibits, and activities designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Use the “social narrative” and the “create your own visual schedule” to help prepare you for your Autism Friendly Early Entry day.
FREE “TARGET FAMILY DAY”at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from 11:00am to 5:00pm. This is a free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart. This month’s theme is “Jazz.”
Kids Fest. 11:00am – 2:30pm. 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka. Join us for FREE family fun at our 25th annual Kids’ Fest! Activities include dog sled rides, horse-drawn trolley rides, face painting, DJ, crafts, s’mores and much more.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Pre K Mondays. 9:00am – Noon. The Works Museum, Bloomington. Our Pre K Mondays feature special activities just for kids ages 3 to 5 and their adult companions. Kids are natural engineers – experience the amazing fun of hands-on engineering together! Encourage your Pre K student to explore his or her curiosity and design, build, and create. No registration needed! Half price admission ($4.25) for kids from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Grown-up admission is $9.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Concert & Teddy Bear Picnic Dinner. 5:30 – 7:00pm. Lake Area Discovery Center, 5212 S 41st Ave, Minneapolis,
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Sensory Friendly Mornings. 9:00am. Como Zoo. Head there from 9-10 a.m. for an inclusive experience at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Spend time exploring exhibits, and activities designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Use the “social narrative” and the “create your own visual schedule” to help prepare you for your Autism Friendly Early Entry day.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Free Pet Food Distribution. 3:00pm. St. Paul City Middle School, 643 Virginia St, Saint Paul. The Community Outreach department at AHS has partnered with St. Stephanus Church, Second Harvest Heartland and the Frogtown Neighborhood Association to continue bringing free pet food into the Frogtown Community. Each household will receive ONE FREE gallon-sized bag of dog and/or cat food. All locations are first come, first serve — while supplies last.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Target Free 3rd Sunday. Minnesota Children’s Museum. Thanks to the generosity of Target Corporation, visitors can roam the museum free of charge, every third Sunday of each month, from 9 a.m. 5 p.m.
Free Admission at Minnesota Children’s Museum Rochester. It’s closing day at their current location so all are admitted 12:00 – 4:00pm!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
FREE Admission to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 8:00am – 5:00pm. FREE admission on the 3rd Monday of each month. Visitor Center and buildings close at 4:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Free Third Thursday. 6:00 – 9:00pm. This month’s theme: Afrofuturism. Minneapolis Institute of Art. On the third Thursday of every month, join us to experience Mia’s diverse art collection with unique programs, drinks, and live music. Third Thursday events are FREE and open to the public.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Free Pet Food Distribution. 3:00pm. St. Paul City Middle School, 643 Virginia St, Saint Paul. The Community Outreach department at AHS has partnered with St. Stephanus Church, Second Harvest Heartland and the Frogtown Neighborhood Association to continue bringing free pet food into the Frogtown Community. Each household will receive ONE FREE gallon-sized bag of dog and/or cat food. All locations are first come, first serve — while supplies last.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Sensory Friendly Sunday! 9:00am – 12:00pm. Three Rivers Park District – French Regional Park, 12605 Rockford Rd, Plymouth. Join us from 9 AM – noon on the 4th Sunday of each month for Sensory Friendly Sundays. Explore the visitor center, play area, trails and picnic areas during calmer times.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Pet Food Distribution. 3:30pm – 5:00pm. 200 Arch St E, St Paul, MN. The Community Outreach department at AHS has partnered with Twin Cities Mobile Market to bring free pet food into the community.
EVERY SUNDAY
Free Family Fun Day at the Carl Kroening Interpretive Center in North Mississippi Regional Park (part of the Three Rivers park district). 1:00-3:00pm. A different theme each week!
Kids eat FREE Sundays at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations. 1 Free Kid’s Meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. Dine-in only. 12 and under. Must order from Kid’s Meals. Not valid with other offers or promotions. (Dickey’s also offers FREE ice cream with any dine-in purchase, every day!) There are 10+ Dickey’s locations in the Twin Cities area.
EVERY MONDAY
Tail Time at Wild Rumpus. Wild Rumpus Books, 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis. 10:30am. Stories for the wee!
EVERY TUESDAY
Mall of America “Toddler Tuesdays” from 10:00am to Noon. Events, free entertainment and discounts for toddlers.
Minnesota History Center – Admission is free every Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Midtown Global Market -“Wee Wednesdays” from 10:30-11:15am. Fun, entertaining and educational FREE programming for kids 5 years and younger. Every week it’s something different – music, puppet shows, cooking, and more! See their website for schedule.
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 10:00am-4:00pm. (Wednesdays and Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.
EVERY THURSDAY
Storytime in the Library. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 10:30 a.m. every Thursday in Andersen Horticultural Library, Snyder Building. Enjoy stories for the young and the young at heart! (Gate admission is $12.00 per adult, free for kids 12 and under.)
Goodwill thrift stores offer 50% off children’s clothing.
Walker Art Museum – Gallery Admission is free from 5:00-9:00pm.
EVERY FRIDAY
Family Night at the Midtown Global Market. Every Friday night from 5:00 – 8:00pm. Free live music, a children’s play area, and free balloons for the first 50 children. Businesses will validate your parking (for up to three hours) with purchase if you park in the 10th Avenue parking ramp.
EVERY SATURDAY
Free Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open House. Eden Prairie. 9:00 – 12:00. Enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more! Every Saturday!
Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.
Saturday Live! at the St. Paul Public Library. FREE. 11:15am to Noon.
Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary.
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 10:00am-4:00pm. (Wednesdays and Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.
