(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.)
COVID UPDATE: Many events may be cancelled before I can remove them here. Please check before going!
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 $17.50 (regularly $22.99 – $24.99) 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
Update: The Works Museum is temporarily closed. I’ll update when they open again!
EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!
Yes, they’re open!
And 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 online. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership.
- 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! (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.
May 2021
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum open by reservation only. Chaska.
Science Museum Learn at Home. The museum IS OPEN but also has a website with many at-home learning activities.
Free Build-a-Bear Virtual Workshops. Build-a-Bear is offering free Virtual Workshops every Wednesday! There are activities, crafts and free printables. See what’s already on their website.
Many events have been cancelled or postponed. For resources, please see my guide, Coronavirus Financial Relief & Resources for Minnesota Families.
For online Minnesota fun, see my guide, Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home.
For free meals, see my guide Free Food for Kids and Families or see list below.
May Events by Date
SATURDAY, MAY 1
JBF Eagan/Apple Valley Kids Sale. April 29 – May 1. Hayes Ice Arena, Apple Valley. Half Price Day!
MPLS Farmers Market. First day of the summer outdoor market! 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
St. Paul Farmers Market. 9:00am – 1:00pm. 290 5th St E, St Paul. Locally grown foods: root veggies, mushrooms, micro greens, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, syrups, sauces, salsas and more.
Free Family Fun Day: Natural History Day. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Goodhue County Historical Society, Red Wing.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
MPLS Farmers Market. 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
TUESDAY, MAY 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.
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am and 11:00am. Mall of America Live and Virtual event. Check their website for each week’s schedule.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution. 4:30pm. Bring $20 and 2 large totes for an ABUNDANCE of food. No income or residency required. ALL WELCOME! Doors open at 4:30. Walk in or register online for less waiting (just show up 15 mins before your timeslot). Go to https://rubyspantry.org/product/bloomington-mn/. Read about my experience here!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
SATURDAY, MAY 8
MPLS Farmers Market. 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
St. Paul Farmers Market. 9:00am – 1:00pm. 290 5th St E, St Paul. Locally grown foods: root veggies, mushrooms, micro greens, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, syrups, sauces, salsas and more.
Global Fashion and Jewelry Crawl. 11:00am – 4:00pm. Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis. Stop by Midtown Global Market on May 8th, for a chance to see the wide array of clothing and beautiful jewelry that our retailers offer. We will have models wearing an amazing assortment of clothing and jewelry from across the world throughout the Market.
Bach, Cuong, Frank and Mozart. 8:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Live Stream event (online).
SUNDAY, MAY 9 Mother’s Day
Print out this FREE Mother’s Day Activity Page!
Sensory Friendly Sunday May 2021. 8:00am – 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. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience the Walker’s current exhibitions, Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection and Don’t let this be easy, and grab an art kit to make art at home! Registration encouraged.
MPLS Farmers Market. 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
Virtual Family Day: Building Bridges. 10:00am. Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Event.
TUESDAY, MAY 11
Toddler Tuesdays.10:00am and 11:00am. Mall of America Live and Virtual event. Check their website for each week’s schedule.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
THURSDAY, MAY 13
Bach, Cuong, Frank and Mozart. 7:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Live Stream event (online).
SATURDAY, MAY 15
Free Extreme Sandbox Drive Thru Experience. Various times today. Hastings, MN.
MPLS Farmers Market. 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
St. Paul Farmers Market. 9:00am – 1:00pm. 290 5th St E, St Paul. Locally grown foods: root veggies, mushrooms, micro greens, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, syrups, sauces, salsas and more.
TUESDAY, MAY 18
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am and 11:00am. Mall of America Live and Virtual event. Check their website for each week’s schedule.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 19 – 23. Maple Grove, MN.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
THURSDAY, MAY 20
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 19 – 23. Maple Grove, MN.
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 20 – 23. Maplewood, MN. Sign up for free to sell your kids’ stuff!
FRIDAY, MAY 21
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 19 – 23. Maple Grove, MN.
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 20 – 23. Maplewood, MN. Sign up for free to sell your kids’ stuff!
SATURDAY, MAY 22
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 19 – 23. Maple Grove, MN.
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 20 – 23. Maplewood, MN. Sign up for free to sell your kids’ stuff!
MPLS Farmers Market. 9:00am – 12:00pm. 312 E Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.
St. Paul Farmers Market. 9:00am – 1:00pm. 290 5th St E, St Paul. Locally grown foods: root veggies, mushrooms, micro greens, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, syrups, sauces, salsas and more.
SUNDAY, MAY 23
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 19 – 23. Maple Grove, MN.
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. May 20 – 23. Maplewood, MN. Sign up for free to sell your kids’ stuff!
TUESDAY, MAY 25
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am and 11:00am. Mall of America Live and Virtual event. Check their website for each week’s schedule.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
THURSDAY, MAY 27
FRIDAY, MAY 28
SATURDAY, MAY 29
These weekly events are discontinued until further notice due to COVID:
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
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.
