Family events in Hennepin County, MN

Howl-O-Ween fun awaits at the new Mississippi Gateway Regional Dog Park, featuring free activities for dogs. Snap spooky portraits at Pawtography, pick up a quick doodle of your dog from MNDoodleBooth, enjoy pup cup treats, let dogs play in the off-leash area, and listen to live music. Please review the dog park rules beforehand. A Three Rivers pass is not required.

Spend an evening of fun featuring trivia, time on the basketball court, and spirited card games. This welcoming gathering is open to everyone, from casual players to those who enjoy some friendly competition. Attendees can bring a favorite game, invite a friend, and share a meal together.

Parents Night Out offers a carefree evening for families. Parents can enjoy time together while children explore award-winning attractions. The event includes a secure checkout process, attraction passes, pizza, bottled water, and a variety of games, plus additional activities to keep the fun going.

Designed for ages 3 to 10 with an adult, this daddy daughter dance offers an evening of shared moments on the dance floor. Meet princesses, dance beneath the lights, make a keepsake craft, and enjoy sweet treats throughout the celebration. Capture the fun with selfies and professional photos by Content Photography, then return to the floor for more music and movement. Register early to secure the best price.

Children’s Minnesota offers free car seat checkups to help families keep kids safe on the road. Certified technicians trained in car seat safety will examine your seat. The checkup is held at Richfield Fire Station No. 1. Registration is requested in advance by calling 612-813-6053 or emailing carseats@childrensmn.org.

At the Northeast Farmers Market, explore fresh produce from local growers, handcrafted goods, tasty food, and live music in a family friendly setting. This vibrant community marketplace offers an easy way to support local farmers and small businesses while browsing a wide variety of offerings. Free parking is available, EBT and Market Bucks are accepted, and the market happens rain or shine. Please note that pets are not allowed.

Enjoy an open board game play session that is free to attend, with plenty of space and tables ready for play. Bring your own favorites, pick from a shelf of demo board games, or purchase a new title and start playing right away. Friends and family are welcome to play together. Gaming space is also available during the week.

Celebrate the season at Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery with a family friendly festival where admission is free. Enjoy a fall themed photo spot, a bonfire with apple cider, pumpkin bowling, a scavenger hunt, and a selection of food trucks along with vendors. Try painting a pumpkin for a $5 fee, with the pumpkin provided, and look for additional seasonal activities. Remember to bring a camera for photos.

The Punch Bunch Kid's Club at Punch Bowl Social blends playtime with party vibes for families. Kids can get creative at DIY craft stations, try complimentary board games, and enjoy their first arcade game at no charge. Festive party favors and a playlist tailored for all ages help set a lively atmosphere. A brunch and lunch menu is available for both kids and accompanying adults, and guests under 12 receive free soda. RSVP is free, and party favors for kids are offered while supplies last. The club gathers once a month. New rewards members can start earning points and receive 50% off bowling or karaoke just for signing up.

US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota hosts the 2026 YIM Championships.

A sensory friendly playtime at Edinborough Park in Edina offers a relaxed experience for children ages 1 to 12 with diverse sensory needs. The environment features softer lighting, quieter sound, and a smaller crowd to help reduce overstimulation. A quiet space is available for breaks, and sensory kits with items like noise canceling headphones help kids feel more comfortable. To maintain a calm setting, group visits and birthday parties are not scheduled during this playtime.

Educator Amy Simso Dean leads a calm and informative birding walk hosted by Lakewood, open to all ages and all levels of experience. The outing begins with a short lesson on birding techniques and local species, followed by a slow-paced group walk of about 1.5 miles on easy to moderate terrain. Binoculars will be available. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended, and seating is not available. The walk takes place near scenic Jo Pond, Lakewood’s onsite lake located about a half mile from the main gate, with directional signs to guide the way.

Introduce your child to lacrosse at a free beginner clinic at the FHS turf field. The session is led by the FHS girls and boys lacrosse coaches and players, creating a welcoming space to explore the sport. Kids do not need to bring equipment or have any prior experience, and the focus is on fun, community, and trying something new.

Centered on the town of Sunburry, this Dungeons & Dragons gathering brings together enthusiastic players and devoted Dungeon Masters in a family friendly setting. It is suited for kids, newcomers, and longtime players, offering a growing community with plenty of tabletop fun and adventure.

This weekly Pokemon League open play gathering offers casual matches, opportunities to trade, and a relaxed space to spend time with fellow fans. Sign up to receive a booster of your choice from standard releases or an official Pokemon Season Prize Pack, along with a random draw from the Pokemon Prize Deck. Possible rewards include rare cards, promotional items, chances to win a pack, Pokemon-themed goodies, or store credit. Participants who enjoy the trading card game, Pokemon GO, or playing on Switch are all welcome.

Give last year’s outfit a second life at the Edina Halloween Costume Swap at Edinborough Park. Bring costumes your household has outgrown or is ready to pass along, then browse for a new-to-you look for Halloween. The swap is free and open to everyone. Costumes can be dropped off in advance at Edina Fire Station 2 or brought directly to the event. Participants can trade, explore the selection, and help great costumes make the rounds again.

Mother Clucker's Pizza features a lunch built around unlimited pizza and broasted chicken for $18.95. Begin with a soup or salad, then keep ordering from the main selections as often as you like. Soups include chili, broccoli cheddar, and chicken wild rice, with house or Caesar salad available. Main choices include spicy or regular broasted chicken and pizza by the slice, with options such as the slice of the day, cheese, pepperoni, or sausage. Sides include potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, broccoli, fried okra, fries, onion rings, mac and cheese, baked beans, mashed potatoes, a biscuit, or garlic toast.

Celebrate the changing season with a gentle story-themed walk that highlights autumn colors and cooler air. Follow the pages of a children’s book arranged along the route for a read-as-you-go experience suitable for every age. Extra books can be found in the hearth room. This self-guided stroll offers light activity at whichever pace feels comfortable. Dress for the weather and choose supportive footwear. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available inside the visitor center. Accessibility features include handicap parking and dropoff, ramps throughout the visitor center with flat carpeted or aggregate floors, and benches and rest areas around the building. The route may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Indoors, pages are placed throughout the visitor center. Outdoors, the path starts on aggregate pavement, transitions to concrete, has no steep slopes, and covers less than a quarter mile. For accessibility accommodations such as sign language interpretation or captioning, please send requests at least ten business days in advance to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov. For questions, contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call 952-854-5900.

This casual, drop-in playtime is for children from birth to age five and their caregivers. Stay for the whole session or stop in for just a portion, whatever fits your schedule.

An all-ages gathering offers a light brunch, live music, and friendly games for families and friends. Twin Cities Todd performs a blend of familiar classics for older audiences and catchy tunes kids will recognize, creating a soundtrack that spans generations. When the music wraps, the festivities continue with rounds of bingo, prize giveaways, and plenty of laughs. Expect a warm, welcoming setting that encourages connection across ages. Registration is required and space is limited.

Get help ensuring your child’s car seat is properly set up. Arrive with your car seat or booster already installed, and bring the seat’s instruction manual along with your vehicle manual. Walk-ins are accepted, though making an appointment is preferred. To schedule a car seat check, call 612-813-6053.

Children’s Minnesota hosts a free car seat checkup in Edina, where certified child passenger safety technicians inspect your car seat and provide guidance to ensure proper installation and fit. The event takes place at Edina Fire Station No. 2. Registration is requested; to reserve a time or ask questions, call 612-813-6053 or email carseats@childrensmn.org.

Experience a welcoming evening of community folk dancing at the Center for Performing Arts in Minneapolis. This new monthly gathering features approachable dances taught on the spot, so no partner and no prior experience are needed. Expect lively, room-wide dancing in a festive atmosphere, followed by a casual social time. Admission is $10 at the door. All ages are welcome, recommended for ages 8 and up.