Family events in Shakopee, MN

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.

Enjoy a peaceful visit at WEE Farm with time to meet the resident animals, including horses Mac and Grizzly, goats, pigs, a donkey, and other friendly critters and pets. Help collect eggs and explore the grounds while hearing stories about the farm’s history. Pre-registered tickets through the website are required for all guests, and walk-ins are not permitted.

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.

Viking Fest Minnesota features performances by the Harp Twins and the Volfgang Twins at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. The performance schedule will be announced. After each show, the artists will meet fans for photos and autographs, and merchandise will be available. These performances are free for festival attendees and offer a family friendly experience.

The Food Truck Train makes a stop in Lakeville at Lakeville Fleet Farm, featuring Eggroll Queen favorites. Attendees can pick up items from the truck and enjoy a relaxed visit with friends and family.

A spacious 2000 square foot romp room outfitted with ramps, tunnels, and plenty of litter boxes sets the scene for a rabbit play session and on-site grooming. Families can have nails trimmed and scent glands cleaned while connecting with other rabbit owners. To take part in the romp, rabbits must be spayed or neutered, vaccinated against RHDV2, and kept indoors at home. Please limit attendance to two people per rabbit and remain seated around the edges of the room, while experienced rabbit handlers supervise from inside the play area. Pricing includes romp admission at $5 per rabbit, with any additional rabbits free after paying for three. Nail trims are $10 with tax included, scent gland cleaning is $5 with tax included, brush out is $15 when available with tax included, and dematting is $20 when available with tax included. Shaving is available by appointment only for $40, tax included.

Enjoy live music at the Arboretum as local bands and community ensembles perform in a scenic garden setting. Most concerts take place on Sundays from summer into fall. Performances are held on Newton Terrace by Rootstock Cafe, and move indoors if the weather does not cooperate. The season concludes with a Saturday show in MacMillan Auditorium. Food, beer, and wine are available for purchase from Rootstock, and the Rootstock Ice Cream Cart may be open when conditions allow. Entry to Music in the Garden is included with regular daily admission, and visitors are welcome to explore the Arboretum before or after the performance.

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.

Children can get creative by planning and constructing their own cars powered by the sun with easy-to-use construction kits. This hands-on experience introduces the basics of solar energy, strengthens problem solving skills, and encourages young engineers to spark their imagination as they assemble their vehicles. GoSolar! Kidz promotes eco-friendly learning for a more sustainable future.

Children get hands-on with solar power by designing and building their own cars using simple toy construction kits. They explore the basics of solar energy while practicing problem solving and stretching their imaginations through creative building.

Enjoy a value-packed pass for $12.95 per person that includes unlimited laser tag, unlimited mini golf, and unlimited Krazy Kars, plus an arcade card loaded with $3 in credits. If you want to expand the fun, add X-Treme Trampoline for an additional $3 and include access to the Play Zone for another $3.

Celebrate the start of a new school year with a kickoff Culver’s fundraiser for Clover Ridge Elementary. Taking place at the Chaska Culver’s, it aligns with a conference night at CRE, making dinner plans straightforward while lending support to the school. Families and friends can dine in, meet up, or use the drive-thru, and a portion of every purchase made during the event benefits the Clover PTO, drive-thru orders included.

Professional birthworkers from The Childbirth Collective host a donation-based Birth Topic Night at Minnesota Birth Center in St. Paul focused on comfort measures for labor. Pregnant people and expecting families can meet Collective members, explore the cycle of fear, tension, and pain and why comfort measures matter, then practice techniques at hands-on stations. All are invited. Advance registration is helpful, and walk-ins are welcome.

At Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Annie brings the story of Little Orphan Annie to the stage, highlighting resilience and hope. Audiences can expect well-known numbers like "It’s the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and "Tomorrow." The outing is designed for families. The fee covers motorcoach transportation, admission, and lunch. Registration is available online, in person, or by phone, and a registration deadline applies.

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.

Enjoy a History HiJinx activity at the Minnesota History Center that explores Minnesota’s trees and guides participants in creating a leaf suncatcher.

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.

IGM’s MEA break camp offers a school-break option filled with gymnastics, games, crafts, and friendly challenges, giving kids a chance to move, create, and spend time with friends. Families can choose a full-day or half-day format. Pricing is $75 for one full day or $140 for both days, and $50 per half-day session. Space is limited.

Once Upon a Child Maple Grove and Anoka are rolling out a large bamboo-focused drop featuring top bamboo labels and the prints shoppers look for most. Browse soft sleepers and pajamas, two-piece sets, and more, with many gently used selections priced well below retail. This special release is exclusive to the Maple Grove and Anoka locations, and arriving early offers the best chance to snag the most sought-after pieces.

Preschool Open Gym offers a two-hour supervised session where children ages 1 to 5 can move, climb, and explore at their own pace while practicing early gymnastics skills alongside other kids. A parent or guardian is required to participate with each child. Sessions are held at Classic Gymnastics in Savage. Dates and times are listed on the events calendar.

Grocery Gathering with Feeding Frogtown takes place at West Minnehaha Recreation Center in Saint Paul. This community event is open to everyone. Enter the recreation center to join the line for free food for people and food for animals. It is part of a recurring series and the schedule may be adjusted as needed. Participants are asked to treat one another with kindness and to focus on future growth.

This family friendly autumn celebration encourages costumes and blends indoor and outdoor fun. Enjoy carnival games and trick or treating along Mother Nature’s Trail with friendly animal characters, then wrap up the evening with a puppet show and refreshments. Early-bird admission is $12 per person for residents and $13 for nonresidents, followed by $14 for residents and $15 for nonresidents once the early-bird period ends. Households of four or more receive a 20 percent discount starting with the fourth attendee. Early-bird tickets will be mailed.

Friday and Saturday nights transform the park as the lights dim, the music turns up, and neon sets the tone for an energizing glow-filled experience. Pick up a Cosmic Glow Kit, bring your friends, and dive into a night you will want to relive again and again.

Forest friends gather in Peter Rabbit’s burrow beneath Mr. McGregor’s garden to plan a surprise celebration, but the festivities shift when they discover Mr. McGregor’s troubling plans for the land around the burrow. This new musical brings Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters to the stage with original songs and a story about drawing strength from community and standing up for what is right. Presented through a special arrangement with Frederick Warne & Co Limited. The performance is 45 minutes with no intermission and has been noted as suitable for both children and adults. The cast features Juan Unzueta, reprising his role from Alliance Theater, as Peter Rabbit, along with Julia Díaz as Benjamin Bunny, Danny McHugh as Jeremy Fisher, Em Adam Rosenberg as Mr. Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise, Maureen Sherman-Mendez as Mrs. Tiggywinkle, and Kate Marie as Squirrel Nutkin.

Hart Travel offers a day trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre that includes round-trip motorcoach travel, lunch at the theatre, and a performance of Annie. The cost is $130 per person for this departure. Travelers board in Alexandria, with additional pickup options in Parkers Prairie, Sauk Centre, Albany, St. Joseph, and Monticello or Clearwater. Inspired by the classic comic strip, Annie opened on Broadway in 1977, ran for six years, and received seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. It was later brought to the screen in 1982 with a notable cast. The score features favorites such as It’s the Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow, N.Y.C., and Maybe. Additional trip dates are available, with pricing of $120 or $130 per person depending on the date.

Teams of up to four race to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle at the Minnetonka Community Center. Prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers. Registration is required, with one person registering per team. Two sessions are offered, and participants may register for both since a different puzzle is used in each. Open to ages 17 and up, or ages 13 and older with an adult. Sponsored by The General Store of Minnetonka and PoppedCorn.

Enjoy a bustling flea market at West Side Ice Arena in St Paul, where bargains, unique finds, and upbeat vibes set the tone. Admission for the public is free, and only vendors need to purchase tickets. Explore a wide mix of offerings, including brand new and used merchandise, unique handcrafted goods, vintage and antique pieces, toys, collectible Hot Wheels and Pokemons, and Amazon resell items. Food trucks and stands, plus baked goods and cottage foods, provide plenty of options while you shop, chat, and network.

A playful yoga class pairs mindful movement with the company of dozens of rescue rabbits that wander the room while participants practice on their mats. After the session, volunteers will be available to talk about ways to get involved and to introduce some adoptable rabbits. Children must be at least 10 years old, with a limit of one child per adult participant. Throughout the class, participants should stay on their mats. Gentle petting is welcome, however for the rabbits’ safety, picking them up is not allowed.

Havoc at the Pavek: Local Legends transforms the Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication into a museum-wide, escape room style STEM adventure that blends science and history with a mysterious twist. Designed to be engaging for all ages, this unique Halloween experience invites participants to investigate strange happenings tied to electronic communication. The story centers on Professor Havoc, whose shortwave radio experiments have attracted cryptids from folklore, causing interference throughout the museum. As an official explorer, you will move through the galleries completing hands-on STEM challenges to track unusual signals and help restore order. Each successful task brings you closer to a hidden exhibit... available for one night, with discoveries that must remain confidential. Plan for about one hour to complete the experience, with entry times starting every 30 minutes. Advance registration through Eventbrite provides pay-what-you-can pricing. Walk-up visitors can use museum admission rates of $12 for adults and $7 for students ages 4 to 17 and military, and may be asked to wait for the next available slot. Attire can be casual, Halloween themed, inspired by urban legends, or full costume. Kraken Level Sponsor is Discover St. Louis Park. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Kaeleen Laird at kaeleen@pavekmuseum.org.

Explore nature through guided Discovery Booths for all ages, with topics that range from pollinators and urban trees to ecosystems and practical plant uses, inspiring curiosity at the Arboretum and beyond. Access to the booths is covered by general daily admission. Members and visitors 15 and younger receive free admission, and non-members ages 16 and older pay $20 to $25. To guarantee admission, tickets need to be reserved ahead of time. Themes and locations shift with the seasons, offering new learning opportunities each season. Exact booth locations are posted on the board by the Visitor Center entrance.

Little gardens with plenty of imagination come to life in a hands-on workshop where you will build a miniature world using tiny gourds, moss, and seasonal accents. It is well suited for kids, people making gifts, or anyone who wants a small touch of magic on the windowsill. The fee to begin is $15.

MGCO presents a family-friendly Halloween celebration at Weaver Lake Park with two sessions to choose from. Children can pick up goodie bags filled with candy and small surprises, get creative at a craft station, and step up for a spirited scream contest to see who has the loudest and spookiest shout. Costumes are welcome, and young ghosts and goblins can strut their looks during a playful costume fashion show. Admission is $6 for children ages 2 to 8, and children under 2 attend at no cost. CROSS Services will be on site accepting food donations. Parking is available at the park, with additional space at Weaver Lake Ball Fields.

Allianz Field hosts a Western Conference matchup as Minnesota United FC faces St. Louis CITY SC. The event also includes a Pride celebration.

Need a breather while the kids burn off energy? This monthly Parents Night Out packs three hours of play and creativity, including high-energy games, trampoline time, open gym-style activities, and a hands-on craft. It is designed for children ages 4 to 13, and preschoolers must be potty trained. Pricing is $25 for EGA members and $30 for non-members.

The Lighthouse Fundraising Burger Dinner features a build-your-own burger bar with everyday fries and a lighthouse sundae. Presented by Lighthouse Kitchen & Café in partnership with the Farmington VFW, it benefits Northfield Women's Center. Tickets are $20, and a portion of each ticket and on-site gratuity supports the featured organization. The event centers on sharing a thoughtfully prepared meal and connecting with others who value strengthening the community.

Celebrate the season at Westwood Hills Nature Center in Minneapolis with a family friendly fall gathering where costumes are encouraged. Enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including carnival games and trick or treating with friendly animal characters along Mother Nature’s Trail. Cap the night with a puppet show and refreshments. Early bird rates are $12 per person for residents and $13 for nonresidents, and prices after the early bird period are $14 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Households of four or more receive a 20 percent discount starting with the fourth attendee and for each additional person. Registration is available.

Once night falls, the park transforms as the lights dim, the music pumps, and neon sets the scene for a high energy experience. Pick up a Cosmic Glow Kit and share the fun with friends for a vibrant night you will want to repeat.