Fall is one of the shortest season in Minnesota, and something about its mild days and cool nights begs us to get outdoors and enjoy it while it lasts!
Here are some of the family friendly activities going on around the Twin Cities that you can take advantage of during the next few weeks! These events and activities will be enjoyed by your toddler or preschool aged children, as well as the rest of the family!
Looking for apple orchards recommendations? Check out our list!
ONGOING EVENTS
Crazy Legs Farm & Pumpkins, Farmington
Free hayrides, pick your own pumpkins ($5), corn maze ($7pp). You can also get gourds, ornamental corn, corn shocks, broom corn, and fall décor. Their Facebook page has up to date info.
Brand Farms, Farmington
Hay rides, apple cider slush, donuts, straw mountain, gravity wagon basketball, u-pick apples, farm fresh eggs, u-pick pumpkin patch, fresh picked sweet corn, food trucks (sunflower field will be opening in 1-2 weeks).
Barten Pumpkins, New Prague
Pick your own pumpkins and fall décor corn shocks, straw bales, gourds/squash. $2-$10.
Minnesota Harvest, Jordan
$15pp (under 2 free), comes with a season pass. Under new ownership, it is open 10am-6pm on the weekends – admission required to enter the orchards and activities, but purchase once and enter as many times as you want, all season long! Farm animals, wagon rides, corn maze, spinning apple ride, pedal tractors, corn pit, straw bale pyramid, gem mining, apple cannons, cow train, barnyard basketball, wall ball, tug-o-war, ring toss, duck races, duck pond, playground, pumpkin jump pads.
Afton Apple Orchard, Afton
$7pp ($5 for children under age 4). Playground, petting farm, straw mountain, retread hill, spider web, tire swing corral, johnny combine, Grammamals barnyard, giant rocking chair, giant swing, hayrides, jump pad and cow train, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins and gourds, u-pick apples, fall raspberries, gift shop and retail store.
Luceline Orchard, Watertown
Free admission; sunflower field, corn maze, farm animals, jumping pillow, apple slinging, hayrides, train rides, pumpkin picking, tot zip line, hay mountain, swings, face painting, u-pick apples, food and live music, nature trail and more.
Pinehaven Farm, Wyoming
Wall ball games, photo ops, corn pit, play area, cluck truck, ladder ball, corn maze, apple blasters, farm dinos, zipliners, slides, swings, u-pick pumpkins, tug-o-war, pedal trikes, barrel broncos, gem mining, jumping pillow, pirate band, Pineducky derby, Spidee climber, trolley rides, pumpkin eating dragon show, petting zoo, corn cannon and more. $13-$19pp, children ages 2 and under free.
Farmyard Fun Fair, Barnyard Buddies, Lakeville
Open 10am-5pm. Bounce house, ball pit, pony rides, petting zoo (ducks, goats, mini cows, big cows, calves, pigs, piglets, mini horses, emus, peacocks, sheep), animal feed available ($1-$10); hot cocoa, apple cider, popcorn and sno-cones for purchase. Cash only. Open 9/24, 9/25, 10/20, 10/21, 10/22 and 10/23. $3pp donation.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, MN Zoo, Apple Valley, Oct 1-Nov 5
Explore the glowing trail with thousands of artistically carved pumpkins. Animal viewing available in Discovery Bay until 8pm.
Renaissance Festival, Shakopee, Weekends, August 20-Oct 2nd, 9am-7pm.
Ren Fest is not just for adults! Kids won’t want to miss the Fairy Wing Forest (make your own fairy wands, meet your favorite pixies and more), Wizard’s Flight School Zip Line, Magic the Live Unicorn, Mermaid Cove, Kids Craft Corner (make a pirate hat!), Cock-A-Doodle-Zoo, Princess Court, Jousts (11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm), Parade (1pm) and Games and Rides, in addition to fantastic entertainers! Don’t forget the elephant, camel and pony rides! There is a children’s costume contest daily, if your child wants to dress up! Children’s Knighting ceremony at 3:30pm. Irish cottage has stories and cooking demos. The Palace Garden has adventure stories. Visit the Juggling School to learn how to juggle. Bringing a stroller – make sure it’s all terrain/jogging stroller due to unpaved ground. Online rate: $23.95pp, $15.50 per child (ages 5-12)
Sever’s Fall Festival, Shakopee, Weekends, September 17-October 30, 10am-7pm.
A tradition for many Twin Cities families, you’ll want to enjoy the Sever’s Fall Festival! Corn maze, giant slide ($3pp), extreme corn pit, jumping pillows, petting zoo, pumpkin blasters ($5 per 8 shots), obstacle course, straw bale maze, tire mountain, zip lines, pig races, photo opps, wildlife shows, live music, kiddie train, straw sculptures, llamas, magic shows and comedy juggler, pony rides ($5pp), hay rides ($2pp), pumpkins (.49 cents/lb), apple express ($5pp), Kidsdance, food and beverages and more. $19pp (online price)), 3 and under free. Season pass $45pp.
Tricks and Treats at ValleyFair, Shakopee, Weekends, September 30-October 31
Halloween fun for the whole family, featuring the “land of tricks” and the “land of treats”.
OTHER EVENTS
Looking for unique fall outdoor family fun in the Twin Cities area? Here are some other events to consider.
September 24th
River Rendezvous, 10am-5pm, Bloomington
Your children can explore 19th century Minnesota with lots of hands on activities and fun. $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Field Fest, 10am-3pm, Arborteum, Chaska
Farm-fresh food tastings, garden tours, scavenger hunt, interactive games, exhibits and more. Beer garden and food trucks. Sugar beet harvest, farm crawl (corn and more), family activity tent and more.
October 1st
Shak-O-Lantern Festival, 2pm-5pm, Shakopee
Vendor market, food trucks and “trunk or treating” for the kiddos in downtown Shakopee!
October 8th
Pumpkin Party, 11am-3pm, Farmamerica, Waseca
Pumpkins to carve/decorate, trick or treating, petting zoo, blacksmith demos, games and crafts, corn maze, tram rides, photo ops, scavenger hunt, free hot apple cider, food truck and more. $12/adult and $10/kid
Fall Chairlift Rides at Hyland Hills, 11:30am-4pm, Bloomington
Enjoy live music, food and a chairlift ride to the top of Hyland Hills. $7pp
Sheepdog Herding Trial & Fall Festival, 9am, Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
Border collies and their handlers will showcase their skills. You can also walk a llama from Carlson’s Loveable Llamas, try your hand at fiber crafts using wool from sheep at Gale Woods, meet farm animals, and take a tasting tour of the garden. Reservations required for scheduled wagon ride from barn to the sheepherding trials. $10pp
Stillwater Harvest Fest, October 8 and 9th, 10am-8pm
Kids costume parade, pumpkin regatta, giant pumpkin drop, beer garden, live music, vendor market, pie eating contest, chili cook-off, giant pumpkin weigh-off, harvest fest market and kids activities and more.
October 15th
Trail of Fun, Chaska
Hayrides, s’mores, pumpkin archery, music, games, food trucks, pumpkin carving contest and more. Registration required.
October 22nd
Haunted Forest Festival, 5-8pm, Steve Michaud Park, Lakeville
Halloween hayrides, trick or treaters maze, haunted forest trail, haunted bonfire puppet shows, creepy concessions and free pumpkins (while supplies last). $10/car or $3/pp
Halloween Bash, 5pm-8pm, Savage Sports Center, Savage
Horse drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, inflatables, magic, music, dancing, campfire, s’mores, games, food trucks, vendors and more. $8pp (register online by October 16)
October 29th
Halloween Trail Walk, 11am-2pm, Eagan
Enjoy trick or treat stions, music and play Halloween themed games. Preregistration required. $6pp (adults free with a non-perishable food donation).
Halloween Jamboree, 4-6pm, Chaska
Kid-friendly Halloween themed craft, ghostly games, haunted house and DJ dance booth.
October 31st
Candy Crawl, 10am-1pm, Downtown Prior Lake
Bring your little ones out in their costumes for trick or treating at over 20 local businesses! Put on by the City of Prior Lake and sponsors.
