Small Fry Weekend: NW Metro
Toddler & preschool (0–5) plans for Maple Grove, Plymouth, Osseo, Brooklyn Park, Rogers & Champlin
Hi neighbors
Welcome to the very first Small Fry Weekend. I'm a Maple Grove dad of a 3-year-old, and every Thursday I'll send a short list of things to do with little kids around the NW metro, pulled from official library, city and park calendars. No ads disguised as events, nothing made up. Every listing links to its source, so check it before you load the car.
This weekend has a lot of pumpkins in it. Let's go.
This weekend's 3 picks
1. Kids Pumpkin Fest at Maple Grove fire stations
When: Sat Oct 17, 10 a.m.–noon (pumpkins go out at 10 while supplies last)
Where: Any of the 5 Maple Grove fire stations: 6880 Hemlock Ln N · 13450 Maple Knoll Way · 9875 Zachary Ln N · 8925 Lawndale Ln N · 6900 Maple Grove Pkwy
Ages: No age limit listed. One pumpkin per child. · Cost: Free · Indoor/outdoor: Both
Big trucks, a free pumpkin, and you're done before nap. Go early.
2. Halloween Family Fun Day at Weaver Lake Park
When: Sat Oct 17, two sessions: 12:30–2 and 2:30–4 p.m. (walk-up check-in listed as 12:45–2:15 and 2:45–4:15; check times on the event page)
Where: Weaver Lake Park, 8401 Maple Grove Pkwy (overflow parking: Weaver Lake Ball Fields, 17270 82nd Ave N)
Ages: 2–8 (under 2 free) · Cost: $6 per child, walk-ups welcome (cash only). · Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
Costumes, crafts, a candy goodie bag and a "Hallo-weeny Fashion Show." Tip from the organizers: for a calmer visit, arrive later in your time slot.
3. Fall Scavenger Hunt Hike at Eastman Nature Center
When: Sun Oct 18, 1–3 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Where: Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Rd, Dayton (Elm Creek Park Reserve, just past the Maple Grove line)
Ages: All ages · Cost: Free · Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor trails, plus a nature center building open Sun noon–5
A self-guided hunt at toddler speed, and kids who finish earn a prize. Afterward, warm up inside by the puppet tree and live reptiles.
Too cold? Indoor backup
Maple Maze indoor playground, Maple Grove Community Center
When: Sat 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (posted hours; check for closures)
Where: 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove
Ages: 12 and under. Toddler zone is for ages 3 and under. · Cost: $6.50 ages 1–12, under 1 free · Socks required ($3 if you forget)
Free extra: Connect and Play at Maple Grove Library, Sat Oct 17, 9:30–10:30 a.m., drop-in, all ages with a caregiver. Source →
Storytimes & play times: Fri Oct 16 – Fri Oct 23
All Hennepin County Library programs are free. Times are from HCL's calendar as of Oct 11. Tap through before you go.
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Maple Grove8001 Main St N
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Brooklyn Park8500 W Broadway Ave
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Rogers21300 John Milless Dr
- Tue 10/20 · 10–10:30 · Baby Storytime (birth–24 mo, registration required)
- Wed 10/21 · 10–10:30 · Family Storytime
- Wed 10/21 · 10:30–11:30 · Connect and Play
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Champlin12154 Ensign Ave N
- Wed 10/21 · 10–11 · Connect and Play (birth–5)
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Plymouth15700 36th Ave N
- No storytime listed this week. Next up: Sat 10/24 · 10–10:45 · Magical Creature Mania with Children's Theatre Company (preschool–K)
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Osseo415 Central Ave
- The library is self-service, so there are no programs there. Nearby: ECFE Story Time at Annabelle House, 232 Central Ave, Wed 10/21, 9:15–9:45 (birth–5)
Looking ahead
Spooktacular (Brooklyn Park): Sat Oct 24, 2–5 p.m., Zanewood Recreation Center, 7150 Zane Ave N. Free, no registration. Source →
Big Woods Halloween (Eastman Nature Center): Sat Oct 24, timed starts. Ages 4+, $8 per person, reserve ahead (some slots are sold out). Source →
Halloween at the Lake (Plymouth): Fri Oct 30, 5–8 p.m., Parkers Lake Playfield, 15500 County Road 6. Free. Source →
That's it for this week. Know about a toddler-friendly event in the NW metro? Tell me at [email protected]. If a friend would like this, send them the link. Signing up is free.
See you at the pumpkin pile,
Small Fry Weekend: NW Metro