There is a particular kind of joy that comes in Minnesota when winter finally starts to loosen its hold. The light changes. The air smells different. You catch yourself lingering outside for a few extra minutes, just because you can. After months of cold and grey, spring here feels like a real gift.

This year, I wanted to be more intentional about it. Instead of just waiting for the season to arrive, I made a list — a Minnesota spring bucket list — of things I actually want to do with my family before summer gets here. Some are local events with specific dates. Some are simple seasonal rituals. All of them are things I am genuinely looking forward to.

If you are looking for family-friendly things to do in Minnesota this spring, or just trying to make the most of the season as a mom, I hope this list gives you some good ideas too.

Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for Maple Fest

Every spring, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska hosts Maple Fest, and it is one of those events that feels made for a morning with a toddler. This year it falls on March 21st. There is a pancake breakfast, a visit to the Maple Sugar House for hands-on demonstrations, and a scavenger hunt through the grounds. It is the kind of outing where learning happens without anyone realizing it.

Admission is included with general entry: $20 for adults in advance; kids 15 and under are free. The Arboretum is about 30 minutes west of Minneapolis, just off Highway 5 in Chaska. You can find all the details at arb.umn.edu.

The Arboretum also runs a gorgeous Spring Flower Show through March 15th, with thousands of flowers indoors, themed around Minnesota waters this year. If you haven’t made it to Maple Fest, a weekday morning at the flower show is a lovely, quiet way to spend a few hours.

Tap Into Maple Syrup Season at a Local Nature Center

Maple Fest is not the only place to experience maple syrup season in Minnesota, it just might be the most festive. If you want something a little smaller and closer to home, several nature centers across the Twin Cities run their own maple syruping programs through March.

Eastman Nature Center in Maple Grove offers a family maple syrup workshop — around $12 per family — and Lowry Nature Center in Victoria runs a Maple Syrup Fest where you can help make maple sugar, watch a tree get tapped, and taste the finished product at the Sugar Shack. Registration is around $6 per person and fills up quickly.

This is one of those springtime activities that slows you down in the best possible way.

Spend a Morning at Como Zoo in Saint Paul

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul is one of Minnesota’s most beloved family destinations, and it is free to visit — always. Donations are welcome and appreciated, and they do make a real difference, but there is no admission charge.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit, and Como Town, the small amusement park right on the zoo grounds, begins opening for the season. There is also a children’s gallery with hands-on activities for little ones and Sparky the Sea Lion’s daily show at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

If you have a toddler or young child, I especially want to point you toward the free Little Explorers program, held every Thursday from 10 AM to noon. It is designed for kids ages 1 to 3 and includes storytime, games, animal visitors, and activities. Como Zoo is located at 1225 Estabrook Drive in Saint Paul. More information at comozooconservatory.org.

See the Thomas and Friends Exhibit at Minnesota Children’s Museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum in Saint Paul is running Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails through May 11th, and if you have a train-loving toddler in your life, this is a really sweet outing. The exhibit is interactive and hands-on, designed specifically for young children.

General admission is $14.95 per person, and children under 1 are free. You can also visit for free on the first Sunday of the month — just check their website for details. The museum is located at 10 West 7th Street in Saint Paul. Find more at mcm.org.

Go See Baby Animals at Farm Babies

Spring Babies is one of those Minnesota spring traditions that people look forward to all year. Running on weekends from April 12th through May 4th, it is exactly what it sounds like — a festival centered around baby animals, with farm activities, a corn kernel pit, pedal trikes, and inflatables. It is genuinely sweet and a perfect outing for toddlers and young kids.

There is no charge to enter the festival grounds. Once inside, you can pay a la carte for individual activities or purchase a wristband. Tickets start at $15 per person online, with family packs available.

Visit a Local Farmers Market for the First Time This Season

Something about the first farmers market visit of the season feels like a true seasonal rite of passage. In the Twin Cities, many outdoor markets open in April and May. Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis (My personal favorite market!) opens in May, and there are wonderful local markets all around the suburbs as well.

My personal plan is to go on a Saturday morning with Ben and Ollie, find something beautiful to bring home — a bunch of tulips, a loaf of fresh bread, whatever catches my eye — and just take the time to slow down and enjoy being outside.

Get Outside on the Trails Before Summer Crowds Arrive

Spring in Minnesota is one of the best times to explore local trails and state parks. The crowds have not arrived yet, the air is cool and fresh, and everything is just starting to wake up. Afton State Park in Hastings has over 20 miles of trails and is a beautiful spot for families. There are also geocaching kits and discovery activities available for kids.

For something closer to the Twin Cities, the Three Rivers Park District has dozens of nature centers and trails with spring programming. A slow walk through the woods in April, when the first wildflowers are just starting to appear, is one of my favorite things about living in Minnesota.

Plant Something — Even Just a Pot of Herbs on the Porch

This one is simple, and maybe my favorite item on the whole list. Every spring I want to plant something — something small that marks the season and gives you a reason to step outside every day. There is something grounding about tending to something that grows. And if you have a toddler, getting them involved in digging in the dirt and watering a little pot is the kind of slow, quiet activity that I always want more of.

Get the First Ice Cream Cone of the Season

There is a specific joy to the first ice cream cone of the year. Not a cup — a cone. Outside. When it is maybe still a little too cold for it, but you do not care. We have a couple of local places we love — here and here — and I am already looking forward to the day when it feels warm enough to walk over and get a scoop. If you are in the Twin Cities and looking for a recommendation, Bebe Zito is a favorite. But honestly, any ice cream outside in April counts.

Open the Windows for the First Time

I saved the simplest one for last. The first morning of spring when you can open the windows and let the fresh air move through the house — that is a moment I genuinely look forward to every year. It doesn’t cost anything. It doesn’t require a reservation. It’s just a small, beautiful thing that signals that a new season has arrived.

Wishing You a Wonderful Spring

If any of these are on your spring list too, I would love to hear about it. Come find me on Instagram at @kellyzugay.