Looking for family-friendly things to do with kids this week (February 2nd – February 8th) in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, and Hastings? You’re in the right place! 🎄
Be sure to check the Macaroni KID Events Calendar daily—new activities and last-minute seasonal fun are added all the time!
TOP FAMILY PICKS THIS WEEK
1. Free Tuesday Admissions Day at any Washington County Parks
Families can enjoy free admission to Washington County Parks on the first non-holiday Tuesday of each month, making it a perfect opportunity for outdoor family fun in Minnesota. Explore scenic spots like Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, Point Douglas Park & Trails, Square Lake Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, with self-guided family adventure hikes available at many locations; visitors are encouraged to stop by Welcome Centers for special activities when open, and no vehicle permit is required.
2. Hudson Hot Air Affair - Parade, Fireworks and Hot Air Balloons - Hudson - Friday to Sunday
The Hudson Hot Air Affair returns February 6–8, 2026, bringing one of the Midwest’s most popular winter festivals back to western Wisconsin with its theme, Sky Walkers Return to Rock. Highlights include the Torchlight Parade through downtown Hudson on Friday, February 6, featuring illuminated units and fiery balloon crews, followed by a fireworks display over Lakefront Park and the St. Croix River, plus colorful hot air balloon launches (weather permitting) at EP Rock Elementary School on Saturday and Sunday, along with a full weekend of family-friendly winter activities and entertainment.
3. 3M Visiting Wizards Present: Color & Light - SMNIC - Saturday
Families are invited to explore the science of light during this hands-on, kid-friendly program at the Science Museum of Northern Innovation Center, where participants will learn how light helps us see, why objects appear different colors, and how light is absorbed, reflected, or transmitted. This free, drop-in event runs from 10:00–11:30 a.m., with 3M Visiting Wizards guiding interactive experiments throughout the session, making it a great STEM activity for curious kids of all ages.
4. Midwinter Family Fun at Belwin Conservancy - Saturday
Belwin Conservancy hosts Midwinter Family Fun in Afton, MN, offering an evening of outdoor winter adventures and cozy indoor activities for families, including guided snow hikes, stargazing with the Minnesota Astronomical Society, s’mores by the campfire, and star-themed activities inside the Hilltop Classroom. Guests can also visit the Joseph J. Casby Observatory to view the night sky through one of Minnesota’s largest refractive telescopes, with guided hikes beginning at 5:15 p.m. and a special woodland storytime for children ages 5 and under at 5:15pm and 6:00pm.
5. Preschool Playtime at The Grove - Cottage Grove - Friday
Preschool Playtime is back for the winter season at The Grove in Cottage Grove, offering a welcoming, sensory-based playtime designed for young children and their caregivers. Families can enjoy stories, simple crafts, and hands-on activities in a relaxed setting, with the added bonus of free coffee for parents, making it an easy and fun weekday outing for little ones.
I’m a local mom and the publisher of Macaroni KID Woodbury–Oakdale–Cottage Grove–Stillwater, your go-to guide for family fun in the South East Metro! Each week, I share a FREE weekly e-newsletter, update our family-friendly website, and highlight local events, activities, and small businesses. Subscribe today and never miss a local family adventure!
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