Looking for a fun and FREE outdoor activity on a Sunday? Check out several Three Rivers Park District locations for multiple opportunities throughout the whole year!
The Three Rivers Park District offers Free Drop-In Discoveries opportunites every Sunday (and some weekdays!) at several of their facilities. These are open-house style activities, so feel free to stop in at a time that works for you.
Check out the upcoming listings below and find one that you and your family would enjoy!
June 28, 2026
Digital Scavenger Hunt at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Journey of a Water Droplet at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Journey through the water cycle in a unique hands on game. Turn yourself into a water droplet and become part of the adventure as you collect beads that tell your personal water droplet story. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.
Story Walk at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Stroll along the Mississippi River and read “What Is A River?” by Monika Vaicenaviciene. Contribute to an ephemeral community art project by letting us know what a river is to you. All ages welcome. Free.
July 5, 2026
Meet Our Turtle Ambassadors at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Join us in our front yard as our turtle ambassadors get some sunshine. Learn what makes Blanding’s and painted turtles special, and discover where they live and what they eat. All ages welcome. Free.
Meet the Animals at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Mississippi River Rocks at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Explore the river’s shoreline for agates and other cool rocks. Discover their history and stories. Get some great identification tips to start your own rock collection. Drop in anytime. Free.
July 12, 2026
Aquatic Insects at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Puppet Art Adventures at Silverwood Park (St. Anthony): Watch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Performance begins promptly at 1 p.m. After the show, try your hand at making an art project related to the show until 3 p.m. Join the Walk with a Naturalist at 2 p.m. for a longer nature hike or stay and make art throughout the afternoon. All ages welcome. Free.
River Critters at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Scoop for small aquatic animals along the edge of the river. Learn about what they eat, who eats them and what they tell us about the health of the mighty Mississippi River. Drop in anytime. Free.
Watercolors by a Wetland at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Join us for a quiet, creative activity at the pond or along the creek. Make your own watercolor painting to take home. All ages welcome. Free.
July 19, 2026
Art & Play at French Regional Park (Plymouth): Join a naturalist and an art instructor from Silverwood Park and explore a new artmaking activity inspired by nature on the front patio of the French Park visitor center. Take an up-close look at nature artifacts and learn to use tools like binoculars, hand lenses and field guides to observe the wild world around. All ages welcome. Free.
Cecropia Moths at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America’s biggest moth. Drop in anytime. Free.
Natural Boats at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Make your own boat out of natural materials, then see if it will float! Learn about what makes things float and the kinds of boats that use the Mississippi River. Drop in anytime. Free.
Ospreys at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
July 23, 2026
Cecropia Moths at Fish Lake Regional Park (Maple Grove): Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America’s biggest moth. Drop in anytime. Free. (Takes place from 10:30-11:30 am.)
Cecropia Moths at French Regional Park (Plymouth): Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America’s biggest moth. Drop in anytime. Free. (Takes place from 1 – 2 pm.)
July 26, 2026
Pond Exploration at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Explore one of summertime’s coolest habitats, the pond! Meet a naturalist at the dock to scoop with a net, identify aquatic invertebrates and plants, and get a closer look with a magnifier. All ages welcome. Free.
River Turtles at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Drop in and meet some of our animal ambassador turtles and learn about the unique adaptations they have to help them live in rivers. Take a stroll along the Treetop Trail doing turtle trivia. Drop in anytime. Free.
Turtles at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
August 2, 2026
Journey of a Water Droplet at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Journey through the water cycle in a unique hands on game. Turn yourself into a water droplet and become part of the adventure as you collect beads that tell your personal water droplet story. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.
Prairie Insects at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Story Walk at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Hike the trails near the prairie and uncover the pages of “If You’re Not from the Prairie” by David Bouchard as you go. Complete the trail and the story! Find a naturalist out on the trail to learn more about the plants and animals that call the prairie home. All ages welcome. Free.
August 9, 2026
Meet Our Turtle Ambassadors at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Join us in our front yard as our turtle ambassadors get some sunshine. Learn what makes Blanding’s and painted turtles special, and discover where they live and what they eat. All ages welcome. Free.
Pond Exploration at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
August 16, 2026
Amphibians at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Art & Play at French Regional Park (Plymouth): Join a naturalist and an art instructor from Silverwood Park and explore a new artmaking activity inspired by nature on the front patio of the French Park visitor center. Take an up-close look at nature artifacts and learn to use tools like binoculars, hand lenses and field guides to observe the wild world around. All ages welcome. Free.
River Rocks at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Drop in any time to look for rocks along the banks of the Mississippi. Learn how to identify your finds and bring your best rock related questions to see if you can stump the naturalist! All ages welcome. Free.
Watercolors by a Wetland at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Join us for a quiet, creative activity at the pond or along the creek. Make your own watercolor painting to take home. All ages welcome. Free.
August 23, 2026
Honeybees at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Meet the Animal Ambassadors at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Drop in at any time to meet a few of our live animals up close and discover what makes these critters unique! All ages welcome. Free.
Monarchs Up Close at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free.
August 27, 2026
Monarchs Up Close at Fish Lake Regional Park (Maple Grove): Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free. (Takes place from 10:30 – 11:30 am.)
Monarchs Up Close at French Regional Park (Plymouth): Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free. (Takes place from 1:30 – 2:30 pm.)
August 30, 2026
Fish of the Mississippi River at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park): Smallmouth bass, redhorse, a variety of minnows and even Minnesota’s state fish (the walleye) are all fairly common in this part of the Mississippi River. Learn about the fish of all shapes and sizes that live here and how they play a role in this complex aquatic ecosystem with hands-on experiences and up-close encounters through with live fish. All ages welcome. Free.
Forest Free Play at Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington): Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.
Monarchs Up Close at Eastman Nature Center (Dayton): Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free.
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
Mohamed S says
Thanks, I wasn’t aware of these programs!