# Things to do with kids in Apple Valley, MN

> 5 upcoming family events and 6 places and ongoing programs in Apple Valley, MN (Dakota County, MN), in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington area. Listings whose address is in this town. Dates and times are Central Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/apple-valley-mn

## Events ahead

- [Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/jack-o-lantern-spectacular-at-the-minnesota-zoo--listing-a62fe6f614f8b2d4ca86535f) — Sep 25 – Nov 1 · 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley · All ages · From $19 · checked Oct 13. Nighttime outdoor stroll through more than 5,000 artistically carved, glowing pumpkins along a woodsy trail at the Minnesota Zoo, September 25-November 1, 2026, with a trivia…
- [Little Learners at the Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/little-learners-at-the-minnesota-zoo--listing-2ede80345d156a07101d2035) — Sat, Oct 24 (+5 more dates) · 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM · Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley · Ages 2–5 · From $30 · checked Oct 16. Little Learners is a 60-minute Zoo class for children ages 2 to 5 with a parent or guardian. Each session mixes free exploration in a Zoo classroom, guided group activities and…
- [Sensory Sunday at Urban Air Apple Valley](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/sensory-sunday-at-urban-air-apple-valley--listing-cec448dc59b43bc49539f29b) — Sun, Oct 25 (+2 more dates) · 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Urban Air Adventure Park Apple Valley · All ages · checked Oct 13. Monthly early-opening sessions at Urban Air Apple Valley for guests who benefit from a lower-stimulation environment, held 8-10 am before regular Sunday hours. Dates published…
- [Howl-O-Ween at the Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/howl-o-ween-at-the-minnesota-zoo--listing-ed80c761b76408830902e05a) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 16. A daytime Halloween party on the Zoo's Central Plaza on Saturday, October 31, from 10 am to 1 pm. Kids can dance at a Halloween dance party, make Halloween arts and crafts, and…
- [Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Apple Valley)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/holiday-tree-lighting-ceremony-apple-valley--listing-f3e95e7acd402e5ee4d9131a) — Tue, Nov 24 · 6:15 PM · Apple Valley Municipal Center · checked Oct 16. The City of Apple Valley's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is held outdoors at the Municipal Center on Tuesday evening, November 24, just before that night's City Council…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [Imagination Stations at the Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/imagination-stations-at-the-minnesota-zoo--listing-4173ab87f1c82e7304e153e4) — Mondays 9 a.m.-12 p.m., September 21, 2026 - April 26, 2027 · Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley · Ages 2–5 · With admission · checked Oct 16. On Monday mornings through late April, the Minnesota Zoo opens its Sky classroom for a self-directed play time for children ages 2 to 5 and their adults. Each Monday is…
- [Jumperoo toddler time at Urban Air Apple Valley](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/jumperoo-toddler-time-at-urban-air-apple-valley--listing-28383f85776a855e2b29d8b0) — Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 AM-12 PM · Urban Air Adventure Park Apple Valley · checked Oct 13. Weekday-morning toddler jump time at Urban Air Apple Valley before the park opens to the general public. Jumperoo (toddler time) runs Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm…
- [Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/minnesota-zoo--listing-5b6338119931e7ce49850808) — Daily 10am-4pm; online tickets required · Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley · From $19.95 · checked Oct 13. State zoo in Apple Valley, open daily 10 am-4 pm (members from 9 am). Online timed tickets are required for all daytime visits. Included with admission: the Treetop Trail…
- [Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) - Apple Valley fall semester](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/music-for-families-6-wk-5-yr-apple-valley-fall-semester--listing-609a02c0e6bc5420e9f2b54b) — Thursdays 10:30-11:30 AM, Sep 17 - Dec 10, 2026 (12 sessions) · MacPhail Center for Music - Apple Valley · From $224 · checked Oct 13. Twelve-week Sing Play Learn class at MacPhail's Apple Valley site for children 6 weeks to 5 years with a parent or caregiver. This multi-age family experience promotes music…
- [Royal Credit Union Sea Lion Discovery at the Minnesota Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/royal-credit-union-sea-lion-discovery-at-the-minnesota-zoo--listing-5178b21420037c3e1efdeef2) — Daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. · Minnesota Zoo (Discovery Bay), Apple Valley · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 13. Daily California sea lion demonstration at the Minnesota Zoo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (doors open 20 minutes earlier with music and trivia). Marine Mammal Trainers introduce the sea…
- [Urban Air Adventure Park Apple Valley](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/urban-air-adventure-park-apple-valley--listing-e9d645e5bd31dec7191c64b3) — Mon-Thu 4 pm-8 pm; Fri 4 pm-9 pm; Sat 10 am-9 pm; Sun 10 am-8 pm (MEA extended hours… · Urban Air Adventure Park Apple Valley · All ages · From $34.99 · checked Oct 13. Indoor adventure park in Apple Valley with trampolines and attractions, plus recurring family programming: Jumperoo toddler time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 am-12 pm, monthly…

## Nearby

- [Things to do with kids in Dakota County, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/counties/dakota-county-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/counties/dakota-county-mn.md)
- Other towns in Dakota County, MN: [Burnsville, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/burnsville-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/burnsville-mn.md), [West St. Paul, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/west-st-paul-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/west-st-paul-mn.md), [Eagan, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/eagan-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/eagan-mn.md), [Lakeville, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/lakeville-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/lakeville-mn.md), [Hastings, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/hastings-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/hastings-mn.md), [South St. Paul, MN](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/south-st-paul-mn) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/towns/south-st-paul-mn.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Minneapolis](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis.md)
- [This weekend in Minneapolis](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/this-weekend.md)

Town pages are listed once a town has 3 current listings, county pages at 10.