Dinosaurs!

A prehistoric adventure of colossal proportions awaits with the return of this exhibit to the Minnesota Zoo. Fifteen animatronic dinosaurs representing the Mesozoic era, including a Tyrannosaurus rex, Giganotosaurus and Brachiosaurus, are featured. Opening weekend activities include zookeeper talks, animal encounters and dinosaur face painting. (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Mon. $4, in addition to zoo admission, $12-$18. 952-431-9500. www.minnesotazoo.org. 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley.)

Tech City

Gadget-loving children of all ages will enjoy this new exhibit. Guests are encouraged to put on their thinking caps and attempt to solve the everyday problems that real engineers face as they build, construct and run cities. See if you have what it takes to build a structure that can withstand an earthquake. Experiment with sound and visit 20 interactive stations. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $6-$8. The Works, 9740 Grand Av. S., Bloomington. 952-888-4262. www.theworks.org.)

HISTORIC FORT SNELLING

The fort has opened for the season, inviting guests to explore buildings and visit with costumed interpreters. Learn about life in early Minnesota through a scavenger hunt, cooking demonstrations and Indian history presentations. Other activities include musket firings and games. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. $5-$7. Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Av., St. Paul. 612-726-1171. www.mnhs.org.)