Ideas for Father & Son to Do

I would suggest Como Zoo (or even the MN Zoo in Apple Valley). Or mayve find some parks where they can go for a hike. Hmmmm.... guess that's all I can come up with. LOL

M.

If it's too hot outside:
*Children's Museum
*Minnesota Zoo (the inside parts and the IMAX)
*Edinborough Park

If it's nice out:
*French Park (super cool playground)
*Hyland Park (ditto -- bring swimsuit for sprayers)
*Tot Lot on East side of Lake Calhoun, then go get lunch/ice cream at Tin Fish at NE corner of Lake Calhoun
*Como Zoo and Como Town (small amusement park)

The Science Museum has a limited time showing of some of the sets, props and costumes from Star Wars. They even have live appearances of some of the characters.

The State Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Paul, have free guided tours, and the nearby History Center has alot of free activities too.

Not sure how long he's in town, but every third Sunday is Free Admission day at the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul.

Every Thursday after 5pm is Free night at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. They have free family nature and horticulture crafts, storytime, and nature/bird watching walks sometimes. They do this on Saturdays too, but admission is not free.

Every Saturday, Lakeshore Learning stores (Maplewood and St. Louis Park) has free crafts from 1 to 3pm. Each week the project is different, but always good. Check their website at www.lakeshorelearning.com for details. Sometimes Creative Kidstuff stores do the same, but not on a regular schedule. Just check their website to see if there's anything going on at www.creativekidstuff.com.

There's also a really fun bookstore for kids in Minneapolis called "Wild Rumpus". They have really unique pets wandering around to greet and play with the kids including ducks, and reptiles. They often have story time with actual children's authors, and local actors etc. Check www.wildrumpusbooks.com for calendar details.

Don't forget your local library. All summer, and just about daily they offer great activities for kids and parents of all ages. Just recently they had "Giant Chess" at the Ridgedale library where kids dressed up in king, queen, rook, knight etc. costumes and actually participated in a giant chess game. The library also offers readings, and performances etc. and most of the time for free. Even you stop by your local library and there's no activities, the bigger libraries have kid friendly areas where they can play, and meet other parents and kids, or just hang out and read quietly in comfy kid sized chairs and furniture. Check www.hclib.com for calendars and details in your area.

As someone already mentioned, I highly recommend Como Park and Zoo. It has a very affordable amusement park geared toward younger children, and free admission to the zoo which is fantastic! The newest exhibit makes a trip worthwhile. The new butterfly house is a wonderful experience..children and parents can see butterflies upclose in a special exhibit where butterflies and moths flutter about freely and often even land on your head and shoulders. My kids went nuts (in the good way) and they don't like bugs. They left wanting their own pet butterflies.

Don't forget Underwater World at the MOA. It's expensive, but kids (especially boys) just love seeing big sharks swim over their head in the subterranean tanks.

Hope this gives you some great ideas to check out.

It's great that you are kicking them out of the house on these beautiful summer days. But our memories are made from love, not activities. The fact that their dad is visiting is a good sign. How can they keep him in their lives for longer periods of time and, perhaps, not just visiting? Either way LW, your grandkids are getting the attention they need from their absent father this week. Give him lots of praise and approval so that he will feel good about coming back often.

How about the MN Children's Museum in St. Paul? That is always fun.

M.

That is fantastic that your son is able to spend time with his own son. I would suggest some simply things that perhaps don't cost much money if at all:

1) play catch/tie ball. good age to start and would be good for both
2) take some home movies of whatever they do together -- it can be viewed during periods of separation (for both) of the fun shared together
3) or take pictures and have the two make up some kind of scrap book
4) read books -- have them head to the library and check out some books together, then read them under the shade of a tree at the park (make a picnic event).
5) do a home project together -- if your son is handy, have him work on some needed (albeit small) home repair. Kids love helping (handing tools to dad, etc) and this definitely instills good memories...

Hope more time together is still to come for the two...

Right now they can pick strawberries
Fishing
Play in the sand
Fly kites
Do home repairs together
Garden and plant together

How about going fishing together. My son is 4 years old and really enjoys this. Also a tript to the zoo, either Como or MN Zoo. Going to see a movie, Kung Fu Panda is in theaters. Mall of America and going to Nickelodeon Universe.

As a Great-Aunt, who frequently takes care of my great nephew; perhaps these suggestions will help. Check out French Park, off of Hwy 9, west of 169. Great climbing and hiding for child and dad. Edinborough off 66th after France Ave; indoor but can swim, play in a bouncy house, mini basketball, and a 3 story climbling tree house.
There are water ballons, sidewalk chalk, underwater aquarium at Mall of America (a little pricey but worth it!), MANY MANY different indoor and outdoor activity kits at Michael's for a reasonable price. Enjoy.....

Depending on where you live, either Como Zoo or the Mn Zoo. Both great!
Also, just check out the local playgrounds. Make sure dad plays and doesn't just watch his son play. Have him really get involved and anything will be fun.

Children's or Science Museum in St Paul. MOA's Nickelodean Park or Underwater World. The Wild Mountain Water Park near Taylors Falls or the water park at Valley Fair. MN zoo or Como zoo. St Paul Saints Game. Ice cream at Sabatian Joes or Izzy's. The sculpture garden had mini-golf and I think it is still there. Farmers Market.

Miniature golf and the paddle boats at Centennial Lakes in Edina.

There is an indoor climbing place called Edinborough in Edina. It's 5 bucks and there are slides, a jumping castle and a great obsticle course structure.

I also like taking the kids to Minnehaha falls. There is a nice hike to the Mississipppi or you can rent a pedal car and go around.

Both the children's museum and the science museum have displays that engage kids too.

C.

As some people mentioned, both zoos and the Children's Museum are great. If they like trains there is Choo Choo Bob's and the Jackson Street Roundhouse, both in St. Paul. In west Bloomington the Hennepin County park system has a great playground--it used to be called Chutes and Ladders (near or part of Hyland Park). There are a variety of Hennepin County Parks where they could hike, find a playground and have a picnic. They could walk around the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis; it is celebrating an anniversary this year.