My husband I are sitting here right now thinking of something to do.... so I though who better to ask than all of the wonderful mamas!!! I know that this question will also help everyone else as well: ) So what are some fun activities for all different age groups. Things to do all over the metro area... including St. Cloud. If they cost something include that too! Tell me your favorite park, ponds for feeding ducks, places to go, city festivals, farms, beaches, deals to be had! I can't wait to hear all the wonderful info. Have a great Mamorial Day!!
Elizabeth,
Subscribe to the free newsletter at:
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region/minneapolis-s...
For example: They have 64 events in the twin cities area for Tuesday, May 26 alone. It has virtually everything; special events, and traveling exhibits that are going on in the cities.
Have Fun!
C.
Elizabeth,
Here are some of the things we have planned this summer...
There are lots of free museums with the Dakota County Library Pass http://www.melsa.org/MuseumAdventurePass/index.cfm
Renaissance Festival in Shakopee http://renaissancefest.com/MRF/index.html $16.95 adults and $8.50 children. Aug 22-Oct 4.
Strawberry picking at Applewood Orchards in Lakeville. There are lots of other orchards in the suburbs of the city, but Lakeville is close to us. $1.67 lb for organic strawberries, YUM!
http://www.lawrencefarmsorchards.com/ Lawrence Farms Orchards is another great pick-your-own farm.
Gibbs Museum of Dakotah Indian Life in St Paul – morning visit by appt or noon – 4pm http://www.rchs.com/gbbsfm2.htm Adults $7.50, children $4.50
Free movies in the morning at Lakeville 21, Regal in Eagan and MOA.
Playworks in Prior Lake http://www.playworksfun.com/index.html Children $7.50 or $25 for a family includes lunch.
The Works in St. Paul - free with a Dakota County Museum Pass
Como Zoo and park – They have free carousel rides one Monday every month. The dates on their website are wrong, but you can call to get the right ones. I know Aug 17th is one. Free with library museum pass.
Mill City Flour Museum in Minneapolis www.millcitymuseum.org $10 adults, $5 children
Minnehaha Park and waterfall – picnic area
The Raptor Center http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/ Free with library museum pass
Murphy's Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/outdoor_ed/murphys... Free with museum pass. People dressed in 19th century clothing give tours of buildings.
Gale Woods Farm http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/parks/galewoods_up... (They have a “breakfast on the farm” program on Saturday, Aug 15th. It does require a pre-registration. They have some other fun programs on weekdays. $12 adults, $6 children.)
Oliver H. Kelly Farm http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/visitkelley.html We did this last year and had a blast. Everyone who works there is in 19th century attire and you learn to do pioneer farm chores and play a primitive form of baseball on the Children's Days. $8 adults, $5 children
Apple Valley Water Park 11 am – 8 pm 10 punch card for $70 http://www.ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Parks/Facilities/Aquatic...
If you need one further north, Wild Mountain waterpark is another option http://www.wildmountain.com/waterpark/waterpark_pricing.html
$15.97 adults, $9.39 children
Wild Rumpus Bookstore - children's bookstore with lots of live animals inside. It's free, but I am sure they appreciate it when people buy books. http://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp
Brunswick Bowl Get coupons http://www.bowlbrunswick.com/
Chutes and Ladders in Bloomington http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.com/parks/park.cfm Very fun park with big slides - free
Pan O Prog events http://www.panoprog.org/
Parade is Sat, July 11th at 5:30.
Picnic and Puppets presents “Willie Wonka and the Mystery of the Neverlasting Slobsnauser” July 8th from 12-1 at the Lakeville Arts Center. $5 includes show, hotdog and drink.
Fort Snelling - free with museum library pass
Circus - http://circusjuventas.org/ St. Paul. Tickets are $12.50 and up.
Free factory tour in Eden Prairie http://www.factorytoursusa.com/TourDetails.asp?TourID=525...=
Music in the Park $6 or 3 for $15 http://www.musicintheparkseries.org/pages/family_concerts...
Here is a list of "things to do" if you need more
http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/page/1/activities-attraction...
Hope this helps! Have a great summer!
S.
A great rainy day activity is Open Studio at kiddywampus (www.kiddywampus) in St. Louis Park. It's a drop in no reservations art program which features a different art project each week for kids ages 18 months - 9 years. Kids get to stay and do art for one hour including painting on the painting wall, doing the main art project and using a host of other messy materials. The best part is that you get to leave and they clean up the mess. $8 per child.
When it's too hot to play outside, head to Edinborough Park in Edina. There is a huge play structure there, and it's really fun. You have to pay for admittance, but it's not too bad.
On a nice day, go to Linden Hills in Minneapolis. Go check out the toys at Creative Kidstuff, look at the books (and say hi to the animals) at Wild Rumpus Bookstore, check out the all-natural toys at Wonderment, and get a free bread sample at Great Harvest. Finish off with a trip to Sebastian Joe's for ice cream.
I have a 2 1/2 year old and last summer we really liked the beach at Elm Creek Park Reserve in the Maple Grove area. It is man made, filtered and chlorinated so very clean. They have many huge umbrellas all around for shade and even concessions. It cost $2 a person. Children are also allowed to use small inflatable toys too!
Check out www.gocitykids.com for endless things to do!
St. Paul:
Como Zoo & Conservatory
Fort Snelling
Science Museum
Choo-Choo Bob's (they have a great storytime)
Children's Section at Central Library
Irish Festival (usually at Nicollet Island)
Minneapolis:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Walker Art Museum
Midtown Global Market
Alive After 5 Concerts in June (Peavey Plaza)
Children's Theater
Swedish American Institute
Greater Metro:
MN Zoo (Apple Valley)
Murphy's Landing (Shakopee)
Poplar Hill Goat Farm (Scandia)
Caponi Art Park-Family Fun Tuesdays (Eagan)
Western WI:
Pea Pickin' Flea Market (St. Croix Falls)
Fawn-Doe-Rosa (St. Croix Falls)
Interstate Park (St. Croix Falls/Taylor Falls)
Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway (train rides from Osceola to Dresser and/or Stillwater)
I don't have any suggestions but I am going to watch this one closely we always do the same thing over and over again. HOpe we get some good ones.
Como Park in St. Paul is still free; plus their indoor areas just take donations. They have a conservatory with beautiful plants from all over; a tropical area with birds etc; and rides when it's warm enough - all beside the animals. Plus a Japanese garden.
