Fun (& CHEAP) things to do in the Twin Cities...

[AnnaReilly]

What are your favorite fun & cheap things to do around the Twin Cities???

I can always use new ideas for fun things to get DD, DH and I out of the house so I thought this might be a fun thing to share. We don't have much money to throw around on excursions though so hence the "cheap" part. :)

We like to go to...

Como Zoo in Saint Paul *FREE*

Como Zoo Conservatory in Saint Paul *$1*

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts *FREE - except for certain exhibits*

The Weisman Art Museum on the U of M campus *FREE - but you have to pay for parking*

The Science Museum in Saint Paul *$8-$14 for adults, $6-$11 for kids 4-12 + parking*
(Kinda spendy IMO)

The Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley *$11-$21 for adults, $6-$12 for kids 3-12 + parking*
(Also kinda spendy)

GTI Theatres Roseville 4 Movie Theatre in Roseville *$2 and $1 on Tuesdays*




(Sorry if this topic has been discussed before but I'm new! :) )

[AnnaReilly]

I also love to go Garage Sale-ing!! I can't wait for Spring to start going out looking for bargains again!

[Devi]

Welcome Anna....!

Here is a link you might be interested in?

I myself love out door festivals, fairs art shows etc... and now that the weather is a changin we can do those things.

For the Family (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/entertainment/events/5384218.htm)

Also, I have a list of fun 'free' stuff I can note later.

In addition, many of the nature centers have great stuff for kids all year round. There is a nature center in a saint paul burb that is having maple syrup tapping/tasting next week, and an earth day celebration/birthday in april...

If anyone is interested in the Earth day Birthday L and I are signed up on 4/9.

They have games/songs/natural art project and a snack for the kids. It is from 9:45-11:00am...

Good day!

[Snow]

Sounds like you've got a good list going.

We hit all the parks when it is warmer, and the MN Zoo & the MN Childrens Museum w/ memberships are much cheaper than paying visit by visit.

The lego area at Mall O' is free and fun. As are their Toddler Tuesdays, M liked those.

Someone take me garage saleing! I'm too shy to do it on my own, am always afraid someone is going to think I don't like their stuff - but on the other hand it's a great way to get used kid clothes which I love. Gotta get someone to just go with me.

[kaje62]

You all gotta check out the consignment shop on 58th and Nicollet
called Better than Ever.

It is an incredible place to buy cuz she prices things real low but a horrible place to sell cuz she prices things low unless you want things to move fast and sell bring them to Geri.

She is east of Nicollet on 58th only open Wednesday thru Sunday.
really no men's clothes though.

Another great cheap thing once it warms up more is the free concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. We have had many great times there. And even though we belong to the MN Zoo the Como Zoo has a sweetness to it too.

[krmom]

Another wonderful place to go with kids is the Minnesota History Center Museum in St. Paul. It's FREE! You do have to pay a small amount to park in the lot, but there is free parking on Summit Avenue just a short walk away.

And in the summer, on Tuesday nights they have wonderful free family concerts outside. It's great to see all the little kids dancing with their parents!

[AvalonDaughter]

I am giving you my complete list that I have complied. Some may be duplicates but thought it might help.


Free Family Activities

First Saturday of the Month – Family Day Free
Free every Thursday
Walker Art Center
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Vineland Place and Lyndale Ave
612.375.7622
www.walkerart.org

The Bell Museum
Tues – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m.
Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. - FREE on Sundays
Adults $3
Ages 2-16 $2

Minnesota Children’s Museum
Free third Sunday
Sunday Hours
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Seventh and Wabash Streets
Downtown St. Paul
651.225.6000
www.mcm.org

Minnesota Bluegrass Association
1.800.635.3037
Third Sunday Festivals
www. Minnesotabluegrass.org


Como Zoo
1250 Kaufman Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-487-8200


Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3131
Free
Tue - Wed 10AM to 5PM;
Thu - Fri 10AM to 9PM;
Sat 10AM to 5PM;
Sun noon to 5PM

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Vineland Place at Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Free

Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
333 E. River Road
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55124
612-625-9494
Free
Hours
Mondays - Closed
Tues, Wed, Fri 10am to 5pm;
Thurs 10am-8pm; Sat, Sun 11am-5pm;
Parking
The museum garage, located beneath the museum, offers parking at an hourly fee.

Minnesota Museum of Modern Art
75 5th St W
75 W. Fifth St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-292-4355
Hours
Mondays - Closed
Tue - Sat 11am to 4pm; Thu 11am to 7:30pm; Sun 1pm to 5 pm
Free Admission to Robert Henri and His Influence
• Next: 12/15, 1PM-4PM


Saturday Morning Puppet Shows

Why plunk the kids down in front of Saturday Morning cartoons and other mind-numbing programs that are likely to suck the smart right out of them, when your entire family can see a live and wildly imaginative puppet show at a neighborhood theater? In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, best known for its annual May Day Parade, gigantic papier-mâché puppets and politically charged theatrical productions, also has a “kinder, gentler” side that caters to kids between the ages of 5 and 18. HOBTs Saturday Morning Puppet Shows feature the works of its own Lake Street Theater Club, as well as an eclectic mix of lighthearted and educational traveling shows, developed by local and national talent. The shows are free to families living in the Central, Phillips, Powderhorn or Whittier neighborhoods and HOBT respectfully requests a small $2 donation from all others. The curtain goes up every Saturday at 11AM, and while no reservations are needed, seating is limited. --NJ Smith

Arts & Culture: Children, Theater
Phone Number: 612- 721-2535
Kid-friendly





Dharma Field Zen Center
3118 W. 49th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612-928-4868
One of the many fine havens for the study of Zen Buddhism in the Twin Cities can be found on a quiet, neighborly corner in the Linden Hills neighborhood. Dharma Field takes its name from a quote by the poet Rumi: "Out beyond ideas of doing right and doing wrong, there is a field - I will meet you there." Indeed there are many opportunities for the study and practice of the Buddhist ideal of non-duality here in this quiet, spacious zendo. Head Priest Steve Hagen, author of the book Buddhism Plain and Simple, has put together a program which includes beginner classes such as "The Four Noble Truths" (study of the primary teachings of the Buddha and their implications for living in the world) and more advanced classes with intriguing titles such as "Dependent Arising" and "Unlocatable Self." Dharma Field accents its scholarly palette with an array of playful, hands-on classes such as "Origami for Adults" and "Zen and the Art of Cooking." Dharma Field offers periods of morning and evening sitting meditation Monday - Friday and Saturday meditation followed by a lecture and social tea. All periods of meditation and Saturday lectures are free and open to the public. -- Lisa D'Amour


Other Family Activities

The Bakken
3537 Zenith Avenue South
at the intersection of W. Calhoun and 36th Street
Minneapolis, MN 612.926.3878
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Adults $5 Kids and Seniors $3

The Children’s’ Museum
T, W, F, Sat, Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Th, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages 2-102 $6.95
Under 2 Free
10 W. Seventh St.
St. Paul
651.225.6001
www.mcm.org


Milwaukee Depot Ice Rink
300 Washington Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612-339-9142
Hours
• Mon – Thu 11:15AM - 1:15PM, 9PM - 11PM; Fri 11:15AM - 1:15PM, 7PM - 1AM; Sat 5PM - 1AM; Sun 9AM - 10 PM

Price Info
• $6 Adults, $4 Children under 17 and Seniors 62 plus; $6 Skate rental


Minnesota Orchestra
1111 Nicollet Ave.
Mpls
612.371.5642
www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN
651.296.6126
Free Admission
Parking $1.50 first half hour
$2.00 first hour
$1.00 each hour after -- up to $6.50
Free concerts on Tuesday nights in the summer

Science Museum of Minnesota
And Omnitheater
120 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul
651.221.9444
Adults $7
Seniors and Children 4-12 $5

Indoor Water Park
3
The Depot
Washington & Third Avenues
Downtown Minneapolis
612.375.1700
$15.00 Th
$20 Fri, Sat, Sun
Closed during the week when school in session

A Village Holiday -Victorian Village
In December
From 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dakota County Fairgrounds
Farmington
651.460.8050
www.dakotacity.org
$5.00 adults
$3.00 children
Discount coupons with flyers call to get them

Martha & Mike’s Clubhouse
Monthly children’s show with improve, music, creativity and audience participation geared toward kids in grades K-6
Second Saturday of each month
Noon
$6.00
Bryant Lake Bowl
Lake Street at Bryant
612.825.8949

Children’s Theatre Company
2400 Third Ave. S.
Mpls.
612.874.0500


Holidazzle parades
Nicollet Mall
612.376.SNOW
www.tcfhollidazzle.com

Doin' the Dishes
3008 West 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612-924-8980
Hours
• Tue-Sat 10AM-9PM; Sun - Mon Noon-5PM

Price Info
• Free Studio Time, $4 - $65 Depending on the piece

[AnnaReilly]

Wow! Thanks, AvalonDaughter!

And thank you to krmom, kaje62, Snow and Devi for your responses! :)

[AvalonDaughter]

You are welcome! Ih ope you enjoy the summer activities!

[mplsmom]

We go to a play group on Monday mornings at Longfellow park in Minneapolis from 10-11:30.
NEST (in North East) 362-4141 oresns.org is another idea, we have never been there though..
We had fun at a St. Paul library today. Elin enjoyed the computer with kids games on it.
I also think that ECFE, community ed, parks and Rec. and free library programs are great. We had 2 of our former ECFE classmates over to play today. Keep in mind that you dont have to be a resident of a certain area to participate.
I also enjoy going to Creative Kidstuff to play. I feel less guilty about it when I have a gift to buy...
WE love going to the Riverview coffee shop on 38th and 42nd ave, there is a nice playroom there. Kitty corner from there is the Riverview theater, showing second run movies and first rate popcorn!!

Kirsten

[kaje62]

here is a link to a resource I use. there is way to much to post here so I am pasting in the link.

http://www.familytimesinc.com/events.asp

[mplsmom]

I was looking thru the Minnesota Parent Magazine last night.
They has some new things posted.
Free crafts for kids ages 3+ Saturday from 11am to 3 pm at lakeshore learing Store 5699 W 16 th st Sl Louis Park. 952-541-0991.
Free guest class when you mention the ad in MN parent at 'my gym Eden prairie' Call 952-906-0028.

Kirsten

[Snow]

Here's one that just occurred to me - The Arboretum! When my oldest was little we used to spend lots of time out there. I eventually became a member for a few yrs just out of guilt for having slipped in free so many times. They have occasional free days (can someone post them? I'm no longer a member) and also after a certain time of day (used to be 4pm) no one mans the gates, yet they stay unlocked till sunset. wheeeee!

[AvalonDaughter]

Snow what and where is The Arboretum? I am assuming it is gardens?

[Snow]

oooh, the Arboretum - it's heaven on earth! It's many many acres owned by the U of M where they grow seemingly every kind of plant/tree/flower/shrub that will thrive in the Twin Cities. So, like if you wanted a lilac, you could go there and check out dozens and dozens of lilac species, sniff all the blooms, and decide which variety you want for your yard. Or if you just like to hike through scenic lake areas w/ great hiking paths, geese, ducks, bluebirds, foxes, etc - it's wonderful and kids LOVE it, can run and run for days. They also have rose collections and a typical summer veggie garden so you can see how different varieties do.
It's located out on HWY 5, past Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and past Paisley Park, on the S side of road, watch for signs. About 20 minutes from my house in the city.

[AvalonDaughter]

Thanks for the information. It sounds great! We will have to check it out.

[Snow]

Free Days at the Minnesota Childrens Museum coming up:

(sponsored by Marshall Fields)

Sunday May 18th
and
Sunday June 15th

located on corner of 7th and Wabasha in St Paul

[kaje62]

I just want to ask what age is a good age for a kid to like the CM. It seems that Charlie does not like it much but we have not been there in a few months.

[AvalonDaughter]

Another fun thing to do coming up and its FREE

May 4th 1 p.m. May Day parade with Heart of the Beast Theatre giant puppets.

Parade on Bloomington and then dumps into Powderhorn park. Lots of fun stuff to do!

Thought you'd like to know.

[kaje62]

I love the May Day Parade but even more so I adore the Cinco de Mayo Parade in the lower west side of St. Paul. I have gone almost every year for the past 15 years. Anyway here is the link and we will be at the parade this year if you want to hook up. And then hang out till about 1:30 or so.

http://www.districtdelsol.com/cinco.html

[Devi]

The local nature centers host some great activities for pre-schoolers and home-schoolers.

L and I are signed up for 3 activities this summer at a center out by us.

Let me know if you are interested in any details.

Article (http://www.startribune.com/stories/1376/47366.html)

Here is a printable Brocuhure about 'nature centers' in general.

Brochure (http://www.rbnc.org/images/Lo_Brochure.pdf)

This is one of the activities L and I are doing at a local Nature Center.

F is for FlowersF is for Flowers

Date: Saturday, May 31

Time: 10:00-11:15 a.m.

Cost: $3/person

April showers bring May flowers. Join us for a colorful walk as we search for these spring beauties. We will also plant a flower seed for you to take home and watch grow!

[Devi]

I found this on about.com, but thought I'd spare you the pop ups and list here.....

You can click on an area in Explore Minnesota (http://www.exploreminnesota.com/index.asp?SEARCH_keyPhrase=&search=Quick+Search&section=LIST&SEARCH_basicIntCat=8&SEARCH_BywayId=&SEARCH_ReturnPage=SEARCHTHINGS&SEARCH_city=&SEARCH_CityOnly=on&SEARCH_locId=3&SEARCH_intcat=125) and get more info including websites...

AREA NATURE CENTERS



North
EASTMAN NATURE CENTER

COON RAPIDS VISITOR CENTER

HARRIET ALEXANDER NATURE CENTER

SPRING BROOKE NATURE CENTER

WARGO NATURE CENTER

TAMARACK NATURE CENTER

WILLIAM O'BRIAN STATE PARK

West
FRENCH LAKE PARK VISITORS CENTER

WESTWOOD HILLS NATURE CENTER


Inner City
DODGE NATURE CENTER


East
MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER


South
LOWRY NATURE CENTER

STARING LAKE OUTDOOR CENTER

RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER

WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER

MINN. VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

FORT SNELLING STATE PARK

CARPENTER NATURE CENTER

Green Guide (http://www.thegreenguide.org/education/nature.php) *Environmental Education in the City
Includes Listing of Environmental Learning Centers in the Twin Cities*

[AvalonDaughter]

This is a great list of nature centers!!! Thanks!

[kaje62]

Cinco de Mayo. I am going on Saturday like around 11 to the parade and then staying and having a taco and leaving by 1:30. PM me if you want to hook up.

[kaje62]

Saturday May 17, 2003
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rain or shine

enchanting children's activities and crafts
puppet plays
storytelling
pocket people
wandering musicians
unique gifts, crafts, artwork and toys to delight both children and adults
delectable food and luscious treats
raffle

free admittance

Spring Hill School is located at
the Congregrational Church of Excelsior
471 Third Street
Excelsior MN 952-449-0040
6.5 miles west of 494 on Hwy 7
to Co Rd. 19
right on water street
then right on 3rd

[kaje62]

MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Farm Animal Weekend at the Kelley Farm.

Start Date: 6/7/2003
End Date: 6/8/2003

Oliver H. Kelley Farm
Elk River, MN
763-441-6896
www.mnhs.org

[smeta]

We just discovered you can get VERY CHEAP admission to the Science Museum if you are on any type of gov. assistance (WIC, MN Care, etc.). Exhibits are only $1 and Omni & exhibits are $3!

[kaje62]

i actually have some extra free tickets, including parking if anyone is interested.

also here is a great link to cut your own xmas tree

http://www.zstrees.com/

you ride in a covered wagon
and afterwards kids can meet santa and mrs. claus

[smeta]

Anyone know where to find info on the Holidazzle parade?

Also, does anyone know of a big holiday craft show/bazaar type thing?

[kaje62]

the parade is Wed thru Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.holidazzle.com/

[Snow]

If you go on Dec 18th you will hear my Q sing - The Southwest Singers are the featured choir that night and if they do the holiday music from their concert she will solo.

[kaje62]

oh that sounds grand
that would be thursday correct?

[kaje62]

Originally posted by smeta
Also, does anyone know of a big holiday craft show/bazaar type thing?

Oh my I missed that question before Smeta, sorry

Anyway...they are everywhere

local Y's
churches
and the colonial church often has this one each year that embraces many cultures. I have gotten beautiful african art and mexican stuff. I will see if I can find links for you.

[kaje62]

i did not find much, most are held late november, early december
can't stand it is mid december already

December 20 - 21, 2003
Gingerbread Shows Presents: Santa's Workshop Spectacular Craft Show & Sale
Oakdale Center
Oakdale, MN
HOURS: Sat 10 an - 6 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm

Minnetonka Center for the Arts - Nov. 13-Dec. 23: Holiday Juried Art Show & Sale

[bigbellydreams]

Don't forget about the Marshall Fields 8th floor display while your at the Holidazzle. Its free! But there is also usually a long line and because you have your winter coats on it gets really hot. We have a tradition of every year going to both. It is best to go to the 8th floor around 4:00 (to avoid the line) and then the Holidazzle. Although with kids you will have extra time between, we usually go to a bar for a drink.

[smeta]

Thanks KJ!

We went to Holidazzle on Sun., Cora had a blast!

[Oliviasmama]

I thought i'd bump this up as it has some good info for spring!