Summer Fun Ideas!
Art - inside or outside, find things to create with… sticks, rocks, leaves, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, “junk” for sculptures (milk lids, styrofoam, popsicle sticks, etc.). Paint the sidewalk with water… what happens?
Bowling - Children ages 2 -15 years can sign up for free bowling! KidsBowlFree.com
Build - make a blanket fort, what can a cardboard box be?
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Toy Store & Interactive Play Space: Story time and live music, Union Depot 214 4th St. E Saint Paul, admission to play space $10 kids, $2 adults Check website for days and hours choochoobobstrainstore.com Great rainy day activity!
Dodge Nature Center - Free walking trails. 365 Marie Ave W West St Paul dodgenaturecenter.org
Garden - plant flowers, herbs, veggies. If you don’t have a yard, plant lettuce in a pot. Children are more excited to eat something they’ve helped to grow.
“I Spy” Neighborhood walks - Take walks often, each time looking for something different: numbers, letters, colors, animals, insects, traffic signs, etc.
Journal - keep a small notebook of things you do this summer. Children can draw pictures and dictate the words to be written down.
Library day - designate one day a week (or every other week) as “library day” Check out the website to see when storytime is at your local library www.hclib.com READ EVERYDAY!
Museums - Children's Museum (EBT cardholders $3), Mill City Museum (kids 4 & under free, EBT cardholders free), Minneapolis Institute of Art (free), Science Museum ($3 for those on assistance), Walker Art Center (kids free, EBT cardholders $2),
Parks - check out different parks/playgrounds in the area. Visit the wading pool or beach. Have a picnic lunch or dinner. Some parks have concerts, movies and classes. www.minneapolisparks.org www.ThreeRiversParks.org
Playdate - call a friend to meet at the park or come over to play. WWP will host a few playdates at Whittier Park this summer. Stay tuned for dates.
Relax - lay in the grass… What do you see, hear, feel? Take time to rest!
Sculpture Gardens - Free! www.walkerart.org See the spoon & cherry, blue rooster and so much more! If you’re up for a little road trip, check out Franconia Sculpture Garden 29836 St. Croix Trail Shafer, MN. franconia.org Create your own sculpture at home afterwards.
VBS - Come to Calvary’s “Eye Spy” Vacation Bible School, June 17-19, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, dinner included. 3 years and up. Free Contact amy@calvarychurchmpls.org for more info or to register. Ms. Ann will be there! Or check out your neighborhood church!
Woodlake Nature Center - Free! www.WooklakeNatureCenter.org
6710 Lakeshore Dr. Richfield Explore the great outdoors and visit the nature center. They have a great indoor area for rainy days.
Zoo - Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul is free!
Additional Resources: familyfuntwincities.com
