Minnesota Zoo Educational Programs: Blurb

We are members of the Minnesota Zoo. It's just a great place to go, year-round. Aside from being a destination with great exhibits and learning opportunities on a normal visiting day, they also offer great kid and family programs. We have not had a chance to participate yet, but I do have a friend who has. She and her family did a zoo encounter with the bears, who are some of the zoo's most popular residents.

For kids and families, they have classes, tours, camps, and overnights for almost all ages (all the way down to 2 years old), as well as career exploration and conservation seminars all the way through 12th grade.

On their "Games and Activities" page, they have online games you can play before your visit as well as crafts and a scavenger hunt.

Smell it!

Lilacs, baby. They are everywhere in early spring.

Have your kids touch them and smell them. Do not encourage tasting.

Dunning Park, St. Paul, MN

Mama had some politicking to do at the Senate District Convention, so Pete and Finn came by toward the end to view the proceedings and check out the park adjacent to St. Paul Central High School.

 

Dunning Park in Saint Paul is nice. It's right in the center of town, so it's easily accessibly. It does not have a lot of shade, so I imagine later in the year, you would need to make sure you have sunscreen and hats. They have a big kid playground and a little kid playground along with a tire swing, big swing, and toddler swing. Helmets not necessary, at least for kids...

There are baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a basketball court with restrooms in the center of the park. There is at least one picnic table and parking at the school and at the park.

Dunning Recreation Center and Dunning Fields
1221 Marshall Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104‎
(651) 632-5124
Toni Stone Field at Dunning Sports Complex

Go Outside!

Go Outside, a set on Flickr.

You don't have to put in a lot of planning or be at all elaborate. Most of the time, your kids just want to be with you, and it won't matter that they are not at the zoo or a theme park. Just go outside! Be it a park down the street or right in the backyard, take that extra 15 minutes and fill the birdfeeders. Get to know your local sanitation and recycling crews. Enlist your child's help in yardwork. Take a walk around the block.

If you have some more time, find a good cause and register the family for a 5K. Go to a neighborhood celebration or a parade (there are a lot of these in the Twin Cities).

Photo set: The Farm on St. Mathias

Harvest for the Hungry, a set on Flickr.

The complete photo set for our trip to The Farm on St. Mathias, keeping in mind that this was a benefit show, sponsored in part by Finnegan's beer and featuring Celtic folk rock band The Hounds of Finn.