Free Fishing In Minnesota State Parks

Did you know that you can fish for free in some Minnesota state parks?

Some parks will even loan you a fishing kit for the day!

DNA map of state parks with free fishing.

DNA map of state parks with free fishing.

Use the links below to find out more about free fishing, family fishing events, and helpful fishing tips from the Minnesota DNR:

  • MAP of Minnesota state parks with free fishing.

  • a LIST of MN state parks that provide free fishing kits that include a rod, a reel and a stocked tackle box.

  • Take Me Fishing has some helpful hints on everything from bait to casting to filleting a fish.

  • Further info on fishing in MN from the DNR

  • Twin Cities shore fishing sites as well as recently stocked fish types

  • Click HERE for a complete list of shore fishing sites in the Twin Cities as well as the amenities included

June 11-13th, 2021 is TAKE A KID FISHING Day!

Minnesotans 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing don't need a license on this special weekend.

Geocaching

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Have you ever taken your kids Geocaching? This is a great way to get your kids outside exploring nature. Geocaching uses maps and navigation skills to locate small treasures hidden throughout your neighborhood, public parks, and national forests. Currently, there are more than 8,000 geocaches hidden throughout the Twin Cities, 28,000 across Minnesota and 2 million worldwide. So wether you’re home or on vacation, you can take advantage of this fun outdoor activity.

What is Geocaching? Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which seekers use GPS coordinates to locate hidden treasures. Most caches include a visitors log to document who has found the treasure. Some also have small trinkets for kids to take. The rule is, if you take a treasure, leave a treasure, so always plan to bring small items to leave behind.

For more information about how to play, check out Geocaching 101.

Where can we find some caches? Download the Geocaching app for a full list of worldwide caches. The app has various membership options:

  • Free for basic maps and limited cache maps

  • $5.99/month for full access

  • $29.99 for yearly subscription

The Minnesota DNR offers free GPS kits at 37 parks. Click HERE to see the list. The Three Rivers Park District also offers a list of local geocaching-friendly parks. Click HERE to read more about this list of locations.

Discovering what’s inside.

Discovering what’s inside.

Signing their Geocaching name in the log.

Signing their Geocaching name in the log.

Syrup Hack for the WIN!

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So simple, yet so effective. This syrup trick helped my kids and I reach a common ground about the necessary vs. desired amount of syrup on their waffles and pancakes.

Pour 80% of the syrup AROUND the pancake, 20% on it. This gives the illusion that so much syrup was poured over your child’s breakfast that it created an overflow moat onto the plate. *raise one eyebrow and smirk. Now you’ve dispensed a healthy serving of syrup, while falsely fulfilling your child’s greedy need for more sugar.

Now I get to sit down and drink my coffee when it’s hot instead of watching the hot steam sneak away while I indignantly explain to my kids that I’ve put an ample amount of syrup on their waffles and they do not need any more. This of course is followed by 10 minutes of arguing and whining before I finally give in and obnoxiously pour an obscene amount of syrup onto their plates, in order to avoid any further discussion on the topic while mumbling under my breath about how unreasonable they’re being. Even though I know damn well that if they just ate the damn waffles in the first place, they would see that they are perfectly soaked in syrup.

Summer Water Play Guide

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Minneapolis 

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The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board has a list of 62 wading pools located throughout the Mpls parks system.

Know before you go!

Click HERE to check on current wading pool openings.

Wading pools are open 10 am-9 pm daily. *If the high temperature is forecast for 65 degrees or lower, pools are closed that day. If the temperature at 6 pm is 85 degrees or warmer, pools remain open until 10 pm.

Wading pools have no lifeguards on duty. Wading pools located in parks adjacent to a Minneapolis Public School building will open Saturday, June 9 and remain open just prior to school resuming Monday, August 27.

St. Paul

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WADING POOLS WITH SPLASHY FEATURES

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LAKE   |  SAND  |   MINNOWS

Minneapolis

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Generally, Minneapolis beaches are open from 6am to 10pm daily. Most beaches do not have lifeguards. Lake Nokomis and Wirth Lake Beach lifeguard dates & times can be found on each beach's website. 

For more info about Minneapolis beaches click here 

St. Paul

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LAP POOL LANES | DIVING BOARDS | SLIDES

Minneapolis

St. Paul

& Beyond

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SLIDES | POOLS | AQUATIC RECREATION

Minneapolis

St. Paul

& Beyond

 

 

FURTHER INFO ABOUT THE PARKS

JIM LUPIENT WATER PARK

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Address: 1520 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Cost: Daily passes range between $3 to $5 depending on height. Monday - Friday after 5pm is only $3. Season passes are available. 

Water Park Features:

  • 3 large water slides, including a tube slide

  • Log water walk

  • Interactive spray features and spray pool for younger kids

  • Water volleyball

  • Lap swimming lanes

  • Zero depth entry for accessibility

Good to Know: There is an eatery/concession stand available called Lola's Cafe at Kings Landing. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course located next to the park. Games are $6 per player. Youth swimming lessons are provided at this pool. 

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PARK CLICK HERE. 

Photo Credit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/water_activities/water_parks/jim_lupient_water_park/

NORTH COMMONS WATER PARK

Address: 1701 Golden Valley Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55411

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Cost: Daily passes range between $3 to $5 depending on height. Monday - Friday after 5pm is only $3. Season passes are available.

Water Park Features

  • Drinking Fountain

  • Restroom Facility

  • Speed and Loop Slides

  • Shallow Water Pool

  • Water Playground Features

  • Geysers and Funbrellas

  • Wading Pool

Good to Know: This park offers youth swimming lessons.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PARK CLICK here. 

Photo Credit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/water_activities/water_parks/north_commons_water_park/#group_0_833386

GREAT RIVER WATER PARK

Amenities and Features:

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  • 25-yard, eight-lane lap pool

  • Equipment for lap swim

  • Water aerobics (No registration needed)

  • Life jackets available to rent for free

  • Children's activity pool

  • One-meter diving board

  • Large water slides

  • Large floats (Snappy the Turtle and his log)

  • Sauna

  • Concessions

  • Designated eating areas

Admission Fees: 

Prices range between $4 -$7 depending on height. Infants under 1 are FREE.

Hours:

Daily hours vary. Click here to see the schedule. 

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PARK CLICK HERE.

Como regional park

Amenities and Features:

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  • 25-yard, six-lane lap pool

  • Equipment for lap swim and water aerobics

  • Life jackets available to rent for free

  • Two basketball hoops

  • Children's activity pool with family slide

  • One-meter diving board

  • Two diving platforms

  • Aquatic climbing wall

  • Aquatic zip line

  • 400-foot lazy river

  • Men's, women's, and family Locker Rooms

  • Concessions

  • Swimming lessons

  • Water Aerobics

Admission Fees:

Range between $5 - $7 depending on height; Infants under 1 year old are FREE.

Hours:

June 9 – September 3, 2018

Monday - Friday: 12pm - 8pm 

Saturday, Sunday: 11am - 7pm

**Lap swim, River Walk, swim lessons, and water aerobics have varying times. Visit their site to find out more. 

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PARK CLICK HEre.

OAK HILL SPLASH PAD

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3201 Rhode Island Ave. S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Our 2,350-square-foot splash pad at Oak Hill Park lets kids activate bubbling hoses, water nozzles and sprinkler arches. Just wave your hand over the sensor bollard and get ready to splash in the sun! It’s the equivalent of running through the sprinkler on a grand scale.

Rubber soled water shoes are strongly recommended for all participants.

Splash Pad hours:

May 25 through Sept. 9 (weather dependent), Monday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The splash pad is staffed with an attendant Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 11 through Aug. 17 (weather dependent). The splash pad is not staffed on holidays.

Admission

Admission is free for residents and $1 for non-residents.

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PARK CLICK HERE. 

CEDARCREST PARK

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Cedarcrest Park is a truly collaborative space for residents of the City of Bloomington to enjoy. Through a partnership with Cedar Valley Church, whose parking lot provides ample parking space for park guests, the park offers a playground, softball field, tennis court and volleyball court.

Another highlight of this space is the Splash Pad, an outdoor aquatic feature sure to delight families of all ages on hot, summer days – free of charge! Through a recent partnership with Life Floor, residents will notice rubber tiles installed to increase safety, comfortability and aesthetics to the splash pad.

Amenities

Playground

Softball field

Tennis court

Volleyball court

Address: 

8700 Bloomington Avenue , Bloomington,  MN 55431

Splash Pad hours:

  • Beginning May 25 - June 7, 2018:

    • Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

    • Monday through Friday, 4 - 8 p.m.

  • June 8, 2018 - TBD (closing is weather dependent)

    • Daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

For more information about this park click here. 

WEBBER NATURAL SWIMMING POOL

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The first public swimming pool in North America to have a natural filtration system that will use plants in a nearby pond rather than chemicals to treat the water. The Webber Natural Swimming Pool mimics the natural cleaning mechanisms of a pond or lake and is not chlorinated. 

Pool Facility Features:

  • Zero depth entry for accessibility

  • Shallow pool (0 – 3’7” deep)

  • Open swim area (0 – 6’4” deep)

  • Jumping platform area (0 - 11’7” deep)

  • Lap swimming lanes (5’7” – 6’3” deep)

  • Outside shower towers

  • Outside lockers

  • Grassy sun-bathing area

Admission:

Free, Lap Swim: $3 per day / $24 for 10 visits

For more information about this park click here. 

Science Experiment Sunday

Get messy in the kitchen with these mini volcanoes!

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You’ll Need:

  • Vinegar

  • Baking Soda

  • Food Coloring

  • Muffin sheet and various spoons

  • Squirt bottle (optional)


Directions:
1. Scoop various amounts of baking soda into each muffin cup

2. Add a little food coloring to each cup- mix colors for added fun!

3. Slowly pour vinegar onto the baking soda and watch for the chemical reaction. Helpful hint: Using a squirt bottle, like an empty mustard bottle, helps to control the pour.

4. Get out various mixing tools (i.e., spoons, toothpicks, mini-wisk) to observe changes as you mix.

So what’s the science behind this?

This is a chemical reaction between a base (baking soda) and an acid (vinegar). When the two combine a few things happen: “First, hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda. The result of this initial reaction is two new chemicals: carbonic acid and sodium acetate. The second reaction is a decomposition reaction. The carbonic acid formed as a result of the first reaction immediately begins to decompose into water and carbon dioxide gas. Just like carbon dioxide bubbles in a carbonated drink, the carbon dioxide (that formed as the carbonic aciddecomposed) rises to the top of the mixture. This creates the bubbles and foam you see when you mix baking soda and vinegar” (Chemistry Rocket: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/acid-base-rocket/)

Parenting Podcasts

There are an overwhelming number of parenting podcasts out there. We’ve compiled some of our favorites along with recommendations from our subscribers to give you a starting point. Enjoy!

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The Longest Shortest Time- A podcast pertaining to everything parenting. It’s an award-winning show that features a wide range of topics from stories about moms giving birth in a car to how to become a single father as a transgender person.

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One Bad Mother- Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn highlight the comedic side of parenting with over 200 episodes that strive to focus on the humility of being a mother rather than the judgement.

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Mom Enough- This mother-daughter duo provide podcasts for parents at any stage. With Erin’s mindfulness-based practices aligned with her mother’s specialty in “linking research, practice and policy in the areas of parent-child attachment, child abuse prevention and children’s mental health”, they bring you research-based topics supported by expert guests.

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Janet Lansbury- Janet Lansbury follows the respectful parenting techniques developed by Magda Gerber in which parents learn to accept the emotional growth of a child and how to manage their needs along with limits.

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Coffee & Crumbs- An oral journaling of parenthood that connects mothers around the world through artful storytelling. This team of writers works to create a community that provides support and encouragement for mothers every step of the way.

Check out the links below for links to other parenting podcasts.

What are some of your favorite podcasts?

Bryant Lake Bowl

Bryant Lake Bowl is great for a quick dinner out with the family or an evening of food and entertainment with friends.

One of the best reasons to support this local business is because it’s their mission to give back to those folks who are making positive change in this world. Bryant Lake Bowl supports schools, churches, and local organizations that fight hunger, social justice, the arts, the environment and sustainability.

EAT

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This restaurant has a menu with a wide range of choices including vegetarian, vegan, and meat options. While they do have a dedicated kids meal, it’s your typical mac-n-cheese, hamburger, and grilled cheese selection.

Early Bird Breakfast Specials M-F 8am-10am
Happy Hour is M-F 3pm-6pm and Su-Th 10pm-2am: $1 off tap beers, glass wines, rail cocktails, specialty cocktails, $4-$7 appetizers, and $2 late night bowling (M-Th 10pm-2am).

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BOWL

  • Adults

    • $4.50/game: All day Monday–Thursday and Friday–Sunday until 6 p.m.

    • $5.00/game: Friday and Saturday evenings

    • $2.00/game: Sundays after 6 p.m.

  • 12 and under: $2.75/game

  • Shoes: $2.00

  • Socks: $2.25/pair if you need to purchase them. All bowlers must wear socks.

Generally, 4 to 6 people can bowl on one lane.

Bumpers are Available upon request

 WHEN IS OPEN BOWLING? :

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11:30am-2am

  • Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 8am-2am. 

  • Bowling is closed: M-Tu-W-F 8am-11:30am

THEATER

From poetry to comedy to live music, Bryant Lake Bowl hosts nearly-nightly theater events. Click HERE to read more about upcoming events.

SPECIALS

Neighborhood Night every Sun 6pm-2am: Discounts on local beer, wine and $2 bowling!

Cheap Date Night™ every Mon from 6:00-Midnight: 2 special Entrees, 1 bottle of wine(or 2 tap beers each), 1 round of bowling all for $28.00 per couple

810 West Lake Street – Minneapolis, MN 55408 

Hours
Breakfast=   8am-3pm 7 days/week
Lunch/Dinner=   10am-Midnight 7 days/week
HOLIDAY HOURS: Opening at 5pm on Thanksgiving, opening at 5pm on December 25th, and opening at 9am on January 1st.

Road Trip Essentials

I definitely don't take it for granted that my boys are good road trippers. We've done a few long trips in their lifetime and I'm so thankful every time that they seem to get through it pretty well. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely moments when I want to leave them on the side of the road after they've thrown a tantrum over losing a Lego in the cracks of their chairs or because they can't eat that third bag of Skittles within the hour. Overall, it's not the long hours of driving that get to them, it's the entertainment. So I've learned that good entertainment is key. 

We recently drove to Colorado for spring break (and brought the dog!). Looking back on this trip as well as our past adventures, there are a few things I've realized are essential to making our road trips a success. These are the things that make the trip go a little smoother and keep the boys entertained just a little bit longer. 

Get the Gear

iPads are a must for us. We have 2 old iPads that we no longer use, so the boys can use them when we're traveling. We use Netflix's "Downloads" section to pick out a few movies and tv shows to watch offline. These rentals are free with a subscription and can be viewed without internet access for up to 7 days. We're always on the hunt for new apps as well. Some of my favorites are:

I bought these velcro iPad holders that mount to the headrests in our car. I'm obsessed with how cheap and awesome these are! They're only $9 (much cheaper than most others) and they work great. The driver and passenger have to deal with having these wrapped around their head rest, but honestly, I've never even noticed them. Just make sure you wrap the velcro towards the top or bottom of the headrest so your hair doesn't get stuck in it.

We use these Little Gadget headphones for around $17. What I love most about the headphones is that they have a jack in both ears so your kids can connect to each other and watch from the same iPad. They're also durable, they fold up into themselves to save space, and they have a volume limit so your kids don't blast the music too loud. 

Plan a trip to your local library before you leave. I let the boys pick our 5 or 6 books to take on the road with them. Hide-and-seek books (Where’s Waldo-style) are great for long trips. They also have kid’s audio books which is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a story together.

Consumable workbooks and sticker books are great additions to your car library. Magnet books include titles from funny face building to meal design books and everything in between. Grade-level practice books are also great for a little added learning time in the car. Melissa and Doug make reusable workbooks that use water-filled pens to draw.

A trip to the dollar store, or the dollar bins at Target, can help you find a few new toys for the trip. We keep these up front with us, and dole them out when we see necessary. Those times when the kids need redirection.

Two words: Snack Necklaces

I love these because it keeps them busy when I'm trying to pack the car the night before we leave. They're also great because the boys feel like they're contributing to the trip preparation. Whatever floats your boat, kid! 

I like to buy Cheerios, Fruit Loops, mini pretzels, and gummy Life Savers. There's probably a million other snacky treats that have holes in them, but these are my favs. If you let them add a dull needle to the string you could add things like marshmallows and fruit, but I'm not trying to give my kids access to a needle. I just can hear the complaints already.

The key to snack necklaces is using the right string. These puppies get HEAVY when they're loaded with snacks so it's important to get something strong. The first time I had the boys make these, we used yarn. Big mistake. They worked so hard to fill their necklaces and then as soon as we lifted them off the table, the yarn broke and all of their snacks when rolling off the table. Instead, I suggest using a plastic lacing cord like this Rexlace brand. It’s just like the kind we used to make bracelets with when we were kids. 

Organization:

My goal before we hit the road is to make sure the boys can be as autonomous as possible during the drive. I'm usually the driver in our family (thankfully my husband prefers that too) and nothing is more frustrating than listening to non-stop requests. And we all know that the first person they ask for help from is mom. Luckily Jason is good about fixing their problems so I can keep my eyes on the road. 

Lap Trays-I find it helpful to give the boys a lap try to eat on and play in during our trip. These are especially helpful if Legos are brought in the car because they stay in the tray rather than on the floor. I've tried a few lap trays over the years but this year I found that the old roasting pan worked best. I bought these at the grocery story in a pack of 4 (with lids) for only six bucks. They're made out of aluminum and are a little flimsy but they have a tall rim around them which was great for keeping all the toys in place. By the end of the trip I collect all the trash from the car in them and toss the trays. You might be able to get another use out of them, but my kids destroy them after a long trip.

Entertainment Organization- Before we pull out of the driveway, I make sure everything is in arms reach and pre-programmed. We make sure the kids know the login codes for their iPads (or disable them) and know how to plug in any attachments. I usually wait to start any iPad time until we’re a few hours into the trip. My intention is to get them to play with the basket of toys and books we packed. Once they get bored (AKA: start fighting) with those items, we pop in the iPads for a little adult quiet time. I’ve also found that when we start with the iPads, it’s harder to get them to play with anything else in the car.

Drinks and Snacks- Our cupholders are always packed with spill-proof water bottles. I love these kids Nalgene bottles. They’re the only brand I’ve found that truly doesn’t leak. I pack a small cooler filled with fruits, veggies, cheese sticks, yogurt cups (not the yogurt tubes- that’s just a disaster waiting to happen), and pre-made PBJs. There’s also a grocery bag filled with dry snacks such as popcorn, Goldfish, pretzels, and dried fruit. When we fill up with gas I let them pick out one treat from the gas station.

Games:

My parents got the boys these road trip Bingo cards. They were awesome! The box comes with four packs of different bingo cards. We could each have a card going and be on the look out for different things. The bingo cards have pictures of things to look for like a school, stop sign, and a cow. Even my three year old could play the game since it had picture clues instead of words. 

Here are a few other fun road trip games:

Winter in the Parks- FREE Events in Dakota County

Dakota County Parks

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On the first Friday of each month, the Dakota County Parks host FREE family events from 7:00-8:30. All programs are held at the Lebanon Hills Visitors Center in Eagan. For more information click HERE.

December 7th: Night Noise- A nighttime scavenger hunt using your ears! Using a headlamp or flashlight your family is sent out on an evening mission using only the sounds of the woods.

January 4th: Fun on the Ice- Bring your own ice skates for a night of skating on the lake. Kicksleds will also be available from the visitors center.

February 1st: Sledding Party- Bring your sled for an evening of sliding down a lit up hill.

March 1st: Nature Trivia- Test your nature knowledge with a night of family friendly trivia.

Up/Down Game Night

One of my favorite date nights is heading down to Up/Down in Uptown and drinking good beer while kicking my husband’s ass in Galaga. This arcade bar is home to over 50 arcade games straight out of the 80s and 90s. They also have pinball, skee-ball, gaming consoles, and life-size Jenga and Connect Four.

“All games cost just 25 cents. Our drink menu includes an extensive craft beer selection with over 60 beers on tap and even more bottles and cans, as well as house-made pizza by the slice with unique toppings.”- Up/Down

Monday: $1 Off All Draft Beers
Tuesday: $1 Off All Local Draft Beers
Wednesday: $3 16oz Domestic Cans
Thursday: 10 Cent Tokens
Friday: 20 Free Tokens To The First 100 Guests
Saturday: 2 for 1 Tokens Until 9 pm
Sunday: $25 Six Pack & A Pound

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Adults Only @ The Minnesota Zoo

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Thursday, November 15, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
18+ to attend, 21+ to drink (no exceptions)

The Minnesota Zoo is celebrating “40 Years of Amazing” with guest experiences, animal care stories and wildlife conservation successes. Explore a grown-up, kid-free version of the Minnesota Zoo after hours and enjoy cocktails and keeper talks during our November event. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE! Come enjoy the November Minnesota Zoo Adult Night Out. This 18+ event will promote everything fall by celebrating with a pumpkin theme. There will be hot and cold pumpkin beverages and cocktails, as well as pumpkin food to harvest on. It might be cold outside, but this event will keep you warm on our indoor trails.

Additional activities:
Music by Relativity 5:00 – 8:30 pm
Animal Trivia 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Wine and coffee bar at the Penguin Café

Discovery Bay, Tropics Trail and Minnesota Trail 4 – 8:30 pm
3M Penguins of the African Coast 4 – 7 pm

Ticket Prices:
$10.00 admission (free for members)
$15.00 after 12:00 pm on November 15
Online Sales End at 4:30 pm November 15

Tickets will be available at the door.
No need to print tickets, use your phone!

—Content and images direct from The Minnesota Zoo

MIA Third Thursday for October~ Puzzle Party

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Need a little “Me Time”? This event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art looks pretty awesome. What a fun (and FREE!) way to get out with friends.

When: Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6:00 PM

More Info: Visit MIA

Third Thursday: Puzzle Party

“What if the museum could be transformed into a giant puzzle room? Join us at this FREE event to solve the mystery! Enjoy an evening of riddles, puzzles, trivia and music from DJ Hey There Handsome. Play “Riddle Mia This,” the product of Mia’s latest 3M Art & Technology Award, and experience the galleries as an escape room through an interactive app. Meet the makers and join the the game. Try your hand at speed-puzzling with an international competitive jigsaw puzzle champion, design your own art-inspired puzzle, experience a pop-up Riddle Room at Mia, and test your brain power with a special museum edition of Trivia Mafia.” 

—Content and images direct from MIA

Birthday Requests- WIN!

For Dex’s 7th birthday he had one very detailed request: Breakfast in bed. There’s more. He laid out the exact time and method of delivery as well as the exact placement of said breakfast.

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  1. Toast two chocolate waffles and top them with Nutella

  2. Place waffles on a white plate and put them on a lap tray along with a glass of orange juice

  3. Enter my bedroom at 7:30

  4. Place the tray of waffles on my dresser and then wake me up

  5. I will sit up in bed and you will place the tray over my legs, above the knee

  6. I will eat my breakfast and drink my juice

  7. You can make breakfast in bed for Teddy too but he is not allowed to eat it in my bed. He must remain in his own bed.

He’s at that age now where he’s going to remember this kind of stuff. When he gets older I want him to reflect on his childhood birthdays thinking he was spoiled rotten so I added some colorful sprinkles and birthday-themed decorations to make it extra special.

He eventually caved and let his little brother join him for breakfast. We awkwardly stood there and watched them eat breakfast. 

*This was not a nude breakfast session. There are pj shorts under there somewhere.

Why Aren't Parents Buying Limos Instead of Minivans?

On a pretty regular basis I dream about driving a limo. Can you just imagine how amazing that would be as a parent? I'm going to lay out the pros and cons so we can all make a practical decision about this:

Pros

  • It's basically a nap-mobile with all that carpet space

  • Our string cheese habit could be comfortably transported in the mini-fridge

  • The kids could drink milk from champagne flutes

  • There's a magical button that makes a barrier appear between me and my kids saying stupid shit like, "Mom look, my elbows disappeared."

  • Crack the windows in the back and my kids have a playroom while I'm in spin class

  • With all that space in the back I could easily separate the kids when they're trying to wipe boogers on each other

  • The tinted windows and sunroof would make for a pretty sexy date night

  • Two words: Preschool Prom

Cons

  • I'd have to start wearing suits and a chauffeur cap

  • The carpool line would be a bitch because I'd have to stand outside the car with my hands crossed in front of my crotch and my feet shoulder width apart while waiting to open the door for my kids

  • It would be nearly impossible to use the not-enough-room excuse for getting out of driving other kids home from events

Photo Credit: https://www.royalaustin.com/limo-101/limo-riding-etiquette-for-kids/

Do you have kids? - FAIL

[My husband Chris on a walk with Sally, our great dane.]

Friendly person in the neighborhood: "Cute dog!"

Chris: "Thanks."

Neighbor: "Do you have kids?"

Chris [confused]: "Um, yeah.  Why?"

Neighbor: "Your dog has gum on her forehead."

[Chris looks down at Sally to discover pink bubblegum matted into her eyebrow.]

 

Library Visit

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After a failed attempt at going to Como Zoo, Teddy and I ended up at the Roseville Public Library. I remember coming here as a kid with my mom. She would ditch me to have some much-needed alone time while I perused the old microfiche machines certain I would discover the missing clue to the Jacob Wetterling case. 

This library has had a beautiful facelift since my childhood days. It's still just as big as I remember it, but so much more kid-friendly with welcoming, modern decor and a Dunn Bros. coffee shop attached. The kid's area is huge with a few different rooms filled with engaging toys and play structures, game tables, computers, book buckets with various themes, and a giant Lite Brite. I really appreciated the organization of the kid's space here. You can tell they put a lot of effort into trying to spark creativity and encourage kids to find their interests in reading. We especially enjoyed the bug-themed book boxes. 

My favorite part was their outdoor area. There's a short walkway off the front of the the library that hosts shaded areas, a play hut, and learning spots (i.e., leaning about rain barrels and permeable ground cover) for kids to connect with nature. We packed a lunch so this was a perfect spot to sit and eat. It would also be easy to grab something from the coffee shop to take outside.

Check out the Ramsey County Library Events Page for more info on upcoming events. 

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Brookview Backyard

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This new indoor play area, located inside the Brookview golf club in Golden Valley, has a HUGE play structure for kids to expel some serious energy. The building was recently remodeled so everything is fresh, new, and clean. 

What I loved most about this place was the size. There are so many nooks and crannies for kids to explore and provide guaranteed hours of entertainment. They've also done a great job providing areas for kids of all ages and abilities. There is a small, sectioned-off area for smaller kids with soft building blocks and little slides and higher areas for the more adventurous types. 

There's also a bar + grill located inside the community center. 

Location:

316 Brookview Parkway S
Golden Valley, MN 55426

Phone: 763-512-2345

Contact: 

http://brookviewbackyard.com

Cost:

  • $5 for kids ages 2–12
    ($4 for Golden Valley, New Hope, and Crystal residents)

  • $2 for socks (if needed)

  • kids under age 2 and adults are free

 

Sovereign Grounds

Located on the corner of 48th and Chicago, Sovereign Grounds is a community coffee shop owned and operated by a Minnesota couple who immigrated to the U.S. from Turkey. Hakan Sezer and his wife, Kris roast and brew 100% Arabica coffee in the shop each day. They also make every item on their menu right in the shop which includes and array of sandwiches, salads, quiches, and desserts. My favorite items are the 3-salad plate and homemade cakes. 

The best part about this place is the room dedicated to kids so you can sit back and enjoy a cup of joe or lunch while your kids play. They have small, plastic climbing structures, riding toys, and tons of handhelds all in a large carpeted area. Tables and chair line the room so parents can work, eat, or socialize without having to sit on kid-sized chairs. 

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 The play area is great and something I'd like to see in more coffee shops around town. However, I feel like it needs a little scrub down and revamp. Some toys look a little grimy and after the lunch rush, the floors are a disaster. But overall, the concept is great and my kids love it! 

In my experience, the playroom can get packed around lunch time. If you're looking to meet new people this might be a good time to go. Lots of families are local and happy to chat. If you're looking for some quiet time, try going during the typical napping hour. Sometimes I take my kids around 2:00 so they can play and I can work in a quieter zone. 

(612) 825-6157
813 EAST 48TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55417

Monday - Saturday  6:30AM – 8PM
Sunday 8AM – 8PM