Events de la Familia Cinco de Mayo Weekend

by admin on May 3, 2012

In addition to the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo, what’s going on this beautiful May weekend? 365 Family Things To Do In The Twin Cities is here to give you the lowdown!

Kids Workshop at Home Depot
Saturday, May 5, 9-11 am

Do you have youngsters who always want to help with building, home maintenance, or gardening? Here’s their chance to get their hands busy with a project all their own. Attend a FREE Kids Workshop at any Twin Cities Home Depot store location. Kids 5-12 years old will learn things like tool safety, and do-it-yourself skills. Plus they’ll receive a free apron, and will get to keep the craft they help create.

This month kids can build their own wooden planter box!

You can find more information and store locations at homedepot.com. You can also follow on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Minnesota Amateur Baseball
Friday – Sunday, May 4-6

You may not realize it, but great outdoor baseball might be as close as your own neighborhood park. Most Twin Cities metro areas and suburbs have an amateur team playing in Class A, B or C amateur ball for the Minnesota Baseball Association. Games are family-friendly and locally supported with affordable admission (typically $3-5 per ticket, often free for kids) and cheap concessions, and prizes and drawings. No $9.00 beers available here. Sorry.

The season really heats up in June and July, but a few area teams have home openers this weekend. Check the linked team websites for more information about venue locations and schedules.

Cannon Falls Bears vs. American Pie Patriots – Friday 5/4, 7:30pm
Chaska Cubs vs. Henderson Tigers – Sunday 5/6, 2pm
Chanhassen Red Birds vs. Waconia Lakers – Saturday 5/5, 7pm
Chanhassen Red Birds vs. Shakopee Indians – Sunday 5/6, 2pm
Victoria Vics vs. Green Isle Irish – Friday 5/4, 7:30pm

Find a team near you at minnesotabaseball.org and support them this summer!

Amateur baseball, or “townball” has been played in the state of Minnesota since the 1920s. Today there are more than 300 active teams in Minnesota, playing in 30 different leagues. Most team members come from the local area, depending on league class rules. Many notable players were once part of a Minnesota town team roster, including: Herb Brooks, Bud Grant, Moose Skowron, Terry Steinbach, and Jim Eisenreich.

St. Paul Cinco de Mayo Celebration
 Saturday, May 5, 9am-6pm

Celebrate the colorful and vibrant heritage of Mexico on St. Paul’s west side with a Cinco de Mayo parade down Cesar Chavez Street at 10am, lowrider car show, ethnic food, authentic Mexican dancers, a community villages with local artisans and growers display their handmade jewelry, crafts, artwork, airbrush, and produce for sale. And a Family Zone with safe, fun-filled cultural activities and learning.

St. Paul’s West Side
Wabasha Street S & Cesar Chavez Street 

Download a free MetroTransit ride pass to Cinco de Mayo here.

For schedules of events, information about all festivities and vendors, visit cincodemayostpaul.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for “fifth of May” is celebrated nationwide in the U.S. and regionally in Mexico as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy.

{ 0 comments }

Weekend Highlights For April 13-15

by admin on April 12, 2012

What’s going on this weekend? 365 Family Things To Do In The Twin Cities is here to tell you!

Target Family Day at MIA
Sunday, April 15

We love the arts in the Twin Cities, but we also can’t stand to be inactive on a beautiful spring day. So why not combine the two? Get outside for a Family Fun Run and Walk around the MIA campus and nearby park. Register online by April 12 free of charge, or sign up on the day of the race for only $5 per person. Registration and t-shirt pickup begins at 9:00 at the MIA Third Avenue Entrance.

The Sports Show at MIA

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(888) 642-2787

After the race, take advantage of Target Family Day and enjoy Play Ball! from 11-5. Design your own medal, make a collage using sports imagery, and snap an athletic portrait in the MIA Photobooth. And don’t miss The Sports Show, featuring photographs from key moments in sports that spotlight the artistic and cultural impact of sports media, including iconic images of hometown teams, games, and players that no Minnesota sports fan wants to miss. Public tours are from 11:30-12:30 and 1:00-2:00. For more information about MIA exhibits and activities, visit them on the web at artsmia.org. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts was founded in 1883, and enriches the community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from the world’s diverse cultures.

 

Spring Into Farming
Saturday, April 14, 10-3

Celebrate spring and new life on the farm. For $5, kids can get their hands dirty, taste a farm-fresh treat, and meet farm animals and their babies on a real working farm, part of the ThreeRivers Park District spring event schedule.

Lambs at Gale Woods Farm

Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Road 110 W
Minnetrista, MN 55364
(763) 694-2001

Visit threeriversparks.org for more information about this and other events, as well as the many park and recreational facilities and conservation activities sponsored by ThreeRivers Park District. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

ThreeRivers Park District manages over 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional trails and parks in the Twin Cities area. With facilities for every outdoor pursuit and season, ThreeRivers Park District serves eight million park guests annually.

 

Giggle, Giggle, Quack at Stages Theatre Company
April 13 through May 13

When Farmer Brown takes a vacation, his brother Bob comes to watch the farm, and a mischievous duck finds a pencil and changes the specific instructions left by Farmer Brown. Hilarity ensues. Fun for all ages! Come see the world premiere of the adaptation of Doreen Cronin’s beloved children’s book.

Stages Theatre Company
1111 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 979-1123

Tickets are $5-15, and can be ordered online, at the box office, or by calling (952) 979-1111. For additional information about showtimes, tickets and other productions, visit stagestheatre.org. Or connect with Stages on Facebook and Twitter.

Stages Theatre operates out of the Hopkins Center for the Arts, a 37,000 square foot art facility, which is the recipient of the James C. Howland Award for Urban Enrichment, that recognizes community efforts that have enriched the environmental quality of life in cities and towns.

{ 0 comments }

Weekend Highlights for Easter Weekend 2012

by Jennifer Alys Windholz on April 5, 2012



Happy Easter Weekend Twin Cities Families!

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Spring Flower Show
Hours: Daily 10-6

1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-8200

Need a perfect backdrop for little ones in their fancy Easter attire? Step inside the Conservatory’s Sunken Garden for an explosion of tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, snapdragons, iris, pansies, violas and more!

Admission is free, thougha $2 per adult/$1 per child donation is suggested. Visit comozooconservatory.org for information on parking, mass transit, photo policies. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The Sunken Garden offers beautiful floral shows, updated seasonally. This ever-changing display is as artful as it is fragrant. Perfect for a romantic walk or a curious exploration. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is dedicated to creating memories and inspiring appreciation of the natural world.

Mall of America Free Family Flicks featuring Hop
Saturday, April 7, 10:00am

Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 883-8800

The entire family isinvited to a free screening of Hop. Inpartnership with Autism Speaks, sensory-friendly films are offered for families of autistic children. Adjustments like quieter sound, more light make the theatre sensory-friendly. Audience members are welcome to dance, sing, and walk around without judgment or scrutiny. Seating is first-come, first-served.Admission is free.

Theatre at Mall of America
401 South Avenue

Hop Character Meet & Greet at Mall of America
Saturday,April 7, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm

Bring your camera to get shots of the kids as they meet E.B. and Phil from the movie Hop.The Easter Bunny’s “hare-apparent” leaves his ancestral home on Easter Island to pursue his dream of becoming a pop star in this family comedy nowavailable on Blu-Ray and DVD. Free!

Mall of America
Macy’s Court

For additional information about this, showtimes, and other promotional events, visittheatresmoa.com. Or find MOA on Facebook and Twitter.

Harlem Globetrotters
Friday, April 6, 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 7, 2:00 pm

You’ve never seen the Globetrotters like this. Featuring your favorite team members like Big Easy, FlightTime, and Special K, as well as exciting new rookies who have been featured on YouTube, the NCAA, and slam dunk contests, this is your chance to see them live ONLY with the Globetrotters.

Target Center
600 1st Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Tickets are $20-$155 and can bepurchased at the Target Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online atTicketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Visit targetcenter.com for venue, parking, and roster information.

In 1926 a 24-year-old businessman named Abe Saperstein formed a small basketball team called the Savoy Big Five. He was trying to promote a nightclub, but in just a few years the team had played over 1,000 games around the country, and became forever known as the Harlem Globetrotters. They continue to dazzle fans with a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment. Visit harlemglobetrotters.com for their full story.

{ 0 comments }

Liger Book Club

by admin on March 20, 2012

We all know reading is important. And while it may not always been your child’s first choice of what to do, it should definitely be encouraged. One way to get kids interested in reading is to allow them to discuss it with their peers. With this in mind, Creative Kidstuff has come up with a fun and interactive way to get children involved and excited about reading.

On Wednesday, March 21st, Creative Kidstuff will host the first meeting of the Liger Book Club! Focusing on children in grades 3-5, this free event will be hosted at the Wayzata and West End locations from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Liger Book Club will meet to discuss a new book once every month.

This month, the book to be read is No Talking by Andrew Clements. No Talking is set in a modern elementary school, and takes on the classic boy vs. girl theme as the boys challenge the girls to a no-talking contest.

Registration is required for this event. You can register online at www.creativekidstuff.com, or by visiting the West End or Wayzata locations. Check back each month for information on which book to read next!

Like Creative KidStuff on Facebook.
Follow @CreativeKidstuf on Twitter.

Creative Kidstuff – St. Louis Park (Shops at the West End)
1665 West End Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952-540-0022
Open M-F 10-8; Sat. 10-8, Sun. 12-6 CST

Creative Kidstuff – Wayzata
1135 E. Wayzata Blvd.
Wayzata, MN 55391
952-249-1707
Open M-F 10-8; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 12-5 CST
Located in the Colonial Square Shopping Center

{ 0 comments }

Post image for Twin Cities Spring Break: Children’s Museum Extra Hours

Twin Cities Spring Break: Children’s Museum Extra Hours

by Carrie Weston on March 12, 2012

Who needs Florida?  We have been blessed with record breaking temps this past weekend, a welcome way to start Spring Break for many areas of the Twin Cities metro.  But just in case your Stay-cation Spring Break still ends up with a chorus of “I’m bored!” by Tuesday, we are here to help you find something to occupy your kids.

This week on 365 Twin Cities Family we will be sharing some of the fun, free or low cost special events of things to do with your kids on Spring Break.  Many of your local libraries, museums and other venues will be offering extended hours and special  activities for your students on break, and we will be showcasing at least one of those a day.

Our first selection—The Children’s Museum in St. Paul.  Typically the museum closes at 4 pm Tuesday- Thursday, which cuts out the option of a visit after Mom and Dad get out of work, but this week only they are staying open until 8 pm every day this week.

Not just for the littlest kids, the museum has plenty to do for even your older kids, and the exhibit Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body is currently visiting and lets your kids indulge in fun and disgusting activities like scaling a climbing wall made up of warts and scabs, and a simulation of acidity in digestion in a giant “Burp Machine.” Let us know if you visit the Museum, and also feel free to comment and tell us a bit about your own Spring Break adventures!  We are always looking for more wonderful Twin Cities locations to share with our online family!

{ 0 comments }

Brickmania Open House

by Carrie Weston on March 10, 2012

Got a Lego fanatic sitting at home this morning in her footie jammies?  A little boy who wakes up waaay too early for a weekend ready to play with his massive train collection?  365 Family has the perfect event to make their Saturday, maybe even their whole month!

Brickmania Toyworks is the business behind the Greater Midwest Lego Train Club and the Twin Cities Lego Train Club and is holding their monthly Open House this Saturday in their space in a converted Northeast Warehouse.

Two large permanent Lego train displays will be running all day long, as well as a series of rotating displays in the large portion of the Thorpe Building off of Central.  Your kids will be able to build in the play area, race Lego cars down a ramp and enjoy the popular toy in other ways.

After the event, you can grab a snack at the nearby Diamonds Café or grab a Kofta Kabob Combo at Falafel King’s newest location just up the street on Central. (Drive through falafel?  Yes, please.)

The event runs from 10 am- 4 pm Saturday, March 10, 2012.  Normally Brickmania holds their Open House events once a month, but they will be moving to a larger space and will not be open in April or May until Art-a-Whirl.

Brickmania LLC
1620 Central Avenue NE, Suite 177
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-545-5263

{ 0 comments }

Weekend Highlights for March 9-11, 2012

by admin on March 9, 2012

Don’t want the kids tracking mud into the house? Here’s what’s on center stage for this weekend!

Wild Rumpus Bookstore
Hours: Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5

Wild Rumpus is a delightful break from the ordinary for children and parents alike. Filled with books for infants through teens, including used books for as little as $1.00 each, friendly animals wandering the premises, and kid-friendly spaces, this bookstore in the Linden Hills neighborhood makes you never want to shop for books online again.

This weekend, the author of Goblin Secrets, William Alexander, will be in the house at 1:00 on Saturday, March 10.

2720 West 43rd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 920-5005

Parking is free on the street outside the store, or a short walk away. Visit their website at wildrumpusbooks.com, and meet the animals, buy online, and find out more about this unique local business. Or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

In 1992, Wild Rumpus used The Salamander Room, by Anne Mazer as a kind of blueprint for building the store. Today it continues to teach about books and young people, and about adults who love them.

In the Heart of the Beast Saturday Morning Puppet Shows For Kids
Saturday, March 10
Performances at 10am and noon. Workshop at 11am.

Saturdays through March, different artists perform engaging puppet shows that will delight kids of all ages. Families can also attend hands-on Make-n-Take puppet workshops based on that day’s puppet show theme.

Night of Illusions (Dream caused by the Sting of the Hawk Moth)
Inspired by the pure artistic nature of children, this abstract work is based on the dream of a child.

1500 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 721-2535

Suggested donation for performances is $4 per person (or $2 per person if you live in Phillips, Central, Corcoran or Powderhorn neighborhoods), and $5 per child, $3 per adult for workshops. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For information about other upcoming performances and shows, workshops, and venue rental, visit hobt.org, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Since 1973, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre has been using flour, water, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the struggles and celebrations of human existence. Drawing inspiration from the world’s traditions of puppet and mask theatre, HOBT creates vital, poetic theater for all ages and backgrounds.

Indoor Water Parks

Everyone is getting cranky from being cooped up this time of year. It’s not quite spring break, not quite St. Patrick’s Day, not quite time for the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the snow hasn’t quite melted. How about a getaway to an indoor water park to shake out some of the restlessness?

For admission policies, hours, and prices, check with individual venues.

Great River Water Park
Oxford Community Center
270 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, MN
(651) 642-0650
stpaul.gov

Safari Island Indoor Waterpark and Fitness Center
1600 Community Drive, Waconia, MN
(952) 442-0695
waconia.org

Tropics Indoor Waterpark and Playground
4580 Victoria Street N, St. Paul, MN
(651) 490-4700
tropicswaterpark.com

Veterans Memorial Community Center – The Grove Aquatic/Fitness
8055 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, MN
(651) 450-2480
www.ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us

Water Park of America
1700 East American Blvd, Bloomington, MN
(952) 698-8888
waterparkofamerica.com

{ 0 comments }

Post image for Free MN Zoo Admission with Cell Phone Donation

Free MN Zoo Admission with Cell Phone Donation

by Carrie Weston on March 7, 2012

 

Every day an estimated 365,000 cell phones are retired in the United States.  Chances are you have a few of them in the back of a drawer in your house.  Now through March 16 your old phones can earn your family a free visit to the MN Zoo in Apple Valley through their Recycle for Rainforests program.

For every old cell phone that you bring to the drop off program, you will receive one free admission to the zoo that day.  The admission applies to a child, senior or adult regular admission, and you will still be responsible for parking ($5) and other costs.

Be sure to bring your phone to the Zoo entrance where they will exchange it for an admission.

Donating your phone keeps harmful chemicals from the phones away from the environment and reduces the need to mine for more of the materials found in cell phones. The MN Zoo states,

“In the early 2000’s, a spike in demand for the mineral tantalum, for use in cell phones and other electronics, led to huge increases in illegal mining in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This resulted in habitat destruction and the poaching of thousands of wild animals, including endangered gorillas and chimpanzees.”

Other phones that still usable will have their data erased and then be given to charities for resale.

The zoo has several suggestions for preparing your phones for donation.

“Make sure you terminate your service or switch your contract to a new phone.  Clear any personal data from the phone by removing the SIM card or manually the information.  On most cell phones, you can find “Reset Phone” under “Phone Settings.” Turn your phone off, if your phone’s battery is still charged.”

 

{ 0 comments }

Maple Syrup Basics at the Coon Rapids Dam

by Carrie Weston on March 4, 2012

This sunny Sunday marks the first of the events in the Three Rivers Parks District hinting that spring is just around the corner, in spite of the new snow that has fallen this week.  Maple Syrup Basics at the Coon Rapids Dam is just one of these free events targeted toward families to teach them about this important part of our Midwestern heritage and how maple syruping has continued today.

Attendees will learn how to identify a maple tree, how to drill and collect sap and how sap is transformed into delicious maple syrup.  Families will also be able to taste the final product and learn how they could try the techniques they learned at home.

This event runs from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Coon Rapids Dam along the Mississippi River, but you are welcome to visit at any time.  This event is just one of many upcoming programs centered around maple syruping.  For further events visit the Three Rivers Parks District website. 

 

 

{ 0 comments }

Ensemble Music’s Common Chord at the Midtown Global Market

by admin on March 2, 2012

Friday nights are family night at the Midtown Global Market on Lake Street in Minneapolis.

The family music nights feature many of the same musicians from their Wee Wednesday events that run every week during the day, but at a time where more families and children with young kids can attend.

The Midtown Global Market promises that, “the audience will sing, dance, laugh, play and have lots of fun!” This week features Ensemble Music’s Common Chord, and future offerings include the Roe Family Singers and The New Distractions.

One bonus of attending is the wide variety of food available in the many internationally flavored restaurants and markets in the facility, as well as the Kids Zone play area.
The concert runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm tonight, March 2nd with future concerts following each week.

www.midtownglobalmarket.org

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries