It’s fall! Enjoy the excitement of the autumn season, kids in tow!
Here are some fabulous activities (broken into four categories) for the whole family around the Twin Cities area, some of them off-the-beaten-path, and all of them sure to capture your kids' imaginations and get some energy out too...
1. FALL-THEMED & COSTUME DELIGHT
Halloween is just around the corner, but dress-up can happen anytime! In addition to corn mazes and apple orchards this fall, check out these unique and creative halloween or costume-related events, all under $8:
Capes & Crowns: A Princess, Superhero, & Pretend-Play Event with The Whimsy Factory
When: Sat, Oct 18th from 3:30 to 6pm
Where: The Shoreview Community Center
Description: This is an event for all little boys, girls, and their families who love to play dress-up! A fundraiser for the local charity Wishes & More (www.wishesandmore.org) this fun-packed day features kids activities, refreshments, and photos with characters (think Elsa & Spiderman). Your kids who love dress-up will be living their dream.
Cost: $7 each for everyone 2 & up (profits being donated to the Wishes & More) -- limited space, pre-buy tickets online
The Great Pumpkin Festival
When: Sun, Oct 25th from 1pm to 3pm
Where: The Landmark Center, St. Paul
Description: The Great Pumpkin festival delivers all things Halloween, from storytelling to music, art projects,a costume parade & more! Of course, it wouldn't be Halloween without candy and treats, so don't worry, you'll find those as well.
Cost: Free!
BareBones Puppet Halloween Extravaganza
When: Oct 26th, 27th, 31th, Nov 1st and 2nd begining at 7pm
Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park, Mississippi River Blvd. at Magoffin, St. Paul
Description: This year marks the 20th anniversary of this community-created pageant of larger-than-life puppetry, drama, stilting, dance, fire, song, and music. As an alternative Halloween community arts event, BareBones Halloween Extravaganza is appropriate for all ages and does not have a commercial focus.
Cost: Donation suggested at $5
Trolley Ride
When: Oct 23rd and 24th, 6pm to 9pm
Where: Minnesota Streetcar Museum
Description: Board the streetcar for a Halloween adventure. Some of the rides takes place in the dark and things do go bump in the night. It’s fun and not too scary, but may not be suitable for the youngest of children. About 20 minutes (with some moderate waiting time before boarding), this event has become a family favorite.
Cost: $4
2. ON-GOING KID'S CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Reoccurring events are great for busy moms! Check out these weekly and monthly events for everyone from toddlers to pre-teens (priced for the thrifty parent):
Lil' Explorer Thursdays - Jr. Zoo Keeper
When is the next one: Thurs, October 15th from 10am to 12pm
Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Description: Come explore 10-noon each Thursday, September-April in the Visitor’s Center. See story time, play games and many other fun activities. Each week has a new theme.
Cost: Free!
Kids Build Workshops
When is the next one: Sat, Oct 10th from 10am to noon
Where: 740 Olive St., St. Paul
Description: Kids can make wood projects to build their skills and confidence one Saturday per month, September through May. Projects will include a keepsake box, small bench, bookends, toolbox, pinewood derby car, key holder/jewelry hanger, candy dispenser, planter or birdhouse. Tools are provided. Workshop dates include Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9 and May 14.
Cost: Free!
Playdate with Nature
When is the next one: Thurs, Oct 8th, from 9am to noon
Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis
Description: Make a play date with nature and your little one (age infant to 5). Each class includes sensory learning, science activities, hikes, and more, plus games for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. These outdoor nature activities run all morning; come and go as you please. Sessions include Fall Leaves on Oct. 8 and Bird of a Feather on Nov. 12. Reservations are required by the Tuesday before each event.
Cost: $5 for all participants (except age 1 and younger)
Kidstock
When is the next one: Sat, Nov 7th, from 10am to 11am
Where: The MacPhail Music Center
Description: The MacPhail Center for Music will kick off its Free Family Music Series with the first of four open-house events on Saturdays for ages 10 and younger. Kids can play and take part in musical arts and crafts while listening to a live band, plus get a chance to try a variety of instruments, sample early childhood music classes and enjoy light refreshments following the concert. Events will also run Nov. 7th, Jan. 23rd and May 7th.
More Info: http://www.minnesotaparent.com/calendar/1963/kidstock
3. THEATRE
Do your kids love watching TV, but you want to get them out of the house? Bring them to a children’s theatre instead! Check out these awesome local productions coming up soon:
Pancakes and Puppets!
When: Sat, Oct 17th, from 9am to 11am
Where: SteppingStone Theatre
Description: Super fun. Super free. Reserve spots for your family today. Stay in your jammies and join this hearty pancake breakfast in the studio; then make puppets and perform your own family puppet show for the crowd. An all ages event.
Cost: Free! (Limited Space; RSVP to Reserve)
Junie B. Jones the Musical
When: Sept 18th through Oct 18th
Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins
Description: Based on four of Barbara Park's best-selling books, this all-ages production is just the thing to get kids in a back-to-school mindset. It tackles best-pal problems, new kids on the bus, trouble reading the blackboard, a friendly cafeteria lady and a kickball tournament.
Cost: $12-16
The Jungle Book
When: Sept 29th – Dec 6th
Where: Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis
Description: This new adaptation of the beloved Rudyard Kipling story finds a child lost in the Indian jungle, where he's adopted by Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the Panther and all the beasts who call the mysterious wilderness home. Recommended for kindergarteners and older.
Cost: Tickets start at $10
4. FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS & OUTDOOR EVENTS
Do you enjoy festivals but hate spending lots of money on them? Check out these free festivals geared towards your little ones:
Wild Rice Festival
When: Sat, Sept 19th, from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Description: Celebrate wild rice, Minnesota's harvest season, and Native American culture at this 12th-annual festival. Enjoy activities, educational presentations, engaging exhibits, and food, including wild rice soup, fry bread, Indian tacos, yogurt/wild rice parfaits and buffalo dogs. See Native American drumming, dancing, singing, flute making, storytelling, traditional wild-ricing methods, and more.
Cost: FREE
Gibbs Museum Apple Festival
When: Sat, Oct 3rd from 10am to 4pm
Where: Gibbs Museum
Description: A day of apple fun – all in the beautiful setting of the Gibbs Museum. Enjoy a variety of events at this beautiful farm, visit the Heritage Apple Orchard, make apple critters, bob for apples, and more. Free food and cider. For all ages.
Cost: Not Listed
More Info: http://www.rchs.com/event/apple-festival/
Now get out there and make some amazing memories with your family!
PS -- If you're hoping to capture your kiddos real personalities during this fall season -- with a little burst of style thrown in -- consider our Feather Blue Studios' Fall "Hot Cocoa & Sweet Memories" Special-Edition Photo Session Day on October 24th. To see if it's the right photographic experience for your family, check out all the details here.
Tags: Fall Family Free and Affordable Events, Family Events Calendar St Paul & Twin Cities MN, Outdoor Festivals for Kids and Families, Children's Performances St Paul, Children's Fall Activities, Kids's Halloween Events Twin Cities MN, Children's Outdoor Photography, Princess and Superhero Events, September 2015 events, October 2015 kids events Twin Cities MN, things to do with kids October 2015 MN
