MEA (now called Education Minnesota) is October 19-20 which means NO SCHOOL for Minnesota students, and there’s a ton of fun you can find here in the Twin Cities and beyond. Here are my guides to local fun and road trips near and far!
Highlights for MEA in the Twin Cities:
Pumpkins, Scarecrows and a Pumpkin Tree! Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. Check out artful displays, including a Pumpkin Tree. Plus scarecrows! This popular tradition of creative scarecrows adds a festive note to the Arboretum’s autumn displays on the Dahlberg Terrace and Scarecrow Hill. Check out the artistry of the experts from Bachman’s, Arboretum staff and members of the community. New this year are giant hay bales, which will serve as some extra-extra-large “scarecrows” as part of this friendly competition. Vote for your favorite!
Ball-o-Rama – now through January 21st at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. Get ready to race, roll and have a ball playing with energy and motion in Ball-o-rama! Experiment with velocity, gravity and acceleration through interactive stations using balls and ramps to demonstrate speed, distance and the laws of physics. EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT – Save the MOST on Minnesota Children’s Museum tickets with my exclusive code. Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets! You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership as well.
See my above guide for all the ways to save money on admission at the Minnesota Children’s Museum!
Valleyfair Tricks and Treats! Read about our visit and get discounted tickets via my exclusive link.
Go to a corn maze for less! Check out these discounts for Montgomery Orchard, and Fresh Acres Farm in Monticello.
Visit Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, MN, and save 15% with my exclusive discount!
See a concert! Landmark Center, St. Paul. There is a FREE Saint Paul Civic Symphony Concert on Sunday, October 22nd.
Want scary? I recommend Onionhead’s Revenge at the Mall of America! Save $13 with my code FRUGAL and watch my video after we went through it!
Explore a new playground! I have a variety of Twin Cities playgrounds listed here!
Como Zoo – Always free, though donations appreciated. In St. Paul.
Visit a library! Libraries are full of books and movies, but also storytimes and other special events!
Scheels – Located in Eden Prairie, this store is like an amusement park. It has a ferris wheel, aquarium, candy store – lots of fun! We visited when it opened in 2020 and things that were closed then (like the ferris wheel) are now open!
See my Ultimate Guide to Twin Cities Fall Family Fun for more ideas:
Use this FREE printable “Frugal Fall Activities for the Whole Family”
For events happening this month and ongoing:
Twin Cities Deals & Events Calendar
This calendar includes local events (& deals!) for the current month, and is updated regularly.
Staycation & Short Trip Ideas in Minnesota
Austin, MN – We had a perfect weekend getaway here! Only 2 hours south of the Twin Cities and with a FREE SPAM Museum, nature center and more.
Duluth, MN – I grew up here, but visit here often with my kids. I’ve written many recaps of our visits including Spirit Mountain, Glensheen Mansion, the Vista Fleet, North Shore Railroad and Great Lakes Aquarium.
Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington – We stayed here twice and love how there’s so much to do on-site!
Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America – We also stayed here twice and love how it’s so nice and connected to the Mall of America for unlimited fun.
Stillwater, MN – Just east of the Twin Cities, it makes a great day trip or weekend getaway. We go here all the time and here’s what to do with kids.
Shafer, MN – You have to stop at the free Franconia Sculpture Park! Less than an hour from the Twin Cities.
Bigger Road Trips within the Midwest!
Bismarck, North Dakota – Read about my visit and 12 Must-See Attractions for Families Visiting Bismarck, North Dakota.
Kansas – From Animals to Oz to Ziplining: Plan this Epic Family Trip to Northeast Kansas!
St. Louis, Missouri – So much is free including a zoo and science center. Read my guide: St. Louis with Kids: Our Visit and Guide to an Amazing Family Trip.
Visiting a national park and have a 4th grader? Sign up for the FREE National Parks Pass and get free admission.
Guides!
The Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun
This lists tons of places a family can find fun in Minnesota, organized alphabetically by category! Cities/locations are included.
Originally created as a list by one of my readers, I then expanded this list and published it here. Then another reader created an interactive spreadsheet for me to include! It’s all here:
Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families
All the ways you can save money at places all around the Twin Cities, compiled here.
Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota
Do you or or a family member receive assistance such as WIC, Medical Assistance, or SNAP? You may qualify for free or discounted admission to many places in Minnesota, plus other benefits! This is a complete list of what you may be eligible for.
Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home
Originally written at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but updated, this lists tons of free Minnesota-based resources online. There is plenty to keep kids busy from home here!
Hidden Gems for Families in the Twin Cities
My guide to fun, unique places around Minnesota many don’t know about!
Freebies for Kids & Families in Minnesota
After blogging for the past 13 years and posting about one freebie after another throughout that time, I realized there were so many it was worth compiling into a single list, and here it is!
100 Things for Kids to Do at Home When Bored (Written by My 12-Year-Old!)
This popular list was written by my 12-year-old when she was bored one day – I asked her to write a list of all the things she could do!
Want more?
Boredom Busters are here to save the day and keep your kids busy and off of screens!
To get these FREE printable posters (which you can print on 8-1/2 x 11 paper), just SIGN UP FOR MY FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER HERE!
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