MEA (now called Education Minnesota) is October 16-17 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:
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale in White Bear Lake! It’s October 17-19 and you can save big! I have my own kids’ items for sale at this sale too. If you’re looking for kids’ clothes including Halloween costumes plus toys, household, sports gear, books, etc. this is the place!
Scarecrows, Pumpkins & Harvest Fun! Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. Daily Sept. 20-Oct. 31, check out artful displays, including a Pumpkin Tree.
Game On! – now through January 4th at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul.
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 here.
Valleyfair has also brought back ValleySCARE again! Get discounted tickets here.
Enjoy The Great Pumpkin Trail in Wyoming, MN! It’s about 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities and it’s a trail you walk decorated with lighted pumpkins! Save on admission with my code.
Go to the Jack o Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo! We went opening weekend and it was amazing.
Super Neon is open at the Mall of America! Read about our visit and save on admission with my code!
Save 50% on admission to Zero Gravity in Mounds View with my exclusive code!
Have you been to Activate in Roseville or at the Mall of America? It’s unique and fun. It’s like being in a video game!
Free Things
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.
Lanesboro, Minnesota – Visit Big Springs Farm in Lanesboro ! We went there last fall and loved it.
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.
Gulf Shores, Alabama! My husband and I went here for our honeymoon but it’s a great place to bring families! Enjoy the warm, white, sandy beaches and many activities. October is the perfect time of year to go as the temperature is ideal. Read my post: 12 Unique Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.
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.
We also returned this summer to see their new aquarium! It was the best! Read about our return visit:
Back to the Arch: Our Family’s Return to St. Louis with Teens
Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) – The Quad Cities have many unique things to do! They’re about 6 hours from the Twin Cities and they include several cities on the Iowa and Illinois border. This is where we went during MEA last year (2023). We enjoyed unique fun like riding a Channel Cat Taxi on the Mississippi River. Read about our visit here!
Shipshewana, Indiana! We just went here last summer but fall is an awesome time to go. I wish I were there right now! It’s in Amish Country and it’s just beautiful and so welcoming. There are many things for families to do too! Here is my blog post about our visit: 11 Must-Do Family Adventures in Shipshewana, Indiana.
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.
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!
Get this and other FREEBIES INSTANTLY by signing up here!
(If you’re already on my email list, check your inbox!!!!)
Note: If you have any issues with accessing your free printables, email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com.
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)
Leave a Reply