A Frugal and Fun End-of-Summer Week in the Twin Cities
I can’t believe kids are already starting school next week! Where did summer go?
My oldest, Heidi, starts kindergarten next Tuesday, and she’s so excited! I’m not sure how I feel. I’m thrilled that she’ll learning a lot and making new friends, but I know I’ll miss having her at home during the day. I know her little brother Thor will miss her, too!
Since this is her final week before starting school, we’re hoping to fill the week with lots of fun and frugal activities.
For those of you whose kids don’t start school for another week, here’s a list I came up with of fun things to do with your family during this last week of summer vacation, taking the hot weather forecast into consideration:
(THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE WEEK ARE MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Weather forecast obtained from Kare11.com.)
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
(High – 98 degrees; record heat possible)
Como Zoo and Beach/Pool Day
Head to the zoo early (as many know, Como Zoo is free but they ask for donations). Spend a few hours enjoying the zoo including the newer Gorilla Forest and renovated Japanese Garden.
ALSO – today they offer story time featuring plants and animals at 1:30pm in the Visitor Center!
We just went to the Como Zoo last Wednesday which was super hot, but there were also NO crowds. We got a parking space in the lot right by the entrance! The kids enjoyed the carousel ($2.00 per person), and then we enjoyed lots of ice cream and breaks inside the cooler buildings.
After the zoo, visit a park with a beach, head for a wading pool (Minneapolis has 65!), or visit a community pool. Either way, the hot afternoon is a good time to just lounge around and cool off in the water!
TIP: Burger King offer $.50 ice cream cones through September 1st. Pick some up for the family while you’re out and about! We’ve gone there several times this summer for ice cream, and we love that they’ve always been so nice and helpful – offering to put them in cups for us with spoons and giving us lots of napkins!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
(High – 97 degrees and sunny; humid) [Read more…]