Places to Go (Toddler Two's)

 I thought I would share a list of kid-friendly places that was created by caregivers in my Toddler Two's class a couple of weeks ago.   The list is incomplete since we didn't quite get everything recorded, so I've tried to fill in the gaps by memory.  And of course this is just a sample from a group of ~7 parents.  Please comment if you have suggestions or corrections.

In no particular order: 

• Airport Viewing Area
• Wild Rumpus Book Store
• Edinborough Indoor Park
• Rebe's Cafe
• Sovereign Grounds Cafe 
• Hopkins Turf Tots
  
• The KUBE at Plymouth Community Center
• Minnesota Zoo
• Como Zoo
• Minnesota Children's Museum
• Red Balloon Books
  
• Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Mia)
• Sea Life Aquarium at Mall of America
• Crayola Experience at Mall of America
  
• Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
• Good Times Indoor Playground
• Rainbow Play Systems (Bloomington)
  
• Indoor walking loop at Bethlehem Covenant Church
• Open Gyms/"Tot Times"
  
• Longfellow Park
• Highland Park Community Center (St Paul)
• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board site...
•  Story Times
• Hennepin County Library site... 
  

Seasonal/Event

• Ice Skating Rinks
• Many outdoor rinks
• Indoor rinks in Bloomington, Richfield, and the Minneapolis Parade by the Walker Art Museum
• Kite Fest at Lake Harriet (winter)
• Art Shanties at Lake Harriet (winter) 
• U.S. Pond Hockey Championship at Lake Nokomis (winter)
• MondoFest at Concordia College (winter)
  
• Pencil Sharpening near Lake of the Isles (summer)

That's all I can remember.  It heavily skews towards places that either have admission costs or are otherwise selling something-- if you have recommendations for locations/events that have no (or minimal) cost, please comment!

Minneapolis Parks: Winter 2019 Parent and Tot Playtimes

If you're feeling cooped up with the cold weather, here is a list of the current MPRB Parent and Tot Playtimes. (This information doesn't appear to exist anywhere else online, so please spread the word via your social media accounts!)

Addendum:

Kenwood, Windom, Lyndale Farmstead, Armatage, and MLK are free. Lynnhurst charges a fee to participate.

Save the Date! Move, Make and Learn Day for Families @ The Wedge Table

Join us at the The Wedge Table (2412 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis) for a fun day of learning, movement, music, and art on March 25th 9am - 1pm.

We’re partnering with The Wedge Co-op, Blooma Yoga and Wellness, MacPhail Center for Music, City of Lakes Waldorf School, and other local organizations to bring you and your family a day to enjoy!

This is a free event, no registration is required. Activities are designed for children 0 – 10 years, but siblings, friends, caregivers, and all are welcome. Stop by anytime with your little ones for activities all morning long!

Drop in anytime for:

• Pipe Cleaners (and more!) for all ages with us, the ECFE Parents Council!
• Service and Art with Open Arms of Minnesota.
• Beeswax Modeling with City of Lakes Waldorf School.

And make sure you check out these events:

• 9:30 am: Family Yoga with Blooma Yoga and Wellness, all are welcome!
• 11:30 am: Cooking for Kids with the Wedge Culinary Team. 

Please note that this event will be held at the Wedge Table, which is 7 blocks east, and 1 block south of the Wedge Co-op itself.

Make Gingerbread Houses at Home!

We won’t be hosting a gingerbread house-making event this year, but that doesn't mean that the gingerbread-based fun has to stop! Just follow the instructions below to have fun building a gingerbread house with your children at home.

Shopping / Pantry List: 


• Frosting
• 
Half & Half, or similar 16 oz carton
• 
Nabisco Graham Crackers (Nabisco are the only brand that seem to want to snap in straight lines in our experience.)
• Candy Canes
• Gum Drops
• Red Hot Cinnamon Candies
• Coconut Flakes (Snow)
• Other candies!
• Sturdy plate for the base.



Directions:

1. Take your plate and squeeze a dollop of frosting where you'd like the house to be. Set the Half & Half carton on the frosting and hold it for 30 seconds (or as long as it takes you to sing Jingle Bells).
2. Squeeze a little more frosting onto each side of the milk carton.  Place a graham cracker square on each side, making the four walls of the house.  (You might need to trim the squares a bit.)
3. Squeeze more frosting onto the top of the Half & Half carton.  Place a graham cracker square on each side, making the roof of the house.
4. Cut a graham cracker square in half to make a triangle.  Frost one side of the cracker and place it on the part of the roof you haven't covered yet.
5. Make sure the graham crackers are sticking well and aren't going to fall off when they're decorated.
6. Decorate!  Have fun!  Get creative!