In Minnesota, family fun outdoors means embracing all four seasons. If you are on this page because you are looking for a new Twin Cities-area park, playground or nature center to explore, hundreds of entries can be found through our Parks & Playgrounds Search feature. Or, continue searching hundreds more ideas of things to do with kids in the Twin Cities through our Family Directory, including family outings, services, classes, camps, birthday parties and more.
Family Fun Directory of Things To Do with Kids:
Anoka County Library
The Anoka County Library has eight branches, two "On The Go" locations and two affiliate locations. With a mission to connect Anoka County residents to ideas, information and inspiration, the library strives to be a community hub offering resources and experiences to enrich the lives of its patrons.
New artist-designed Anoka County Library cards.
This library is part of the MELSA system, allowing for patrons to get books from most metro libraries through inter-library loan. MELSA membership also offers patrons perks such as the smARTpass Program.
Bike Fix-It Centers at Anoka County Library Branches
Anoka County announced in July of 2018, as part of an initiative to create healthier communities across Minnesota, bike fix-it stations will be installed at eight library locations: Centennial, Crooked Lake, Johnsville, Mississippi, Northtown, Rum River, St. Francis, and Columbia Heights. (You can also them at three park locations: Bunker Hills, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, and Riverfront. Now library patrons can bike to the library and use these stations to make quick repairs to bikes and add air to tires for FREE!
Anoka County Library Loans Board Games
Northtown Library houses a collection of card and board games that can be borrowed and taken home. Some of the games available include Exploding Kittens, Forbidden Island, Seven Wonders, Sushi Go, and Zombie Dice. These appear to be mostly games for older kids and adults. Board games have the same three-week checkout time as adult books and are renewable up to four times. The collection is housed at Northtown but can be requested through the catalog.
Amazon affiliate link. You can always purchase your own (and we'll get a small commission through this link), but Anoka County Library will store games for you for FREE!
Anoka County cloudLibrary App
Anoka County is the first library system in the nation to go live with the cloudLibrary 4.1 update. This app allows library users to borrow and read eBooks and eAudiobooks with their library card. The new app promises to be more interactive and user-friendly. Note: Other metro library systems also offer ebooks to read on your devices. They just use different programs.
“Anoka County Library is excited to be at the frontline of this exciting new update, which will make it easier than ever for our patrons to access digital materials from our collection wherever they are. This initiative aligns with our mission of connecting people to ideas, information, and inspiration.”
-- Andrew Wylie, collection strategies manager
Anoka County Library Branches
The eight main branches are:
- Centennial Library
- Crooked Lake Library
- Johnsville Library
- Mississippi Library
- North Central Library
- Northtown Library
- Rum River Library
- St. Francis Library
Anoka County Library On The Go Locations
On The Go locations operate a little like a RedBox in that books and videos can be selected from a vending machine using your library card. You can also order items online for self-service pick up at these locations. On the Go locations are:
- On the Go - Andover, 15200 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304, 763-755-3238
- On the Go - Ramsey, 7550 Sunwood Dr NW, Ramsey, MN 55303, 763-427-1410
Anoka County History Center
Books can picked up or dropped off at the Anoka County History Center Anoka County History Center, but it is not a full service library.
Columbia Heights Library
Columbia Heights Library is run by the City of Columbia Heights but is an affiliate of Anoka County Library. Books may be picked up and dropped off there.
What is the Family Fun Twin Directory?
This is the most extensive collection of companies, organizations, activities and places to find things to do with kids in the Twin Cities. Find things to do this weekend, things to do today, things to do with toddlers, things to do with teens. We have it all. Sort by indoor things to do with kids or outdoor things to do with kids. Find theater, music, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, seasonal fun.
Find the Answers to Your Questions. How much does it cost? What are the hours? Where can I find discount tickets? Where did my favorite store go?
We share Family Friendly Businesses. We work hard to keep it the most current and accurate parenting resource in the Twin Cities. Not just a blog for moms, we are a informational resource for families. This parent to parent list is perfect for dads, moms and grandparents to find fun things to do with kids year round.
This directory was made for families who live in the Twin Cities metro to connect with local businesses. However, visitors to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area will find our directory useful to learn more about venues with insider tips and details. Use this directory to find the best things to do with families in Minnesota's largest metropolitan area.
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