2018 Twin Cities Father’s Day Events & Activities

I have a theory on why Mother’s Day seems to be a bigger deal than Father’s Day each year. It’s so much easier to find Mother’s Day activities and kids make a bigger deal to. I think this is because Mother’s Day falls during the school year. Teachers have kept the tradition alive and passed it on to future generations. Father’s Day falls at the beginning of summer. There are no school projects. Is it a coincidence that there are less activities that are specifically Father’s Day related? I don’t think so, but we have found plenty of opportunities for family traditions.

How will you be celebrating Dad this Father’s Day? If your plans include time spent together, here are some ideas around town to make his day extra special:

Father’s Day Events • Father’s Day Gifts

FATHER’S DAY EVENTS – FREE FOR THE FAMILY

6/9/18: Bow Tie Make & Take @ Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, Burnsville, Maplewood or Minnetonka  •  Details: Make a Wooden Bow Tie for Father’s Day. Pre-Register for one of several time slots.

6/16/18: Make a Photo Holder for Dad @ Lakeshore Learning, Maplewood or St. Louis Park  • 11am-3pm  • Details: Drop in. Ages 3 and up.

6/16/18: Father’s Day Story Time @ Barnes & Noble Stores • 11am • Details: Featuring With My Daddy: A Book of Love and Family.

6/17/18: Target Free 3rd Sunday @ Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul • 9am-8pm • Details: Father’s Day is always on MCM’s Free Third Sunday – Make it a Father’s Day tradition.

6/17/18: Nature’s Best Dads @ Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington • 3pm-4pm • Details: The weekly Free Family Fun Day will focus on dads in nature this week.

FATHER’S DAY EVENTS – FREE FOR DAD

6/15-17/18: Free Admission for Dad and Grandpas @ The Works, Bloomington • Just tell them your a dad or grandpa at the door.

6/17/18: Cub Father’s Day @ Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley • 9am-6pm • Details: Dads are in FREE! BOGO admission at IMAX. Free cookie for dad with purchase of coffee at Penguin Cafe & Wild Java.

6/17/18: Father’s Day @ Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River • 10am-5pm • Details: Shortened to just Sunday this year, dads are free when accompanied by a child; help with building and repairs around the farm, care for the livestock and more activities.

6/17/18: Father’s Day Discount @ SandVenture Aquatic Park, 1101 Adams St, Shakopee • 11am-7 pm • Details: Free admission for dads.

FATHER’S DAY EVENTS – PAID

All June: Dad Rocks @ Simply Jane Studio • Details: Drop in during open studio times to paint Dad a rock or other item. $5 studio fee plus the cost of item painted (prices start at $5).

6/16/2018: Father’s Day Robotics Workshop @ Snapology • 1-3pm • Details: Build an awesome helicopter and race car! Build, program, and interact with robotic vehicles, add sounds and sensors, make them move. $20.

6/16/2018: Father’s Day Cake Designing Event @ Jerry’s Foods, Eden Prairie • 10am-2pm • Details: Kids can design their own cake, have it scanned in and printed on the cake. $5/cake.

6/17/2018: Father’s Day Celebration @ American Girl Store • 3:30-4:30pm • Details: Dad and daughter mean in the bistro with games and crafts. $28/pp.

6/17/2018: Father’s Day Bruch @ Pinstripes, Edina • 3:30-4:30pm • Details: Special barbecue brunch includes made-to-order omelets, a waffle bar, carved prime rib, fresh seafood, salad bar, chocolate fountain and delectable dessert station. Plus, all of your summer grilled favorites like BBQ ribs, Italian sausage, pesto chicken, corn on the cob, and much more. Adults $30; Kids 6-12 $15; Kids 5 & Under: Free; Bowling: $10/hour & Bocce: $10/hour.

MORE IDEAS ON CELEBRATING WITH DAD

6/16-6/18: Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Minneapolis • Family highlights: Take a stroll across the bridge to seek out the Family Activities Area with birdhouse-building, games, and a family photo opp. While in the area, arm yourself with 10 Things for Kids: Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

photo courtesy grkids.com

6/17/18: Ski Otter’s Water Ski Show @ White Bear Lake’s Little Goose Lake • 6 pm • Details: Little Goose Lake is located at the intersection of Hwy. 61 and County Road F in White Bear Lake.

Take a Hike @ various parks around the Twin Cities • Trails are usually open from sunrise to sunset • Details: Some of our favorite trails include

• Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis
• Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Minneapolis
• Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
• Fort Snelling State Park, St. Paul

GIFTS FOR DAD
(Made from supplies around your house)

• “Love You To Pieces” Picture Frame• Build a square with popsicle sticks and glue. Around the square glue puzzle pieces to cover the popsicle sticks.   Cut out a nice label and write “Love You to Pieces”.  Glue it on the bottom of the frame.
  

  ---

  

• Dad Poster • Cut out large letters for D-A-D.  Approximately 4 inches wide by 6 inches high.  Ask each child why he/she loves dad and write on strips of paper.  Glue all pieces to a large piece of poster board.  Add a string on the back to hang it on the wall.
  

  ---

• Nuts About Dad• Fill a clean jar with Dad’s favorite nuts.  Use this label that reads, “We’re Nuts about you Dad” and paste it on the front with washi tape or glue.

More ideas from around the internet

• Easy Father’s Day Shirt•
• Super Dad Pop Box Set•
  

  ---

More Family Fun Ideas:

Community Entertainment for Kids 

Twin Cities Guide to Beaches, Pools and Water Parks