August with a glass half empty approach means school is right around the corner. But August at half-full means there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy: beaches, pools, entertainment in the park, nature playgrounds, picnic spots, outdoor movies, putt-putt courses and that big bash before Labor Day, the Minnesota State Fair. Make your August good to the last drop of summer – start by browsing these ideas, sorted by age.
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THINGS TO DO WITH TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS IN THE TWIN CITIES – AUGUST
Play free & green at a nature playground
I get a deep satisfaction from watching my park-bound kiddos play in a more natural setting: digging, figuring out how to climb that tree, following paths, building forts. They become immersed in tossing rocks into the water, scouting frogs, collecting wildflowers. More places have popped up around the Minneapolis-St Paul metro where kids get the opportunity to interact with the landscape and, perhaps, develop a greater appreciation for it. We include 17 of these spaces in our roundup of TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAYGROUNDS. Pictured: Discovery Hollow at Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake.
Still time to splish & splash! in August
Push those thoughts of fall away – we still have plenty of summer left! Go out with a splash at any of these three solid solutions for a refreshing summer:
Twin Cities-area splash pads
They hit the mark when you want to beat the heat. We have organized more than 40 TWIN CITIES SPLASH PADS by region of the Minneapolis-St Paul for easy locating. Most of these splash pads will operate in the parks through Labor Day.
Free wading pools in the metro area
We tend to tout the free Minneapolis wading pools on our website because they are so prolific – nearly 60 spread across the city’s neighborhoods. They are an idea place for toddlers and preschoolers who have not yet learned to swim but love to make a good splash. Many of them are no-frills with a standard depth of about 18″ but gradually, the older pools are being updated with fun spray features and zero-depth entry. All are located adjacent to a playground, rest rooms and space to spread out with a picnic. PICTURED: one of our favorite splash pad-wading pool hybrids at WABUN PICNIC AREA within MINNEHAHA REGIONAL PARK.
Tot Swims at local outdoor pools
Got a little one who’d prefer to become accustomed to the pool without those periodic (and unintentional) slaps of water in the face from sharing space with the big kids? Many local pools offer dedicated TOT TIME SWIM HOURS and several of them offer discounted rates for these short sessions. Get an hour of swim time for half the price of a full day’s admission. You’ll want to check the individual pool websites for the last operating day of the season as typically it is in August.
READ ON FOR MORE SWIMMING SPOTS: TWIN CITIES OUTDOOR POOLS, WATER PARKS & BEACHES!
Sunflower selfies, barnyard buddies & pick-your-own produce
BROOKLYN PARK Open Gate Hours at Historic Eidem Farm
4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
You and your little one can slow down and explore at your personal pace, visiting farm animals, helping with chores, poking around the garden and more self-directed activities. There is space for your toddler to move about freely and – guess what? – they can’t destroy anything! Open gate hours in August: Mon-Wed, 10am-4pm & Thurs thru 7pm. FREE!
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LINO LAKES Waldoch Farm Garden Center
Waldoch Farm Garden Center, 8174 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
For all of the above, consider a visit to the Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm Garden Center. Your ticket includes a chance to meet all the barnyard animals (sheep, chickens and donkeys to name a few), plus have the run of the play areas, low ropes course and mazes. You’re also good to take pictures in the sunflower field and are permitted to pick-your-own produce (if desired, for an extra fee). Tickets are sold online, $13/pp & up.
HASTINGS Afton Apple Orchard Flower Festival
14421 90th St S, Hastings, MN 55033
A second option for bright blooms and farm fun is located in the Twin Cities Southeast Metro. General admission to the orchard includes access to the petting farm and playground (including a super cool tire mountain). If you’re interested in picking fruit or wandering in the sunflower field, additional fees are requested. Flower Festival starts in late August. $5-$7/pp general admission plus $5/pp for the flower fields.
Still time for preschool jams & more in the park
Hear that, August? It’s the sound of summer tunes starting to wind down for the season. Let’s make the most of what remains before the chill moves in, right? Some suggestions for the final kid-friendliest concerts in the park this summer to entertain your little ones:
- BLOOMINGTONÂ Monday Morning Kids Series | Moir Park
- BURNSVILLE Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Arrive early for story times. Whatever you do, don’t forget swimsuits for the gorgeous landscaped water feature | Nicollet Commons Park
- CHASKA Tuesday Kids Entertainment | Firemens Park
- EDINA Centennial Lakes Summer Kids Concerts – Tuesday & Thursdays
- ELK RIVERÂ Entertainment in the Park Woodland Trails Regional Park
- MAPLE GROVE Sounds of Summer – Thursday morning kids entertainment | Town Green Park
- RICHFIELDÂ Kids Entertainment in The Park | Veterans Park
- ST LOUIS PARKÂ Kids Summer Concert Series | Wolfe Park
FIND OUR COMPLETE LINEUP OF FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT IN THE TWIN CITIES!
THINGS TO DO WITH SCHOOL-AGED KIDS IN THE TWIN CITIES – AUGUSTÂ
Visit the Minnesota State Fair
We firmly believe that you can have a blast with kids of any age at the Minnesota State Fair – yes, even with your baby and yes, definitely with your teens (though wow, do they get expensive!) But I think the sweet spot for bringing kids to the fair is right around school-aged. When they’re out of the stroller and have some stamina, yet still young enough to be charmed by a simple pronto pup and a turn around the animal barns. Then, speaking of saving money, we get into that big time in our annual FAMILY GUIDE TO THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR. Included are ideas for all ages:
- 20 IDEAS FOR FREE FAMILY FUN AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
- 50 THINGS TO DO AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOR FAMILIES (majority of them are FREE)
- BEST BETS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Catch the last of the free outdoor movies in the parksÂ
Nights are getting a bit shorter and there’s a cooler hint in the evening air. August is prime for outdoor movies in the park! Skip the streaming at home, throw a few camp chairs or a blanket in the trunk and try an outdoor movie-going experience with kids who are old enough to stay up until dusk. That’s the hour when free flicks are screened across Twin Cities-area parks in August. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT forget to pack the popcorn and snacks. Or you’ll hear about it from opening to end credits.
COMMUNITIES OFFERING FREE MOVIES IN THE PARK IN AUGUST: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Champlin, Edina, Hastings, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, New Hope, Osseo, Rosemount, Roseville, Shakopee, Stillwater, St Paul & Woodbury. Please hit the link for movie titles and times – far too many to list here!
Summer living history with kids
BLOOMINGTON Living History Open Houses at Gideon Pond House
Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN
History comes alive each Saturday with these drop-in events at the historic Pond House. Kids (and adults) can learn about an early settler’s life through games, crafts, activities and tours with all materials provided. Saturdays in August, drop in from 1-4pm. FREE, donations appreciated.
THINGS TO DO WITH TWEENS & TEENS IN THE TWIN CITIES – AUGUSTÂ
Whimsical mini-golf courses
Miniature golf is just about the only activity I can get a unanimous “YES!” vote from my kids of a varied age range. They all enjoy it for different reasons – the competitive angle, the creative holes and a chance to whack a ball around – but we all agree it’s a must on our summer bucket list. We roundly recommend BIG STONE MINI GOLF as our favorite course in the Twin Cities area. Yours, too, will love the artist-designed holes and all the lawn games included in admission price of $14-$12/pp.
MORE MINI GOLF: My kids love miniature golf no matter the season, indoors or out. Find our big list of the BEST TWIN CITIES MINI GOLF COURSES for more options (younger putters, tweens & teens, date night…).
August Universe in the Park
In our household, Dad really enjoys engaging the tweens and teens in activities related to space exploration (in fact, he retains a family membership at the Bell Museum – see more below). If you have like-minded individuals in your home, we urge you to check out the University of Minnesota’s UNIVERSE IN THE PARK program. It starts with a 20-30 minute slide show presentation at and, weather permitting, an opportunity to to get a closer look the solar system through 8-inch reflecting telescopes. Participants can learn how to use a star map and go home with a free one.
Row, row (or paddle) your boat
I included this super summer activity on our July By Age article and am bringing it back for August because it was such a hit with my tween and teen this year. Last month we gave the shout out to WHEEL FUN RENTALS, THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT & MISSISSIPPI RIVER PADDLE SHARE as options to rent watercraft from. In August we’re sharing more new finds:
Drop-in Canoeing with Minneapolis Parks
Ages 4 & up can pick up a paddle and learn from a pro for FREE at the following Minneapolis lakes throughout August:
- POWDERHORN LAKE – Tuesdays, 5-7pmÂ
- LORING LAKEÂ –Â Wednesdays, 5-7
- LAKE HIAWATHA – Thursdays thru mid-August, 3-6pm
Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental
307 Milltown Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Your tweens and teens will be proud to have the stamina it takes to paddle the 7-mile one way trip from Taylors Falls to Osceola, Wisconsin. The rental company makes it super easy to book online and jump right into your watercraft at Interstate State Park. Paddle complete, the shuttle will return you right back to your car. The paddle takes about 2-3 hours depending on how often you pull over on a sandbar to swim or just rest in the very gentle current and soak up the scenery of the river valley. Our family loved this summer outing! $30-$48/craft.
ROAD TRIP! The photo shown was taken this summer at Itasca State Park and shows off some of the fun kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available through Itasca Sports rentals. Highly recommended, say these teens!
