WEEKEND FAMILY FUN – OCTOBER 13 & 14, 2018
Welcome to the weekend! In search of some inspiration on how to spend what’s predicted to be a lovely couple of fall days with colors close to peak and Halloween creeping ever closer? We’ve spotlighted some best bets for October Weekend Family Fun — fall festivals, pumpkin patch rambles and not-so-spooky holiday treats with a road trip thrown in if you’re feeling extra adventurous. For more ideas for this weekend and beyond, zip over to our Family Fun Calendar, packed with both free and budget family activities.
FALL FESTIVAL PICKS:
Sat, Oct 13: Fall on the Farm | Eidem Homestead, Brooklyn Park
Join in harvest time, cider pressing, pumpkin carving and more. 12-3pm | $4-$6/pp, 4 & under free
Sat, Oct 13 & Sun, Oct 14: Apple Fest | Carpenter St Croix Nature Center, Hastings
Hayrides, kids activities, live animals and music. Visit the apple shack for treats fresh from the nature center’s orchard. 10am-5pm, FREE admission.
Sat, Oct 13 & Sun, Oct 14: Apfelfest | The Landing, Shakopee
Meet with costumed characters living in the village and explore the history of Minnesota apfels (Germanspeak for apples). Trolleys provide transportation through the site. 10am-5pm | $5-$8/pp
For more fall festivals, jump over to our Twin Cities Fall Family Festival Calendar.
PUMPKIN PATCH PICKS:
Patches are in full swing this weekend, and we’ve got the details on 16 we think are worth checking out for their fall activities, farm animals, and fresh produce. Here’s a quick look at what Waldoch Farm’s pumpkin patch has to offer families; for more options try Pick One: Twin Cities Pumpkin Patches or click the graphic.
Waldoch Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze | Lino Lakes
Weekend hayrides to the PYO pumpkin patch is complimentary; pumpkins are sold by size and start at $3. Corn maze and fall fun area admission is $10 a person ages 3+ and includes the corn boxes, all-terrain trikes, train ride, obstacle course and play area You can also tour Joyer Barnyard without paying an admission fee. Open 10:00am – 7:00pm *last entry to the corn maze is at 6:00pm.
EARLY HALLOWEEN EVENT PICKS:
Sat, Oct 13: PunkinMania | Triangle Park, Mahtomedi
Games, inflatables, treats and, true to the name, a pumpkin patch. 9am-3pm, FREE admission, pumpkin $2-$4/each.
Sun, Oct 14: Family Art Sunday | Banfill-Locke Center for Arts, Fridley
Drop in for an art project, take an art scavenger hunt in the galleries and have a spooky snack. 1-3pm, FREE.
For dozens of additional Halloween events & activities, try FFTC’s Guide to Twin Cities Halloween Fun.
FALL WEEKEND ROAD TRIP:
Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota
Enjoy the peak of fall colors en route to this south central Minnesota town a couple hours’ drive from the Twin Cities. Oktoberfest in New Ulm, running Oct 12-13 is rocking with a festival, parade and activities reflecting the city’s proud Germanic heritage! Other nearby attractions with a stop for families are the Harkin Store, Schell Brewery and Flandrau State Park. We have all kinds of ideas for a weekend road trip in our list of 10 Things To Do in New Ulm, Minnesota.
FALL SHOWTIME PICK:
Charlotte’s Web | Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins
Based on the favorite children’s book. Grab your tickets while you can! Saturday’s performance is sensory-friendly. $14-$21/pp
