Are we there yet? Free travel games for kids

General travel hints
A teacher here gives a list of helpful advise on travel toys.  My favourite by far is an example of the power of the drawstring bag:  Using it to collect a game for the travel home.  She writes: "small items collected on the holiday are placed in the bag (a shell, piece of seaweed, pine cone, postcard). Each person takes an item from the bag in turn and begins its story with "I remember this because it was when...."" Pretty nice idea.

Here's a large selection of travel activities that use easy-to-find materials, can go on an airplane and fit in a gallon ziplock bag.  Thank you!














Babies and toddlers: Lid on - lid off.  Stick in - stick out.  Repeat.
This mom is not the first to discover it, but she's going to get the credit for the popsicle in a mug game (no least because of her other post on toddler activity bags).  You'll need:  1) Popsicle sticks; 2)
a travel mug.

Printable games
Grab a clip board from home (or the thrift store) and print out these free games!

A mom blogger took the time to make three sets of five road trip bingo plates.  Should be enough to last for a little while!















Should you need more or something different, there's always Pinterest!

Free family events in June

Thurs June 6: Introduction to Geocaching 

As a warm-up for the National Get Outdoors Day (see below), you can learn about the new high-tech, entertaining adventure game Geocaching. This class will cover the fundamentals including the basic use of a GPS for finding, hiding, and placing geocaches. Participants will have the opportunity to try out their new skills right away at the Waite Park Family Fun Fest geocaching contest held from June 10-13.  Register for the program online or contact the library at 320-253-9359.
Time: Thursday June 6, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Place:  Great River Regional Library - Waite Park, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park

Sat June 8: National Get Outdoors Day in Minnesota State Parks

Answer the call of the wild on Saturday, June 8, to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day! FREE Admission to all Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota's 76 state parks and recreation areas are all offering free admission this day, and many of them have planned special activities to introduce you to the fun of geocaching, kayaking, camping, and other family-friendly activities.




Free fishing
Minnesotans don't need a license to fish at most Minnesota state parks.

Free loaner kits for kids (find one)

• GPS units can be used to participate in the statewide Geocaching Program that involves hunting for hidden treasure
  
• Kids Discovery Kits feature activities, stories and tips to help ensure that a child's park visit will be fun and memorable. Discovery Kits come in three flavors: "Wildlife by Water," "Around the Campfire" and "Camping Skills"
  
• Fishing Kits include a rod, a reel and a stocked tackle box. (It's up to you to add the fish!)
  
• Birding Kits include binoculars, guide books and bird lists that are unique to each state park
  

Stop invasive species in your tracks! 
Join PlayCleanGo on the trails June 8 at Fort Snelling, Gooseberry Falls, Interstate, Itasca, Lake Carlos, or Whitewater state parks and learn how you can help prevent the spread of terrestrial invasive species and protect our beautiful Minnesota natural resources.

Dig Into Reading June-August 2013

Great River Regional Library’s Summer Reading Programs for teens and children begin June 10 at all library branches. The Summer Reading Programs include incentives and prizes to encourage children to continue reading throughout the summer. The program theme for children through sixth grade is “Dig into Reading,” and includes an infant-toddler program. The theme for grades six through 12 is “Beneath the Surface.”

Find the daily events at your nearest library in the Great River Library events calendar (do yourself a service and filter the locations in the menu at the left). 

June 10 and 11: Dig into Reading Celebration Magic Show!

Magician Jared Sherlock blends magic, juggling, and audience participation for a high-energy, interactive, comedic event. Ages 3-12.


Tues June 10 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Great River Regional Library - St. Cloud, Mississippi Room. 1300 W St. Germain Street, St Cloud
No Registration.

June 11 at 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Great River Regional Library - Waite Park, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park
Limit 50. Please preregister

June 12: Summertime by George!

Summertime by George! is a free concert and festival put on by the Rotary Club of St. Cloud at the newly renovated Lake George! The area will be transformed into a fun and active place every Wednesday with free live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, artisians, and a kid's zone for the entire family to enjoy!  This evening's act is "32 Below".

June 16: Celebration of Fatherhood

Join local community organizations as we celebrate fatherhood and family at Lake George.  Craft projects, fishing, music, parent-child activities, paddle boat rides, face painting, hook-a-book, food & beverages. Bring your camera!
Food shelf donations are welcome.
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Place: Lake George Municipal Park / Complex, 1101 7th Street South, St. Cloud

June 24: Toddlers Dig Art 

Join the librarians for a story, a song, activities and crafts that explore art!  For ages 0-3 with an adult.  No registration, no limit.
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Place: Great River Regional Library - Saint Cloud, Childrens Program Room Combined 123 and 124

Free family events in May

- this post "disappeared" in a editing accident and is being rewritten -

May 7: Llama Llama Read-a-Rama Pajama Party RESCHEDULED 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time: Tuesday May 7 at 5.30-7.30 pm
Place: Saint Cloud Public Library

From this month: A farmers market near you!

 

Market Mondays in Sartell

Mondays May 13 - October 21 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Sartell City Hall, 125 Pine Cone Road N 

***MOMS Club have a kids' activity on Market Monday May 20th*** 

 

Sauk Rapids Farmers' Market

Thursday afternoons
Thursday May 23rd - October 10th 2013 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Sauk Rapids VFW, 901 North Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids, MN 5637

Saint Joseph Farmers' Market
Friday afternoons
May 10 thru Sept. 13th 3:00pm to 6:30 pm
Sept. 20st thru Oct. 18th 3:00pm to 6:00pm
September 13th: Harvest Festival
610 N. Co. Rd. 2, St. Joseph, MN

NEW MARKET! Central Minnesota Farmers Market
Saturday mornings
Saturday May 4th, 2013  -  Oct. 26th, 2013 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1480 10th Ave NE, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

 

Saint Cloud Area Farmers' Market

Saturday mornings
Saturdays in May through October 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Bremer Bank Parking Lot, (Downtown), 1100 W St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN 56301

Free family events in March

This list of free, local events for families will be updated as new events tick in.

DON'T MISS: Borromeo String Quartet Family Concert
Time: March 2, 2013 at 2pm
Place: St. Cloud Public Library Mississippi Room, 1300 West St. Germain Street

The Borromeo String Quartet will give a performance designed for all ages, including young children. The Borromeo has produced its own classical music videos. This performance will include a video created by students at Pine Meadow Elementary School during a 3-day residency by the Borromeo.

The Borromeo have been redefining the classical music landscape through innovative uses of Macbook Pro laptops, video projection, and iPads in performance. They use on-stage projections of hand drawn original manuscripts by composers like Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert to vividly illustrate the creative process hard at work, a practice which has excited audiences of all ages. In schools, their use of technology is proving to make classical music now very relevant to students who have grown up in the digital age.

First Thursday: SCRAPS Pinterest Party Image gallery
Place: St. Cloud Public Library Mississippi Room
Time: March 7, 2013 at 7-8pm

In March, First Thursdays is hosting a SCRAPS Pinterest Party. Supplies will be provided to "upcycle" a variety of projects that celebrate the art of craft.

SCRAPS is the St. Cloud Recycled Art Project Shop - where the creative use of refuse is encouraged. All projects are currently featured on the SCRAPS Pinterest Page. If you haven't tried SCRAPS, or Pinterest, let this event be your introduction! First Thursdays presents literary, performing and visual arts at the St. Cloud Library the First Thursday of each month.

Charlotte's Web Night -One District-One Book Celebration

Time: Fri, March 8, 5:00pm – 8:30pm  
Place: Sauk Rapids-Rice  High School, 1835 Osauka Road Northeast, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379, USA

Join us for the final celebration of this year’s One District-One Book event! The evening will include activities and a showing of the movie version of Charlotte’s Web. Pizza and pop will be available for purchase.
For more information, visit the One District-One Book page

Sauk Rapids-Rice Family Fun Day
Saturday, March 9, 1-3 pm
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Pool. Enter West Door #7

Bring your swim suit and have some fun together in the pool and gym! This event is for families with
elementary age and younger children.  There is no charge for this event sponsored by
the Community Youth Connection.
Questions - call Community Education at 258-1577.

Free for the 3-yr-olds and under: Maple Syrup Festivals
Time: Saturdays, March 16 and April 6 - Open House, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Place: Saint John's Arboretum

Join us for what has become the Arboretum's most popular event of the year! Sap collecting, syrup cooking, horse-drawn rides, demonstrations, and hot maple syrup sundaes await the whole family during this fun-filled event! Pre-registration for families is preferred, but not required. Pre-register and pay OR pre-register and bring your payment to the festival.
Pricing:
Arboretum Members: $5/adults, FREE/children (ages 4-17)
Non-Members: $10/adults, $5/children (4-17), FREE/children (3 & under)
Scout Troops: $10/adults, $5/scouts, FREE/children (3 & under)
Receive $1 per person discount (up to $10) if you pre-register by the Friday before the festival you attend (does not apply to scouts).

Free family events in December

 - this post wil get updated as news of more free events tick in -

Dec 2:  KringleFest at Stearns History Museum

Do a craft, have a cookie and see two new exhibits;  Memories in Miniature and Art from Earth From Above.  Bring your camera for a photo op with Santa as he takes wish lists in front of the Museum Library fireplace.
To be fair, this event is only free if you're a member of the museum.  Otherwise, the admission is $5 per adult and $2 per child.  The museum's well-equipped playroom is where we have gone so often for chat'n'plays.  In October, the museum put on a well-organized Halloween party.  It might get crowded for their Christmas event.
Read another parent's review of the museum here.
Place: Stearns History Museum, 235 South 33rd Avenue, St. Cloud, MN  56301
Time: December 2, 1-3 pm.

Christmas with the Choirboys - 37th Annual Chritmas Concer

"Christmas with the Choirboys" will feature all of the choirs of the Land of Lakes Choirboys, as well as the Festival Community Orchestra. A bake sale will also be running before and after the program as well to help raise funds for the boys' programming.
Freewill Donation will be collected
Time: December 7, 7pm
Place: St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 566 4th Street Northwest, Elk River, MN 55330

Free family events in November - UPDATE

 - the event posts are updated as event notifications tick in - stay tuned -

November 13: Now showing... BRAVE at St Cloud Public Library

Watch Brave for free with free Kool-Aid and popcorn!
Follow the adventures of Merida, skilled archer (and headstrong daughter!) of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. It's an animated family comedy set in Scotland's rugged highlands. A strong mother-daughter story in the theme of empathy and forgiveness. Fun for all.
Time: Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Place: Saint Cloud Public Library

November 24: Flanders Recorder Quartet Family Concert

The Flanders Recorder Quartet travels with 50 recorders of all sizes - from 4 inches to 7 feet - and performs music from medieval to contemporary.  In addition to their regular concert in the evening (where they'll be playing music from Venice),  they will perform an all-ages Family Concert in the afternoon. You can bring the kids (and the grandparents) and get to meet these delightful musicians.
Time: November 24, 2012, 2:00 pm
Place: St. Cloud Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3226 Maine Prairie Road, Saint Cloud

See you there!

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November 5: The St. Cloud Municipal Band 125 Years!

The Municipal Band has been putting on free concerts since 1887.  This concert will highlight a chronological review of popular pieces performed by the St. Cloud Municipal Band since its beginning 125 years ago.  Some highlights will include several past conductors of the SCMB, plus outstanding local soloists.This is not an event geared specifically towards children, but any kid who likes music, spending time with mom and dad and who can sit still for a bit of time should be able to enjoy this.
Time: November 5, 2012 at 7:30pm
Place: Paramount Theatre, 913 West St. Germain, Saint Cloud

November 11: Passport to the World: Around the World in 100 Minutes

St. Cloud State University International Student Association really puts on an impressive variety of events, private and public.  One main, annual events that is always well-visited is the children's event Passport to the World where kids can get a whiff of foreign lands presented by a real representative of that country.  To boot, they get a play passport with visas as memorabilia.
Time: Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 4-5:40 p.m.
Place: Atwood Memorial Center Ballroom, 651 1st Avenue South, St. Cloud

More yard signs: Elections and schools in Sartell and Sauk Rapids

So it's the season for yard signs.  As a newcomer to this country, I'm perennially perplexed at the democratic process here.  Surely, I ask myself, judges are not elected? (Yes.)  But the sources of funding should be the same for all school districts?  (No.)  Being one of those nosy foreigners, I have to at least try and find out what's going on here, particularly where it affects my kids directly, ECFE and schools.  Follow me.

Sauk Rapids-Rice are voting on the levy for schools again

Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, Danes say.  Well, apparently people in Sauk Rapids are not so sure about that levy for schools.  They turned it down last year but the school district can't wait around for the money it's owed by the State of Minnesota (apparently the kids can't just stop going to school while we wait).  So it is putting it back on the ballot this year.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice school have made an estimate of how the referendum will affect your household and your elementary student, depending on whether the levy is passed or not. The school district has cut back during the last five years and now they claim there will be further cuts and higher fees for sports if the levy isn't passed. 

School funding is incredibly complicated: Some funding is federal, some (in Minnesota, most) comes from various state programs and some from local property taxes.  The local tax allocation, the levy or referenda revenue, must be put to a public vote and that's when the people of Sauk Rapids turn out to be different from most other school districts. 

Read more about the Levy for Learning at the school district's website.

Sartell-St. Stephen and Sauk Rapids-Rice districts both have new candidates for school board

But who?  If you weren't one of the dozen people present at a debate (Sartell-St Stephen have more scheduled for October) or happen to know one of the candidates, you may be as confused about their names as I am. 

In Sauk Rapids-Rice, four seats for four-year terms are up for election and the candidates are:
Tracey Fiereck, Mark Hauck, Jon Hull, Tracy Morse and Jan Solarz.  Hauck, Morse and Solarz are incumbents while Fiereck and Hull are running for the first time.

To my knowledge, all candidates support the levy.

In Sartell-St Stephens, 10 candidates are running for the board’s four seats. Eight candidates are running for three, four-year terms. They are Krista Laurich Durrwachter, Chris Gross, Pam Raden, Jason Nies, Molly Vogt, Keith Yapp, Dan Goetz and Christopher Condon. Two candidates are running for one, two-year term. They are Michelle Meyer and Gary Schnellert.

Most currently, the School Board voted to keep contested superintendent Hill with a 4-2 vote:  Board members Chris Gross, Gary Schnellert (both up for election), Dan Riordan, and Greg Asfeld voted to extend the contract, with board members Mary McCabe and Lesa Kramer voting against the approval.

Do you know more about the candidates?  Please tell us in the comments!

Mom, what does the president do?

Do you try to get the kids to bed before a presidential debate and can you not explain on the spot why you want to skip story time for two guys arguing on TV?

Would you not mind playing a kids game to be reminded what exactly the president does for a living?

PBS Kids' online Democracy Project has games, fun facts, interactive exploration of the role of of government and more - and your humble webmaster has tested some of the more fun features.  The educational content is intended for third to seven-graders, but in my opinion activities like Meet the Candidates and My Government is a fun and easy way of introducing pre-schoolers to names and terms that are swirling around their heads these days anyway.

Guided by the presidential time manager and White House staffers you go through a grueling day in the life of a president.

Select an issue and candidate (or put 'em both on there) to create a sticker that expresses your ideas of what's important.

Clicking through an interactive map you can find facts and talk about how government plays a role in the everyday lives of kids.