Welcome!

Welcome to social networking in a child-friendly setting! We are the local chapter of MOMS Club® for Sartell and Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

 

Are you a parent who is at home during the day?  Would you like to connect with other at-home parents while your children play and develop social skills?  Then you'll fit right in at the MOMS Club® (MOMS Offering Moms Support®)!  Come to one of our events or learn more on this site.

You can contact us to meet up here.

You can learn more about membership here.

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