0 In 2024/ Minnesota/ Things to do in Minnesota

24 Kid-Friendly Places to Explore Around the Twin Cities

Are you in Minnesota and looking for something fun to do with your family? Do you have guests coming to town and want to try something new and unique? Well, I’ve got you!

Here are 24 family-friendly places for fun around Twin Cities:

1. Nickelodeon Universe

Inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the United States, offering rides for all ages. I love that you can PAY PER RIDE – or get an all-day pass.

2. Top Golf

We took the family to play at Top Golf and everyone had a great time! Fun for all ages! Good for beginners to advanced golfers.

3. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store

This is a GIANT store in Jordan, MN that not only sells every kind of candy you can imagine, but popcorn, pie, soda, meat and cheese! There is so much to see inside this store, your family will love it. Come for the candy store, or make it a day of adventure.

Click here to read my post about our day in Jordan.

4. Mill City Museum

The Remains of the inside of the General Mills Factory

Learn about the history of Minneapolis and its flour milling industry at the Mill City Museum, which offers interactive exhibits and a chance to explore the ruins of a historic flour mill.

Click here for a peek into our visit to the Mill City Museum.

5. Minnesota Children’s Museum

Located in downtown St. Paul, the Minnesota Children’s Museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to engage children’s curiosity and creativity. All four of my kids enjoyed visiting this museum and want to go back.

6. Minnehaha Falls

Enjoy the outdoors by visiting Minnehaha Falls – you’ll find a scenic waterfall, a hiking trail, swimming spots, and lots of space for exploring. Bring extra clothes or wear some that can get wet or muddy.

7. The Bakken Museum

This museum in Minneapolis focuses on electricity and magnetism, offering hands-on exhibits and demonstrations that are both fun and educational for kids.

Here’s a peek into our visit with more info!

8. Fort Snelling State Park

Explore nature and history at Fort Snelling State Park, where you can hike, bike, picnic, and learn about the military history of the area. Here’s a peek into our visit to the Fort.

9. Minnesota History Center

This museum, located in St. Paul, explores the history and culture of Minnesota through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It’s a great place to learn about our state’s past. My kids and I loved our time in this museum and leaned so much in the ‘hands on’ exhibits!

10. Sky zone/Urban Air

Jump and play the day away!

11. Slick City

Slick city is a giant space with all kinds of slides, swings, and a bouncy basketball court. It’s a place where kids, teens, and parents can all play together.

12. Tactical Urban Combat

The world’s largest indoor nerf and laser tag battle ground. My boys LOVED this experience!

Here’s a peek into our visit with all the details.

13. Crayola Experience

Bursting with more than 20 hands-on activities, this one-of-a-kind family attraction is where color, chemistry and technology combine to create a colorful adventure for a child’s imagination. Name and wrap your own crayon, create a coloring page with YOU in it, bring your art to life in 4-D and so much more! Perfect for a day of family fun.

All four of my kids had a GREAT time! Click here for a peek into our visit.
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14. Roller Skate at Skateville

My children (and inner child) had the BEST time rolling around Skateville! It was good exercise and just SO much fun!

15. Bell Museum

Located in St. Paul, Bell Museum is a place kids can explore science, nature and history. You will find a geology exploration area, solar station, and an area with snakeskins, animal pelts, and bones, rocks and fossils. They have a planetarium and really cool life-size dioramas.

16. Museum of Illusions: A mind-bending fun house

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The Museum of Illusions, located just below the food court in the Mall of America, is a must-visit! My kids and I were captivated by the hands-on, mind-bending exhibits—perfect for amazing photos and endless laughs. It’s a fun, educational experience for all ages. Even the gift shop is stocked with interactive toys and reasonably priced products.

17. American Swedish Institute

The magnificent fireplace inside the entrance to the home. Anyone else have a foyer fireplace like this one?

This museum celebrates Swedish-American culture through art, exhibits, and programming. It’s housed in a stunning, historic mansion and includes a cafe serving Nordic cuisine. Click here to read about my visit.

18. Fly Over America

We LOVED flying over the US! I wish it lasted longer.

Here’s a peek into our visit with more pictures and details.

19. Activate at MOA

I bought tickets to Activate for the whole family as a Christmas gift, and it was a huge hit! Each room offered a unique challenge—from dodging lasers and racing across interactive floors to solving puzzles and hitting light-up targets. It felt like being inside an arcade game. The experience was the perfect mix of teamwork, competition, and fun, and we all left smiling (and a little sweaty!).

20. Como Zoo

In St. Paul, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free to enter and features a zoo with animals from around the world, as well as a conservatory with beautiful gardens.

Click here for more details.

21. Fawndoerosa

This place is just across the Wisconsin border, but deserves to be on the list! It’s an amazing park where deer and other animals roam free for you to pet and feed. Make a day of it and stop by the Franconia Sculpture Garden and Taylor Falls.

Click here to read about our visit.

22. Conquer Ninja Gym

Conquer Ninja Gym is offers ninja training and an obstacle course for ages five and up.

23. The Arboretum

My kids weren’t super excited about a visit to the Arboretum, but I wanted to go, so I created a challenge for them. “Whoever can capture the BEST picture will win $1.” My boys are always up for a contest and it PAID OFF (no pun intended). They enjoyed trying to capture the BEST picture and I enjoyed the BEAUTY all around.

New this year: educational and fun Discovery Booths, featuring a different theme each month. Drop in between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, May 2 through Oct. 27, for a variety of hands-on activities.

Visitors age 15 and under get in free!

Click here to read more about our visit and to see their pictures.

24. Sea Life Aquarium

SEA LIFE is the Minnesota’s largest aquarium. My boys and I enjoyed walking through a tunnel of sharks and getting to pet a few sea creatures.

Here’s a peek into our visit, which includes more pictures and more info.

Though I’ve given you 24 options, Minneapolis and its surrounding areas have a wealth of activities to offer families with children.

Which place do you plan to visit?
Do you have a favorite?

Please let me know by leaving a comment. (Click that little box by the title of this post)

Thanks for reading and I’d love for you to subscribe.

Click here for 55 fun THINGS TO DO with your kids this summer.

Check out my Minnesota Bucket List for more ideas!

Click here for FREE things to do in the Twin Cities!

April 11, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2024/ Family/ Peek into our Week

Peek Into Our Winter Weeks

We enjoyed time with Nana and Papa!

We have a new driver and it’s both wonderful and nerve-wracking!

Paul and Luke did well in their wrestling season.

We watched lots of basketball. Clark had a fun season and played really well. Our local high school is going to state.

I visited three different schools to celebrate reading:

We’ve only had a little snow this winter but enjoyed it!

Wrigley is still living his best life.

Ted and I snuck out for date night in between the family madness.

Those are a few of the “fun winter highlights.”

However, we’ve had some challenges this winter too. My mother-in-law lost her brother, another wonderful family member is going through chemotherapy, we had a big water leak in our house and I’ve been living with a ‘half kitchen,’ and we had to cancel a trip we’d been looking forward to for months – those are “not-so-fun highlights.” Life has both highs and lows and I choose to focus on the good and know that I have so much to be grateful for!

Thanks for reading! I hope you had a good winter and an even BETTER spring!

March 23, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2024/ Family/ Motherhood/ Parent Tip

Family Tip #5 – Don’t Compare Yourself with Others

Today’s Family Tip: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

God has placed unique gifts and talents inside you that the world needs. Don’t try to be like someone else, become the best version of YOU!

Suggestions for how parents can help their children not to compare themselves with others:

Encourage your children to focus on their own progress and accomplishments to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you see in them.
Every child is unique with their own set of strengths, gifts and abilities. Ask God to give you insight into how He’s made them, and share what you learn with your children. This will help them recognize and appreciate their own unique qualities.
Model for your children how to have appreciation for others’ successes rather than feelings of resentment.
Focus less on external markers of success (grades and achievements) and more on personal effort and growth.
Help your children set personal goals and strive for self-improvement. This fosters a growth mindset where they see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats to their self-worth.

The world needs you to be who God created you to be!

Click these links for more family tips:

Family Tip #1 – Model Gratitude

Family Tip #2 – Play!

Family Tip #3 – Smile!

Family Tip #4 – Teach Your Children how to Introduce Themselves

Here’s a post I wrote on COMPARISON in Motherhood.

Thank you for reading and please consider subscribing.

March 17, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In Book Review/ Inspiration

5 Inspiring Books to Read for Women’s History Month

Hey there, bookworms! I’m excited to share on some amazing books about remarkable women from history. These are regular women doing seemingly small stuff that ends up changing the world. Thanks to Janet Benge’s fantastic biographies, we get a front-row seat to tales of grit, courage, and downright heroism. These women prove that you don’t need a cape to be a hero; everyday actions can rewrite history. So, grab your favorite blanket, a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into these stories that’ll leave you feeling inspired and ready to conquer the world. Who’s eady to join me on this literary adventure?

Note: If you have a library card, you can download the Hoopla app, and listen to all of these for free.

Clara Barton

Once a painfully timid child, Clara was as bold as a lion when it came to helping others, whether working as a teacher with the most challenging children, helping natural-disaster victims, or comforting dying soldiers.

Clara fought for U.S. approval of the Geneva treaty for the care of war wounded, organized the American Red Cross, and dedicated her life to its service. Her courage and compassion impacted thousands of people around the globe – black and white, Christian and Muslim, Spanish and American, Confederate and Union. An incredible story of service and sacrifice (1821-1912).

Harriet Tubman

From the time she was 6, Harriet resolved to escape slavery and move north. Little did this little girl know that one day, she would lead hundreds of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Even huge rewards for her capture – dead or alive – did not stop Harriet from risking her life again and again in the fight for liberty as the nation spiraled into the Civil War. Whether running from slave hunters, advising generals, or improving conditions in war hospitals, remarkable Harriet Tubman would not be satisfied until every person could experience true freedom. (1820-1913)

Gladys Aylward

Gladys started life as a servant for wealthy families. While at a meeting, she became convinced that God wanted her to go to China. She knew no Chinese, had no contacts in China, and flunked out of a China mission school. Gladys saved up her money and bought a one-way ticket to China. She stood up for women’s rights, inspired prison reform, started a small business, adopted orphans, and won the respect of government officials and civilians alike. Her work in China continues to this day. (1902-1970)

Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom was an ordinary watchmaker’s daughter when her family was arrested for helping Jewish people hide from the Nazis. They were taken to prison and suffered greatly under the hands of their captors. This book tells how Corrie survived the war and went on to help others by telling them about God’s love and forgiveness. (1892-1983)

Amy Carmichael

Amy, a compassionate woman, dedicated her life to caring for those in need. Initially residing in an English slum, she assisted impoverished women until her health deteriorated. In response to a call, she ventured to a mission hospital in India where she uncovered a distressing reality – baby girls being given away as gifts to temples for forced prostitution. Appalled by this, Amy adopted these girls and established an orphanage, eventually becoming a mother to over 100 girls. As boys joined the fold, she expanded her care to 80 of them and even built a home and a hospital.

At the age of 63, a severe fall left Amy mostly incapacitated and bedridden for the remaining 20 years of her life. Despite her physical limitations, she continued leading her family from her bedside, and prolifically writing books and letters to those around the world. She published 35 pieces of work.

Don’t these women sound inspiring? And I love that they each started with a simple beginning, responded to a need, and left a big impact on so many lives. (1867-1951)

Happy Women’s History Month!

Click here for four of my favorite parenting books.

March 8, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2024/ Food/ Recipe

Easy Recipe Alert: Chicken and Gravy – Yum!

I discovered this recipe on Instagram some time ago and recently had the chance to make it. It’s perfect for serving a large group or for preparing a thoughtful meal to share with a family in need. It was a hit with all my boys, and what I particularly appreciate is how effortlessly it came together.

Ingredients:

2 lbs of chicken (I used frozen chicken breast)

1 can of cream of chicken soup

2 cups of chicken broth

2 packets of powdered Gravy mix

Noodles (or mashed potatoes)

What to do:

Put the broth, soup and gravy powder into the crockpot.

Set the frozen chicken on top.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Cook the noodles (or mashed potatoes) before serving. In my opinion, the mashed potatoes with the chicken and gravy are SO delicious – I’m a mashed potato lover. However the noodles are much easier and faster to make. If you have the time, make the potatoes, if you are in a hurry or want to save the time and effort, the noodles work great.

ENJOY!

Want another recipe? Click here for bacon and cheese stuffed Jalapeños. YUM!

March 5, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2024/ Parent Tip/ Raising boys

Family Tip #4: Teach Your Kids How to Introduce Themselves

Helping your children develop the valuable skill of introducing themselves, will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Most kids do not instinctively know how to greet adults (beyond “Hi!”) so we can model and instruct them on how to do this with politeness and confidence.

This simple skill has so many benefits. It makes a great first impression, boosts their confidence, opens doors for them and makes others feel respected and welcome!

This skill is taught with 6 simple steps:

Stand up straight
Make eye contact
Smile
Give a firm handshake
State your full name
End with “Nice to meet you.”

I recommend you practice this at home, and then review it right before meeting new people. Make it a fun! Compliment your kids when they introduce themselves in this manner, even if it’s not ‘perfect’ – acknowledge effort and improvement.

Find more tips by clicking on the links below:

Family Tip #1 – PLAY

Family Tip #2 – MODEL GRATITUDE

Family Tip #3 – SMILE

Thanks for reading!

February 24, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2024/ Book Review

Two Great Biographies I finished in January: Full Book Reviews and Honest Ratings

Here are the first two books I finished in 2024. Both are fantastic biographies of men who showed grit and resiliency in the face of extreme difficulty. Their perseverance paid off and both men succeeded in completely different ways.

Milton Hershey: More than Chocolate by Janet Benge

Rating: 10/10

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed diving into the life of Milton Hershey, the visionary behind America’s favorite chocolate. He grew up very poor and struggled in school – many doubted his potential. This was a powerful reminder that each person possesses unique gifts that may only surface later in life. I was amazed at Milton Hershey’s grit and relentless determination to succeed. Despite encountering many failures in his business ventures, he did not give up. I admired his innovative thinking. When land and buildings were too expensive in town for his factory, he built a factory in the middle of nowhere, and built a town around his factory. He allowed the public to name his town – it became “Hershey, Pennsylvania.” Before he died, Milton gave his earnings away to build homes and a school for children in need.

Click here to read more about Milton Hershey.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown

Rating: 10/10

Review: “The Boys in the Boat” is a non-fiction book that tells the inspiring and true story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team and their journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The story primarily focuses on Joe Rantz, one of the rowers, and his challenging life circumstances. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and rising tensions in Europe, the book explores the team’s struggles, dedication, and ultimate triumph in the face of adversity. The book takes us to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, where the American team, including the University of Washington crew, faced off against Adolf Hitler’s favored German team. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Brown captures the spirit of determination, teamwork, and resilience that defined the boys in the boat. I highly recommend this book to anyone 15 and up!

(Side note: I thought I had read “Boys in the Boat” a while back, only to realize I had confused it with “Unbroken.” Both books are set in the same historical era, and while “Boys in the Boat” revolves around a rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, “Unbroken” follows the life of Louis Zamperini, who not only attended the same Olympics but also survived World War II, including a period spent with several “Boys in a boat.”

Despite the mix-up, I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. The tale of the boys in the boat is distinct from Louis Zamperini’s incredible journey, but each narrative stands on its own merits. I highly recommend both books for their gripping accounts of resilience, courage, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.)

Here are my four favorite books of 2023.

Here are my top ten of 2022.

What are you reading and loving? Leave a comment!

February 7, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In 2023/ Recipe

The World’s Best Winter Recipe: Creamy, Spicy, Comforting Chicken Enchilada Soup

In the face of sub-zero temperatures and battling a bout of illness, I opted to prepare this soup, and it turned out to be the absolute BEST decision. Crafted with a comforting chicken broth foundation and elevated by the invigorating spice of enchilada sauce, it managed to be both soothing and delightfully zesty.

Ever since I made the first pot, I’ve been craving more. It stores well in the fridge, so I recommend you make a large pot and savor it all week long.

It tastes better being sipped from my favorite mug. A gift from my sister, who knows I love giraffes!

Ingredients:

Olive oil and/or 1 TB of Butter
1 chopped sweet onion
1 chopped pepper (I used red)
1 chopped jalapeno
5 cups of broth
2 cans/jars of enchilada sauce
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 cup of chunky salsa
8 oz. of cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
1 TB of garlic
2 cups of shredded chicken
- I used a rotisserie chicken, then boiled the bones to make the broth
- Leave this out or serve on the side for a vegetarian option
1 TB cajun seasoning or whatever seasonings you want to use
1 t of cumin (optional)
Splash of hot sauce (optional)

Optional toppings:

tortilla chips,
sour cream,
avocado,
cheese,
a drizzle of hot sauce, or
diced jalapenos.

Directions:

Start by sautéing the onion, peppers and garlic in a drizzle of olive oil and a pat of butter.

After 3-5 minutes, add the broth, enchilada sauce, corn, beans and salsa. Bring to a boil, then let simmer about 10-15 minutes. Add seasoning.

Add the cheeses and chicken and stir.

Serve in mugs or bowls.

Enjoy!

Do you love jalapeños like me?

Click here for my favorite Jalapeño popper recipe.

January 26, 2024 By Kathryn

0 In Inspiration/ Joy

50 Simple Ways to Find Joy (& Delight) in the New Year

If you’re anything like me, finding joy in January might be a struggle. The holiday cheer is gone, the thermometer has plummeted, and it’s a daily struggle to peel ourselves from the cozy cocoon of blankets. But fear not! Amidst the frosty gloom, JOY can still be found. I am your joy detective, here to uncover the gems that winter has in store for us. Let the January joy hunt begin!

You must arrange your day so that you experience deep contentment, joy and confidence in your everyday life with God.
– Dallas Willard

Here are 50 little things that can bring BIG joy:

A hot beverage on a cold morning
The first bite of something delicious
Relaxing after hard work
Laughter
Taking a walk in nature and breathing in the fresh, cold air
Listening to a great song
Thinking “I’ve done good work today!”
Spending time with people you love
Saving money
Prayer / Thinking about God
Singing along to a song you love
Watching kids play (or playing with them!)
Petting a dog
Reflecting on a happy memory
Completing something I feel good about
Giving time to something that’s important to you
Smelling a candle or warm soup
Watching my team win
Listening to a funny comedian
Giving (or receiving) a compliment
Learning something new
Watching a sunrise or sunset
Looking at the moon or stars
Finding something you needed to buy, on sale
Selling something
Social networking
Playing in the snow
Soaking in a tub or sauna
Catching up with an old friend
A great find at a thrift store
Getting a card or letter in the mail
Someone smiling at you
Driving and getting all the green lights
Feeling inspired by something you read or hear
Making a gratitude list
Wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket
Dressing up and looking good
Dressing ‘down’ and feeling good
Making cookies and sharing them
A simmering pot of homemade soup
Playing a game with family or friends
Watching birds eat from a bird feeder
Putting your cold feet into warm socks or soft slippers
Crawling into bed after a busy day
Getting a good night’s sleep
Giving or receiving good news
Taking a deep breath
Putting something on your calendar that you are excited about
Forgiving or being forgiven
Feeling LOVED

I hope this list sparked JOY and made you smile.

May 2024 be the year of JOY as you SLOW DOWN and pay attention to the small pleasures of life, and truly savor them.

Two things I would add to my personal list:

51. New subscribers! Please consider subscribing if you haven’t already.

52. Receiving an email or comment from a reader about how something impacted them.

What would you add to the JOY list? Please leave a comment by clicking that little box next to the title.

January 18, 2024 By Kathryn

4 In 2023/ Faith/ Family/ Finding our place/ Inspiration/ Joy

6 Lessons I Learned in 2023

When I was planning this post, I really wanted to write ’23 things I learned in ’23.’ That was taking too long to write and some you wouldn’t care about anyway. (I mean, do you really want to know what apps I learned to use to help me connect with my child’s school?) I decided to SCALE back and focus on what I learned that impacted my life in a positive way, and might be useful for you too.

Lessons I learned in 2023:

1. Smile when things are hard. It makes it easier!

On a psychological level, smiling can trick your mind into perceiving the difficulty as more manageable. The act of smiling is known to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that contribute to an improved mood and reduced stress levels. P.S. Try it during a test, when you are angry or when working out. Read more here.

2. Make space for QUIET.

Quiet allows your mind to process what you are thinking and feeling. It moves out some of the ‘sludge’ from constant noise and busyness. It also opens up time for prayer and reflection. Being quiet allowed me to be more ‘present’ – to God, to myself, and to others.

“The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we need most.”
– John Mark Comer

3. Do ONE thing at a time.

I’m a serial mulit-tasker. In 2023, I learned that doing ONE thing at a time was more effective than doing multiple things poorly.

4. Slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the moment.

All the best stuff happens in the present and I don’t want to miss all the little moments of JOY.

5. Less input leads to better output.

In 2023 I learned that reducing the amount of input enhances the quality of output. Previously, I would consume up to 60 books a year and listen to countless podcasts. However, in 2023, I deliberately scaled back. This shift has allowed me the time to process and apply what I’ve learned. Creating this mental space has not only fueled my ideas, but also increased my motivation for writing, speaking, and teaching.

6. Change might seem too big and too hard, do it anyway.

When we began talking about moving to a different house, I was hesistant. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone, the work involved with moving seemed overwhelming, and I was distraught over leaving our wonderful neighborhood. After lots of discussion, prayer and planning – we sold our house and bought another. The change turned out to be exactly what we needed. It was a LOT of work. It was really heard to say goodbye to our amazing neighbors, but the change was exactly what we needed for our family. And, it didn’t just take me out of my comfort zone, it EXPANDED my comfort zone. We’ve met so many new friends, while staying connected to our old ones. It made me (and all of us) a little more adaptable to different situations. Embracing change, though challenging, proved worthwhile.

Those were a handful of the many lessons I learned in 2023. Which of these should you practice in 2024?

What did you learn in 2023? Leave a comment by clicking on that little text box by the title of this post!

Thanks for reading and subscribing.

January 8, 2024 By Kathryn

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