When I first stayed home after the birth of my daughter I got a little cabin fever, so in the morning I would search for something to get out and do with the kids. By the time I found something and got us all ready, it was nearly nap time. Eventually I worked up to putting something on the calendar every day of the week. I didn’t have to actually DO the thing, but it was there to save me the decision fatigue when I just had to get out of the house. (If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and want ALL the options, check out Family Fun Twin Cities events calendar.)

For a good long while, it worked! We were out and about almost every morning and Jack would fall asleep in the car on the way home at noon, transferring beautifully into his big afternoon nap. Hooray! Robin would nap and nurse in the Ergo carrier, so that became the rhythm of our days!

Unfortunately pants and shoes are a big battle these days, so we haven’t been getting out as much and man, do I feel the difference. I had the “I need more help” talk with my husband and agreed that if the kids were awake when he was, he’d try to do half of the feeding and dressing, so it’s been getting better. Honestly, I think I thrive on routines more than my kids do. Jack would be content to dig in the backyard with no pants or shoes any day of the week.

I told him bottoms are required to go outside, and he chose a purple tutu over pants of any kind

Every weekday at 10am – Free Forest School-Twin Cities

This loosely structured play group meets every weekday at various parks in the Twin Cities, so if you’re craving some fresh air and low key companionship, this is a lovely option. Just be sure to fill out the waiver beforehand.

Here are some other free options throughout the week:

Monday at 10:30am – Tail Time at the Wild Rumpus

In 2017 they won Publisher’s Weekly’s Bookstore of the Year! Get there early to find parking, seating, and mingle with other grownups. Heather leads a great story time with songs and movement between books. My busy little guy doesn’t often sit still throughout, so we end up wandering around and checking out the various store pets. That’s right! Cats, chickens, ferrets, pigeons, you name it! Check out Great Harvest Bread Co. or Dunn Brothers which are both kid friendly and within a couple blocks of the bookstore.

 

Enjoying the kids’ corner at Dunn Bros

Tuesday at 10 and 11am – Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America
Entertainment at 10 and 11, kids eat free at many fast food and sit down restaurants, and if you want to make a whole day of it, you can play at the Lego store, do art, climbing, and dancing at the Crayola Experience, or walk through the Sea Life aquarium. I prefer Crayola over the aquarium because of its open layout and variety of activities. Sea Life costs more and is very linear. There have been several times where I missed the nap window with Jack so we spent the day, had Daddy meet us for dinner, and then he’d pass out in the car on the way home. Bonus!

Wednesday at 10:30am – Wee Wednesdays at Midtown Global Market

Rotating musical guests every week including the Roe Family Singers and Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas (pictured below). There’s also a modest play area in the southwest corner, not to mention a huge variety of food. The veggie burrito at Taco Cat is my personal fav, but I’ve also had delicious elotes at Los Ocampo and great sweets at Café Finspång near the bathrooms. Fair warning, I was totally overstimulated the first couple times I went and Jack loved booking it through the corridors, so I learned to keep him strapped into the stroller or just wear Robin until I got more comfortable.

Thursday – Little Explorers at Como Zoo

This one is indoors in the winter and this year they started offering it outside in the summer as well! They offer themed activity stations, story time, and sometimes an animal visitor! If my kids aren’t feeling the activities, the rest of the zoo is still at your disposal, in addition to the indoor gardens.

Friday – ???

I don’t have a regular freebie this day, so it ends up being Forest School, sticking the kids in childcare while I go to yoga, or just hunkering down at home after a busy week. If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments!