For the weekend of Thursday, January 17-Monday, January 21
This weekend, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. For many kids (and parents) that means no school! With the long weekend ahead of us, there is plenty to do. Keep in mind that the public libraries will not be open on Monday in honor of the holiday, but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy.
I Have highlighted a few things to do this weekend, but if you need more ideas, you can check out The Red Balloon Bookshop, Heartfelt (drop in crafts and by appointment), Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store (storytime on Saturday), or Smart Play at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood (of course, not on Monday).
Yup’ik Masks
St. Paul Public Library, Sun Ray
Thursday, January 17, 2013 5:00-7:00 pm (for children grades 3-6)
The culture of the people of western Alaska–the Yup’ik people– comes to life in this hands on mask-building workshop. The Yup’ik people create masks to represent the spirits of the earth. Under the guidance of Julie Kastigar Boada create your own mask to bring home.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party
Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake
Friday, January 18, 2013 1:00-3:00 pm (for children grades 2-6)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a great book that comes to life on screen. Hang out with your friends on a day off from school (4 day weekend apparently) watching the movie and participating in other fun Wimpy Kid activities.
Mary Logue, Sleep Like A Tiger
Wild Rumpus (wanna know more about this bookshop?)
Saturday, January 19, 2013 11:00 am
If you missed this local author last Saturday at the Red Balloon, come meet her at another gem of a bookshop–Wild Rumpus. She will be reading and signing for your enjoyment!
Old-fashioned Ice Cream Social
Mulberry Point Downtown Stillwater
Saturday, January 19, 2013, 12:00-4:00 pm
Come dressed from a person out of the history books and enjoy a tradition that began in the 1950’s because Minnesotans have always been known for embracing the cold winter days of January. Go ice skating, warm up by the bonfire, enjoy free coffee and ice cream from Moon River Cafe and Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop. Chili is also available for a small fee.
Artic Blast
Como Zoo and Conservatory
Saturday, January 19-Monday, January 21, 2013 10:00 am-4:00 pm
On this 3 day (for 4 day) weekend, Como Zoo is highlighting animals who enjoy the cold climates: reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears. Come celebrate the icy cold weather with the animals: animal enrichments, zookeeper talks storytimes, and other fun activities.
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Urban Expedition: Tibet
Landmark Center
Sunday, January 20, 2013 1:00-3:00 pm
In the center of downtown St. Paul sits the Landmark Center. It is an amazingly beautiful building on the inside and the outside. And back for another season of world class traveling is Urban Expedition. This Sunday, experience Tibet by watching performances, creating crafts, nibbling on Tibetan cuisine. Maybe you will get to touch a yak! Last week we got to try to touch a llama (animals native to Argetina–but as this will be Tibet, I am just guessing that maybe yaks are native there). For two hours you are welcome to experience another world right here in the Twin Cities. Bring a food item to donate to the food shelf!
Let’s get stARTed! Winter Wonderlands
Silverwood Park
Sunday, January 20, 2013 1:00-3:00 pm
Enjoy a day at Silverwood Park, roam through their gallery, try your hand at a free new art project, and warm up with a hot drink from the coffee shop after you bundle up for a romp in the park.
Raptors in the Yard
Lowry Nature Center, Carver Park Reserve
Sunday, January 20, 2013 2:00-4:00 pm
Not only will you get to meet a captive barred owl, you will get to learn all about birds of prey. Bring your camera and your curiosity! Drop in anytime.
KTIS Concert Series: Jason Gray
Mall of America Rotunda
Monday, January 21, 2013 12:00 pm
There is a whole bunch of rules with getting a wristband for autographs, yada yada, but if you want to listen to a good concert and not worry about autographs, I believe you can just slide into a seat and enjoy the show. By the way, Jason Gray is a MN native! It’s always fun to see a fellow MN native succeed.
Snowman Making Contest
Silverwood Park
Monday, January 21, 2013 1:00-3:30 pm
Enter as a team or as an individual and bring natural materials and have at it. Luckily, we have cold, and I do believe there is enough snow! There will be Marshmallow roasting and the Roe Family Singers will perform inside the Great Hall when the contest is complete! I was planning on taking my daughter out of school for this until I realized that it’s on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. But alas, we have an appointment and cannot attend, so PLEASE go and have fun! Silverwood does great things for kids!
In the Heart of the Beast Theatre
Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:00 am or 12:00 pm
$2-$4
I plan to check this out in February or March. It’s on my schedule! Each Saturday they hold a theme-related Take ‘n Make Workshop following the show for $5. You can call to register or you can register before the puppet show starts.
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A Diary of A Worm, A Spider, & A Fly Stages TheatreSunday, January 20, 2013 2:00 pm (for all ages)Pay What You Can Performance
Based on the book by Doreen Cronin (of Click, Clack, Moo fame), the production explores the dreams and aspirations of the bugs of the world.
Pinocchio
Children’s Theatre Company
Opening Night Tuesday, January 15, 2013 runs to Sunday, February 24, 2013
Various Times and ticket prices
for children in Kindergarten and older
The original story of a puppet maker who creates a magical puppet who wants to be a real boy. Adapted by Greg Banks as a fast paced production consisting of only four actors, be swept away by the imagery of Pinocchio as you have never seen!
A Diary of A Worm, A Spider, & A Fly Stages TheatreOpening Night Friday, January 18, 2013 runs to Sunday, February 17, 2013
Various times
$15
Based on the book by Doreen Cronin (of Click, Clack, Moo fame), the production explores the dreams and aspirations of the bugs of the world.
Printing! Printing! Printing!
MN Center for Book Arts
Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:00 am-12:00 (for ages 2 and up, make sure your register!)
$30 for the first adult/child pair, $15 for each additional participant
I have yet to make it to this place, too, but I plan on going in February and can’t wait to tell you all about it. This is a family workshop designed for adults and children to create and interact together. What a wonderful combination of art and relationships!
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ABC Weekend: Animals, Books, & Children
Minnesota Zoo
Saturday, January 19, 2013-Monday, January 21, 2013 9:00 am-4:00 pm
$12-$18
Can learning be fun? Of course, especially if you combine all the best learning tools in one: The ABC’s of learning. Make your own animal pop-up book, participate in a drawing activity, enjoy animal storytimes and keeper talks with animal enrichments, and take a ride on the monorail to listen to The Little Red Fox Story. They are also asking you to bring in your old cell phones to Recycle for the Rainforests. It is sure to be a lot of fun!
Small Hands, Big Hearts: Sparking the Spirit of Giving
Minnesota Children’s Museum
Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:00 am-3:00 pm, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Sunday, January 20, 2013 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Monday, January 21, 2013 10:00 am-3:00 pm
$9.50
While exploring and discovering at the Children’s Museum, there will be special activities centered around helping others: bring in coins that each child has saved to choose from 3 different charity boxes to put them into and then create a new giving box to begin saving again, decorate lunch bags for meals on wheels recipients, create cards for children with serious illnesses.
Have a Family Filled Weekend!
Sweet Peas & Buddies 