100 Summer Activities in the Twin Cities

100 things to do in summer in Minnesota 2023 list

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1. Cut a watermelon in half and eat immediately with spoons. 

2. Master somersaults.

3. Have a teddy bear picnic at Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater. Note: This park is going to be under construction at some point during summer 2023.

4. Take in a matinee with real butter popcorn at the Riverview Theater. Or hit the cheap seats in New Hope.

5. Make your own popsicles.

6. Pajama day, all day.

7. Make your own play dough.

8. Lewis Park Splash Pad, St. Paul.

9. Aquatennial, July 19-22, Minneapolis. Or Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest, July 22nd. Or search this!

10. Conny’s Creamy Cone, St. Paul.

11. Backyard campout.

12. Make up a cookie recipe using toddler suggestions. Or just make these.

13. Plan a neighborhood parade.

14. Water balloon toss. Check out these refillable water balloons!

15. Root beer floats for dinner.

16. Cook over an open fire. Carefully.

17. Cloud shape contest.

18. Bike and trike around Bde Maka Ska Park.

19. Hike Minnehaha Falls and eat lunch at Sea Salt.

20. Fly kites at Lake Harriet.

21. Mia with your kid leading the way the whole time.

22. Catch a Puppet Wagon!

23. Rainy day? Child o’ mine, meet The Flintstones.

24. Dance in the rain!

25. Bathing suit bubble bath in the outdoor kiddie pool.

26. Brunch at Tilia.
 
27. Make your own sock puppets.
 
28. Toddler Tuesdays at MOA.

29. Dinner on the patio at Longfellow Grill.

30. Make your kiddo try FIVE new foods … at the State Fair.

31. Lemonade stand! Use the proceeds to bring pet toys to the Humane Society.

32. Finger painting.

33. Apple Valley Aquatic Center.

34. The beach at Snail Lake, Shoreview.

35. Swan Paddleboats at Como Lake followed by food and music at the pavilion.

36. Wild Rumpus bookstore.

37. Catch a movie in the park.

38. Eat through the Midtown Global Market and blow off steam at the play area.

39. Izzy’s, Sebastian Joe’s and Grand Ole Creamery — all in one day (and vote)!

40. A Twins game.

41. A Saints game!

42. Plant flowers.

43. Decorate your bikes and trikes.

44. Animal spotting at Lebanon Hills: How many can you count?

45. Lake Hiawatha Wading Pool.

46. Oak Hill Splash Pad, St. Louis Park.

47. Cascade Bay, Eagan.

48. Nicollet Commons, Burnsville.

49. Kelley Park, Apple Valley.

50. Chutes and Ladders, Bloomington.

51. Explore Artventure in St Louis Park and Golden Valley, 10 MN-inspired characters created by local artist Adam Turman.

52. Big Woods Playground, Lake Rebecca.

53. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, Jordan.

54. Gibbs Farm, St. Paul.

55. St. Anthony Park Library and a leisurely lunch with books on the lawn.

56. Run through the sprinkler.

57. Hot Wheels races with a makeshift trophy.

 
59. Catch the Okee Dokee Brothers.

60. Caponi Art Park, Eagan.

61. Sampling at Great Harvest Bread Company.

62. Urban Air Adventure Park!

63. Day trip or overnight to Duluth.

64. Brunch at Hell’s Kitchen.

65. DUPLO at Brickmania.

66. Dinner at yum! kitchen and bakery.

67. Richfield Farmer’s Market at Veterans Memorial Park.

68. Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista.

69. Cookies at Wuollet followed by MisChief, Grand Avenue, St. Paul.

70. Fake moustaches.

71. Water wading and a nature walk at Hidden Falls, St. Paul.

72. Lake Minnetonka Swimming Pond.

73. Popcorn party on the porch.

74. Como Zoo carousel.

75. Square Lake, Stillwater.

76. Mini golf on the roof of the Walker Art Center.

77. Firefighters Hall and Museum.

78. Catch a horse race or an adorable dog race at Canterbury Park every Sunday is Family Day!

79. Skip across the Stone Arch Bridge.

80. Freezy pops, barefoot in the grass.

81. Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer.

82. Colvill Park, Red Wing.

83. Dodge Nature Center, West St. Paul.

84. Summer-long project: Map the Peanuts characters.

85. Poppies, popcorn and playground, Pahl’s Market, Apple Valley.

86. Macaroni art.

87. Fishing at Lake Nokomis Pier.

88. Pick your own raspberries or blueberries.

89. Grow the ingredients for and make your own salsa.

90. Create a backyard scavenger hunt.

91. Make your own pizza together.

92. Mud pies.

93. Pick a country to learn about.

94. Active game night with Duck, Duck, Goose and musical chairs.

95. Heat-wave crazy? Go ice skating at Wolfe Park Rec Center, St. Louis Park for winter in July.

96. Catch an IMAX show at CMX Odyssey in Burnsville.

97. Rooftop milkshakes at Crave in Maple Grove. Psst…Coldstone is next door!

98. Build your own sandbox.

99. Bug terrarium, fireflies recommended.

100. Print out all three months of pictures and look through them together.  ♥

Keep it Simple Summer Bucket List

✔️Make homemade lemonade and set up a lemonade stand.

✔️Pick berries and make homemade jam.

✔️Swim in a lake.

✔️Unplug. Go screen free for (at least) one full day.

✔️Sleep in a tent.

✔️Run through the sprinkler.

✔️Visit a Minnesota State Park.

✔️Have a picnic.

✔️Go fishing.

✔️Read a chapter book as a family.

✔️Throw a rock in Lake Superior.

✔️Make popsicles.

✔️Visit a farmer’s market.

✔️Watch a baseball game.

✔️Light sparklers and watch fireworks.

✔️Make pickles.

✔️Build a campfire and roast marshmallows for s’mores.

✔️Enjoy some live music.

✔️Go stargazing.


100 things to do in summer in Minnesota 2023 list


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