Over 20 great ideas for MEA camps and events

Every year, MEA weekend sneaks up on parents. October comes and they scramble to find something for their kids to do. Plan ahead this year! There are plenty of Minnesota institutions offering fun stuff for kids. Here is a sample:

Full-day camps

Apple Valley-

Minnesota Zoo

Grades: 1–3 and 4–6

Info: mnzoo.org

Bloomington-

Mall of America will host a variety of events for guests to enjoy this MEA break. Everything from live pancake art shows on one side of the Mall to hands-on reptile experiences on the other side. Here is everything going on this weekend:

Nickelodeon Booniverse

Nickelodeon Universe has been transformed into Nickelodeon Booniverse. Get in the Halloween spirit this weekend with spooky décor throughout the Park, festive activities, music and a giant pumpkin.

Now – October 31

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween

Creep your way through spooky, family fun!

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween is back! From September 1 – October 31, come experience SPOOKtacular family fun and WITCHtacular crafts. Creep through our MONSTERific attractions while collecting ghoulish clues for our Scavenger Hunt. Screamin’ Green Hauntoween is included in your general admission ticket: tix.mallofamerica.com/crayola-tix

Now – October 31

The Works Museum

MEA break camps are in October. You can view their other school break camps here.

Ages: 5–10

Info: theworks.org

Burnsville-

Elite Gymnastics Academy

Ages: 4 and up

Info: elite-gymnastics.com

Eagan-

Forest Friends Day Camp

Ages: 7–10

Locations: Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Info: www.co.dakota.mn.us

Excelsior-

Camp Fire Camp

Ages: 6–14

Where: Tanadoona

Info: campfiremn.org

Falcon Heights-

Gibbs Farm Kids Camps

Ages: 6–10

Info: rchs.com

Golden Valley-

Animal Humane Society

Ages: 3–4 and 5–6

Info: animalhumanesociety.org

Minneapolis-

Children’s Theatre Company

Grades: K–5

Info: childrenstheatre.org

Plymouth-

MEA Break Open Play Special at the Plymouth Community Center

Ages: 0-12

Info: Check out our calendar

Snapology at Urban Air Park

Ages: 5-10

Info: snapology.com

St. Paul-

Hazel Park, Jimmy Lee, North Dale and Palace Recreation Centers

Ages: 6–12

Info: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation

MEA break is this Thursday and Friday and we have tons of great drop-in activities for all ages at recreation centers around the city! No registration is required.

Visit stpaul.gov/noschoolday for a full listing of all MEA programs.

West St. Paul-

Dodge Nature Center

Grades: K–8

Info: DodgeNatureCenter.org

MEA Weekend Half-day camps

Blaine-

Twins Off-season Baseball Camps

Ages: 6–14

Info: mlb.com

Elk River, Prior Lake, St. Michael–Albertville, Chanhassen, Lakeville and Wayzata-

Timberwolves and Lynx Academy MEA Clinics

Grades: 2–4, 5–7

Info: timberwolvesbasketballacademy.com

Minneapolis-

The Bakken Museum Mad Scientist Sampler

Grades: 3–6

Info: thebakken.org/break-camps/

St. Paul-

Como Zoo and Conservatory

Grades: 1–4

Info: comozooconservatory.org

Fall Blast

Ages: 6–12

Where: St. Paul Recreation Centers: Arlington Hills, Dayton’s Bluff, Duluth & Case, Edgcumbe, El Rio Vista, Hancock, Hayden Heights, Langford Park, Linwood, McDonough, Martin Luther King, Merriam Park, Phalen, Rice, Scheffer, West Minnehaha, Wilder

Cost: FREE

Info: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation

Jedi Master Engineering w/ LEGO

Ages: 7–12

Where: North Dale Recreation Center, St. Paul

Info: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation

Como Zoo and Zero Gravity Field Trips

Ages: 7–14

Where: Northwest Como Recreation Center, St. Paul

Info: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation