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
The Works Museum
MEA break camps are October 19 & October 20. 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
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
More MEA weekend fun for parents and kids
Sever’s Fall Festival
Where: Canterbury Park, Shakopee
Info: seversfallfestival.com
Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze
Where: Twin Cities Corn Maze, Brooklyn Park
Info: twincitiesmaze.com
Which Witch is Which??
Where: Avalon Theater, Minneapolis
Cost: $10-$12; free for ages 2 and younger with lap pass.
Info: dancecomn.com
Harvest Days
Where: Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River
Info: mnhs.org
See our family calendar for more!
