June 2014

June 2014

CAR SEAT SAFETY Page 34

END THE PICKY-EATER POWER STRUGGLE Page 14

SAVING FOR VACATION Page 22

Eva, 1, and her mother Michelle, of Hugo

Age-pe� fect Find a playground that’s a good fit for your child now Page 26

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June 2014 5

CONTENTS Features

26 GREAT PARKS FOR ALL AGES Find a playground that’s a good fit for your child now.

By Corey Butler

34

CAR-SEAT SAFETY Keep your kids safe with the latest car-seat safety tips.

By Mani Canaday

ABOUT OUR COVER KID Name: Eva

Age: 19 months

City: Hugo

Parents: Troy and Michelle Vrieze Siblings: Bennett, 3 Favorite book: God Made You Special. This book plays a song, and it's been played so many times, the batteries have worn out. Even if the book gets accidentally hidden in the back of the book shelf, she finds it.

Favorite activities: Being tickled, playing hide and seek with big brother Bennett, playing with her babies and fist-pumping with Daddy.

Favorite foods: Berries PHOTOS BY TRACY WALSH • POSER DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY • POSERDESIGN.COM

6 June 2014

Minnesota Parent June 2014

Departments 10 CHATTER 12 BABY ON BOARD That’s What He Said, Part 2 14 TODDLER TIME Learn how to avoid picky-eater power struggles.

16 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN What to do about the neighbors’ potentially dangerous trampoline 18 IN THE KITCHEN Make your own Red Velvet Ice Cream!

20 TWEENS & TEENS When and how to start touring college campuses 22 GROWS ON TREES

Start saving for that big vacation.

24 BOOK SHELF

Five awesome new books to check out!

50 FROM OUR READERS Readers weigh in on the best places to take kids.

Out&About PAGE 40

June 2014 7

From the editor

Mini Golf and Malts

Expect great things!

O

612-861-9348 6335 Portland Ave S Richfield, MN

Wheel Fun Rentals MNP 0614 V6.indd 1

5/19/14 2:37 PM

ne of the trickiest things about parenting for me these past six years has been managing expectations.

It all started with What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect: The First Year. These books led me to believe my baby boy would behave in a certain way (the correct way). And if he didn’t, I was worried, frustrated and, when it came to sleep, even resentful.

Comparing my kid to friends’ kids was worse. Our friend’s son took religious 3-hour afternoon naps. Naturally, mine would, too.

Um … nope! All the books said my son should be sleeping “at least” 12 hours a night. Uh-huh. And why does every kid but mine love bananas? And why isn’t he more cuddly?

Finally, I realized my son is a one-of-a-kind kid. He could never be described by a book. And that’s a really beautiful thing. He’ll sleep when he sleeps, eat what he eats and he’ll even love me in his very own precious way. Now I can just enjoy my unique boy and bask in him being just who he is — our one and only, wonderful Sam. Each day I strive to meet him where he is, not where I expect him to be necessarily (other than being a generally kind, somewhat clean, decent human being).

In this issue of Minnesota Parent, the concept of unrealistic expectations was highlighted for me in a story about car-seat safety, of all places. Local mother and passenger safety guru Heather Darby points out that parents can put their children in danger by rushing them onto the next type of car seat. Putting a young toddler in front-facing seat or young preschooler in a booster can be a very bad idea if you do it too soon.

“We’re always kind of looking for that next milestone,” Darby said. “When it comes to car seats, you want to do the opposite.”

With this issue, I hope we can help you manage expectations — not just with how not to get ahead of yourself with car seats, but also with a feature on local, age-appropriate parks.

Got a so-called picky eater? Columnist Jen Wittes has advice on how to manage your expectations — but not give up either!

As for me, I’m going to try to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Because, as Teens and Tweens columnist Joy Riggs explains this month: Someday soon, we’ll likely be spending part of our summer not touring neighborhood parks, but colleges.

Just thinking about that makes me feel sleep-deprived, but for a very different reasons.

Sarah Dorison Editor

8 June 2014

Vol. 29 • Issue 6

Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnparent.com Editor Sarah Dorison 612-436-4385 sdorison@mnparent.com Contributing Writers/Photographers Mani Canaday Corey Butler Peter Dehnel Zoe Gahan Shannon Keough Kara McGuire Joy Riggs Jen Wittes Creative Director Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnparent.com Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Moe Graphic Designer Amanda Wadeson

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program?

The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone • Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

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Address all material to address above.

June 2014 9

Learning geography, especially the U.S. states and their capitals, can actually be a pretty cool activity for kids, starting as early as preschool. And now, thanks to a local artist, you can make it even more fun — and a project for the whole family — with a whimsical, 1,000-piece USA Map Jigsaw Puzzle. Joel Lueders, a former Brain Coach at Marbles: The Brain Store at the Mall of America, created the puzzle to make geography fun and help kids build their visual perception skills.

Lueders, a University of Minnesota elementary education graduate currently working toward certification, now works for Peace Coffee of Minneapolis.

His colorful artwork of classic Twin Cities landmarks and vistas is available at joellueders.com. You can buy his puzzle, which measures 19 inches by 27 inches when completed, at marblesthebrainstore.com.

When Pooja Songar’s daughter was born in 2010, she suffered from red, uncomfortable skin rashes. After trying everything, including trying different baths soaps, laundry detergents and even baby formulas, the Plymouth mom discovered that it was her daughters’ clothes — and the manufacturing chemicals in them — that were causing the irritation.

So Songar took matters into her own hands and started her own chemical-free line of designer baby clothing, Cutie Bees. Organic and formaldehyde-, chlorine- and lead-free, the line is for ages infant to 24 months. Check out the springsummer 2014 lookbook at cutiebees.com.

10 June 2014

Try as you might to be a minimalist parent, it’s hard not to get bogged down in the inevitable accumulation of stuff that comes with kids.

Two Twin Cities moms, Dori Graff and Mary Fallon, have come up with an ingenious solution — Kidizen, a handy app that allows parents to buy and sell “pre-loved kidstuff.”

Simply follow various shops/parents to see what’s newly listed.

And use the app’s Kid Filters based on your kids’ sizes, ages and genders to find only the clothes you want.

Our in-house Minnesota Parent app aficionado downloaded the iPhone version (Android’s in the works.) and loved it immediately.

“It’s way more dangerous than Pinterest. You can buy stuff,” she said, adding that if she starts selling her daughter’s toosmall clothes, buying won’t be all that costly.

Learn more at kidizen.com.

Shannon

Keough

That’s What He Said, Part 2

W

hen it comes to discussions of all things parenting-related, I can’t help but notice that the focus is almost always on the mother’s perspective. So in honor of Father’s Day this year, I’d like to present Part 2 of my interview series with my husband, Nick, about his experience as a parent.

What was it like being at the birth this time? (Note to readers: Our first birth was a C-section.) Did you get bored?

Was it traumatic?

I did not get bored at the birth. The whole thing was much more dramatic than the C-section. The first inkling that things were going to be markedly different than last time occurred about a half -hour after we arrived in our birthing room.

You were lying on the hospital bed looking all beatific and life-giving. I imagine we were both thinking about the incredible thing that was going to happen — the creation of human life — when a bunch of midwives rushed in and said, “OK, baby’s heart rate just dipped down, so we’re going to have to move you onto your hands and knees. And, by the way, here’s an oxygen mask for you to start breathing through.”

The whole scene quickly went from beatific to nerve-racking and a bit macabre, almost like something out of Blue Velvet.

But then the actual birth — which happened after the hours and hours of drama involving whether to have an epidural (I was glad you had one), Felix’s incessant heartbeat slowdowns, the fact that

12 June 2014

he had to be suctioned out by his head — was super-fast and somehow triumphantseeming.

I totally cried. Then I almost lost it in panic when they whisked Felix away, after the requisite photo op, to the baby ER without a whole lot of explanation. The next three days were like coming down from a bad trip encompassing all the drama and fear about Felix. But after the traumatic birth, it quickly became obvious that Felix was actually going to be OK.

Did you feel better prepared this time around?

Yes. I’m not as prone to emotionally reacting to all the messed up situations you get thrown into as a parent. A notable exception: I again wasn’t prepared to deal with the inevitable lack of sleep, but I’m simply less willing to put up with it this time round.

With Lydia, we’d both stay up all night wondering, “Why is she crying? Is she OK? How can we make her feel better?” This time, when Felix is crying in the middle of the night, my first thought is, “How can I make him stop crying so I can get some sleep?” I think about the situation of a baby crying at 4 a.m. in a much more pragmatic way with this second baby.

One of my friends suggested that with the second kid, the focus goes more to logistics. Do you agree?

I think that’s definitely true. The logistics just literally take up all your time; there’s no time for existential crises. Plus, the

There’s no time for existential crises.

I don’t think anyone could pay me to have a third!

particular crisis you mention (“Where has my life gone?”) has already been answered by the time the first kid is 3 months old: Your life as you knew it is gone forever — which isn’t to say that you have to meekly give up all your pre-kid interests.

I’m still having lots of fun playing music.

In fact, I get pretty irritated with people who use their kids as an excuse to lead completely hum-drum, hermit-y lives.

Everyone will undoubtedly go to the CC Club less after having a kid, but I think you should still make it a point to pursue some of the interests you had before having kids.

What surprised you after we brought home another baby?

You already wrote about this, but the whole pairing off of you with Felix and me with Lydia was unforeseen (at least to the degree that it happened). It really is like two separate couples for a while after a new baby is introduced into the mix. To wit: When we’d hear a generic baby howl from upstairs at 11 p.m., we’d jokingly ask each other whose “ward” was making the noise.

If it was Lydia, I’d go up; if it was Felix, you’d go up — a clear division of labor.

What would you tell a friend who was thinking about having a second child?

Make sure you absolutely want one.

There’s nothing wrong with having one kid.

You’re an only child and you came out fine.

I have some other only-child friends and I think they’re fine people and not spoiled or self-centered as many uber-breeders would have you believe. I think all the cool things about having two kids (them playing with each other, hand-me-down jeans, etc.) happen later on, so there’s some delayed gratification in having two kids.

I don’t think anyone could pay me to have a third!

Shannon Keough lives in Minneapolis with her husband Nick and two children.

Send questions or comments to editor@mnparent.com.

Jen

Wittes

‘Try It’ and error: ‘Picky’ eaters

T

hey go from breast or bottle to something mashed and messy — big grins and sticky hands. They examine individual peas and black beans before giving them a taste.

They delight in the rite-of-passage, first-birthday frosting face; and they want to try everything on your plate.

And then, one day — suddenly and without warning — bananas are yucky. Applesauce? For the birds.

Favorite foods instantly become sworn enemies; the word “no” resonates with unparalleled volume and vibrato. Tears are shed and mashed potatoes are flung.

There’s worry and woe and promises of trips to the ice cream shop after just one bite of “real food.”

Don’t compare kids.

You nervously feel out your playgroup.

“So, does Jonah eat … um … fruits and vegetables?”

Your chest clenches in anticipation as you hope for that glorious moment of understanding — affirmation in the cold, hard truth that everyone’s toddler is on a Teddy Graham and whole milk diet. Oh, and olives.

Olives, for whatever reason, are still yummy for now, though you swore that just this afternoon — as you were putting on a literal song and dance with some string cheese and a carrot stick — that the innocent handful of Spanish olives (pimento free, of course) were eyed with an air of suspicion. Just keep dancing, you sang — under your breath — to the sad little carrot and his sweaty cheese partner.

“Jonah? Oh he LOOOOVES veggies. Broccoli rabe is his fave. But don’t get me wrong…he is quite the little carb addict as well. The boy is crazy for quinoa!”

Sigh.

14 June 2014

Keep things in perspective.

You thought all toddlers were picky eaters. You thought this was just a part of your child’s whole finding-my-voice, free-will phase. For the most part, you thought right on all accounts. Take heart: Your friend’s quinoa is likely doused in organic maple syrup and followed by a bribe (a gluten-free macaroon).

I kid, but there is — get ready for your affirmation — an actual developmentally appropriate “picky phase.”

Katja Rowell is a St. Paul-based author and family-practitioner-turned-child-feeding-specialist, affectionately known as “The Feeding Doctor.”

When I spoke with her recently, she informed me that there are MANY reasons for a toddler to seem suddenly picky, turning down the foods that were previous favorites.

“It’s actually a perfect storm,” says Rowell, author of Love Me, Feed Me: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Ending the Worry About Weight, Picky Eating, Power

TODDLER TIP

Viva variety!

Offer carrots two ways — steamed and raw.

Allow freedom of choice from within the prepared dinner offerings, but don’t become a short-order chef.

Salad bars and buffets are an adventure!

Dipping is fun!

Sprinkles are a celebration!

Your tot just might like sushi. There’s no harm in trying.

Struggles and More. “And if parents don’t understand what’s going on, what feels like the right way to handle the situation is actually likely to make things worse.”

So what does the storm entail? For starters, a child’s growth slows down at about 15 months — just after a rapid climb. He seems to eat less because he does eat less!

Additionally, the child is now mobile and becomes busier — getting into things, exploring, dancing. A few short months before this stage, food was the center of the universe and his main activity.

Now, it’s an afterthought to all the books and toys and people and sounds that happily fill a day.

Finally, this is — as we know — the age of assertion. The dinner table is a great place to experiment, testing boundaries left and right when you just want him to try lasagna.

Give them space, time.

Rowell reminds us that we may have set ourselves up with some unrealistic expectations.

The Feeding Doctor’s advice is simple: Don’t engage in the power struggle. That means no reaction to their rejection of your culinary creation, no bribery, no catering.

Rowell also recommends following your child’s temperament. The one-bite rule, while not effective in her experience, might work for an easy-going child, but not an independent sibling.

Above all, don’t give up on your kid during this tricky phase. Labeling your child as picky might just fulfill the prophecy. If they go through a no-carrot phase, don’t take carrots off the menu forever.

Kids cycle through foods and come back to them. Growth spurts come and go.

And nothing’s set in meatloaf. Because we all know that meatloaf is certifiably yucky/yummy/OK. Jen Wittes is a mother of two. She’s a postpartum doula and lives in St. Paul.

Send questions or comments to editor@mnparent.com.

Peter

Dehnel, MD

My 15-month-old isn’t walking yet. Is that OK? Independent walking is in the general category of large motor development. If you believe your toddler is generally developing on track with other toddlers, then it’s probably a skill she’ll acquire in the next few months. Independent walking is a skill that children tend to master anywhere between 9 and 18 months.

Your child may be working more on other areas of development — speech and language, social interaction or fine motor skills. The biggest challenge is not to compare your toddler with others of the same age who may be able to actually run at 15 months old.

On the other hand, should you have concerns about your daughter’s level of development — either the specific area of large motor skills or more general concerns — please talk with your pediatric clinician. If

16 June 2014

your child has very low muscle tone (floppy) or too much muscle tone, she may benefit from early childhood intervention services.

Children who have some type of a significant adverse health event in infancy, such as a premature birth or a severe infection, can have problems with developmental progress.

On the other hand, keep in mind that most 15-month-old non-walkers will be walking just fine by 18 to 19 months old.

Our neighbor has a trampoline and my kids are constantly asking to go over and jump with the other kids in the neighborhood. I know they really have fun, but I’m concerned about injuries. What can I do?

Trampolines are a lot of fun — and can actually provide a lot of aerobic activity for kids. The challenge is the increased risks of injury on trampolines. Injuries can generally be prevented if parents and children alike take care to implement the following precautions.

Only one child should jump at a time, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Having more than one child on the trampoline at once creates the greatest risk for injury, especially if the two are significantly different in size.

Having enough spotters around the edge of the trampoline is also important to prevent a child from accidentally going over the edge or landing in the supporting springs around the outer ring. Instill a “no special tricks” rule. While flips are fun and challenging, they’re also associated with significant head and neck injuries as well one of the major reasons for falls.

First-time users of trampolines should have a lot of help — either from a parent or an older child who can be a teacher and demonstrate how to best use the trampoline. You may even want to have your kids check out trampoline safety online before they first jump. Learning the basics of safety is important for hours of fun ahead. Helping them to learn to stay away from injury-producing tricks will be in their best interest as well as yours.

Adult supervision can be a good strategy, and if your neighbor provides the supervision, that’s helpful. Offering to supervise at your neighbor’s home for a period of time — if it’s appropriate for your relationship — will help them and your kids.

Finally, actually purchasing a trampoline for your

own backyard may seem like a good idea today, but remember that it may have a number of unanticipated consequences if one of the neighbor’s kids gets injured on your property.

My 3-year-old son was recently diagnosed with severe food allergies. We frequently enjoy picnics during the summer with our friends and family. What can we do to prevent exposure to foods that will cause reactions?

Be very aware of all the foods available at the picnic. Since you know what foods your child is sensitive to, this will eliminate some of the guess work in trying to decide if something is safe.

If you have a question about what’s in a mixed food — a creamy salad, mixed vegetables, hot dish or dessert — you may simply have to ask the person who made it. If you can’t find out who made the particular dish or its ingredients, then you may just have to avoid it.

If you know ahead of time who’s bringing food and if this works for your situation, explain your child’s food allergies and ask if they can avoid — or at least minimize — using allergens. If you’re particularly worried, the best way to make sure your child is safe is to bring a few favorite foods he’s sure to enjoy.

With a 3-year-old, you’ll have to be the “food police” on behalf of your child.

Start teaching him what to avoid, but remember that you won’t be able to rely on his monitoring ability.

“Always check with mom or dad,” is one of the more important lessons at this age. As your son gets older, he should be able to safely and reliably avoid foods that cause problems.

This column is intended to provide general information only and not medical advice.

Contact your health care provider with questions about your child. Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board-certified pediatrician and medical director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Send questions to editor@mnparent.com.

“MY FAVORITE PART of red velvet cake is the cream cheese icing,” says Scoop Adventures author Lindsay Clendaniel.

“So this scoop is a reversed version of red velvet cake with pieces of cake mixed into a cream cheese ice cream base, creating the perfect frozen alternative to a classic Southern cake.”

Red Velvet Ice Cream 3 red velvet cupcakes, frosting removed 12 ounces cream cheese 1½ cup sour cream 1 cup sugar ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup buttermilk ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt Makes 1 quart

Prepare your favorite red velvet cupcakes or buy prepared cupcakes. (Allow baked cupcakes to cool before adding them to the ice cream.)

Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and place in a blender or food processor. Add the sour cream, sugar, cream, buttermilk, vanilla and salt and blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Chop the cupcakes into ½-inch pieces. When churning is complete, gently fold in the cupcake pieces.

Transfer to a freezer-safe container.

Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. Top with a few pieces of cupcake before serving.

— Scoop Adventures: The Best Ice Cream of the 50 States: Make the Real Recipes from the Greatest Ice Cream Parlors in the Country (Page Street Publishing, 2014)

18 June 2014

happy babies. happy moms.

1560 Selby Ave St. Paul, MN 55104

www.teenybeeboutique.com

Sticky Chicken

Teeny Bee MNP 0514 12.indd 1

4/22/14 8:20 AM

½ cup butter ½ cup maple syrup ½ cup Dijon mustard 4 teaspoons curry powder 2 plus ½ teaspoons sea salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne 4 bone-in chicken breast halves, skin on (2 whole breasts, split) ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper Serves 4 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Put the butter, maple syrup, mustard, curry powder, 2 teaspoons of the sea salt and cayenne in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish.

Place the dish in the oven while the oven is preheating for 5 to 7 minutes or until the butter melts, but does not brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and whisk the ingredients to combine. Cool for 5 minutes, then dredge each piece of the chicken in the sauce.

Slide your fingers between the skin and the flesh of the chicken. Coat both the flesh and the skin thoroughly with sauce.

Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the pan, skin-side up. Sprinkle with the pepper and remaining salt.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove and baste with the pastry brush using the pan sauce. Bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and preheat the broiler.

Baste the chicken one final time, then broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken skin browns, but doesn’t burn.

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”

- Oprah Winfrey

Congratulations class of 2014!

Every child college and career ready

Cool for 10 minutes, then place on a serving platter. Whisk the pan juices and pour them over the chicken.

— Back to Butter: A Traditional Foods Cookbook (Fair Winds Press, 2014) Mpls Public Schools MNP 0614 V2.indd 1

5/15/142014 8:37 AM June 19

Joy

Riggs RESOURCES

When should teens start touring colleges?

I

considered myself lucky this spring.

While many parents of high school seniors were helping their children cram in visits to multiple college campuses before making a final decision, our family was spared that down-to-the-wire stress.

My daughter, Louisa, has known since last fall that she’ll be attending a four-year art school in Georgia, starting next September, to study animation.

Her college selection process seemed almost too smooth, in retrospect. We probably won’t be so lucky when her younger brothers are evaluating their options. Louisa decided as a sophomore that she wanted to pursue a career in animation, which immediately narrowed her college search considerably. She visited her top school choice last spring, and she also toured a school closer to home.

Once Louisa was accepted at her top choice, she decided her search was over.

Now that her plans are set, I’ve realized that it’s time to think more seriously about the college search for Sebastian, a junior. So I called Paul Thiboutot, the vice president and dean of admissions at Carleton College, to ask: When is the ideal time for teens to start visiting colleges?

campus or an urban one, or if they might be interested in attending a school in a particular area of the country.

“You can make it natural and really choose the place in terms of where your family is going to have a nice vacation,” he said.

Thiboutot emphasized that these visits in the early teenage years should remain low-key. He also said parents shouldn’t be surprised if their child’s reactions are completely different from what the parents are hoping for or expecting.

He illustrated his point with a personal anecdote: Once, on a family vacation to Boston, he and his wife decided to visit their alma maters and a few other colleges in the area. They were hoping their daughters would react favorably to the urban college environment. Instead, as they drove out of the city, he heard his ninth-grade daughter ask from the backseat, “Dad, is there any good education that happens outside of cities?”

Explore casually at first.

Let them stay overnight.

Thiboutot recommended that parents not consider formal campus visits until their child is at least a junior in high school.

But for those with ninth- and 10th-graders, combining a family vacation with informal visits to colleges that are nearby — or on the way to a vacation destination — can give younger teens an idea of what different campuses look and feel like. It can also help them decide if they’d prefer a rural

Once students have completed their junior year of high school, Thiboutot said, families can become more organized and intentional about the college-visit process. Summer can be a good time to visit a

20 June 2014

Minnesota Private College Week June 23-27, mnprivate colleges.org/mpcw Plan College Visits This Summer by U.S. News and World Report, tinyurl.com/ summercollegevisits College Visits: A Planning Checklist, National Association for College Admission Counseling, tinyurl.com/ collegevisiting checklist

campus because families often have more time to travel.

But Thiboutot recommends that students return to campuses they like during the academic year so they can ask questions of students and professors, and get a better feel for the campus environment.

“Certainly by senior year, I would encourage your son or daughter to stay overnight if possible and to do it on their own,” he said. “Going to a class, and having lunch or dinner with a college student without parents in tow is beneficial.”

Thiboutot said whether families visit in summer or another time of year, it’s helpful for parents to give their older teens the option of exploring the campus on their own for at least an hour while their parents grab a cup of coffee.

Tour 17 colleges this month.

If Sebastian weren’t going to be away at camp most of this month, I would encourage him to register for Minnesota Private College Week, June 23 to 27.

This is a time when 17 private colleges from across the state invite high school students and their parents to campus to attend informational sessions and take introductory tours. These free sessions are an informal way for teens to explore what they’re looking for, or what they aren’t looking for, in a school.

During that week, my youngest child Elias will be attending a technology camp at one of the participating campuses. As an eighth-grader, he’s not yet started his college search.

But I’m curious to see what he thinks of staying in a dorm and eating in a college cafeteria.

Whether my sons follow their sister’s smooth road or choose a bumpier path, I look forward to sitting in the passenger seat they each take off on their own college search adventures.

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Joy Riggs is a mother of three teenagers.

She lives in Northfield. Send comments or questions to editor@mnparent.com.

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5/16/14 2014 11:46 AM June 21

Kara

McGuire

Talk money before your trip

M

any car conversations this frigid winter have centered on Disney World.

“How warm is it there?” my 5-year-old would ask. “How long would it take to walk there from Minnesota? Do you remember my favorite rides, Mom?” Last fall, my family went to Disney World with “Meemaw” and “Peepaw.” It turns out, this type of multi-generational trip is part of a steady trend. One in three grandparents who traveled in 2013 included grandchildren on at least one trip, according to MMGY Global’s Portrait of American Travelers. Of those trips, three out of four also included the children’s parents.

Such trips allow families spread out across the country to reconnect. They also make travel possible during the slow economic recovery. Baby Boomers tend to have more funds for travel, and are increasingly trading a pre-recession desire to buy more stuff for a new wish to make lasting memories with their kids and grandkids.

Family dynamics are a challenge on any trip. Add in extended family, and travel can be especially fraying on the nerves and on the pocketbook.

What did we learn from our experience in Disney World?

Talk money early and often.

Money will dictate so much of any vacation — and a multi-generational family trip is no exception. If one party suggested the trip and agreed to pay for it,

22 June 2014

you’re lucky. But you still need to double check whether the offer truly is all inclusive. Plus many family members will want to contribute something to the trip, whether it’s paying for one day of fun or a very special meal, or offering to document the trip with photos.

If you’re not being treated to the vacation, have a frank discussion of your budget. Rarely do all members of a family find themselves in identical financial situations. So it’s best to speak up and explain your financial constraints before you find yourself locked into a pricey, budget-breaking destination.

Plan, plan, plan.

It’s important to have a plan, especially if the group is large. But you have to remember that travel personalities vary as widely as travel budgets. And part of the fun of traveling is to divert from the plan.

Try to fashion a schedule that allows travelers to flex to meet their budgets and

their preferences.

For example, food costs can vary widely. Consider renting an apartment or hotel rooms with kitchenettes or grill access so you can prepare some meals yourselves. This will require a conversation to decide who’s in charge of planning and paying for what. Otherwise, you risk hushed conversations about freeloading relatives.

If eating out is a big part of your group’s vacation fun, think of ways to vary dining experiences and reduce costs with fixedprice dinners, early meals or coupons.

Doing initial legwork to reduce activity costs will usually pay off, too. Many destinations have twilight prices. And some become more affordable if you purchase admissions to other popular attractions.

Then there are offers through AAA and Costco, or museum memberships that have reciprocity with other museums around the country.

List which family members have access to such money-saving programs and create a plan for investigating costs.

Save, save, save.

The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to save for a big trip. The last thing you want to do is exhaust your emergency savings for a vacation, or return from your getaway to a hefty credit card bill. Most savings accounts today offer very little return on your cash, but they’re really your only option since saving in riskier investments such as stocks, or even bonds, isn’t a good idea for short-term money.

American Express, GE Capital Bank and Barclays offer no-fee accounts that yield as close to 1 percent as you can get.

Another option is to tweak the way you pay for purchases to maximize savings.

For example, switch to a credit card with great travel benefits, or check for credit cards that offer extra cash back for travel purchases.

Nerdwallet.com and Cardhub.com rate the best travel cards. If you have a birthday or holiday coming up prior to travel, ask for cash gifts.

Develop a souvenir policy.

Sometimes it’s the small stuff that derails a budget. I’m talking souvenirs. It’s nearly impossible to avoid gift shops. Major amusement park ride exits usually funnel thrill-seekers through shelves of overpriced garbage.

Deciding how to separate sightseeing time from shopping time is one issue.

Another is figuring out who pays.

Options include designating a certain amount of money per child, requiring them to save for all of the souvenirs themselves or measuring the number of souvenirs rather than the dollar amount spent. Be sure to engage grandparents in the talk, too, so they don’t inadvertently torpedo your plans.

Kara McGuire is a personal finance writer and a St. Paul mother of three. Send comments, questions and story ideas to editor@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call 1-877-338-4646

The Most Magnificent Thing Measuring, hammering, fastening and adjusting are all part of making The Most Magnificent Thing, a little girl finds. But so are frustration, anger, confusion and even physical pain, she learns. With a helpful canine comrade at her side, however, she doesn’t give up. And she creates, in the end, a most magnificent solution.

By Ashley Spires $16.95

Armond Goes to a Party In this special collaboration between Armond Isaak (a Minnesota middle school student with Asperger’s) and a celebrated children’s author (Nancy Carlson), we meet Armond, who doesn’t want to go to his friend Felicia’s party. Parties are noisy, disorganized, smelly and social, all things that are hard for a kid with Asperger’s. But with the support of Felicia, her mom and good friends who know how to help him, Armond not only gets through the party, but also has fun.

By Nancy Carlson $9.99

Me First This book, written by a father of four, perfectly captures the competitive nature of sibling rivalry. Two donkeys, Hal and Martha, try to outdo each other at every turn. But what happens when being first — crawling through a tunnel full of spider webs or eating a yucky-tasting berry — suddenly isn’t so much fun?

You discover the humbling and surprising advantages of taking turns.

By Max Kornell $16.99

24 June 2014

Garden to Table Geared toward ages 8 to 12, this kids’ guide is just the thing for budding young gardeners and chef-curious kids. Its full of helpful pictures and large, easy-toread type, plus chapters that show how to grow, harvest and cook with basil, carrots, green beans, lettuce, potatoes and, of course, tomatoes. Recipe photos show specific steps and techniques such as whisking, chopping and folding. You’ll find soups, sides, entrees and even a few desserts!

By Katherine Hengel $15.95

Tic Tac Tome Billed as The Book That Will Beat You at Tic-Tac-Toe, this boxy little paperback is a whopping 2½ inches thick, 1,400 pages in all. Decide whether you or the book will play first. (Start at the back to let the book play first.) Then turn the page (using the number assigned to the square where you want to play) to see the book’s next move. Though the book contains hundreds of possible scenarios, there’s only one way to win.

By Willy Yonkers $12.95

Farview Park

Teddy Bear Park

PHOTO BY SHAWN HOGENDORF/STILLWATERCURRENT.COM

Como Town

26 June 2014

Find a playground that’s a good fit for your child now

age-pe�fect

pa�ks June 2014 27

F pa�ks

age-pe�fect

By Corey Butler

inding an age-appropriate playground for your child can be difficult. You don’t want big kids trampling your little kid — or little kids always in the way of your big kid. And sometimes it can seem impossible to find the right mix of adventure and age-appropriateness all in one place.

But that shouldn’t keep you from getting out — far from it.

Minneapolis and the Twin Cities offer some of the best indoor and outdoor park options in the country! You just have to know where to look.

Check out these 12 parks, broken into age categories of toddler, preschooler, elementary age and tweens and teens. Some of them are indoors — because even in spring, we need rainy-day activities.

Toddle�

THE GIGGLE FACTORY Where: 2007 O’Neil Road, Hudson, Wis., 20 minutes east of downtown St. Paul Why: Rain or shine, this indoor playground just across the St. Croix River includes multi-level play structure with a variety of slides, a moon ramp and a giant ball room. A special toddler area is reserved for ages 3 and younger. There’s also a space for parents to relax while watching their kids.

Cost: Day passes are $5, $6 or $7.

Learn more: thegigglefactorykids.com or 715-386-6639

WESTVIEW ACRES Where: 50 Hickory St., Farmington

CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WADING POOLS 5 Where: Take your pick!

Why: Minneapolis boasts 63 wading pools in neighborhoods throughout the city. Many are small and intimate, just right for a few families at a time. Others, such as the rock walls and waterfalls at North Mississippi Park (pictured) right on the Mississippi River are more elaborate and spacious. Pack a picnic lunch and your sunscreen and let your child bask in the water on a hot day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at most sites.

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/wadingpools or 612-230-6400

28 June 2014

Why: This city of 20,000 has turned itself into a parks destination during the past 10 years thanks to an ambitious city park master plan. And even more parks are in the works. Westview Acres, one of more than 20 parks in the city, looks like a park meant for big kids, but its toddler-friendly sized slides and climbing structures provide a great adventure for younger children. Farmington also has a well-connected bike trail, so, if your tike likes to ride along in a bike caboose, bring your bicycles and explore the city and its other parks, too.

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/westviewacres or 651-280-6800

age-pe�fect

pa�ks

Presch�le�

TEDDY BEAR PARK  Where: Second Street South and Nelson Street, near downtown Stillwater Why: Sometimes, it just takes a theme to capture a child’s imagination. In Stillwater, this beloved park lives up to its name, and presentation is only part of it. You’ll find top-notch playground equipment, of course. But add in the decor of teddy bears, trains and log slides, and you’ve got a park your child will be sad to leave.

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/ teddybearpark or 651-430-8837 PHOTO BY SHAWN HOGENDORF/STILLWATERCURRENT.COM

COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY  Where: 1225 Estabrook Drive, 15 minutes northwest of downtown St. Paul Why: Yes, there are plenty of neat animals, which you can see by exploring yourself, or by stopping at various demonstrations and zookeeper chats. Your preschooler can begin his or her appreciation of plant life with a visit to the conservatory. And then, of course, there’s Como Town, an amusement park filled with a bevy of rides for your child. Como Town is also home to Hodge Podge Park, a super jungle gym with climbing structures, suspended bridges, towers, a slide and swings. There’s also a splash zone for hot summer days.

Cost: FREE. A donation of $3 for adults and $2 for children is suggested. Como Town wristbands and ride tickets cost extra.

Learn more: comozooconservatory.org, comotown.com or 651-487-8201

30 June 2014

Do you have twins or siblings ages 6-11?

Want to earn $60?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a new study in the Family Interaction & Development Lab! For more information, call (651) 523-2935 or email developmentlab@hamline.edu

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EDINBOROUGH PARK Where: 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, near 494 and France Avenue Why: Though a wonderful attraction for children of all ages, this indoor park and playground is one of the best for preschoolers. This facility includes a pool, multipurpose gym and running track, but your preschoolers will flock to Adventure Peak, a 37-foot-high play structure that invites children to climb low, high and everywhere in between to find their slide of choice, including a 30-foot tall oak tree slide for the most adventurous kids. There’s also a padded Tot Area for younger kids, including climbing, crawling, siding and bouncing opportunities aplenty.

Cost: $7 per child for Adventure Peak only.

10-visit passes (with no expiration date) are $60.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/adventurepeak or 952-833-9540

June 2014 31

age-pe�fect

pa�ks

Elementary-age kids

PHOTO BY DEREK J. DICKINSON/THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT

HYLAND PLAY AREA 5

GOOD TIMES PARK

Where: 10145 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, about a mile east of Highway 169

Where: 3265 Northwood Circle, Suite 100, Eagan, near 35E and Yankee Doodle Road

Why: Wow. That’s the best way to sum up this award-winning creative play area also known as Hyland Play Area or, as parents call it, Chutes and Ladders. Structures include platforms, hexagonal climbers and slides up to 50 feet long.

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/chutesandladders or 763-694-7687

Why: Imagine having your very own space equipped with a basketball court, an electronic hologram game, a turf field, a 38-foot inflatable jumper and an imagination playground. You’ll find a wide variety of modern, innovative play options designed to spark motor development, imagination and teamwork in a playful, unstructured environment. And the hours are parent friendly — 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Cost: Day passes are $8 per child with discounts for multiple kids.

Learn more: goodtimespark.com or 651-454-5736

32 June 2014

RAMBLING RIVER PARK Where: 17 Elm St., Farmington Why: Seriously? It’s a castle? How cool is that? This recently renovated, castlethemed park encourages kids to pretend they’re knights in shining armor. With climbing walls, slides, jungle gyms, swings and even crowns emblazoned atop the structure, this park is a joy for kids who love using their imagination.

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/ramblingriverpark or 651-280-6800

Tweens and teens

PHOTO BY DEREK J. DICKINSON/THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT

ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE 5

LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK

3RD LAIR SKATEPARK & SKATESHOP

Where: 12400 James Deane Parkway, Maple Grove

Where: 860 Cliff Road, Eagan

Where: 850 Florida Ave. S., Golden Valley

Why: At 2,000 acres, this is Dakota County’s largest park, including five trailheads that lead to many lakes, plus year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education. The visitor center on the east side of the park features interactive nature displays, courses, programs and equipment rental, too.

Why: This premier indoor skatepark is one of the longest running indoor skateparks in America, a destination for the skating kind since 1997. Camps, lessons and camaraderie abound for any teen looking to advance his or her skills.

Why: In some cases, size does matter.

At 4,900 acres, this is the largest park in the Three Rivers Park District. A tween or teenager with any interest in outdoors can find something to do here. Archery, biking, disc golf, cross-country skiing and geocaching are just a few activities offered. Elm Creek is also home to a variety of wildlife, including eagles, deer, beavers, loons and trumpeter swans.

Cost: FREE

Cost: FREE Learn more: tinyurl.com/ lebanonhillsregionalpark or 651-554-6530

Cost: Session passes are $12 for non-members.

Learn more: 3rdlair.com or 763-797-5283

Learn more: tinyurl.com/ elmcreekparkreserve or 763-694-7894 Corey Butler lives in Northfield with his wife and toddler — and baby No. 2 on the way.

June 2014 33

34 June 2014

Car seat conundrums Going beyond the law and keeping your kids safe with the latest car seat safety tips

By Mani Canaday

A

s a parent, you want to do everything in your power to keep your kids as safe as possible.

But when it comes to car-seat safety, it’s often easier said than done.

Not only do the laws change when new information about best practices becomes available, sometimes we assume that the legal requirements (see our sidebar) are enough, when, in truth, the laws don’t necessarily reflect the safest standards recommended by various child-focused organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of children age 4 and older and a leading cause of death for younger kids, too, according to the AAP, so becoming educated about current laws and best practices is one of the most important things you can do.

June 2014 35

Infants and Toddlers Let’s start with the every-day stuff: With infants and toddlers, make sure the car-seat straps are tight enough and properly positioned.

This means that the chest clip should be at armpit level, straps shouldn’t be twisted and you shouldn’t be able to easily fit your fingers between the strap and your baby.

The middle of the backseat is the safest spot in the car, offering your child 43 percent more protection than a side seat in the back, so whenever possible, use this option. When you have more than one child riding in your car, the smallest child should be placed in the middle seat position.

Rear-facing encouraged longer Finally, and perhaps most controversial, is which way to face your child’s seat after he or she turns 1 (and weighs 20 pounds): The AAP now recommends that all children younger than 2 remain in a rear-facing seat.

Furthermore, if your child is under the manufacturer’s weight limit for their convertible car seat — and the car seat is at least 1 inch taller than the top of their head — they’re safer in the rear-facing position even after age 2, according to the APP. To some parents, those recommendations may seem strange. Putting growing children age 1 or older in a rear-facing seat often requires them to sit with their feet or legs crossed and pressed against the back seat, especially if they have longer legs. It looks cramped, if not unsafe, for their legs.

Many parents — and organizations such as the online passenger safety resource, CPSafety.com — adamantly agree with APP recommendation.

CPSafety’s web site argues that no leg, hip or other injuries have been reported due to a child being in a collision in a rear-facing seat. There are, however, many reported cases of head and neck injuries among forward-facing children.

CPSafety, which also factors in recommendations from Safe Kids Worldwide and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, argues that legs and hips, even if they are injured, can be fixed and rarely cause fatal complications.

Spinal cord damage that can be caused when a young child is in an accident in a front-facing seat, is different, the organization contends.

Other parents worry that if they’re hit from behind in a car crash, their child could be safer in a front-

36 June 2014

facing seat because of the direction of the impact. But fatal rear-impact accidents are surprisingly rare when compared with frontal and side impacts, according to CPSafety.

Heather Darby, an occupant protection coordinator for Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety, said children are five times safer when placed in rear-facing car seats.

“Rear-facing, their whole body is absorbing the force of that crash, not their neck and spine,” Darby said. “Their bodies aren’t developed enough to be forward-facing.”

Watch seat weight limits Paying attention to weight limits is extremely important for all car seats, too, Darby said.

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Using a seat beyond its weight limits can be dangerous.

“That would be just as wrong as turning them around too soon,” Darby said. “They’re (car seats) crash tested at specific weights and heights.”

Weight limits are usually printed on the side of every car seat, so you don’t have to read the manual or remove the seat to find them.

“If the label is missing,” Darby said, “you should not use the seat.”

Before the APP made its rear-facing recommendation a few years ago, car seats weren’t as easy to rear face for very long because their weight limits topped out at about 30 pounds, Darby said.

Recently, however, manufacturers have responded with rear-facing seat weights that go up to 35 or 40 pounds to make it easier.

Preschoolers One of the No. 1 car-safety mistakes parents make with older toddlers and preschoolers is moving them out of a regular car seat and into a booster too soon.

Children should remain in a regular child car seat until they’re at least 4 years old and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

Check the height and weight limits on your child’s car seat, and don’t transition them into a booster until they’ve reached those manufacturer’s limits.

Choose a booster seat that comes with a 5-point restraint and converts into a seat that can used with a seatbelt; and be sure to check the weight limits in relation to your child.

The safest boosters allow for the use of the five-point restraint to higher weights, such as 70 pounds, and can be used with a seatbelt for kids weighing 100 or more pounds.

38 June 2014

Another issue that parents with children in this age range must address immediately and consistently is the propensity of kids to become escape artists.

Before the car starts moving, let your children know they have to stay buckled, and that, if they don’t, the car stops moving.

Be consistent about pulling over and turning off the engine when your child unbuckles.

For most toddlers and preschoolers, the game grows tedious quickly.

Older Children Older children should remain in a booster until they’re at least 8 years old and have reached 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

A child isn’t big enough to be out of a booster until the seatbelt fits properly, which means the lap belt rests across the thighs, not the stomach, and the chest belt lies on the chest without crossing the neck.

Darby said it’s counter-intuitive for some parents to delay forward-facing seats, boosters and even regular car-seat riding.

“We’re always kind of looking for that next milestone. When it comes to car seats, you want to do the opposite,” said Darby, adding that her 7-year-old daughter is still in a booster seat.

While there’s no law in Minnesota about keeping a child in the backseat once they’ve moved out of a booster, the backseat remains the safest place for all children until they’re 13 years old because airbags can be deadly in crashes with younger children.

Mani Canaday is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to Minnesota Parent and Minnesota Good Age magazines.

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• All children younger than 8 years old must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller.

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• Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How do I recycle an old car seat?

There are drop-off sites for car-seat recycling in Chaska, Coon Rapids, Hutchinson and Watertown. See tinyurl.com/carseatrecycle.

Lake Harriet 612-922-9226

Lake Phalen 651-776-0005

• Infants (weighing less than 20 pounds and younger than age 1) must be in a rear-facing safety seat.

Can kids wear coats?

Many car-seat manufacturers and other organizations now recommend that younger children not wear coats, especially bulky winter ones, when riding in car seats. Why? Bulky fabric can make it impossible to adequately tighten the straps, which can lead to the child slipping right out of the restraints during a forceful collision.

To see if your child’s coat is too bulky, you can try a simple pinch-test measurement: Learn more at tinyurl. com/carseatcoattest.

Keeping warm in Minnesota is always tricky, of course, so some kids might have to cover up with blankets.

If you have an infant, you can buy specially designed car-seat covers to keep them warm.

Lake Calhoun 612-823-5765

Lake Nokomis 612-729-1127

Minnesota laws

Get checked!

In Minnesota, three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly — a sobering statistic when you consider that an improperly installed car seat can be as dangerous as none at all.

However, there are free car-seat safety stations throughout the state, where trained individuals can check your car seat installation and make the necessary changes. To set up an appointment, go to tinyurl.com/ mncarseatchecks. Learn more — and order free dinosaur booster seat stickers — at dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots.

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Out About PARENT PICK

Family Summer Fun Î Celebrate summer with music from the Teddy Bear Band, appearances by Super Why characters, children’s yoga presented by Blooma, face painting and much more at this first-annual event presented by Minnesota Parent.

When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, June 21 Where: Lake Harriet Band Shell, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: mnparent.com/fsf or 612-825-9205

ONGOING

JUNE 5

JUNE 6

The Little Mermaid

Cyprus Schools History Night and Open House

Cody’s Dash for Down Syndrome

Î Celebrate America’s Century of Progress, 1860–1960, through hands-on displays showcasing a telegraph, pony express, space capsule and more. Students will perform American Roots music and a picnic-style meal will be provided.

Î This family-friendly event benefits GiGi’s Playhouse Twin Cities, an achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome. After the 5k Fun Run and Kid’s Dash, enjoy music, games, face painting, food and beverages.

Î Based on the classic Disney-animated feature and originally rooted in Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanting fairy tale, The Little Mermaid is full of bright costumes, beautiful sets and fun songs for all ages.

When: Through August 30 Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Cost: Prices vary by seats and date.

Info: chanhassentheatres.com or 952-934-1525

JUNE 1 Grand Old Day Î This kick-off event to Minnesota’s festival season is the largest one-day festival in the Midwest. Kids will flock to the Family Fun District with free activities including bouncy houses, a petting zoo, face painting and more.

When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. June 1 Where: Grand Avenue, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: grandave.com

40 June 2014

When: 6–9 p.m. June 5 Where: Cyprus Schools, Burnsville Cost: FREE Info: blastoffwithcyprus.com or 952-303-5183

Primate Enrichment at the Como Zoo Î See primates forage, hunt and handle their food as part of the enrichment program to enhance the lives of the animals.

When: 10 a.m. June 5 Where: Primate Building, Como Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: comozooconservatory.org or 651-487-8201

When: 10:30 a.m. June 6 Where: Burnes Park, Hopkins Cost: $15 for kids younger than 12, $25 for adults before June 5, $35 for adults after June 5 Info: gigisplayhouse.org/twincities/events

JUNE 6–8 Edina Art Fair Î The second largest art fair in Minnesota brings together hundreds of fine artists and gives families opportunities to enjoy activities, live music, puppet shows and more in the special Kids Zone.

When: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday June 8 Where: 50th Street and France Avenue, Edina Cost: FREE Info: edinaartfair.com or 952-922-1524

PARENT PICK

Dr. Seuss: The Cat in the Hat

JUNE 7 Live Animal Show Î Meet a hognose snake, a gray tree frog, a toad and a tiger salamander and enjoy interactive activities and crafts.

Î While he can turn a rainy afternoon into an adventure, The Cat in the Hat also has mischievous tricks up his sleeve.

When: 10-11:15 am June 7 Where: Maplewood Nature Center Cost: FREE; register by June 6.

Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

When: Through July 27 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $10 Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

Okee Dokee Brothers at Icehouse Î The 2nd-annual concert series for kids returns with five live bands for kids

Children’s Summer Show June 24 – August 8

By Marlo Tho mas and friend s like Shel Silve rstein, Judy Blum e and Alan Alda

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Out About

Minnesota Street Rod Association: Back to the Fifties Weekend

and adults.

When: 11 a.m. June 7 Where: Icehouse, Minneapolis Cost: $15 for ages 3 and older, FREE for children 2 and younger Info: icehousempls.com or 612-276-6523

JUNE 7–8 Farm Animal Weekend ÎÎHelp rid the sheep of their winter coats by learning to shear the flock; meet the spring newborns and discover how farm animals have interacted with farmers throughout history.

When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, noon–5 p.m. Sunday, June 8 Where: Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for children and seniors, $6 for ages 6–17, FREE for children 5 and younger Info: mnhs.org

42 June 2014

JUNE 12 Turtle Picnic ÎÎMeet live turtles native to Minnesota habitats. Bring your own picnic and enjoy playtime in the nature play yard.

When: 11–12:30 p.m. June 12 Where: Maplewood Nature Center Cost: FREE; register by June 10.

Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

OPENING JUNE 13 Eden Prairie Players Present: Doctor Dolittle ÎÎEnjoy the classic tale of a wacky, but kind doctor who can talk to animals, plus music and elaborate costumes that bring a zoo full of animals to life.

When: 7 p.m. June 13–15, 19–22

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, Eden Prairie Cost: FREE Info: edenprairieplayers.com or 952-949-8470

JUNE 13–14 Chipotle Edible Garden Grand Opening Weekend ÎÎWith an array of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, this exhibit is for visitors of all ages. Learn how to plant, harvest and prepare homegrown food.

When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. June 13–14 Where: Edible Garden Tent, Como Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: comozooconservatory.org or 651-487-8201

JUNE 14 Choo Choo Bob’s Band Î Celebrate the opening of a new exhibit, “Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails,” with Choo Choo Bob’s band!

When: 5–6 p.m. June 14 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: FREE with museum admission Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000 Mississippi Market MNP 0614 12.indd 1

National Get Outdoors Day Hike

5/21/14 9:10 AM

Î Celebrate a healthy, active lifestyle under the sky on this hike for families with children 8 and older, exploring plant communities along the way.

When: 9:30–11:30 a.m. June 14 Where: Maplewood Nature Center. Meet at Henry Lane south of Carver Avenue.

Cost: FREE; register by June 13.

Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

JUNE 14–15 Stone Arch Bridge Festival Î Enjoy two days of art and music from 250 artists on three performance stages, plus activities, a family art park and a Father’s Day car show, all right on the beautiful Minneapolis riverfront.

When: June 14–15 Where: Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: stonearchbridgefestival.com

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JUNE 18 AND 25 Groovin’ In The Gardens Î Grownups can listen to live music while kids enjoy a climbing wall, bouncy house and lawn games.

When: 6–8 p.m. June 18 and 25 Where: Visitor Center Courtyard, Como Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: comozooconservatory.org or 651-487-8201

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3/18/14 2:19 June 2014 43 12/16/11 4:04 PM PM

Out About JUNE 20–22

OPENING JUNE 24

Minnesota Street Rod Association: Back to the Fifties Weekend

Free to Be You and Me

Î Thousands of cars and trucks will cover the State Fairgrounds, along with additional entertainment, live music, games, food, crafts and more.

When: 8 a.m.–10 p.m. June 20–22 Where: State Fairgrounds, St. Paul Cost: $10; kids 12 and younger get in FREE with each paid adult.

Info: msra.com

SoftBums MNP 0614 V6.indd 1

Professional • Dignified • Economical

Befriending Bumblebees

Î Bring the kids out to the park and enjoy the sounds, actions, stories and fun of the Splatter Sisters! Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Pack a snack or buy concessions on site.

Children’s Day at Split Rock Lighthouse

When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. June 21 Where: Splitrock Lighthouse, Two Harbors Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, FREE for children 17 and younger Info: mnhs.org/splitrock

4343 Nicollet Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 825-2435

Edina Chapel 7110 France Avenue South Edina, MN 55435 (952) 924-4100

Summer Solstice Celebration

The Cremation Society™ of Minnesota “We are Minnesota’s Cremation Specialist”

Î Celebrate the longest day of the year, and enjoy s’mores, poetry, merriment and music. Make a $10 donation for a picnic-style homemade meal.

Serving the entire state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Owned and Operated by the Waterston Family.

www.cremationsocietyofmn.com 44 June 2014 Cremation Society MNP 1113 NR2-Urn V6.indd 1

When: 10 a.m.–noon June 21 Where: Maplewood Nature Center Cost: FREE; register by June 19.

Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

Î This annual event features tours geared specifically toward children. Learn about the kids who lived at the light station. Then join in games and a scavenger hunt.

Minneapolis Chapel

JUNE 24 KidStock: Splatter Sisters

5/22/14 9:55 AM

Complete Cremation Services

When: June 24–Aug. 8 Where: Old Log Theater, Excelsior Cost: $16 Info: oldlog.com or 952-474-5951

JUNE 21 Î Assist Entomologist Elaine Evans in collecting bumblebees from prairie flowers.

Watch as she identifies and records them before releasing them back to the wild (recommended for ages 5 and older).

1LOVEBABY

Î This summer children’s show celebrates the uniqueness of everyone. Highly regarded as a modern classic of children’s literature, this musical encourages children to be who they are, rather than allowing others to dictate who they should be.

10/17/13 10:40 AM

When: 5 p.m.–Sunset June 21 Where: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer Cost: FREE; call or email to RSVP. Info: franconia.org or 651-257-6668

When: 10:30 a.m. June 24 Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, Eden Prairie Cost: FREE Info: edenprairie.org or 952-949-8470

JUNE 26–28 Twin Cities Jazz Festival Î Celebrate the metro area’s largest jazz event in Mears Park in downtown St. Paul.

When: June 26–28 Where: St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: hotsummerjazz.com

OPENING JUNE 27 The Wiz Î Experience Dorothy’s adventures with the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion in this Theatre for Young Audiences version of the original Broadway musical.

When: June 27–Aug. 3 Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins Cost: $15 Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

BIG STONE JUNE 28 Music @ Franconia

Mini Golf & Sculpture Garden

Î Bring a blanket, grab a bite or beverage from onsite vendors and enjoy an afternoon of song and dance in the Earthen Amphitheater.

When: 12–6 p.m. June 28 Where: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer Cost: FREE; parking is $5 per car.

Info: franconia.org or 651-257-6668

Only $8 per Round!

OPEN 10:30AM – SUNDOWN 7 DAYS A WEEK

952-472-9292 BigStoneMiniGolf.com 7110 County Road 110 Minnetrista, MN 55364

CAUTION: horses, chickens, and pigs may interfere with your golf shot.

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Featured in New York Times and HGTV 5/12/14 12:20 PM

Wilderness Wisdom Î Learn hiking safety, including how to identify poison ivy, safely remove ticks, prevent mosquito bites and more (recommended for children 7 and older).

When: 10–11 a.m. June 28 Where: Maplewood Nature Center Cost: FREE; register by June 25.

Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

TUESDAYS Preschool Playdate Tuesdays Î Preschool-age kids can take part in activities for little hands and minds, including science experiments and performances.

When: 10 a.m.–noon Tuesdays Where: Science Museum, St. Paul Cost: $13 for adults, FREE for ages 4 and younger Info: smm.org/playdates or 651-221-9444

Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate Î Enjoy activities, storytelling, films and art projects with kids ages 3 to 5.

When: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

US Dept of Health MNP 2012 NR1 Filler V2.indd 1

7/10/12 2:25 PM June 2014 45

Out About WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

Playdate Wednesday

Mommy+Me Music Class

ÎÎTeeny Bee Boutique offers a weekly playdate for parents and kids.

ÎÎEncourage a sense of rhythm, music and movement for ages 3 and younger.

When: 10:30 a.m.–noon Wednesdays Where: St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: teenybeeboutique.com or 612-644-2540

When: 3:30–4:15 p.m. Thursdays Where: Teeny Bee Boutique, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: teenybeeboutique.com or 612-644-2540

Wee Wednesdays

Passport to Invention

ÎÎChildren age 5 and younger are invited for crafts, educational programming, live puppet shows, dancing and more.

ÎÎThe Bakken’s Student Workshop is open for young makers and inventors.

When: 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Wednesdays Where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: midtownglobalmarket.org/events or 612-872-4041

Crafts for Kids ÎÎHave fun learning a new craft each week.

When: 5–7 p.m. Wednesdays Where: Riverview Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org or 651-292-6626

Cost: FREE Info: midtownglobalmarket.org/events or 612-872-4041

ÎÎEnjoy music and fun for children ages 6 and younger.

When: 10 a.m. Fridays, starting June 13 Where: Round Lake Park, Eden Prairie Cost: FREE Info: edenprairie.org or 952-949-8470

SATURDAYS

When: 4:30–6:30 p.m. Thursdays Where: The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis Cost: $25 for a single-use pass, or $20 per visit with purchase of a 3- or 6-visit pass Info: thebakken.org/passport-toinvention or 612-926-3878

FRIDAYS Family Fridays at the Global Market ÎÎFree live music, a children’s play area and free balloons for the first 50 children.

When: 5–8 p.m. Fridays Where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

Itty Bitty Beach Party

Tamarack Tykes ÎÎAges to 2 to 5 are invited to explore nature themes through crafts, hikes, stories and songs. Kids must be with an adult.

When: 9:30–11 a.m. second Saturdays Where: Tamarack Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $9.75 for an adult and child, $6.50 for each additional child, $3.75 for each additional adult Info: parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/tamarack or 651-407-5350; registration required

Free Family Flicks ÎÎEnjoy a free movie — first-come, first-serve to theater capacity.

When: 10 a.m. Saturdays Where: Theatres at Mall of America,

PARENT PICK

46 June 2014

SUBMITTED PHOTO BY JULIA AUERBACH

Midsommar Magic ÎÎThe American Swedish Institute presents interactive storytelling, music, art and more to help ages 3 to 5 explore the magical traditions surrounding the Swedish Midsommar holiday.

When: 10:30 a.m.–noon, Saturday, June 7 Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: FREE; register by June 1 or call for availability.

Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

We Specialize in Them.

Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Free Sensory Flicks Î Enjoy a free movie, with accommodations for children with developmental disabilities.

Lights are left up, sound is reduced and audience members are welcome to dance, sing and move around during the film — first-come, first-serve to theater capacity.

When: 10 a.m. Saturdays Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Pregnancy & Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Labor & Delivery Anxiety & Difficult Birth Recovery New Roles / New Identities, Creating Balance Classes for Couples Counseling & Parenting Issues Couples & Parents Infertility / Perinatal Loss / Adoption Miscarriage Support Group

The Mamas Walking Group Postpartum Counseling Center (612) 296-3800 Offices in Mpls, St. Louis Park, & St. Paul Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 0414 H6.indd 1

www.postpartumcounselingcenter.com 3/11/14 1:51 PM

Free First Saturdays at The Walker Î Families can enjoy live performances, films, adventures and art-making, plus free gallery admission. Activities are recommended for ages 6 to 12.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. first Saturdays Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org/free-first-saturdays or 612-375-7600

Free Second Saturdays at The Bakken Î Enjoy science-related programming and activities as well as free admission to the museum.

When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. second Saturdays Where: The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: thebakken.org/saturday or 612-926-3878

Saturday Live! Î Events will feature puppets, magicians, wild animals and storytellers.

When: 11:15 a.m. Saturdays Where: St. Paul Public Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org or 651-266-7034

Special Olympics MNP 0314 S3.indd 1

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Out About SUNDAYS

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts Cost: FREE Info: artsmia.org or 612-870-3000

Target Free Third Sundays Î Explore the museum for free!

in Spanish.

When: 10:30–11 a.m. Mondays–Thursdays Where: Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: redballoonbookshop.com/ storytimes or 651-224-8320

Slojd (Handcraft) Club

When: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. third Sundays Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Î Children ages 7 to 14 can enjoy art-making activities with a Nordic twist.

When: 1–3 p.m. first Sundays Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: $15 Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907; register in advance online.

Family Day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Woolly Bears Î Introduce your preschool-aged child to the natural world through puppets, music and storytelling.

SPECIAL SIZE: 7.375” WIDE BY 5.6” HIGH VARIOUS

Î Families can make art, go on adventures and meet local musicians, artists and storytellers.

Red Balloon Bookshop

Î Come for baby, preschool-age and toddler story times, including one day

When: 11 a.m. second Sundays

Creative Kids Academy

Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion

Imagine the Possibilities...

Offering classes for Infants through Preschool

Early Education * 6 Weeks–12 Years

Create

H

Learn

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Free Music, Spanish and Yoga!

Anoka * Centerville * Lexington * Maple Grove * Minnetonka Mounds View * Orono (Old Hill School) – 952-473-1225

ckakids.com 844-ckakids email: info@ckakids.com Nationally accredited and Parent Aware 4 star rated

Learning Center & Day Care

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Maple Tree Cottage

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Locations in Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Paul, and St. Paul Park 1

Nannies from the Heartland

South Mpls. Preschool Program • Waldorf-Inspired Program • Trained, Licensed Teacher • Mornings with Lunch Option • Organic Whole Foods Snacks www.mtcottage.com

(612)724.8957

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Free Mom & Ba by Classes

Grow

Rainbow Montessori

When: 12:45–2:15 p.m. first Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Where: Dodge Nature Center, St. Paul Cost: $14 Info: dodgenaturecenter.org or 651-455-4531

MNPARENT.COM

Playing Singing Composing Free Preview Classes Ages 3-Adult

camps

schools

CYMS Edina: Edina Community Center 5701 Normandale Rd

CYMS Roseville: Hamline Center 2819 Hamline Ave N

CHILDREN’S YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL Celebrating Over 40 Musical Years in Minnesota!

www.cyms.ws • 612-339-2255

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Bring Growing With Music to your child care program or playgroup!

sing. play. learn.

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Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties Public Guided Trail Rides by Appointment Only

Half Pint Parties

Year Round

Magic • Facepainting Balloon Animals Characters for Parties & Events

Riding Lessons Indoor Arena

www.halfpintparties.com

952.451.5430

Not just on for the ride—learn all the basics about horses.

(ALL AGES)

651-226-2027

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Sunnyside Stables, Inc. Rosemount, MN www.sunnysidestables.org

Have a Wild Birthday at Como Zoo!

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Minnesota Sword Play

10/25/12 11:07 AM

Fencing develops stamina, quick reactions, speed, accuracy of movement and excellent coordination.

Get started today!

Classes available for kids, teens and adults Now over 20 metro locations & Wisconsin

Fun Birthday Parties for children ages 3 and up!

Call 651-487-8272 for more information or to schedule your party.

Find more party resources online

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From our readers

Places for fun

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR KIDS IN THE METRO AREA? The St. Louis Park splash pad — Oak Hill — is awesome! We also love the education programs, aka zoo schools, through both the Como and Minnesota zoos.

— Amy Ridenhower Pahl, Maple Grove

Isabella, Nolan and Michaella Hurt, ages 9, 2 and 4, gather for a picture in their Robbinsdale backyard.

Wabun splash pad (Minneapolis) is one of my toddler’s favorites in the summer — and I’m excited that they’ll soon have a new playground.

For rainy days, Edinborough Park (Edina) in the mornings or weekday evenings is a lot of fun (and less busy), so an annual membership is well worth it for my family.

— Angel Sandriepe, Minneapolis

My child is 9 now, but when she was a toddler, St. Paul Library puts on Saturday Live! It’s usually great programming. We recently discovered Vertical Endeavors — a great place for indoor rock climbing.

Jasmine, 4, and Jada, 2, of Roseville love being in front of the camera, say their parents Nyia and Rasheem Harris.

— Rich Wang, Minneapolis

Como Zoo is always great — and free — perfect for toddlers with limited attention spans. Also with a lot of green space, playgrounds, a pool and Como Town nearby, it’s an easy place to spend the entire day.

— Becky Horton, St. Paul

Mylea Huenemann, 6, of Richfield, pauses on a walk near Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington, where she and her brothers found a baby turtle.

Henry Freeman, 5, of Edina, climbs on a turtle shell structure at the Central Park Zoo while on a three-week family trip to New York City.

Want to see your kid(s) on this page? Send your favorite photos with your kid’s name, age, city — and what he or she is doing in the photos — to editor@mnparent.com. Join us on social media, too, to share your wisdom!

50 June 2014

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