Need ideas for entertaining a 4 year old durring Christmas (Minneapolis: amusement park, house)

[CO mom in paradise]

Aloha!

Hey guys...I am so glad to be getting off this rock they call an island for Christmas! We are visiting my parents in Princeton and sister in Lauderdale. Even though they live there, they might not know where to take a 4 year old little girl for during the holidays. I thought I would just get a head start and help them out with ideas. (we are visiting Dec. 12 - Dec. 30th) We are so excited to see some SNOW! But from what my dad says...no snow yet....can you guys do something about that? heehee...Thanks alot everyone for your help.

Mahalo!

[golfgal]

Take her downtown Minneapolis for the Macy's display then stay for the Holidazle parade after that, also in Downtown Minneapolis. A trip to the St. Paul Children's Museum is a must for that age. Como Zoo if the weather is good. The Minnesota Zoo is also nice--there are a lot of indoor exhibits if the weather isn't good. Mall of America with the indoor amusement park and Underwater World. The Train Museum at Bandana Square is pretty cool--go in the evening and you can see all the trains lit up with Christmas lights. The Star Tribune or WCCO usually has a list of the better Christmas light displays around the metro. If there is snow, take her sledding-we are working on the snow for you. You could try ice skating with her too.

[chani29f]

Definitely the Underwater world at MOA. My daughter (she's 5) loved it when we visited in June. You can buy tickets online & save the time of waiting in line. There is not just the acquarium but a little sandbox with real white grain sand, a pirate ship play area and of course Sharky is roaming around! Oh, did I mention that they have a tank with all the fish that make up the characters from Finding Nemo? Well, with the exception of the sharks anyway. We were only back there for two days & didn't get to do a lot of sightseeing (driving from Deadwood, South Dakota to Bloomington, MN in one day takes a lot out of you, especially when you get there at midnight) but we had a blast. My daughter just loved the mall and we drove over to Darwin to see the world's largest ball of twine & museum but that drive might not be so fun in the winter.

[pomegranate]

How about Wild Rumpus Books in Linden Hills (Minneapolis)? They're FABULOUS -- lots of animals, in cages and out -- great independent bookstore with staff that really know books and kids, fun decor (aquarium in the bathroom mirror, kayker hanging from the ceiling, etc.). I worked there for a year, so I'm biased, but honestly, lots of people take visitors there, and they frequently host well-known authors and illustrators. My son LOVED it when he was younger (now he's 17). Plus, Linden Hills has a great ice cream store, little places to eat, a great toy store, and is close to the lake.

[Camden Northsider]

Can I go stay at your place on the "rock they call an island" while you're here?- i'll trade you keys for my house in Minneapolis - ever since that Corona marketing campaign (I think it was Corona anyways), I've always wanted to see a palm tree lit up with christmas lights

[CO mom in paradise]

Can you tell I'm getting Island Fever? heehee....it's actually pretty chilly here tonight, in the mid 70's..but it IS raining! BBBBRRRRRR......

It;s just really hard to get into the Christmas Spirit when it's 82 degrees and your in shorts and slippers (I know, I shouldn't complain!) so we are pretty excited to go to your beautiful state and let my 4 year old daughter experience what we did when we were little in Colorado (snow at Christmas I mean). She is so excited!

Thanks for all your great ideas by the way...I will have to start making a list of things to do. By the way..are they going to have a Macy's display this year? I know a couple of years ago when we went...there was a Cinderella display at Marshall Fields? Anything like that going on?

[golfgal]

The "Dayton's" aka Macy's Display this year is the Nutcracker--which gives me another idea, see if you can get tickets to the Nutcracker in Minneapolis. I remember going for the first time when I was 4.

[chani29f]

Originally Posted by golfgal

The "Dayton's" aka Macy's Display this year is the Nutcracker--which gives me another idea, see if you can get tickets to the Nutcracker in Minneapolis. I remember going for the first time when I was 4.

You all are so lucky. We have a local ballet company that puts on the Nutcracker each year but it's a little hoaky. The closest, decent, production of the Nutcracker is in San Francisco which is INSANE to get tickets, drive the 3 1/2 hours through traffice, find parking & then WALK to the theater. With a 5 year old. Not going to happen. lol