Summer camps for kids in metro-Minnie area ? Easter? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: 2014, houses)

[Stillnew]

Hello all again,

I'd appreciate all thoughts, suggestions, ideas and general info/advice with regards to day summer camps for elementary age kids. Do the schools run camps? Country clubs? The Y? Where do kids like to go? Any horseback riding camps that are reputable?

We will be in the area to scout for houses around Easter so I'd love info on egg hunts too and kids activities at that time in/around Minnie. Essentially I now need to "sell Minnie" to my kids. Thanks in advance for input and suggestions.

[golfgal]

Yes to all of those---most communities will have summer recreation offerings through their park and rec departments--programs vary but there may be day camps, special classes for art, theater, computers, legos, whatever, there are Y camps, golf camps, soccer camps, etc, etc etc.

The St. Paul Children's Museum will be a great place to start--then head over to the science museum. I think the Dinosaur exhibit will still be there then. A lot of towns have Easter Egg hunts---so do some neighborhoods, etc.

There is always the Mall of America and Nick Universe to sell the kids on the Twin Cities area.

Just a tip--no one is going to know what you are talking about if you call Minneapolis or Minnesota "Minnie"--they will think Disneyworld

[Stillnew]

Thanks GG ...tips appreciated.

[jzeig104]

Here is a great place to visit and very reasonable. Notice there are camp sessions too:
Events « Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Here are some easter egg hunts: Easter Egg Hunts, Parades and Other Easter Fun in Minnesota in 2014!

Here is another one: Easter Egg Hunt : Explore Minnesota Tourism

More on camps: 2014 Minnesota Summer Camp Guide | Star Tribune

[ellysbelly]

@jzeig104: I'm not the OP, but THANK YOU for the list of camps, so appreciate you posting that!

[uptown_urbanist]

Years ago I went to Camp Kici Yapi, a Y camp out in Prior Lake (with bus service from lots of YMCAs, which is convenient); they had a horse camp component there, too. I know there are others too, of course. And there are tons of camps for every kind of interest, along with general classic camps, offered all over the metro area.

Since SW Minneapolis was on your possibility list, I'd make a stop in the heart of Linden Hills. Get ice cream at Sebastian Joe's, stop in at the Wild Rumpus (a children's bookstore with a national reputation -- I love it just as much as my 6 year old!), then walk the two or so blocks down to Lake Harriet. During the summer and fall there's a streetcar that offers rides, but you'll be too early for that. Still, it's fun to walk by the lake at any time of the year. Linden Hills Park is also in the neighborhood; they might have some sort of formal event planned then, otherwise it's always busy and there's a big playground. Creative Kidstuff -- a great independent toy store -- is also right there in the Linden Hills "downtown," which should impress any kid. There's also an outdoor piano that the public can play; kids tend to enjoy that (as do adults!). The core commercial area is located at 43rd and Upton Ave S in Minneapolis. It's all pretty low-key and extremely family-friendly.

[Stillnew]

Originally Posted by jzeig104

Here is a great place to visit and very reasonable. Notice there are camp sessions too:
Events « Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Here are some easter egg hunts: Easter Egg Hunts, Parades and Other Easter Fun in Minnesota in 2014!

Here is another one: Easter Egg Hunt : Explore Minnesota Tourism

More on camps: 2014 Minnesota Summer Camp Guide | Star Tribune

Thank you so much! This is awesome!

[Stillnew]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Years ago I went to Camp Kici Yapi, a Y camp out in Prior Lake (with bus service from lots of YMCAs, which is convenient); they had a horse camp component there, too. I know there are others too, of course. And there are tons of camps for every kind of interest, along with general classic camps, offered all over the metro area.

Since SW Minneapolis was on your possibility list, I'd make a stop in the heart of Linden Hills. Get ice cream at Sebastian Joe's, stop in at the Wild Rumpus (a children's bookstore with a national reputation -- I love it just as much as my 6 year old!), then walk the two or so blocks down to Lake Harriet. During the summer and fall there's a streetcar that offers rides, but you'll be too early for that. Still, it's fun to walk by the lake at any time of the year. Linden Hills Park is also in the neighborhood; they might have some sort of formal event planned then, otherwise it's always busy and there's a big playground. Creative Kidstuff -- a great independent toy store -- is also right there in the Linden Hills "downtown," which should impress any kid. There's also an outdoor piano that the public can play; kids tend to enjoy that (as do adults!). The core commercial area is located at 43rd and Upton Ave S in Minneapolis. It's all pretty low-key and extremely family-friendly.

OMG! I am so thankful for your thoughts and ideas! I'm a big supporter of the Y's everywhere and had wondered about the Y's in Minneapolis. Love the name Wild Rumpus and I'm sure my kids will get a laugh out of it too. Very cool stuff! Thank you.