Tips To Keep Kids Entertained During Dog Days Of Summer

We're a few weeks into summer break and it might be getting harder to keep the kids busy. Lifestyle contributor Jasmine Stringer had some fun tips to keep the kids entertained. You can read them below:

-------

EDUCATIONAL

Even though school is out for the summer it's important to keep kids' brain active during the summer time.

• Animal Jam
  • Animal Jam is an ONLINE playground for  kids worldwide who love animals and the outdoors
  • Within the game, kids can chat with friends, play games, go to fun parties, learn about animals and the natural world around them, customize their animal avatars and dens, complete adventures together, and more
  • Animal Jam promotes a fun approach to STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math). Players can collect fun facts in their journey books, learn about animal conservation and talk to real scientists
  • Animal Jam also ensures online safety - the game has in-game moderators, robust chat and social filters, and educational content for players to learn about digital citizenship
  • Animal Jam is free for kids around the world to play, and to keep the game advertising free, Animal Jam offers memberships for players who want access to additional animals, accessories, dens and den items
• Book-a-wocky
  • The Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) Summer Reading Program is designed to inspire and encourage children of ALL ages to read throughout the summer
  • The program is free and offers fun opportunities and chances to win prizes like free state fair tickets, Culver's Ice Cream and gift cards
  • More details: http://bookawocky.org/

RECREATIONAL

Keep kids active this summer and let them enjoy some fresh air and sunshine

• Swimming at the Beach
  • Lake Johanna Beach in Arden Hills
  • Bush Lake Beach in Bloomington
  • Lake Calhoun Beach in Minneapolis
• Mini Golf at the Science Museum and the Walker Art Center
  • Science Museum: The Big Back Yard includes a nine-hole EarthScapes miniature golf course that provides a fun—and challenging—way to learn how water moves from mountains to oceans and shapes the landscape along the way. With water hazards like you've never seen before, this 30,000 square-foot course demonstrates that rivers and streams are alive and ever-changing.
  • The Walker Art Center: Tee up in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and let the games begin! Chickens, stars, a hungry snake, a gumball machine, and other novelties await you on the Walker's new mini-golf course. Players will also encounter some favorites from last year's course, including a tilting maze game, a gopher hole vortex, and foosball with garden gnomes. Don't let the choice between a round of putt-putt and a wander through air-conditioned contemporary art museum drive a wedge between you and your loved ones: every ticket includes free gallery admission (up to $14 value) for each golfer.

ENTERTAINMENT

Unwind after a day of work with live music or a movie outdoors.

• Music & Movies in the Parks
  • All Summer until September 7 Various Minneapolis Parks
  • Grab a blanket a patch of grass, because the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board is treating you to movies this summer.  They're screening classics, favorites and recent movies in various parks throughout the entire summer, so check their schedule to see the when, where and what, https://www.minneapolisparks.org/_asset/c5xx18/movie_schedule.pdf
  • Almost every day of the week LIVE music at the Lake Harriet Band Shell during evening weeknights and on Sunday afternoons, https://www.minneapolisparks.org/_asset/nfz7vy/music_schedule.pdf

• Groovin' In The Garden
  • While the grownups get their groove on with some of the Twin Cities best bands, the kids will be entertained by a climbing wall, bouncy house, and lawn games. Pack the dancing shoes, spread out a blanket & join us for these FREE outdoor concerts & activities on the Visitor Center lawn.
•  9 Nights of Music at the Minnesota History Center
  • Every Tuesday in July and August the Minnesota History Center presents the rich and vibrant rhythms and sounds of Minnesota's multi-cultural community at free outdoor performances at the Minnesota History Center. Families are invited to bring a chair or blanket and a picnic, or purchase food from the History Center's Cafe Minnesota and enjoy the live music at 7 PM or come early and tour the museum exhibits from 5- 8 PM on Tuesday evenings.
  • Admission to museum exhibits is free on Tuesdays from 5-8
  • Live music begins at 7 PM