Free Museum Tickets

Many of you have found this web site by looking for free tickets to the Minnesota Zoo. Well this is the place to learn how to do many free things around the Twin Cities for free, including museums and the MN ZOO. Just think of them as really great coupons to go where you want to go!

You can go to this web site to check out all the details, but you can get free tickets to the following places in the Twin Cities, Minnesota:

Admit 4 people:

American Swedish Institute
Bell Museum of Natural History
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minnesota Museum of American Art
The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park (formerly Historic Murphy's Landing)
The Museum of Russian Art
Weisman Art Museum

Admit 2 people:

Bakken Museum
Hennepin History Museum
Historic Fort Snelling
Minnesota History Center
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Minnesota Zoo
Sirens, Signals and Whistles Pass
Firefighters Hall & Museum
Minnesota Transportation Museum
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
The Works: A Technology Discovery Center
TRACES Museum Center for History and Culture
Walker Art Center

Now you ask, how do I get these free passes to these great places? Simple, go to your local library.

Anoka County

Carver County

Dakota County

Hennepin County

Minneapolis Public

Ramsey County

Scott County

St. Paul Public

Washington County

They all offer these free passes as long as you have a current library card with them. Just find the station with all the passes, pick where you want to go, and bring the card to the check out desk. It is just that simple. They will give you a receipt that tells the museum or zoo that you have "checked out" the pass. You have one week to use the pass in before it becomes invalid. So plan accordingly.

Now get to the library and figure out where you are going to explore this week!

What to Do This Weekend

Here are a couple of Red Box Codes that should work at McDonalds for this weekend:

MCDMEDVD & MCSUMR808

FRIDAY AUGUST 8TH

Hans Meyer Family Concert

Ojibway Park

2695 Ojibway Drive Saint Paul, MN 55125

Woodbury hosts free entertainment at the Ojibway Park Bandshell; inclement weather moves the performance to the Central Park Amphitheater.

http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/

Time: 11am

Cost: Free

Irish Fair of Minnesota

Harriet Island Regional Park

200 Dr. Justus Ohage Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55107

An annual three-day celebration of all things Irish! Families can enjoy storytellers, live music and dance, an Irish marketplace, ethnic foods, 1K and 5K fun runs, and a special children's activity area with dance and sheep herding demonstrations, races, crafts, and much more. Park downtown and walk across the Wabasha Street Bridge, or park along Plato Boulevard.

952.474.7411

http://www.irishfair.com/

Ongoing Daily 8/8/08 - 8/10/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10am-10pm

Cost: Free

St. Paulitics Films: Dr. Strangelove

Saint Paul Central Library

90 West Fourth Street Saint Paul, MN 55102

Bring lawn chairs and blankets - and bug spray! - over to the library, to watch outdoor screenings of politics-themed films in the Kellogg courtyard. This week's film is Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, starring Peter Sellers. Cancelled in the event of rain.

651.222.3242

http://www.sppl.org/

8/8/08Ages: 10 to 18

Time: Dusk

Cost: Free

SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH

Meet Kate DiCamillo

The Red Balloon Bookshop

895 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105

Author Kate DiCamillo introduces the fifth book in her Mercy Watson series, Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. And if that's not special enough, she's joined by the St. Paul Saints' mascot, Mudonna!

651.224.9508

http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/

Ages: 4 to 12

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Festival for Fathers and Families

North Commons Park

1801 James Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411

Local organizations celebrate fathers with a day of free activities at the park, including pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, a moon bounce, free lunch, resource tables, and prizes. Dads attending with their kids get free t-shirts!

651.222.7432

http://www.mnfathers.org/festival.html

Time: 12n-4pm

Cost: Free

Scavenger Hunt

Highland Park Library

1974 Ford Parkway Saint Paul, MN 55116

Kids and teens can explore the library and its sources, with prizes awarded to those who complete the hunt.

8/9/08Ages: 5 to 18

Time: During library hours

Cost: Free

Teen Gaming

Hamline Midway Library

1558 West Minnehaha Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104

The library invites teens to play Dance Dance Revolution and other games.

651.642.0293

http://www.sppl.org/

Ages: 12 to 18

Time: 2pm-4pm

Cost: Free

Animal Feedings

Springbrook Nature Center

100 - 85th Avenue Northwest Minneapolis, MN 55432

Naturalists are on hand to feed live prey to the exhibit animals and answer questions about the predator-prey relationship.

763.572.3588

http://www.springbrooknaturecenter.org/

Ongoing Each Sat 1/6/07 - 12/27/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10am-11am

Cost: Free

Radio Disney Move It!

Southdale Center Mall

66th Street and France Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55435

Radio Disney and the Simon Kidgits Club invite kids to take part in music-fueled activities that get them "gamin', groovin', and movin'," including the "Rock and Goal" soccer challenge, a Tic-Tac-Know trivia game, video game challenges, and more.

Time: 3pm-6pm

Cost: Free

Lowes Build & Grow Clinic

This week build a mini school locker, just in time for back-to-school! You can make it easier by pre-registering here, or register on the day of the build-it.

Time: 10-11 am

Cost: Free

SUNDAY AUGUST 10TH

Sunday is looking pretty bad for any free activities in the Twin Cities. Use the time to spend time at a neighborhood park with your kids!

The Fun @ Savers

If you are a bargain shopper like myself you already know the fun of shopping at thrift stores. Now they can be smelly, dirty and gross sometimes. But you need to decide for yourself what you can handle.

I myself have tried Salvation Army and Goodwill with little success. My favorite store is Savers. I feel that it is cleaner and more organized than other thrift stores. There are still a few smelly things, but everything I buy gets tossed right into the wash machine when I get home anyway.

You can check out their web site here to see if there is a location close to your home. I have two in opposite directions from my house half an hour away. I try to shop on Mondays now thanks to a readers tip that Mondays are $.99 days on certain color tags. Every tag is color coded by how long they have had that item in their store. The longest items are normally the $.99 items. And that is throughout the store, clothes, furniture, etc...

They also have great 50% off days normally on major holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day & 4th of July. I do tend to hit both stores on those days. But do get there early, don't bring along the littlest of kids, and be prepared to wait in a long check out line.

Plus at the end of the year they offer calenders for the next year with 12 great coupons attached to use every month of the next year. The coupons can't be used on the 50% off days, but they are a good deal themselves.

90% of the book my children have right now are from Savers. Children's books at my Savers are $.69 everyday. I let them pick out books they want so they will read them. They have tons of books in their rooms now. And when they have a book sale at school with used books, I never feel bad donating tons of books because we didn't pay full price for them.

My daughter and oldest son's back-to-school clothes have mostly come from Savers this year. My daughter finally fits into the junior clothes, so she is having a blast finding Abercrombie and Aeropostale shirts for normally around $2 and jeans for $5. My son has countless Abercrombie shirts for $.99 from Monday sales. They are looking good with their peers, wearing designer clothes, and I don't feel bad because I can afford these. My daughter found a practically brand new pair of DC shoes without the laces for $5, we had laces in the basement for a craft project. She just washed them with baby wipes and they are brand new!

I do have to admit, when my daughter started telling everyone where she was getting her clothes, I was a little embarrassed. But that is something I need to work on. She was not embarrassed at all, to her it is the greatest store in the world, she can't figure out why more people don't shop there.

So, check out Savers web site to see if there is a location close to you, and go with an open mind and check it out. I am not receiving any compensation for writing this review, I just really love this store and want to help other Mom's dress their kids for less this year.

What to Do This Weekend

Your free movie Red Box Code for this weekend is: FUGI26

FRIDAY AUGUST 1st

Jazz in Plymouth
Hilde Performance Center
Plymouth Boulevard near 35th Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55447
Yannie Jazz Quartet and Charange Tropical perform at the Hilde Performance Center. In the event of questionable weather, call 763.509.5200 to confirm that the performance is taking place.
763.509.5200
http://www.musicinplymouth.org
Time: 6:30pm
Cost: Free

Uptown Art Fair
Calhoun Square
3001 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
The Uptown Art Fair, held the first weekend in August each year, features the work of more than 340 artists, food vendors, and live entertainment, as well as a Tomorrow's Stars art fair spotlighting the work of artists ages eight to 18. Booths spread out from Hennepin Avenue at Lake Street. Be warned: the fair attracts more than 300,000 visitors, so stroller navigation can be tricky! The fair is the largest of three art fairs this weekend (Loring Park and Powderhorn are the others); ride special Metro Transit buses between the fairs for free on Saturday and Sunday!
612.823.4581
http://www.uptownminneapolis.com
Ongoing Daily 8/1/08 - 8/3/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: Fri 12n-8:30pm; Sat 10am-8:30pm; Sun 10am-6pm
Cost: Free

Bee Movie (PG)
Langford Park & Recreation Center
30 Langford Park
Saint Paul, MN 55108
The park screens Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie as part of the city's summer Movies in the Park series.
651.298.5765
http://www.stpaul.gov
Ages: 5 to 18
Time: Dusk
Cost: Free

St. Paulitics Films: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Saint Paul Central Library
90 West Fourth Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Bring lawn chairs and blankets - and bug spray! - over to the library, to watch outdoor screenings of politics-themed films in the Kellogg courtyard. This week's film is Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring Jimmy Stewart. Cancelled in the event of rain.
651.222.3242
http://www.sppl.org
Ages: 10 to 18
Time: Dusk
Cost: Free

35W Bridge Collapse Memorial
Gold Medal Park
2nd Street and 11th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
An outdoor ceremony at the park concludes with a moment of silence and bell-ringing throughout the state, to honor the victims of the tragedy on the one-year anniversary of the 35W Bridge collapse. Take Metro Transit to the service for free; download a pass here.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Time: 4:30pm-6:15pm
Cost: Free

Interfaith Prayer & Memorial Service
Basilica of St. Mary
17th Street & Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55405
The Basilica remembers the victims of the 35W Bridge collapse on the first anniversary of that terrible event, with an interfaith service that also honors rescue workers and all of those who responded so courageously that day.
http://www.mary.org
Time: 11am
Cost: Free

SATURDAY AUGUST 2nd

Powderhorn Art Fair
Powderhorn Park & Recreation Center
3400 - 15th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
The Powderhorn Art Fair, now in its 17th year, features the work of more than 180 artists, and a kid-friendly setting and vibe. The fair is held the same weekend as the Loring Park Art Festival and the Uptown Art Fair, and fairgoers can ride special Metro Transit buses between all three for free on Saturday and Sunday! Sunday is also Green Day at the fair, with a focus on environmental education and activities.
612.729.0111
http://www.powderhornartfair.com
Ongoing Daily 8/2/08 - 8/3/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm
Cost: Free

Loring Park Art Festival
Loring Park
1382 Willow Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
The Loring Park Art Festival features about half as many artists as the Uptown Art Fair (held the same weekend), but boasts smaller crowds and a great park setting, as well as live entertainment, children's activities, and food booths. Fairgoers can ride special Metro Transit buses between the park and the fairs in Uptown and Powderhorn Park for free on Saturday and Sunday!
http://www.loringartfestival.com
Ongoing Daily 8/2/08 - 8/3/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm
Cost: Free

Free First Saturday: Design Matters
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Learn how design innovations improve and impact lives around the world, and make eco-friendly art projects to take home during this month's Free First Saturday family event, which also includes gallery admission.
612.375.7600
http://www.walkerart.org
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: Free

Grimm Farm Open House
Lowry Nature Center
7025 Victoria Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
Carver Park Reserve visitors can step back in time and celebrate the historic contributions of Wendelin Grimm, who developed North America's first winter-hardy alfalfa. Families can tour the restored 1870s farmhouse and play with hoops, stilts, and marbles.
763.559.6700
http://www.threeriverkdistrict.org
Ages: 2 to 18
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: Free

Kids Build Workshops
Home Depot
On the first Saturday of each month, participating Home Depot stores offer kids a chance to learn about tool and safety, and work with tools to construct a take-home craft from a pre-fab kit. Kids also get an orange apron and badge. Check with location for exceptions.
800.553.3199
http://www.homedepot.com
Ages: 5 to 12
Time: 9am-12n
Cost: Free

SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd

Acoustic Sunrise Concert: Wide Open Road
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
This free concert at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is part of a series presented on Sundays.
612.870.3131
http://www.artsmia.org
Time: 11am-1pm
Cost: Free

Minneapolis Police Concert Band
Centennial Lakes Park
7499 France Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55435
Edina presents a free concert at the amphitheater at the southern end of the lake.
952.927.8861
http://www.centenniallakespark.com
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free

Swing!
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55425
The cast of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' upcoming production of Swing! brings jazzy dancing and jivin' tunes to the Rotunda.
http://www.mallofamerica.com
Time: 1pm-3pm
Cost: Free


Remember that this Tuesday August 5th is National Night Out. Be sure to check with your neighborhood to see if they are planning any fun activities within your neighborhood. Myself and my neighbor Lisa are still busily planning our night. This year ours is including the men having riding lawn mower races! You will be seeing pictures on Wednesday! Go out meet your neighbors and have a good time.

Menards Back-to-School Savings

Menards has a good selection of sale school supplies this week too:

4 pack Highlighters - $.19, limit 10

10 pack Stick pens - $.19, limit 10

5" kid scissors - $.19, limit 10

3 pack retractable pens - $.19, limit 10

2 pack glue sticks - $.19, limit 10

12" soft touch ruler - $.19, limit 10

Kids washable markers - $.49, limit 10

7" scissors - $.49, limit 10

8 pack mechanical pencils - $.49, limit 10

6 pack mechanical soft grip pencils - $.49, limit 10

Backpacks - $.99, limit 2

56 Function Scientific Calculator - $.49, limit 4

3 Subject Notebook (150 pages) - $.49, limit 4

You can get all these great prices in their rebate program. The rebates do come. I have gotten two since working their program. I have been waiting for a good sale to use up my rebate checks now.

Non-school supplies on rebate this week:

Grip-It Non-slip shelf liner - Free after rebate, limit 3

Citron Car wash - $.99, limit 2

Plastic Step Stool - Free after rebate, limit 1

Chalk Board Paint - $6.49, limit 2 quarts

Door Paint - $4.99, limit 2 quarts

Not on rebate but a great deal:

Sylvania 13 watt CFL lightbulbs - $1.98

School Supplies on Sale this week

Here are the school supply deals at Office Depot this week

Office Depot school glue--$0.01 each, limit 5

Office Depot wood inlay rulers--$0.05 each, limit 5

12-pack Crayola colored pencils--$0.50 each, limit 5

Wilson Jones 1" 3-ring binders--$0.50 each, limit 5

Ticonderoga Dry Erase Markers 4-pack--free after mail-in rebate of $3.99, limit 1

Also, if you are a teacher or homeschool mom, Office Depot is hosting Teacher Appreciation Week coming soon at a store near you. You'll receive 10% off any purchase that week plus they have a breakfast on Saturday and give out free school supplies. Visit this link for all the details. Go here to sign up for your Star Teacher Card, if you don't already have one.

And here are the school supply deals at Office Max this week

Office Max 24-ct Crayons--$0.01 each, limit 3

Ring Binder Ruler--$0.01 each, limit 3

Sharpie Mini Hi-lighters--$0.05 each, limit 3

Office Max Assorted Grips and Erasers--$0.25 each, limit 3

ACME Junior Pointed or Blunt Scissors--$0.25 each, limit 3

Office Max is also offering 50% off laminating for teachers and homeschooling moms until August 16th. You have to have a MaxPerks reward card to get the discount. Register here for your card and you can print a temporary registration card to use.

Great Time @ the County Fair

What a lovely Saturday we had at our local County Fair this past weekend. It was beautiful weather, and not to humid. All three kids had their crafts entered in the fair this year for judging. Ali's favorite item this year was her first attempt at a hand-made doll. I did help with the face, she was nervous about working so hard on it, then ruining it with the markers. She ended up entering 11 different items, including two different batches of cookies. She tried a new oatmeal raisin recipe that put mine to shame. I think she is now in charge of making oatmeal cookies.

Matt likes making projects, but is always rushing through them to get on to the next one. His projects are good, but I know they could be so much better if he took his time. The black dalmatian picture frame is his. He used a frame I found in the basement, and an old picture book with the pages already torn. His first attempt at decoupage was pretty good.

The shoe box people are his too. If you give my kids the clay pasta roller and lots of fimo clay, they will be quiet all day! All three kids love to play with clay. I tend to stock up on more clay when it goes on sale.

This is the first time Timmy has entered anything in the fair. It is normally hard for the little ones to win, due to the age of 12 and under all being lumped together. He loves that digital camera, and I had asked him to take a picture of my lettuce coming up this spring. It was actually in focus, and he ended up winning third place for it! He other picture didn't place, but the good thing is every entry gets a participation ribbon no matter what. He will be back next year with harder projects I'm sure.

But the reason we went on Saturday, was for the Big Wheel Contest. Timmy was entered in the 3 year old boys, and the winner of the race gets a trophy and the big wheel they were racing on. Ali had been "training" Timmy all week to get him to go faster. The above clip is of the second heat. He ended up taking third place over all. In the semi-final race, his foot slipped off the pedal at the start and he lost that race. He was happy to get his yellow ribbon, and all the kids got to pick out a pop. He said he wanted to try again next year. I feel competition is good for kids, especially if they don't win all the time. I was proud of how he handled not winning the big wheel. There were some children there who did not handle it with much grace.

In the end we spent $50 to get into the fair, corn dogs, cheese curds, taco salad, and tacos. We brought our own water bottles, so spent nothing on beverages. We got two new reusable bags for our groceries, a clip board made out of recycled laundry bottles, tons of pencils for the next school year, and tons of good memories. The kids ended up winning $32.00 on their entries and all the ribbons. I unfortunately did not have time to enter anything this year. The blue building where the adults show their projects is looking more empty every year. Very sad! So I will take my free time this next year to start working on projects earlier. Hopefully I will have lots of picture of my projects here next year!

I just love the fair!

Free Books @ Borders

Through August 8, 2008, you can order anything for $5 or less from Borders.com and get it for FREE!

Go here and you can search through the products they offer which are $10 or less. Find something for less than $5, add it to your cart, and proceed to the checkout. (You can checkout as a guest to speed things up if you don't have an account with Borders.)

When it asks for the promotional code, enter: BR41925. Choose to have it shipped to your local store and your total will be $0!

Have fun shopping! And, if you could, help us out in the comments section by sharing what items you find for less than $5.

Update: It appears like so many of you are trying to get in on this deal at once that the site is having problems and many people are unable to checkout. If you have trouble getting your order to go through the first time, you might wait a few hours and try again.

My personal experience: Make sure you have one product over $5.00 for it to go through, the web site will freeze up and be real slow, but take your time and find some great gifts. If the screen says Temp out of service, keep going, it might have already added it to your shopping cart. It is the easiest to look at prices when you change the view from thumbnails to list, and be sure to change the search to price from low to high to find the cheapest products.

HAVE FUN! Think of Christmas! Think of Baby shower gifts! Be patient and again, HAVE FUN!

Thanks to Money Saving Mom for this great tip!

Free GeoTrax DVD

Thanks to Freebies 4 Mom, you can get this Free GeoTrax DVD in the mail in 12-14 weeks. There is also a Planet Heroes: The Ace That Jumped Over The Moon here. It is like the free Planet Heroes DVD from a few months ago. I just got mine a couple of weeks ago. They will show up, but it will be right when you forget about them. It is always a nice little surprise!

Web Site Wednesday

My oldest son discovered a new gaming web site for kids that he wanted me to "tell the world" about. I told him I would post about it here so other Mom's could tell their kids about it.

It is on Shockwave.com , you probably already have shockwave installed on your computer, as it is used on many different websites to view content already. But if you click on the above link you and your child can play different games for free. There is a 60 minute limit, but I feel that is more than enough time to be sitting on the computer in the summer anyway!

Catagories for games include:

Action & Arcade

Adventure
Card & Board

Jigsaws

Music & Photos
Puzzles

Racing

Shooters
Sports

Strategy

Word Games

When I clicked on there were already some 130,000 people online playing already. My suggestion is to watch what your kids are playing though. You don't know who is out there anymore, and you want to keep your kids safe. We have played alot of the games together, like Family Feud where there can be two teams. It is good family time together, and helps their spelling and typing skills.

So at the suggestion of my oldest son, go check out Shcokwave.com to go play some fun games for free.

Target Parade

I think this is the year of the free shirts for my kids. Ali got the free tank top from Wet Seal earlier this summer. They all got free t-shirts at the Back to the 50's Car Show, and today they all got Target t-shirts too.

I signed myself and the kids up to do the local parade under my Target store. I wore my capri pants with the regular red shirt I use everyday. The kids just wore whatever red & khaki they could find. When we got to the line-up, they had a few extra kids Target volunteer t-shirts. And they fit my kids! They were so exited to have actual Target shirts to wear.

We blew up Target bullseye balloons, handed out candy and pinwheels (see picture) while pushing four carts. My littlest rode in the cart the whole parade route. He sat and waved at the people watching. He actually would get a little mad when nobody would wave back. I think it is a kid thing to think when you wave, others must wave back.

All in all we had a fun time. It was windy, but not humid or hot, perfect parade walking weather. The kids had fun and saw a few of their friends along the route.

They are now looking forward to when we are volunteering at the MN State Fair, they will be getting another free t-shirt from there too!

It's Never to Early to Think About CHRISTMAS!

With all the great deals going on for school supplies, it got me to thinking about Christmas Shoeboxes. Samaritans Purse is a wonderful charity that distributes Christmas Boxes to underprivileged children all over the world. You can click here to get all the directions on how to pack your own Christmas box.

Step one:

Get a box.

If you shop at Target you notice that the majority of their shoes come in boxes. Obviously if you are in the market for new shoes, just use that box. But you can ask your Target cashier if he/she has any empty shoe boxes in their garbage at the lane. You can also go through the shoe department and pluck out boxes that are already empty. Lots of people don't want the bulky shoe box at their home, so they just take the shoes and leave the box. Be sure to ask if it is OK before you leave the store.

Step Two:

Decorate the box.

This is optional, but it makes for a fun project for little ones. We have decorated our with everything from paint, contact paper, to wrapping paper. Use what you have around the house already. The wrapping paper doesn't have to be Christmas paper, just cheerful. You can also use old paper grocery bags and decorate with stickers. Use your imagination. Be sure to wrap the box "Hollywood" style, so you wrap the bottom separate from the lid of the box for easy opening.

Step Three:

Fill the box.

This is by far the most fun part. There is a detailed list of suggestions to pack on their web site.

This is the list of items NOT to include:

Used or damaged items;

war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures;

chocolate or food;

out-of-date candy;

liquids or lotions; (including Purell products)

medications or vitamins;

breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers;

aerosol cans,

So aside from the above items, use your imagination again! Small toys, beauty supplies, school supplies, clothing, socks, hard candy, etc... Make sure it will fit into the box, and fit in as much as you can. You can also include a letter and picture of your family if you would like.

Step Four:

Drop off box.

My kids and I normally make a day of this. We talk about how these boxes will help children all over the world. They are even normally planning their boxes for the next year at this point. This is the link for drop off locations, they do not have the 2008 year updated yet. Drop off this fall is November 17 - 24th, so they can get them to the children by Christmas time.

What my family does:

I am always on the lookout for inexpensive toys and clothes to put into my box. I start shopping for our shoeboxes the day after Christmas. This year we have Target clothes (shorts & tops) that I got for $.74 each, harmonicas that were $.24 each, small stuffed animals $1.00 each, and countless crayons and coloring book for real cheap. This year thanks to discovering CVS, I already have countless tooth brushes, tooth pastes and deodorants. Go into your freebie stash to see what you can use too! If you are always looking for inexpensive toys and such, you can fill the boxes easily in the fall. I have a large box in my pantry that I keep putting the "finds" in. When it comes time to pack them, we sort through the stuff and see what fillers we need.

It is a great family tradition in my house, and teaches the kids to be grateful for what they have everyday.

So, while you are finding the great back-to-school sales on supplies, why not get a few extra crayons for a quarter and send them to some kids who would really appreciate them.

More Free Movies

I just became aware of this one....

For 9 weeks during the summer (Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am), Regal Cinemas shows children/kids movies for FREE!!

Here's the link ... choose your state from the drop down menu for the movies being shown in your State. Hopefully there's one in your city!!

The one in my state is pretty far away, but it is close to family. Maybe we will make the drive and have a visit to boot!

Free Activities for a Tuesday in the Twin Cities

Tuesdays can be fun, it is not a Monday, and it is nowhere close to the weekend yet. So why not take advantage of these free activities for your Tuesday in the Twin Cities.

As activities come and go I will try to update accordingly. But please check with each activity to make sure it is still current and happening.

If you have any free activities you would like to add, just e-mail me at momisbroke @ Comcast.net and let me know about the activity and any web site that relates to it, I will gladly add it to the list!

TERRIFIC TUESDAYS

Toddler Tuesday:

Mall of America

60 East Broadway

Minneapolis, MN 55425

The mall hosts themed weekly events for toddlers and their parents and caregivers that include live entertainment and discounts at some mall stores and restaurants. Check with the web site to see what this Tuesday is offering!

952.883.8800

http://www.mallofamerica.com/

Time: 10am-12n

ost: Free

Project Girl: A Guide to UnMediafying Your Life

Intermedia Arts

2822 Lyndale Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55408

The Wisconsin-based Project Girl organization offers a nationally-touring exhibition of mulitmedia works created by girls during workshops covering a media literacy curriculum designed to counteract the harmful messages with which they are bombarded by mass media.

http://www.intermediaarts.org/

Ongoing Daily except Sun 6/5/08 - 8/16/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 8 to 18

Time: During gallery hours

Cost: Free

Sunken Garden Summer Flower Show

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Roses, statice, geraniums, lilies, heliotropes, impatiens, petunias, caladiums, and more - representing a wide range of colors, forms, and scent - are on display in the conservatory's most diverse seasonal show of the year.

651.487.8200

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 5/3/08 - 10/5/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: Free; donations appreciated

Lunch with the Librarian

Riverview Library

1 East George Street

Saint Paul, MN 55107

Preschoolers through third graders are invited to the library for lemonade and stories, as part of the library's summer reading and entertainment program. Participants should bring a bag lunch.

651.292.6626

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 6/17/08 - 7/29/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 to 8Time: 12n

Cost: Free

Blooming Butterflies

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Como's new free-standing seasonal exhibit - a screened structure built to resemble a caterpillar - features a variety of butterfly species and native plants, and illustrates their interdependency and beauty.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 6/6/08 - 9/7/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: During zoo hours

Cost: Free; $1-$2 donation suggested

Gardener and Zookeeper Talks

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Visitors can ask a gardener or zookeeper about plants, animals, and day-to-day zoo and conservatory operations during daily presentations exploring different topics.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily except Mon 2/24/08 - 8/31/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 4 to 18

Time: 11am & 1:30pm

Cost: Free

Sparky's Coastal Journey

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Even after 50 years, Sparky (or rather, her latest incarnation) still packs the amphitheater! This summer, she embarks on an all-new adventure on an all-new stage, "looking" for her polar bear friends Neil and Buzz, who are away while the zoo builds them a new habitat. Also takes place on Memorial Day and Labor Day Mondays. In addition, there's a sea lion feeding and behavior demo at Sea Island at 3pm.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily except Mon 5/24/08 - 8/31/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 11:30am & 2pm

Cost: Free

Nickelodeon Character Meet-n-Greets

Nickelodeon Universe

Mall of America

Minneapolis, MN 55425

Kids can meet costumed Nick characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora and Diego, the Backyardigans, and Blue at the new Nickelodeon Universe amusement park in the Mall of America - another excuse to check out all the new rides and features at the redesigned park! Meet-n-Greets take place at both the Green (on the half-hour) and Blue (on the hour) entertainment "Spots" on weekends, with appearances only at one or the other on weekdays. Check the website for times and details.

952.883.8555

http://www.nickelodeonuniverse.com/

Ongoing Daily 3/17/08 - 3/17/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 18

Cost: Free

Tropical Encounters

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

The zoo's first new exhibit in more than 20 years allows visitors to immerse themselves in an authentic neo-tropical rainforest adventure, exploring the relationship between plants and animals in that fragile eco-system. Located on the south end of the Visitor Center.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 11/17/06 - 12/15/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: During zoo hours

Cost: $1-$2 suggested donation

Bilingual Storytime

Northeast Branch Library

2200 Central Avenue Northeast

Minneapolis, MN 55418

Families can stop by the library for stories, songs, and rhymes in Spanish and English.

612.630.6900

http://www.mplib.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/8/08 - 1/8/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 8

Time: 6:30pm-7pm

Cost: Free

Play & Learn Time

Sun Ray Library

2105 Wilson Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55119

Parents and kids can enjoy age-appropriate books and toys during a drop-in educational playtime.

651.501.6300

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/2/07 - 1/5/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10:30am-12n

Cost: Free

Preschool Storytime

Arlington Hills Library

1105 Greenbrier Street

Saint Paul, MN 55106

Parent and kids can attend a library storytime featuring songs, books, and rhymes to build literacy skills.

651.793.3930

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/8/08 - 1/8/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 to 5

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Musical Storytime

Highland Park Library

1974 Ford Parkway

Saint Paul, MN 55116

Guitar Lady Kathleen leads kids and parents through fingerplays, stories, rhymes, and songs.

651.695.3700

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue, Thu 1/2/06 - 1/2/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1 to 6

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Bedtime Stories

Hamline Midway Library

1558 West Minnehaha Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55104

Parents and preschoolers can drop in for stories, rhymes, games, and songs before bedtime.

651.642.0293

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/2/07 - 1/6/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 8

Time: 7pm

Cost: Free

Preschool Storytime

Rice Street Library

1011 Rice Street

Saint Paul, MN 55117

Parents and kids can stop by the library for stories, songs, and games.

651.558.2223

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/2/07 - 1/2/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 5

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Preschool Storytime

Rondo Community Outreach Library

461 North Dale Street

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Parents and preschoolers can enjoy stories, songs, and other activities geared toward building reading skills.

651.266.7000

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 9/22/06 - 9/22/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 to 6

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Preschool Storytime

Riverview Library

1 East George Street

Saint Paul, MN 55107

Build reading-readiness skills with stories, songs, rhymes, and movement during a parent-child storytime.

651.292.6626

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 4/2/06 - 4/30/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 to 5

Time: 10:30am

Cost: Free

Family Storytime

Riverview Library

1 East George Street

Saint Paul, MN 55107

Families are invited to the library for stories, songs, and movement during an evening storytime.

651.292.6626

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 4/2/06 - 4/30/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 7pm

Cost: Free

Lap-sit Storytime

Highland Park Library

1974 Ford Parkway

Saint Paul, MN 55116

Parents and little ones (ages birth to 18 months) can snuggle up for stories and songs, nurturing a love of books.

651.695.3700

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/2/06 - 1/2/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 4pm

Cost: Free

PBK Book Club

Pottery Barn Kids

236 West Market Street

Minneapolis, MN 55425

Stop in for stories and more. Receive a Book Club card the first time you go; get a special gift after attending five times. You can also attend at the store in Edina or Maple Grove.

952.854.6352

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/3/06 - 1/26/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1 to 6

Time: 10am-10:30am

Cost: Free

PBK Book Club

Pottery Barn Kids

12161 Elm Creek Boulevard

Osseo, MN 55369

Stop in for stories and more. Receive a Book Club card the first time you go; get a special gift after attending five times. You can also attend at the Mall of America location.

763.420.7338

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/3/06 - 1/26/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1 to 6

Time: 10am-10:30am

Cost: Free

Baby Storytime

The Red Balloon Bookshop

895 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

Children's librarian Sara Waters leads a storytime filled with rhymes, puppets, and songs, to spark smiles - and brain development - during children's first years.

651.224.8320

http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/22/06 - 1/22/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10:15am

Cost: Free

Toddler Storytime

The Red Balloon Bookshop

895 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

Kim Faurot hosts an action-packed storytime filled with stories, songs, and movement.

651.224.8320

http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/

Ongoing Each Tue 1/22/06 - 1/22/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 4

Time: 11am

Cost: Free

Storytime

Barnes & Noble

8040 Wedgewood Lane

Osseo, MN 55369

Stop by for stories, rhymes, and company.

763.420.4517

http://www.bn.com/

Ongoing Each Tue, Fri 1/3/06 - 1/11/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1 to 6

Time: 10am

Cost: Free

Preschool Storytime

Barnes & Noble

3001 White Bear Avenue North

Saint Paul, MN 55109

Stop by for stories, rhymes, and company.

651.779.9999

http://www.bn.com/

Ongoing Each Tue, Thu 1/6/06 - 1/11/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 to 6

Time: 11am

Cost: Free

Morning Storytime

Barnes & Noble

13131 Ridgedale Drive

Hopkins, MN 55305

Stop by for stories, rhymes, and songs. A craft activity is often all included.

952.546.2006

http://www.bn.com/

Ongoing Each Tue, Fri 9/26/06 - 9/26/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1 to 5

Time: 10am

Cost: Free

Guided Capitol Tours

Minnesota State Capitol

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Saint Paul, MN 55155

Free guided tours of the beautiful State Capitol building are offered year-round. The last tour starts one hour before closing. No reservations are required; check for exceptions due to special events.

651.296.2881

http://www.mnhs.org/statecapitol

Ongoing Daily 3/11/06 - 4/29/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 10am-3pm; Sun 1pm-4pm

Cost: Free

Drop-In Gym

Folwell Park & Recreation Center

1615 Dowling Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN 55412

Work on basketball skills during an ongoing open gym session. Check with location for exceptions.

612.370.4917

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/

Ongoing Daily except Sun 1/1/08 - 12/31/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 6 to 12

Time: Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm; Sat 10am-3pm

Cost: Free

Lounge Lizards

Brackett Park and Recreation Center

2728 39th Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Kids can hang out and play games with park staffers in a safe environment. Call to register. No program the week of July 4.

612.370.4924

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/

Ongoing Each 6/16/08 - 8/21/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 13 to 15

Time: 3pm-5pm

Cost: Free

Teen Basketball & Gym Time

Bottineau Park & Recreation Center

2000 Second Street Northeast

Minneapolis, MN 55418

Teens can drop in to the rec center to play hoops, table tennis, foosball, and more. Valid picture ID required.

612.370.4958

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/

Ongoing Each Tue, Thu 6/16/08 - 8/22/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 13 to 18

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Cost: Free

Lounge Lizards

Powderhorn Park & Recreation Center

3400 - 15th Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55407

The park offers kids a place to hang out and play ping pong, bumper pool, foosball, and board games. The computer lab is available starting at 4pm.

Call to register.

Ongoing Weekdays 6/16/08 - 8/29/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 6 to 18

Time: 1pm-8pm

Cost: Free

Game Rooms

Scheffer Park & Recreation Center

237 Thomas Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Kids can play ping pong, foosball, darts, and video and board games during summer afternoons at Scheffer, Baker, El Rio Vista, Linwood, MLK, and West Minnehaha rec centers.

651.298.5820

http://www.stpaul.gov/

Ongoing Weekdays 6/9/08 - 8/22/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 6 to 12

Time: 2pm-6pm

Cost: Free

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Was Your Little One Born on 6/15/08?

If your baby was born on Father's Day 2008 (June 15, 2008)

Congratulations! - BornFree is giving away a years supply of BornFree baby bottles for FREE!

Just mail a copy of the birth certificate or hospital certificate to:

BornFree Inc. / Fathers Day Give Away

2263 North West Boca Raton Boulevard, Suite 202

Boca Raton Florida, 33431

But Hurry! This offer is limited to the first 1000 entrants only. Here's a link ...

Free Activities for a Monday in the Twin Cities

Here is a list on ongoing free activities for any given Monday in the Twin Cities.

As activities come and go, please check with each individual activity to make sure it is still going on! I will update as needed.

MANIC MONDAYS

Project Girl: A Guide to UnMediafying Your Life

Intermedia Arts

2822 Lyndale Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55408

The Wisconsin-based Project Girl organization offers a nationally-touring exhibition of mulitmedia works created by girls during workshops covering a media literacy curriculum designed to counteract the harmful messages with which they are bombarded by mass media.

http://www.intermediaarts.org/

Ongoing Daily except Sun 6/5/08 - 8/16/08; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 8 to 18

Time: During gallery hours

Cost: Free

Sunken Garden Summer Flower Show

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Roses, statice, geraniums, lilies, heliotropes, impatiens, petunias, caladiums, and more - representing a wide range of colors, forms, and scent - are on display in the conservatory's most diverse seasonal show of the year.

651.487.8200

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 5/3/08 - 10/5/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: Free; donations appreciated

Blooming Butterflies

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Como's new free-standing seasonal exhibit - a screened structure built to resemble a caterpillar - features a variety of butterfly species and native plants, and illustrates their interdependency and beauty.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 6/6/08 - 9/7/08; check with location for exceptions.

Time: During zoo hours

Cost: Free; $1-$2 donation suggested

Nickelodeon Character Meet-n-Greets

Nickelodeon Universe

Mall of America

Minneapolis, MN 55425

Kids can meet costumed Nick characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora and Diego, the Backyardigans, and Blue at the new Nickelodeon Universe amusement park in the Mall of America - another excuse to check out all the new rides and features at the redesigned park! Meet-n-Greets take place at both the Green (on the half-hour) and Blue (on the hour) entertainment "Spots" on weekends, with appearances only at one or the other on weekdays. Check the website for times and details.

952.883.8555

http://www.nickelodeonuniverse.com/

Ongoing Daily 3/17/08 - 3/17/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 18

Cost: Free

Tropical Encounters

Como Zoo

1225 Estabrook Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55103

The zoo's first new exhibit in more than 20 years allows visitors to immerse themselves in an authentic neo-tropical rainforest adventure, exploring the relationship between plants and animals in that fragile eco-system. Located on the south end of the Visitor Center.

651.487.8272

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Ongoing Daily 11/17/06 - 12/15/10; check with location for exceptions.

Time: During zoo hours

Cost: $1-$2 suggested donation

Jammies Storytime

Saint Paul Central Library

90 West Fourth Street

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Join library staffers for stories, rhymes, songs, and games before bedtime.

651.266.7000

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Mon 1/2/06 - 1/29/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 9

Time: 6:30pm

Cost: Free

Music Mondays

The Red Giraffe

10150 City Walk Drive, Suite C

Saint Paul, MN 55129

The Red Giraffe invites toddlers and preschoolers (accompanied by their parents or caregivers) in to the store for songs and treats.

651.714.5427

http://www.theredgiraffe.com/

Ongoing Each Mon 3/3/08 - 4/7/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 2 to 5

Time: 10am

Cost: Free

Afterschool Storytime
Rondo Community Outreach Library

461 North Dale Street

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Stop by the library after school for games, stories, and fun.

651.266.7000

http://www.sppl.org/

Ongoing Each Mon, Wed 9/22/06 - 9/22/10; check with location for exceptions.

Age