19 Results
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"Nailed It!" Halloween Edition-Ages 6+ (Adult + Child-Marcy)FamilyInspired by the hit Netflix show, join us for a high-stakes (and high-sugar!) afternoon of competitive cake and cupcake decorating. We’ll provide the pre-baked treats, mountains of frosting, and all the spooky decorations you provide the "talent."Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
"Nailed It!" Holiday Edition-Ages 6+ (Adult + Child-Marcy)FamilyInspired by the hit Netflix show, join us for a high-stakes (and high-sugar!) afternoon of competitive cake and cupcake decorating. We’ll provide the pre-baked treats, mountains of frosting, and all the spooky decorations you provide the "talent."Youth & Family Fall 2026
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Drop-In Nature: Nocturnal Nights (Kroening)FamilyMany animals prefer life at night. Drop by the nature center to learn more about these neighbors, explore their adaptations to darkness, and find out what we can do to make nighttime easier for animals in the city. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Drop-In Nature: Water on the Move (Kroening)FamilyOver the land, underground, in the air, and all around! Water is constantly moving and changing. Drop by the nature center to explore and experiment with how water cycles through the world and shapes the landscape. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Family Funday: Skull & Bones (Kroening)FamilyGet up close with animal teeth and bones! Join a naturalist to examine various skulls, learn about different animals’ diets, and take a walk to see who's eating what (and whom!) out in the park. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Family Funday: Tracking Club: Prowling the Prairie (Kroening)FamilyThe prairie is home to both predators and prey. Join a naturalist to explore the prairie and look for fur, bones, feathers, and other signs of animals eating – and being eaten. Family Tracking Club program description: Develop wildlife tracking skills, sharpen your powers of observation, and bring your sense of curiosity as you explore the park with a naturalist and learn about animals. All are welcome; geared to participants ages 5+ with a registered parent.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Mike Maguire (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)
Family Halloween Party (Southwest)FamilyPut on your most friendly costume and join us for our annual Family Halloween Party at Southwest. Activities include carnival games, a raffle for door prizes, a bingo hall, magic shows, dinner concessions, treats and prizes. The magic shows are 2 tickets, and the carnival games are 1 ticket. (Tickets are 25 cents each). Children must be accompanied by an adult. A food shelf donation is accepted at the door. Registration not required, just show up for a spooktacular time!Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Last Minute Vacations (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)
Family Spanish Language & Culture-Ages 6+ (Adult + Child-Marcy)FamilyA "Survival Spanish" class designed for families planning a trip or just wanting to learn a new way to communicate with their neighbors and friends.Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
kARATE bOY (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)
Karate: Kids (Ages 6-11) (Ella Baker)FamilyFor those who have never tried martial arts, karate is a great introduction to self-defense with a rich cultural history and a philosophy of self-discipline and continual self-improvement. Sensei June has been training and teaching karate in the Beikoku Wado-ryu style for over a decade, with additional experience in Shotokan, Ueshiro Shorin-ryu, Shorinji-ryu, Shotokan, Taekwondo, and wrestling. Her classes focus both on traditional kata/bunkai as well as more modern self-defense applications. June is passionate about making martial arts accessible and fun for all students, and has a broad experience tailoring her classes to different bodies, comfort levels, and backgrounds. Karate is for EVERY BODY and Sensei June is committed to meeting you where you are and helping you grow towards your goals.Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Collage with Wasp Paper (Kroening)FamilyCome dissect a wasp nest to see how these amazing creatures use pulped plant fiber to build their homes. Look for wasp nests in the park, then use paper from the dissected nest to add to a group collage or make your own artwork to take home. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Framed with Nature (Kroening)FamilyTake a walk around the park to find sticks, stones, and other interesting objects. Bring back your treasures and craft or decorate a picture frame. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Natural Dyeing with Goldenrod (Kroening)FamilyGoldenrod flowers are abundant this time of year. Learn how to collect and process goldenrod flowers into a natural dye and experiment with cotton fabric to take home. (ages 8+, $5 materials fee). All materials included with $5 supply fee to be paid at Nature CenterQuestions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Weaving with Natural Materials (Kroening)FamilyTake a walk to collect tall prairie grasses and other plants to use for art. Add your touch to a group art project or make a woven decoration to take home. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Tots: Bunches of Butterflies (Kroening)FamilyIt's Monarch time! Find out how these beautiful butterflies grow from teeny tiny egg to marvelous migrating adults. Go on a prairie adventure in search of fluttering wings with a naturalist. From beak to feet, song and tweet our feathered friends come in lots of shapes and sizes. Investigate the feathers and features of birds to learn how their differences help them survive. This is an adult/child interactive program. This class is for Pre-school age with caregiver.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Tots: Mice, Moles & Voles (Kroening)FamilyThere are lots of critters leaving tiny trails over and under the ground. Come learn about some of our smallest mammals in Minnesota, then head out to look for signs of them in the park. This is an adult/child interactive program.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Tots: Ready For Winter (Kroening)FamilyThe chill of winter is on its way, so how do animals get ready to survive a Minnesota winter? Learn some of the strategies Minnesota animals use in different habitats to keep safe, warm, and fed during the coldest months of the year. This is an adult/child interactive program.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Tots: Spreading Seeds (Kroening)FamilyFloaty, rolly, hard and soft, seeds come in many shapes and sizes. Explore different types of seeds and the methods they use to get around then go for a hike to find examples in the park. This is an adult/child interactive program.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Pottery/Clay Night-Ages 6+ (Adult + Child-Marcy)FamilyEveryone in the family gets their hands dirty making clay ornaments that get fired and picked up a few days later.Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Trucksploration: Big Rig Vehicle Fair (Lake Harriet Upper)FamilyNote: Please do not enroll for this "course." It is posted here so details are visible online but attendees can just show up at the gates the day of. Event is free but donations accepted. Thank you. The big rig vehicle fair rolls back to Lake Harriet Upper Campus on Saturday, Sept 19 from 12-3pm. (rain date Sunday). The wildly popular event allows children of all ages to climb on, learn about and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles. Sit in a fire engine, rescue boat or snowplow, and meet police horses and bomb squad robots. The fire department will be conducting a live burn safety demonstration and hopefully a helicopter will be landing mid-event! Explore 25+ attractions and meet the personnel who protect and serve the Twin Cities. Fire helmets will be given to the first 150 children. Lunch concessions and raffle tickets available for purchase to benefit the Southwest Community Education Advisory Council. Event is free but donations accepted.Youth & Family Fall 2026