Minneapolis Parks Offer Winter Fun for Everyone

Via a January 9 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Winter Fun for Everyone - Sign up for Winter Programs!

Virtual Nature Club

Every Monday Jan 11 to Feb 15 from 3-4pm
Go behind the scenes to meet the Park Board’s ambassador animals; play games; and create activities that you can bring outside to your nearby park! For ages 8 to 12

Nature Playtime

Wednesdays Jan 6 to Mar 24 from 9:30-10:30am
Bring your little one outside for imaginative play activities curated by a naturalist. Discover seasonal themes, cultivate curiosity, and encourage exploration!
For kids up to age 8 with an adult, this is an Adult/Child interactive experience.

Family Funday Saturdays Jan 16 to Mar 27 from 1-3pm Explore seasonal themes through self-directed: scavenger hunts, nature walks, and interactive skills development such as bird watching or animal tracking. All ages and experience levels welcome to enjoy the outdoors! Winter Challenge First Thursdays each month from 5-7:30pm Like an outdoor escape room with nature challenges! Build forts, maneuver through obstacles, and learn how to start a winter campfire. Fun for all ages Stargazing Second Thursdays each month from 6:30-8pm Spend an evening with the stars. Join a naturalist on a socially distanced navigation of the night sky. For ages 8 and up

* * Hikes * *  Noticing Nature Third Thursdays each month from 6-7pm Tap into your senses as you explore the park, after dark with a naturalist guide. Reset your mind and body, tune in to the rhythm of the season, and practice noticing nature. For ages 8 and up Northern Life Saturday Jan 16 from 10:30-11:30am Explore outdoors on a socially distanced wildlife walk with a naturalist guide! Fun for all ages Urban Canines Tuesday Feb 16 from 1-2:30pm Discover what life is like for the foxes and coyotes in our city during a socially distanced naturalist guided hike. For ages 18+ Nature Art Colors and Ice Saturday Feb 20 from 10:30-11:30am Create murals of color, paint pictures in the snow, sculpt snow figures and create beautiful mini ice castles outside. Fun for all ages

* * Snowshoeing * *  Birding on Snowshoes Saturday Feb 6 from 10:30am-noon A socially distanced bird watching snowshoe trek along our prairie, woodland, and river trails with a naturalist guide! For ages 8 and up Valentine's Day Snowshoeing Sunday Feb 14 from 6:30-8pm Get your heart pumping on a snowshoe hike along tree-lined river trails and warm up around a winter campfire. For ages 18+ Full Moon Snowshoe Hike Thursday Feb 25 from 6:30-8pm A socially distanced snowshoe hike under the full moon along the Mississippi River, through the woods and across the prairie with a naturalist guide! For ages 8 and up

Pre-registration is REQUIRED for all participants
there are a limited number of spots available for each program

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Adventure Hubs

Located in 14 parks across Minneapolis!

Find FREE fun this winter in the parks

Kids, teens, families, adults – everyone’s welcome!

This winter, explore the parks in fresh ways with free supplies and materials for a range of self-guided activities: snowshoes, trekking poles, fort building, outdoor art, winter tree ID, bird watching or animal tracking.

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Nearby Nature

Free self-guided activities add to outdoor fun!

Look for signs with nature quests, challenges and activities at local parks across Minneapolis! Updates on locations and activities can be found on the Neighborhood Naturalist Facebook page.

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Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park

4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Phone: 612-370-4844, Email: NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org