The Astronomy Department of the University of Minnesota is offering the opportunity to become an amateur astronomer through its series of scheduled public viewings on Friday evenings from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. From the rooftop of the physics building, you will have the chance to observe some of the same celestial objects that have [...]

Home Depot’s monthly Build & Learn Workshop is this Saturday.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, children will be building a heart-shaped shelf.  We have not participated in one of these workshops yet, but I know a little girl who would be thrilled to make and hang this shelf.  It may be our first time.

Lou Nanne – Big-Time Minnesota Hockey Celebrity — will be signing copies of his autobiography A Passion to Win at the Byerly’s in Edina from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, January 29th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In his book, Lou shares amusing and memorable anecdotes from his 45 years behind the microphone [...]

Enjoy a wild winter afternoon at Commons Park in Fridley with the entire family! Sleigh rides, ice games, dog sled rides, and snowball launching are just a few of the many outdoor activities you can participate in. You can also challenge yourself (and your family) to a medallion hunt with a $100 cash prize. There [...]

As part of the Bloomington Winter Fete, bring your family to Bush Lake Beach, 9140 east Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an afternoon of ice fishing with experts from the Minnesota DNR in a heated ice house. All fishing equipment will be provided! There will also be other fun [...]

This week’s project at Lakeshore Learning is a sparkly igloo and its penguin resident.  Lakeshore Learning has Free Crafts for Kids every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There are two locations in the Twin Cities:  5699 W. 16th Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 and 1721 Beam Ave., Suite A, Maplewood, MN 55109.

Friday Night, as part of the Bloomington Winter Fete, both the Kennedy Mites and Bloomington Girl Mites Hockey programs of the Kennedy Youth Hockey Association will put on exhibition games.  The boys will play at Running Park, 9501 12th Avenue South, Bloomington, and the girls will play at Westwood Park, 3490 W 109th Street, Bloomington.  [...]

I think this would be a great activity for families with teenagers starting to question their faith.  In The Case for Faith movie, journalist Lee Strobel investigates a couple of the most common objections to Christianity: “Why is Jesus the only way to God?” and “How could a loving God exist if there is evil [...]

If you would like to do some less competitive winter photography, another offering of the Bloomington Winter Fete, is the Winter Nature Photography Walk.  Take a wintertime walk along beautiful Nine Mile Creek starting at Harrison Park, 1701 West 100th Street, Bloomington.  An experienced nature photographer will be your guide. Learn tips and techniques of [...]

This is one of my favorite offerings of the Bloomington Winter Fete! Bring your digital camera, and your sense of winter adventure. Photographer Jes Lee will present pointers and ideas for taking good photos at 1:30 p.m., and then it’s your turn to “find” photo opportunities in and around Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 West Old [...]

The Winter Carnival offers three chances to see a parade this year.  On Friday, January 28th at 5:30 p.m., the Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade starts at the James J. Hill House.  On Saturday, January 29th at 2:30 p.m., the King Boreas Grand Day Parade is in Downtown St. Paul.  There will be Hot Chocolate served [...]

The Winter Carnival Ice Carving Competition is from January 27 through January 30th.  However, you can view the sculptures at Rice Park until February 6th, weather permitting.  While you are there check out the 125 Foot History Wall.  There will be Public Ice Skating at the Landmark Center all day through February 6th.  The Scavenger [...]

Watch my posts this week and next week for Winter Festival Activities.  This weekend is the Bloomington Winter Fete, the Fridley Winter Festival, and of course the start of St. Paul’s Winter Carnival.  By the time we get through Winter Festival Season, we will have reached Groundhog Day!!!

Saturday is the 11th annual Snow Day event at Wargo Nature Center. Participants of all ages can enjoy a variety of winter activities from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  There will be snowshoeing, ice fishing, kick-sledding, cross-country skiing, winter crafts, and live animals. For more information call the Wargo Nature Center at 651-429-8007.

Lakeshore Learning offers a different craft every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This week your children can make a weather forecasting dial.  Take them home and play weatherman.