As the days get hotter, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is turning the thermostat down on city life with some chill, nature-focused activities and programs for everyone in the family. From the free-wheeling explorers to the culinary kiddos, there's a spread of outdoor goodness on the garden platter this summer. Whether you want to paddle lazily on a lake or get your hands dirty with some real-life farming, it's all about getting that much-needed vitamin D (and maybe a little mud on your shoes).
The young (and young at heart) can kick off their mornings with the Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. "Join Garden Naturalists on Thursdays at 10am and Saturdays at 3pm for a nature-themed story and an activity to match!" Yes, that's a quote, because, let's be real, who can say no to a good story and a bit of nature? Not to be outdone, you've got Family Nights at JD Rivers' Garden, where, every other Thursday evening from 5-6:30pm, garden educators dish out some seriously fun, seasonal activities that won't cost you a dime.
For preschoolers and kindergartners, the Nature Tots program at Kroening Nature Center offers mini adventures on the first Saturday of each month from 10:30-11:30 am. Can't you just picture the little tykes traipsing through North Mississippi Regional Park – it's the kind of stuff that makes you want to shrink down and join the tots.
Got kids with green thumbs? There’s a Garden to Table Camp from July 22-25 that's perfect for youth ages 9-12. They'll be digging into garden exploration, bee life, and whipping up snacks from the earth's bounty. It's all about getting them to see the farm-to-table process, minus the farm-to-table buzzword. And for the explorers, there’s a camp that follows the curiosity trails on a park map, creeks, and through gardens looking for plant and insect locals.
If you're itching for some spontaneous fun, there's also drop-in canoeing. Yes, it's absolutely free from 5-7pm – just rock up, grab a paddle, and you're good to go. "Explore the water with friends, family and neighbors each week Tuesdays at Powderhorn, Wednesdays at Loring, and Thursdays at Wirth Lake all summer," beckons the program, as per the bulletin released. Meanwhile, from Mondays to Thursdays, urban farmers can hit up the JD River's Garden Produce Market to select their own fresh goods straight from the source. You can grab anything from greens to apples while they're ripe for the picking.
Last but not least, the Neighborhood Naturalist Program isn't just about nature. It's about connecting the community with the environment through joyous and engaging education that’s right in their backyard. And as we all know, knowledge is just as fresh and needed as the air we breathe (especially these days).
