Hi all,
I posted a question a week or so ago about ideas on letting my sick friend know how much I care. I got some great suggestions, so now I'm asking for your ideas on this one. My friend is home from the hospital now, resting and trying to gain her strength. She's sleeping most of the time and is quite out of it when she's awake. Her children 16 yrs (girl) and 18 yrs (boy) live with their father in Canada. They, along with their grandmother (my friend's mom), are here to be with their mother through this difficult time. I know the kids are feeling very stressed and bored right now. I was wondering if anyone has ideas on outings/activites in the Twin Cities that they might enjoy. My husband stays home with our 2 year old daughter, so he could drive them. I'm interested in things they might want to do on their own, and also things that my husband and daughter could do with them.
Thanks!
I would say any of the local waterparks would be a blast...also Mall of America for rides and shopping, valleyfair, tubing on the Apple River, bowling, Paddleford River Boat..
You don't say how long they're in town, and whether you're on a budget but, the Minnesota State Fair is coming up a few weeks, there's an awesome Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
You could buy them each a gift book of movie tickets so they could go on their own (I figure since they're older teens they might want to hang out on their own sometime too.
Check out some of the local nature centers and park reserves..many of them have day and night hiking excursions. West Lake Nature Center is just one of many nice urban nature
There are alot of indoor wall climbing gyms. For locations go to http://www.twincitiessports.com/resources/climbing/
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen has 1 day/night events too, with activities ranging from nature hikes to actual gardening, photography and painting programs for all ages.
They can rent roller blades and go around Lake Calhoun and hang out on the beach for the afternoon, and then shop and hangout at the Calhoun Square or nearby shops and restaurants in the Uptown area. Skate rental shops are located just a block East of the lake on Lake Street near Hennepin Avenue.
You can rent a canoe for the afternoon and go down the Minnehaha creek. There is a shuttle service that will drop you off and pick you up too. Just go to www.minnehahacreek.org. Also in the Minnehaha creek area, there is a bike rental program for their scenic trails. Just go to www.minneapolisparks.org.
There's always the Weisman, Minnesota Art Institute, the Walker for art..sometimes they have reduced rates and free family days.
I don't know if you're in the city, but a couple of hours walking around and getting a bite to eat in Stadium Village or Dinkytown might be interesting for a teen. Also, I think the Saints games in St. Paul are a blast. My last idea is that the farmers markets are kind of cool -Nicollet Mall on Thursday or down by Lyndale in the mornings on the weekends.
At that age, I spent at lot of time in the Uptown area and at the mall of america. If they're worn out from stress, renting movies/video games and trying different take-out/delivery places might be good too. Libraries are good for internet access if they don't have that where they're staying. Overall, it totally depends on their interests, though. Being dragged around town to historical or childish things that they aren't into could make things worse for them. I love that you are offering the invitation, but make sure they have a choice. Everyone deals with difficult situations like this in different ways... Good Luck!
