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Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hudson February 3 – 5

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hudson hot air affair
Picture from 2019 event. https://www.facebook.com/hudsonhotairaffair/photos/
 
The weather is supposed to warm up this weekend (hooray for above 0 temps!) and there’s one outdoor event that looks amazing.
 
It’s the Hudson Hot Air Affair – an annual hot air balloon festival that takes place in Hudson, Wisconsin (just east of the Twin Cities). It’s this weekend, February 3rd – 5th, 2023.
 
And most events are FREE!
 
hudson hot air affair kids balloon
 
They even have a 2023 theme: “Experience the Magic.” 
 
More than 30 balloonists from five states will be in the air to share the spectacle and excitement of the sport of hot air ballooning.
 
Annual favorites include the marketplace and craft fair, food drive, geocaching, pancake breakfast, kite flying, kid’s Ice fishing, the Taste of Hot Air Affair fundraiser, and much more.
 
Expect to be outdoors for most of it so dress warm!
 
hudson hot air affair night
 
All balloon flights are weather dependent and MAY be cancelled, but here is their planned schedule:
 

Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 7:35am: BALLOON LAUNCH, 30+ hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 3:00pm: BALLOON LAUNCH at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.  This is an optional flight if morning flight is launched, or a mass ascension if the morning flight is canceled.

Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 7:35am: BALLOON LAUNCH, 30+ hot air balloons in in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

There are many other events too:

  • BUENA VISTA: A STROLL in the PARK
  • Hudson Hot Air Affair Bloody Mary Crawl
  • PANCAKE BREAKFAST
  • Up, Up & Away Balloon Cookie Class for kids
  • KITES
  • Smoosh Board Competition
  • Ice Carving
  • Hot Air Balloons LIGHTING UP THE DARK
  • FIREWORKS! And a ton more

SOME events have costs but most don’t. They answer this on their Facebook page:

Q. Are there admission costs for Hot Air Affair?

A. All of the balloon events are free as well as other spectator events like the torchlight parade, fireworks, kite flying and ice carving. Some things, like the smoosh board competition or the fundraiser prize drop are free to watch, but if you want to participate there are fees. There is a craft fair, souvenirs and food available for purchase. There are many events throughout the community, some like the kids Fishing Contest that are free and others like the Hudson Booster Bingo funraiser or the Octagon House Museum tours have costs.

Check out their website and schedule!

Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival – January 28th

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lake harriet kite festival 2023

Let’s go fly a kite! Or just watch a bunch of them flying in the air!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is hosting the 21st annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival on Saturday, January 28th from 12:00 – 4:00pm!

Photo of the festivities at the Lake Harriet Kite Festival.
https://www.facebook.com/minneapoliskitefestival

Kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes will fly over frozen Lake Harriet during this fun family festival. There will also be a kid’s DJ, s’mores and yard games.

Photo of the Lake Harriet Kite Festival
https://www.facebook.com/minneapoliskitefestival

Minnesota Kite Society experts will demonstrate maneuvering spectacular kites throughout the day and offer expertise to anyone interested in flying a kit. Bring your own kite or buy an inexpensive one at the lake!

The Kite Festival is a FREE outdoor event for people of all ages and abilities. Activities are centered around the north end of Lake Harriet near the Bandshell (4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway).

Free shuttles will run continuously between the Executive Building parking lot on the west side of Bde Maka Ska (3033 Excelsior Blvd.) and Lake Harriet on January 28th from 11:00am – 5:00pm.

Note: It will be cold this weekend so bundle up!

Discounted Tickets to Jurassic Quest in Minneapolis (January 27 – 29, 2023)

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Jurassic Quest Minneapolis

Jurassic Quest is an indoor family event coming to the Minneapolis Convention Center January 27 – 29, 2023.

There will be many life-size animatronic dinosaurs, and you can get discounted tickets right now on Groupon!

My kids love dinosaurs, which is why our family went to Discover the Dinosaurs at the Minneapolis Convention Center a few years ago. As I shared a while back, it was pricey but fun. The event was in a big space at the Minneapolis Convention Center (same place again this year) and there were a ton of life-like dinosaurs and displays that were both interesting and educational. We all enjoyed it – kids and adults alike – and we spent 2-3 hours there. [Read more…]

Home Chef – Save 75% Off Your First Box

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Home Chef Groupon

Home Chef is offering a fabulous deal right now – Save 75% off your first home-delivered meal kit boxes!

Plus you’ll save 60% off your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

This is the best deal I’ve seen.

Meals are priced as low as $2.49 a serving, depending on the current menu and options.

To get the maximum discount, choose 2 people, 3 meals per week.

You can customize everything and even skip weeks. They even have options for no-prep recipes.

Check out the deal here!

About Home Chef:

A few years ago we tried out Home Chef, a meal kit delivery subscription service, and shared our experience here. We really liked it, the food was simple to prepare and delicious, and in the past few years, Home Chef has become really popular.

It has especially become popular now, with families cooking meals at home more to save money. And what is more appealing than having not just food but delicious meal kits delivered right to your home?

And right now you can save 75% on your first order! This is a special deal you can only get for a limited time.

Home Chef Tacos

[Read more…]

32 No Spend Family Winter Activities (Free Printable List!)

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What to do when it’s winter and your kids are bored?

It can be easy as a family to just hibernate and spend all day on digital devices, but there’s so much everyone can do that’s fun and is FREE.

Here are 32 FREE “No Spend” Family Winter Activities and a FREE list you can print!

TCFM No Spend Winter Activities

There are tons of FREE ideas and more information about each idea below.

PRINT this list here!

Here are the details!

32 No Spend Family Winter Activities

1.Build a Snowman

Do you want to build a snowman? Be like Anna from Disney’s Frozen and get outside and build Olaf or Frosty!

[Read more…]

Family Guide to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival 2023 (Jan 26 – Feb 5)

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saint paul winter carnival

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is back in-person this year with tons of free events for everyone!

Saint Paul Winter Carnival Drive Thru

The 2023 Saint Paul Winter Carnival, known as “The “Coolest Celebration on Earth,” starts Thursday, January 26th and lasts through Sunday, February 5th.

Most events are free and open to the public. However, some require a fee which will support the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and its mission to continue to produce cool and legendary events.

Most events will take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Rice Park and Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

There are SO many events – snow sculptures, a cat show, a minecraft event, parades, and even fireworks!

And there are a TON of FREE family events (thanks to many sponsors), making me give it a high-five for frugal family-friendliness!

Here is a list of highlighted events! (Note there are many more on their website, and all are subject to change.)

2023 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Events

snowpark

Ongoing!

Activities galore! The Saint Paul Winter Carnival has activities in downtown Saint Paul, Rice Park (109 W 4th St.), the Landmark Center, and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. There will be activities, food vendors, and merchandise for sale. 

Rice Park Stage: Daily
Rice Park, Entertainment Schedule Varies
An array of local entertainers performing a variety of musical styles will take to the stage throughout Carnival. Visit wintercarnival.com for the complete schedule.

Warming House: Daily
Landmark Plaza, Market Street & 5th Street
Stay warm in this heated tent that’s even bigger this year! Enjoy assorted craft beers, hard ciders and seltzers, our own Northern Soda Flavor (Vanilla Creme Soda), Bailey’s and Cocoa or Coffee, mulled wine. There will be live entertainment from local musicians and DJs on the stage. 

CynCity Walking Tours: Throughout Carnival
Downtown Saint Paul, Dates and Times Vary.
Stroll through skyways, inside buildings and along streets as CynCity Tours serves up gangsters, haunts, and history in the heart of downtown Saint Paul throughout the Winter Carnival. Check schedule at cyncitytours.com

[Read more…]

Free JCPenney Kids Zone “Penguin Pillow” Craft on Saturday, January 14th

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jcpenney kids zone penguin JCPenney offers free kids events at their stores every second Saturday of the month!  

This month, on Saturday, January 14th from 11:00am – 12:00pm, your kids can pick up a free “Penguin Pillow” craft! This is a pick up and take home craft. All kids receive:

  • Fun, free craft
  • Special ID badge
  • Lanyard and collector’s pin
  • Collect 6 pins and earn a Project Master medallion

Plus, all parents receive a one-day 10% coupon they can use with other coupons.  Win-win! There are JCPenney locations in Roseville, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Burnsville and more areas in the metro.

Check out their website for more info. I also recommend checking before going to a store if it’s participating.

Take a Kid Ice Fishing & Fish for Free in Minnesota January 14 – 16, 2023

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This weekend, January 14- 16 – coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend – it’s Take A Kid Ice Fishing Weekend!

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are encouraging families to try out ice fishing together – for free!

Minnesota residents can fish or spear fish for free when accompanied by a child age 15 or under.

Kids are always free but this weekend, adults are free too when they take a kid fishing with them.

Learn about fishing basics, check regulations and find places to fish using LakeFinder at Fish Minnesota.

Trout fishing is also an option for the weekend. A trout stamp is only required to fish for trout when an angling license is also required. (Because people fishing with a kid don’t need a license on Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend, the stamp requirement also does not apply.)

Learn more on the DNR website.

Minnesota Monthly Magazine Subscription Deal – $12 for 2 Years

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Minnesota Monthly Magazine has a subscription deal right now – get 2 years for $12!

minnesota monthly

If you love everything Minnesota, you’ll love this magazine. It pretty much covers it all, including travels, outdooors, arts and entertainment, restaurants, lifestyle, shopping, and seasonal activities. 

Your first issue comes in 10 – 14 weeks and then you’ll get 12 issues over the course of 2 years. Note that promotional value expires 90 days after purchase.

Get the deal now!

ANOTHER DEAL:

Also check out these deals for Mpls. St. Paul Magazine -get 1 year for $12, 2 years for $19 or 3 years for $24!

(Disclosure: This post contains links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)

Free Admission to Minnesota State Parks on These 4 Days in 2023

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Free Minnesota Park Days 2021

There are 4 days you can get FREE admission to Minnesota State Parks in 2023!

All 75 Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates!

  • Saturday, February 18
  • Saturday, April 22
  • Saturday, June 10
  • Friday, November 24

Start planning your year and experience all nature has to offer!

Note that the entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours.

Learn more here!

voyageurs national park
Voyageurs National Park

Note also that on five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. 

Here are the days to visit a park for FREE in 2023!

January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 22: First day of National Park Week
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 23: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

There are 5 national parks in Minnesota including Voyageurs National Park in International Falls.

Learn more here.

Want more outdoor fun tips?

Get Outdoors More in Minnesota with the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge!

1000 Hours Outside

Print this FREE Winter Scavenger Hunt!

Free Printable Winter Scavenger Hunt