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Free Summer Fun for Twin Cities Kids & Families 2020

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free summer fun twin cities kids

Free Summer Fun for Twin Cities Kids & Families 2020

The Twin Cities has so many fun activities and events for kids and families – but did you know that many are FREE?

I’ve shared many of these freebies over the years, but this year was a bit more challenging than previous years of course due to COVID-19.

At the start of summer, there were more cancellations than things happening. But more and more there are new options being added, both in-person and online.

10 Simple Ways to Save Money and Energy at Home

And since we’re all spending more time at home, check out my tips: 10 Simple Ways to Save Money and Energy at Home! And if you’re a Minnesota Energy Resources customer, check out this video for additional ways you can save money!

Here are ideas for FREE summer fun for
kids & families in the Twin Cities 2020!

(NOTE: All of these listings are subject to change. Be sure to check before you make plans or go!)

Indoor and Outdoor Adventures

Kids Bowl Free

Free Bowling – Kids Bowl Free is a national program designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. There are dozens of bowling centers in Minnesota that participate. Just sign up on their website!

[Read more…]

Going on a State Fair Food Hunt! Here’s where to find it in the Twin Cities & beyond

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Minnesota State Fair Food Map
Minnesota State Fair Food Finder Map (created by the Minnesota State Fair Food Finder Facebook group!)

The Minnesota State Fair was cancelled for 2020, but you can still find state fair food throughout the Twin Cities and beyond, all summer long!

I posted about one local vendor on my Facebook page in late May and that’s how I discovered this.

Food vendors have been announcing their locations and hours more and more and I’m adding them to this list as I hear of them!

Plus be sure to check out the Minnesota State Fair Food Finder Facebook group! They also have an awesome food finder map!

Check in advance before you go! This is just my own curated list and I don’t list hours as they change so often. All of these listings are subject to change at any time!

Anoka

Anoka County Fairgrounds:

Taulele Concessions – Corndogs, french fries, cheese curds, various cheeseburgers, bratwurst, polish sausage, hotdogs, beverages

Tom Thumb Donuts – Mini donuts, beverages

Brooklyn Park

Mini Donuts

Located at Fleet Farm Parking Lot
8400 Lakeland Ave N
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Burnsville

MinneSnowii Shave Ice – located outside of Schuler Shoes

921 County Rd 42 W
Burnsville, MN 55306

Coon Rapids

Addie’s Gourmet Donuts and MORE – donuts, cheese curds, boneless wings, chili, lemonade, pickles, corn on the cob (some items are seasonal)

2360 108th Ave NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

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Twin Cities Newspaper Subscription Deals

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Looking for Newspaper Discounts?

Check out my video about my exclusive local newspaper subscription deals and see below for details!

Star Tribune Practically-for-Free Quarantine Special

Star Tribune Sunday

I am excited to announce my new exclusive deals for Star Tribune newspaper subscriptions!

Right now, you can get 13 weeks of Sunday home delivery plus unlimited digital access for only $20.02 – plus you’ll get a gift card in the mail for $19 to either Cub Foods or Menards (your choice)!!!

That means your total cost after gift card is only $1.02, so it’s practically free!

Cub Menards Gift Cards

And the gift card really is a gift card, not a coupon. So you don’t have to spend a minimum amount to use it. It’s literally like cash to use in the store!

This deal is only for new subscribers, meaning you haven’t had an active subscription for the past 30 days.

However, if you are a current subscriber, there are other deals you can sign up for!

Here’s how to get the deal (or another deal if you’re currently a subscriber):

  1. Click on my special link to sign up.
  2. Enter your name and contact information. Make sure you read the subscription terms!
  3. Choose in the drop-down box which $19 gift card you want – Cub Foods or Menards.
  4. Click submit and then call Face to Face Solutions at 651-735-5927 to verify your order and make your payment by phone.  

THEN, here’s what to expect:

  1. You’ll receive your gift card by mail within the next 3 weeks. With the gift card will be a receipt and information about your order.
  2. Your subscription will begin soon.
  3. Toward the end of the 13 weeks, you will get a bill for renewal for the regular price, which will continue unless you call 612-673-4343 to cancel. At this point, do one of two things – pay the invoice or call to stop at the end of the offer.

If you live OUTSIDE the Twin Cities metro area:

If you live outside the 13-county metro area, your cost will be slightly higher. It will be $26.52 instead of $20.02. You will still get a gift card. Be sure to check the appropriate box.

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5 Reasons to Pick Up the Free Food from Your Child’s School District

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free school food

I previously shared a guide to finding free meals for your kids and family in Minnesota during this time of quarantine. A major source of this food is school districts around the state and nation. We’ve been picking up this free food since shortly after it started.

The above picture shows a sampling of what my kids get from their school. I drive up and am given a paper bag with food for each child. Typically they just put it directly in my trunk, no questions asked (other than “For how many kids?”). The food is different every week, but always includes main entrees, fruits, vegetables, snacks and milk. There are also treats – today they got cookies!

The food is distributed twice a week in our district, but it’s enough to last a week. Other districts have pickup every day or at set times during the week. There are also ways to get the food dropped off near your home by bus, which some districts are offering.

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Coronavirus Financial Relief & Resources for Minnesota Families

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Coronavirus Relief and Resources for Minnesota Families

Coronavirus Financial Relief & Resources for Minnesota Families

*Be sure to check back for updates as more resources are added*

The Coronavirus has affected all of us, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months.

Many families are struggling financially because of decreased work and pay, while many others are looking for help caring and educating their kids at home due to schools closing for weeks.

Stores are bare – not just toilet paper bare, but eggs, meat and other staples are often wiped out. (Tip: To get toilet paper, go to a store like Cub or Aldi when it first opens in the morning!)

But there’s good news! Some companies are stepping up to provide free help to get through this time, and there are many new resources popping up every day.

Here is a roundup of what I’ve found so far – though I will update this as it grows. Please share any more that I should add to this list, and JOIN THE DISCUSSIONS on my Facebook page and in my group, Minnesota Money-Saving Moms!

Information and Resources

Cancellations – A list of cancellations in the Twin Cities that is being updated daily.

Center for Disease Control – Latest guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Minnesota Department of Health · Situation Update for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-10).

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance – If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits. You can also qualify if you can’t work due to lack of child care. Be sure to apply online vs. by phone if you can.

MNsure – If your employment changes, you could qualify for free or reduced-cost health insurance.

Facebook groups

There are a lot of helpful discussions happening right now in these groups, and many resources are being shared as they become available.

Helping Hands MN – People sharing items with others in need. Post what you need and what you can share.

MN Parents of K-12 Covid-19 Support – A new (and quickly growing) Facebook group for Minnesota families.

Minnesota Resource Connection – People sharing local resources for food, housing and more.

Minnesota Money-Saving Moms – My group of 1200+ budget-minded moms around the state.

[Read more…]

Kids Bowl Free – 2 Free Games for Kids Every Day All Summer Long!

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It’s March, and we’ve had some warm days that have been making me think more and more of summer.

(July 2020 update – Yes, many bowling centers are open and are still participating in Kids Bowl Free! Check the KidsBowlFree.com website or with the bowling centers nearest you.)

I know many things including camps are already enrolling for the summer, but if you’re looking for free fun for your kids this summer too, sign them up for FREE bowling at KidsBowlFree.com!

Kids Bowl Free is a program designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Select schools and bowling centers around the country participate each year, including dozens in Minnesota! Here is a screenshot of most of them:

Yes – this is a real deal!

It’s simple – just register (for free) on their website by clicking on your state, then choose the bowling center that’s most convenient for your kids. Then you’ll fill out information and coupons will be emailed to your email address. Only parents can register kids, and only one bowling center can be chosen per account. Each bowling center has its own age limit for kids to be eligible.

There is also a family pass you can purchase which has been available for as low as $29.95. The family pass covers up to 4 adult family members, so adults can bowl with their kids, too!

In most cases, standard shoe rental fees apply.

Over 21 million kids have participated so far. Definitely worth signing up for some free fun for your kids this summer!

Free Valleyfair Pre-K Pass for 2020 for Children Ages 3-5 (Now Available)

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Valleyfair Pre-K Pass

Families with preschoolers, register for this now!

The FREE Valleyfair Pre-K Pass for 2020 is now available! With this pass your 3 – 5 year-old can get in to Valleyfair and Soak City for FREE during the 2020 season.

Register online by June 21, 2020. Then bring your child to the park to activate their pass by June 28, 2020! Your child must be present and proof of age (original or copy of birth certificate or travel passport) will be required.

Note that kids must be age 3 – 5 at the time of activation, so for example, if your child is 5, be sure to register and activate their pass before they turn 6.

Valleyfair Pre-K Pass

If you had the Pre-K Pass last year, you can now renew online!

(Note: Adults need to buy their own passes. Check my site regularly for any discounts I find!)

Valleyfair started offering this pass in 2017 and it’s been super popular so don’t miss out!

Black Friday Price Comparison Sheet 2019

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Black Friday Price Comparison Sheet 2019

Black Friday deals are here!

Navigating all the Black Friday deals can be so overwhelming (especially since some are starting now!). That’s why I’m excited to offer a Black Friday Price Comparison Sheet for you, which will be updated regularly!

Some tips:

  • To open in a new window, click here.
  • Use “CTRL F” and type in a keyword (aka: iPad) to quickly find what you’re looking for on this huge spreadsheet!
  • Depending on your screen size, you may need to scroll side to side to see the prices and content on the right side of the spreadsheet.
  • NOTE: This is a NATIONAL list, so some stores like BJ’s may not be available near you. Most including Best Buy, Five Below, Walmart and Costco have locations in the Twin Cities area.

To open in a new window click here.

TIPS:

  • Black Friday & Cyber Monday are always the best days for toy deals
  • A toy that’s at least 50% on Black Friday is most likely not going to get cheaper during the holiday season
  • Towels and sheets are at unbeatably low prices right now (for example, $2.99 bath towels at JCPenney, regularly $10)

When do stores open?

Most have not announced their hours yet for 2019.

THESE WERE LAST YEAR’S HOURS – to be updated for 2019:

Open on Thanksgiving (in 2018):

6am   KMart

7am   Big Lots

8am  Walgreens

2pm  JcPenney
Shopko

4pm  Old Navy
GameStop

5pm  
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
Macy’s
Target
Kohl’s
Gordmans

6pm  Walmart
Sears
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Five Below
Michael’s
ULTA

Stores Closed on Thanksgiving (in 2018) include:

Ace Hardware
Ann Taylor
Barnes & Noble
Burlington
Cost Plus World Market
DSW
Hobby Lobby
IKEA
The Home Depot
Marshalls
Menards
Office Depot/Office Max
Sportsman’s Warehouse
Staples

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you.)

Discounted Tickets for Disney on Ice “Worlds of Enchantment” in St. Paul December 5-8

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UPDATE: This deal is no longer available.

Disney on Ice is coming back to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul from Thursday, December 5th – Sunday, December 8th, and there are discounted tickets right now from Groupon!

About “Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment”

Enter the dazzling world of Disney magic, LIVE ON ICE! Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories at_ Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment_. Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar’s Cars race across the ice! Dive into adventure with Ariel and The Little Mermaid’s undersea kingdom. The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from Sunnyside Daycare and race for home in their most daring adventure! Plus, enter the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love comes from within. From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.

Discounted Tickets

Get 27% off tickets in select sections right now from Groupon!

Get tickets from $24 each (regularly $32.01 each).

Thursday, December 5th at 7:00pm
Friday, December 6th at 10:00am
Sunday, December 8th at 7:00pm

CHECK AVAILABILITY!

There are other shows but the Groupon discounts aren’t currently available for them. Visit the Disney on Ice website for more shows and information.

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

Discounted Minnesota Renaissance Festival Tickets 2019

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Discounted Minnesota Renaissance Festival Tickets 2019!

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee takes place weekends August 17th through September 29th, and you can get discounted tickets now including from Groupon! (UPDATE 9/28/19: Groupon deal no longer available.)

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Regular prices are:

Adults $24.95
Senior $22.95
Child $15.95 (ages 5-12)

Note that children 4 and under are FREE.

GET DISCOUNTED TICKETS!

(UPDATE 9/28/19: Groupon deal no longer available.) Groupon has a deal for 12 – 20% off tickets which are valid throughout the 2019 season!

General adult admission: $21.95 (regularly $24.95)

General child admission: $13.50 (regularly $15.95)

General admission for family of four: $64.50 (regularly $80.90) – This is the best deal

(UPDATE 9/28/19: Groupon deal no longer available. See below for other ways to save.)

NOTE THAT THIS DEAL CAN END OR CHANGE AT ANY TIME!

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