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Twin Cities Mom Collective

A Twin Cities Moms’ Guide to the Month of October 2019

A Moms Guide to the Month of October 2019 | Twin Cities Moms Blog

There’s always something to do in the Twin Cities! We’ve worked to help you keep your sanity by bringing these October activities all together in one easy guide so you don’t miss a thing! We’ll update with new additions as they come.

October 5: Celebrate the Harvest – Gale Wood Farms | Watch as border collies and their handlers showcase their skills in the Star of the North Sheepherding Trial, and see which 1,000+ pound pumpkins top the scales at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off. Experience sheep shearing, walk a llama and meet other working animals. Visit the Farm Market and purchase fresh produce to bring home. Check out cooking demos, try your hand at a wool craft and explore the farm on a wagon ride. Food concessions available. Drop in anytime!

October 5: Fall Frenzy at Lakefront Park | 10:30am-1:00pm This is a free event for the whole family to enjoy at Lakefront Park. Activities include a Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, inflatables, pumpkin painting, music with Kidsdance and MORE! Bring cash for Baldy’s Barbeque food truck.

October 5: Fostering is Love Walk | 8:00am-2:00pm Participate in the 2nd Annual Fostering is Love Walk at Mall of America. This is a free event to celebrate foster and adoptive families and raise awareness about the need for more foster families for the 10,500 MN foster children.

October 5: Home Depot Kids Workshop | 9:00am-12:00pm Save the day during Fire & Safety Month and let your imagination soar as you build a fire plane. With a little help, you can learn to use a screwdriver to connect everything you’ll need to become airborne. You’ll be able to attach the wings, landing gear, adjust the tail fin, decorate the propellers with stickers and be ready to fly. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron and a commemorative pin while supplies last.

October 5-6: Afton Apple Orchard Apple Fest | Times Vary Festival includes seasonal activities: hayrides, playground, petting farm, Straw Mountain, Retread Hill, Johnny Combine & concessions.

October 5-6: Rivertown Fall Art Festival | Varies The Rivertown Fall Art Festival has been part of the beautiful and historic Stillwater riverfront for over 30 years. This event will feature high-end artwork ranging from custom made jewelry, hand-thrown pottery & hand-blown glass, to gorgeous paintings, photographs, lovely fiber work, wood and more.

October 6: Stillwater Historic Home Tour | 12:00-5:00pm Once a year a selection of distinguished properties, including private homes and bed & breakfasts, open their doors for the Stillwater Historic Homes Tour. Peek inside ten grand homes and revel in the elegance of Victorian architecture, details, and ambiance. This event directly supports the Washington County Historical Society. Tickets are $25.

October 11: Chairlift Rides | 5:00-9:00pm Ride a chairlift to the top of Mount Gilboa and enjoy the picturesque view from one of the highest elevations in Hennepin County. Look at the Minneapolis skyline through a spotting scope, meet a live raptor, and play lawn games. At sunset, listen to live folk music from Northern Aire, make s’mores by a campfire, and walk down a lantern-lit trail to the bottom of the hill. Food, beverages and s’mores kits available for purchase. No pets allowed.

October 11-13: Saint Paul Art Crawl | Times Vary Schmidt Artist Lofts and the Saint Paul Art Crawl are excited to announce an art exhibition to honor the Indigenous Peoples that have been here, and are still here.

October 12: Burnsville Family Fest | 10:00am-2:00pm Annual event will include: lawn games, airbrush tattoos, inflatables, Plinko for prizes, and more!

October 12: Twin Cities Book Festival | 10:00am-5:00pm The largest one-day book gathering in the region, features hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of presenting authors from near and far, special children’s and youth programming, and endless curiosities for all ages—all in a massive celebration of our vibrant Minnesota literary culture.

October 12: Fall on the Farm | 12:00-3:00pm There’s plenty of fun to be had harvesting the garden, pressing cider, cooking fall goodies in the kitchen, hayrides, and more. Experience what it meant to “put up” for the winter..

October 12: Pumpkins in the Park | 4:00-6:00pm The Shakopee Chamber of Commerce presents Pumpkins in the Park, a non-scary Halloween celebration! Children will enjoy a trick-or-treat trail, face painting, jump houses, fun photos, ghoulish games, and refreshments – plus, they get to choose their very own pumpkin from the Pick-A-Pumpkin Patch.

October 12: Maker Fair Minnesota | 9:00am-4:00pm Visit the 8th Annual Maker Fair Minnesota Handcrafted Artisan event at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter, MN. Enjoy 180+ Handcrafted Artisans plus a dozen food vendors.

October 12-13: Stillwater Harvest Fest | 10:00am-6:00pm Chili cook-off, microbrew tasting, giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin regatta, live music, kids costume parade, seasonal food vendors, kids pumpkin pull, face painting, pie eating contest, and more!

October 12-13:  Farmer Ken and Jan’s Pumpkin Patch | 12:30-4:00pm Take a trolley ride and bring home a Halloween pumpkin. Riders get off the car at the “pumpkin patch” where they can search for just the right pumpkin.

October 12-13: Afton Apple Orchard Apple Fest | Times Vary You and your family can enjoy an old-fashioned hayride, a petting farm, cider pressing demonstrations and so much more!

October 12-13: Red Wing Arts Fall Festival | Times Vary Visit beautiful Red Wing at the peak of fall color and enjoy over 100 fine artists and craft vendors, food trucks, music and more! 

October 17-20: Harvest Days – Oliver Kelley Farm | 10:00am-5:00pm As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, farmers need to get the last of their crops harvested, processed, and stored for the winter. Experience the last days of harvest in a festive work atmosphere on the historic Kelley Farm. At the historic farmstead, visitors can help finish up field work, husk corn, and store produce in the root cellar. Then, help finish the last batches of pickles, make corn husk dolls, or join a quilting bee.

October 18: October Story Hour | 11:00-12:00pm Join Midnight Ball Princess and her quirky Stepsisters for a fun, FREE fall-themed story hour in the Walser Play Area. There will be a kids’ costume parade and a photo op with the characters. Children are welcome to wear their favorite costumes!

October 18: Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt | 7:00-8:30pm Pumpkins are hiding and waiting to be found at Aquatore Park. Children along with their parents, can search the grounds for one pumpkin of their choice, celebrate by dancing under the stars with the family DJ, make a s’more and play glow games. Fee includes a treat bag, one pumpkin, one craft, and refreshments. Come in a costume for the costume contest and bring a flashlight. Registration is required. For kids 10 and under, adults are free.

October 19: Leaf Fest | Enjoy classic Fall family fun at Eagan’s Caponi Art Park’s Leaf Fest! This year they will have a variety of family favorites mixing art and nature in what is sure to be a memorable afternoon! More information about this year’s event will be published when made available.

October 19: Pumpkin Night | 6:00-10:00pm Enchanted trails, costumed characters, fire dancers, DJ with dancing music, 1,000 glowing pumpkins, bonfire, bingo, and stage entertainment.

October 19: Wargo Fall Festival | 2:00-4:00pm Join the fun as we celebrate fall at Wargo Nature Center! We’ll crank up the cider press, play pioneer games, and have self-guided nature activities available for you and your family.

October 20: Villains Halloween Ball | 2:00-4:00pm Your favorite fairytale princesses are throwing a Royal Halloween Ball – but the villains don’t want to be left out of the fun during their favorite season. They crash the ball and prove villains are not so scary—in fact, they can be quite the life of the party! Enjoy a dessert and appetizer buffet, character performances, dance time, costume parade, and more!

October 24: Social Science, Spooky Science | 21+ event for adults! Don your costume, grab a drink, and unleash your inner werewolf, vampire, or zombie at our last ever Social Science. Enjoy some kid-free museum time and help us celebrate the end of Social Science’s great 8-year run!

October 25: Little Goblins Costume Party | 6:30-8:00pm Ghosts, goblins and more! Join us in your favorite costume for a night of fun! We will have a variety of themed carnival games and crafts. Refreshments will be provided and you can even take a photo with our special photo backdrop. Wargo Nature Center staff will be leading a flashlight hike and a look at the stars. Don’t forget your camera! Note: Parents/guardians are encouraged to dress in their favorite costume as well. Please make sure all costumes are family appropriate; no costumes with weapons. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 8 years and younger are welcome. Pre-registration is required.

October 26: The Great Pumpkin Festival at The Shops at West End | 10:00-1:00 This is a FREE Event where you can enjoy Trick or Treating at participating stores and restaurants at The Shops at West End! Kid are encouraged to dress up. Entertainment, music, games and prizes provided by the Twin Cities Road Crew. Bounce House, balloons, crafts and more!

October 26:  Pumpkin Fest | 11:00-3:00pm Free admission to a petting zoo as well as free pumpkins!

October 26: Creatures of the Night | 6:00-8:00pm Go for a night hike and learn how animals have adapted to the night and how darkness can play tricks on our senses. Ages 5 and older.

October 26: Spooky Saturday | Enjoy trick-or-treating, arts-and-craft activities, music, games and climbing in the Prairie Play Zone. Event appropriate for ages 1–10.

Every Saturday in October: Eagan Parkrun | 9:00am This free weekly timed 5K event takes place at Thomas Lake Park.

October 4-6: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend | Times Vary From the 5K, 10K, and 10 Mile to the Marathon itself, there is an event for everyone to enjoy. There are even family events you can sign your kids up for! The 38th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is the most beautiful urban marathon in America – so don’t miss it!

October 5: Fostering is Love Walk | 8:00am-2:00pm Participate in the 2nd Annual Fostering is Love Walk at Mall of America. This is a free event to celebrate foster and adoptive families and raise awareness about the need for more foster families for the 10,500 MN foster children.

October 12: BT5K | 9:00am BT5K Twin Cities is part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s (ABTA) signature Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series. Currently, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with a brain tumor diagnosis. Your support allows the ABTA to fund desperately needed brain tumor research, patient programs and support services.

October 19: Hot Cider Hustle |  This event features a half marathon & 5K. Enjoy a caramel apple and hot apple cider at the finish line!

October 26: Haunted Harriet | Grab your costume and join us at Haunted Harriet for a fun Halloween 5K, 10K and Kids K race event! Come out with your family and enjoy our Halloween-themed event with costumes and prizes at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, MN! Brooks Technical shirts, technical finishers socks and refreshments for all 5K and 10K participants. Short-sleeved Brooks technical shirts and medals for the Kid’s K.

October 26: Monster Dash | 8:30am From the numerous runners who come out to run the race in Halloween costumes of all kinds to the 5K running event in which participants are allowed to bring their dogs along for the race — the “5K-9” run — it’s no wonder that St. Paul’s Team Ortho Monster Dash Half Marathon has seen its number of entrants grow to more than 8,000 runners in the half marathon and 10-mile races alone.

October 26: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K | 8:00am Come together with survivors, caregivers, men and women from all walks of life who are passionate about saving lives from breast cancer. Celebrate your shared efforts. Inspire each other to carry on. And take comfort in the knowledge that because of your dedication, no one walks alone.

October 26: Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon | 8:30am The race starts and finishes at Father Hennepin Park. The race course is beautiful and will feature great views of the Mississippi River and historic sites such as Mill City and the Stone Arch Bridge. Our themed water stops will keep you refreshed and entertained all the way to the finish. Choose 5K, 10K, or half marathon.

October 11-13: Munchkin Market | Times vary Join over 250 families to sell your gently used baby and kid’s items at Ramsey’s premier children’s consignment sale and earn 65-80% of the selling price.  Shoppers will find thousands of pre-loved and new baby and children’s items including clothing (sizes preemie to big kid 14), high chairs, strollers, cribs and nursery furniture, shoes, books, DVDs, and of course toys all at prices 40-90% off retail!  A shopping event parents don’t want to miss! Public shopping hours are 9-4 on Saturday and 9-2 on Sunday.  Many items will be 1/2 price on Sunday.

Sensory Friendly Performance of Spookley the Square Pumpkin at Stages Theatre October 5 | 10:00am Spookley the Square Pumpkin sprouts up this autumn in our JC Studio! When Spookley arrives in the pumpkin patch he is teased by all the other pumpkins because of his odd shape. Even after his new friends—the boisterous spiders Edgar, Allen and Poe—try to convince him to run for the Pick of the Patch contest, Spookley still isn’t sure he has what it takes. However, a threatening storm may just give Spookley the inspiration to discover his own worth. This imaginative puppetry extravaganza filled with memorable music returns this fall to encourage everyone to “dare to be square!

Autism Friendly Early Entry October 13&16 | 9:00-10:00am Head to the Como Zoo during the listed dates for an inclusive experience at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Spend time exploring exhibits, and activities designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Use the “social narrative” and the “create your own visual schedule” to help prepare you for your Autism Friendly Early Entry day.

Sensory Friendly Play at Urban Air Adventure Park  | Select days, see event calendar An event specifically designed for children with Autism and special needs to enjoy time at the park without loud music, flashing lights and to have a lot of fun! See calendar for timing and details.

Sensory Jump Night @ Pump It Up Third Tuesday of Every Month | During this evening event, the play areas are reserved for kids on the autism spectrum and their families. Kids have a great time meeting new friends. Jump, slide and play with sensory-friendly games in a safe and controlled atmosphere.

Sensory-Friendly Story Time Second Thursday of Every Month | 9:30am Story Time will take place before the store opens to the general public. No music until after the store opens…except for the songs we’ll sing together! Small fidget objects will be available for children to hold if they choose. There will be a clear schedule for story time with visual cues. As with all of our storytimes, this is a no judgment zone! We all have unique needs and ways of expressing ourselves, and we at Wild Rumpus welcome and celebrate those differences.

TPT Second Saturdays Sensory-Friendly Hour | Each month TPT opens up our studios in Lowertown St. Paul for a morning of PBS Kids cartoons on the big screen, meet & greets with PBS Kids characters like Daniel Tiger, Sid the Science Kid, and Buddy the Dinosaur, and fun activities like instrument making and carnival games. If that weren’t enough, the SciGirls squad are always on hand with all sorts of STEM-related games and activities to educate your child.

Sensory-Friendly AMC Movies Second and Fourth Saturday of Every Month | Times Vary AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.

Sensory-Friendly Movies at Marcus Theatre October 12 & 19th | 10:30am We understand that sometimes it is difficult or uncomfortable for families with special needs children to attend movies together. Marcus Theatre’s Reel Movies for Reel Needs is a specially designed program to serve families with special needs such as autism or other challenges, who seldom attend movies. Reel Movies for Real Needs creates a welcoming and comfortable environment – lower sound, lights up – where families with children who need accommodations will be able to share the experience of seeing family-friendly films at a theatre. A select first run movie is featured one Saturday each month at a convenient 10:30 AM showtime. 

Story Time Trolley in Stillwater Now-October 27 | Times Vary This event for families includes a short ride on the trolley with an author or storyteller! Your $5 registration includes a token to board the trolley, a discount for 20% off a children’s book the day of the event and a snack after your ride.

Aamodts Apple Farm Fall Fun Now-October 31 | Times Vary Aamodt’s Apple Farm Peak Fall Season Activities may include hay wagon rides, Honeycrisp express kids train, hay bale maze, apple picking, apple goods shop in apple barn, and John Deere tractor trikes. Varies based on harvest season.

October Fright Nights Thursday, Friday, Saturdays all month | Times Vary This October, come see your favorite horror films back on the big screen during out Fright Nights Film Series!

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams September 17-October 20 | Times Vary A whole new kind of circus is coming to town! The rhythm of Ethiopia comes alive as this internationally acclaimed, dream-filled adventure makes its daring Minneapolis debut. Jaws will drop as one amazing feat after another defies gravity and awakens possibility; oh, to be part of the spectacle! It’s an incredible range of high-flying hilarity, hula hooping, death-defying tricks, and ridiculously joy-filled juggling with the music and movement of East Africa.

James and the Giant Peach at Stages Theatre September 20-October 20 | Times Vary Capture the journey of a lifetime as we kick-off our season with one of Roald Dahl’s most heartwarmingly quirky stories. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach and launches a voyage of gigantic proportions. During their cross-ocean travels, James and the peach’s oversized insect residents encounter hunger, sharks and loads of disagreements, and James must learn to use his quick wit to finally land on New York’s Empire State Building. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score from the creative team of The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansenthis adventurous musical about courage and self-discovery will charm one and all.

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Valley Fair September 21-October 27 | During the day, tiny terrors can join Snoopy and the rest of the PEANUTS gang for some not-so-scary Halloween activities for kids at The Great Pumpkin Fest! Enjoy your favorite rides, live entertainment, and great fall activities at The Great Pumpkin Fest.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular October 1-Nov 3 | Times Vary An enchanted forest, nestled in the heart of the Zoo, plays host to this strolling exhibit. The trail features over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins of all different sizes, shapes, and faces creatively carved and displayed from ground to tree-top. A variety of musical vignettes and fog make the perfect backdrop for a special date night or family-friendly fall outing.

Pre K Program at The Works Museum Select Mondays October-May| 9:00am-12:00pm Pre K Mondays feature special activities just for kids ages 3 to 5 and their adult companions. Kids are natural engineers – experience the amazing fun of hands-on engineering together! Encourage your Pre K student to explore his or her curiosity and design, build, and create.

Toddler Tuesdays at MOA Tuesdays | 10:00am-12:00pm Toddler Tuesdays is a program that provides events, free entertainment, and discounts, especially for toddlers. Events include special character appearances, arts and crafts, story time and much more! FREE.

Storytime with Engineer Paul at Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store Tuesdays | 10:00am Engineer Paul hosts a storytime full of songs and smiles. Afterward, enjoy the morning exploring and playing with the various train sets and tables at this fun train store. FREE.

Wee Wednesdays at Midtown Global Market Wednesdays | 10:30am Wee Wednesdays showcase free educational programming, fun crafts, and great meal deals each Wednesday morning at Midtown Global Market!
 Dance with them, experience live puppet theater, learn to cook fun items together in the kitchen, and even pet live animals from the Como Zoo. FREE.

Tots & Trains at Minnesota Transportation Museum 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month | 10am-12pm Explore the Jackson Street Roundhouse & Museum with your little one. Check out their open play area full of train tables. Create a themed craft to take home. Cuddle up and listen to a train-themed story read by one of the museum’s passionate volunteers. Snacks for the kids and coffee for the parents are provided.

Kids at the Castle: Third Friday Playdates (American Swedish Institute) | 9:00 Mark your calendars for the third Friday (and selected Saturdays) of every month for this action-packed kids and family creative playtime. Join us for circle time, storytelling, crafts, visual play, music and movement in the Turnblad Mansion. Suggested for ages 2-5. Adults must accompany children.

Free First Saturdays at Walker Art Center 1st Saturday of every month | 10:00am-3:00pm Free First Saturdays feature free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month, plus performances, games, art-making, and kid’s films from 10 am to 3 pm. Family friendly food options are available or bring something from home to snack on in the lounge or in the garden.

Free Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning Saturdays | 11:00am-3:00pm Ages 3 and up. No reservations necessary.

MIA Family Day 2nd Sunday of every month | Times Vary On the second Sunday of every month, you’ll have a blast making art, going on artful adventures, meeting local musicians, dancers, and storytellers, and more at the Minnesota Institute of Art! FREE.

Three Rivers Park District: FREE Family Fun Days Sundays | 1-3pm Explore through hands-on activities that everyone can enjoy at their own pace. Drop in anytime. Held at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.

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