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Best Bets of the Week for Families

Beach party, magic show and sledding among this week's suggestions.

Posted Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 5:17 am CT

Want to savor winter while it lasts? Go sledding. Want to get into summer as soon as possible? How about a beach party?

When/Where: Feb. 19-21 at the Minnesota Zoo.
Why Go: If you aren’t taking the family on a Caribbean vacation, this may be the next best thing. Events include an indoor sand box, sand art and keeper talks in the Tropics Trail.
Geared Toward: Anyone needing a break from our frigid temps.
Pricing: Free with zoo admission.

When/Where: Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at the in Woodbury.
Why Go: A family friendly magic act that gives you something special to do on a Thursday evening.
Geared Toward: The whole family.
Pricing: Free.

Sledding

When/Where: various locations around the east metro—one of our favorites is Battle Creek Park off of Upper Afton and Winthrop Roads.
Why Go: Get out and enjoy the warmer winter temperatures and try out that new sled the kids got for Christmas. This hill is lit in the evenings so you can even get some after-dinner runs in.
Geared Toward: School-age and older children. A relatively steep slope means you don’t want to send the toddler down by himself.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: Saturday, Feb. 26 from 2-3 p.m. at the Maplewood Nature Center.
Why Go: Teach your kids where the bottle of syrup they use on their pancakes comes from. Tap a tree, taste syrup and learn to identify maple trees. Plus, you can buy supplies to tap your own maple tree.
Geared Toward: 3- to 8-year-olds with an adult.
Pricing: $4 per child.
Register by: Feb. 24.

When/Where: Friday, March 4 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the .
Why Go: Let the preschool set learn all about cardinals through a variety of activities.
Geared Toward: 3- to 6- year olds. (Must be potty-trained)
Pricing: $7 per participant.
Register by: Feb. 25.