Confession: We don't take our kids to the State Fair. It's like breaking all of the rules of being a Minnesotan, but my kids are convinced the fair is just for grown-ups. The other day our 9-year-old asked for us to please bring him some Sweet Martha's Cookies when we go to the fair? Consider it done, kid.
So while I don't bring my kids to the fair, I know plenty of people who do. And if you're one of them, I've got three things you're going to want to do with your kids this year.
1. Slather on that sunscreen (free this year at the fair!) and ID your kids. New this year at the fair you can go to any guest services booth and they will provide identification bracelets for kids. There will be lots and lots of people at the fair and this is just one way to help your child if they get seperated or lost from you. It happens.
2. Math on a Stick and/ or Alphabet Forest. Alphabet Forest has been around for a few years and parents have raved about how fun it is for kids to make their name into a necklace, or work on letter identification and reading. But new this year is Math on a Stick, which is a similar program. Making math and number identification at the fair fun.
3. Little Farm Hands. This is a totally free hands-on exploratory agricultural exhibit at the fair. Your kids will have the opportunity to try out being a little farm hand and earn "cash" they can spend in the Little Farm Hands store on things like apples, milk, cereal.
4. Create a tradition by going on the Giant Slide ($2.50/person) or taking the Sky Ride across the fair grounds ($4/rider).
5. Try a new food. There are lots of new foods being debuted at the fair this year but my top two recommedations are the Totcho's, which are available at Boulevard Grill at the west end of the Coliseum, and the brand-new Salted Carmel Puff malt at the Dairy Barn. Both of these are things you can share with the whole family.
Most of all plan ahead. Buy your tickets and the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book at participating Cub Foods stores a head of time to save on admission. You can also download the State Fair's interactive app to make plans as you go and here are a few local bloggers who have ideas and suggestions of things to do at the fair too:
Do you take your kids to the fair? What is your must do activity?
Going to Wolves or Twins tonight? How to get there (and maybe avoid traffic).
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