Minneapolis/St. Paul Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Fun activities for kids?
My sister has been taking care of two boys all summer (5 and 8 years old). She went back to school, and I am taking over for her Monday-Wednesday and I need some fun activity ideas.
Thanks 
Re: Fun activities for kids?
Take them to the zoo or a pool. Even just taking them to a local park for a few hours would be fun. Anything outside weather permitting, is good for kids.
A trip to the library if it's raining.
Science Museum! Or the Children's Museum, but not sure if they're creeping too high in the age bracket for that.
Day-time Twins game? I agree on the zoo/pool/library ideas too
Our big girl, Cora, and our sneaky kitty, Roxy
Depending on where you are, there are lots of things to do! I've been a nanny in S. Mpls for the last 3 years, and here are some things I like to do wih the kids:
Edinborough Park- it's an indoor park with ball pits, slides, a gym, etc. near Southdale Mall in Edina
Wild Rumpus- Cute book store with animals roaming about for adolescents located in Linden Hills
Como Zoo- who doesn't love a free zoo?
French Regional Park- Has a really cool climbing play area for kids made out of cargo nets (off of 494 in Plymouth)
Hyland Park- also has a really cool climbing structure for kids (in Bloomington)
Go to the library and then hit up the local coffee shop for hot chocolate to drink while you read the books
Walk/bike around the lakes
Take them to the park
Children's Museum in St. Paul
Science Museum in St. Paul
Underwater Adventures (MOA)
Apple Orchard
These boys are about the same ages as my nephews (nephews are 8 and one month shy of 5). Here are some things they love to do when I babysit:
puzzles - I picked up a bunch of jigsaw puzzles at Goodwill and they are entertained by them for hours.
"nature walks" - if there's a nature center or a wooded park nearby, they love to walk around and collect acorns, cool leaves, sticks, pinecones, etc. Sometimes I make it into a scavenger hunt, where there's a list of items they have to find and once they find everything on the list, they get a treat. And since they're boys, there are usually some bugs, toads and other creatures they want to bring home too :-)
the library - there are usually some organized kids events there during the week so check in advance to go at the right time
gardening - boys love to dig in the dirt! Have them plant some flowers or a houseplant for mom - the kids have fun doing it and mom thinks it's adorable
baking - maybe not all boys like this, but my nephews love to help in the kitchen to make fun things like cookies. Snickerdoodles are their favorite - I make the dough ahead of time, then roll the dough into balls and they roll them into the cinnamon & sugar. Plus, they get a yummy treat to eat at the end.
Mr. Sammy Dog