10 Things to Do During MEA Weekend in the Twin Cities Gateway

Spend MEA weekend in the Twin Cities Gateway! From seasonal outdoor activities to indoor fun, here are 10 kid-friendly things to do.

1. Enjoy spooky fun in the Halloween Capital of the World.

Anoka takes its title as the Halloween Capital very seriously, with a celebration that spans two weekends. This year, plenty of kid-friendly activities are scheduled for MEA weekend, including a children’s costume contest, children’s pumpkin carving contest, and the Light Up the Night Parade through downtown Anoka on Saturday, October 21, 2023 and a medallion hunt on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

2. Appreciate the great outdoors at Springbrook Nature Center.

Get outside at Fridley’s Springbrook Nature Center, which has three miles of hiking trails, floating boardwalks, and diverse habitats and wildlife. Check out the interpretive center to see live snakes, frogs, and other animals, as well as interactive exhibits about nature.

3. Savor fresh apples at Victoria Valley Orchard.

Sample one of the flavors of the season at Victoria Valley Orchard in Shoreview, which grows 21 varieties of apples and sells them on-site. Kids can explore the orchard and may even spot deer, sandhill cranes, or wild turkeys.

4. Burn off some energy at a playground.

Rain or shine, kids can get active at local playgrounds. Shoreview Commons Destination Playground is a brand-new playground for all ages and abilities, with an obstacle course, 50-foot zipline, 20-foot tall treehouse tower, and forest-themed activity area. Inner Active in Mounds View is an all-indoor facility with a large playground, basketball court, and toddler space.

Eagles Nest Indoor Playground in New Brighton features a web tower, quadruple wave slide, walk-on piano keys, tight rope, and more. At Shoreview Community Center Playground, kids can crawl through caves, swing through a jungle, and zoom down a five-level slide.

5. Get in the spooky spirit with Halloween Glow Golf at Lilli Putt.

Throughout October, Lilli Putt in Coon Rapids transforms into a Halloween-themed mini golf course on Friday and Saturday nights, with decorations including jack-o-lanterns, fog machines, and animatronics. (Some decorations may be frightening for younger children, but all ages are welcome.)

6. Go roller skating at Cheap Skate.

Skate along to fun music during open skate at Coon Rapids’ Cheap Skate, with daytime family sessions scheduled during MEA weekend. Roller and in-line skate rentals are available, or you can bring your own.

7. Zip down a waterslide at Tropics Waterpark and Bamboo Bay.

Shoreview’s indoor water park has a fun tropical theme and sections designed for kids of all ages. Bamboo Bay is ideal for kids 10 and under, with a large play structure, slides, sprayers, and buckets. The Tropics Waterpark has a large waterslide and floating creatures to climb on, with a zero-depth entry at Shipwreck Beach along with a boat slide and water walk.

8. Fly high at a trampoline park.

Jump, race, climb, and play at an indoor trampoline park. Urban Air Adventure Park in Coon Rapids offers a climbing wall, dodgeball, a ropes course, and a slam dunk zone. At Zero Gravity Adventure Park in Mounds View, jump into a trampoline foam pit, master the ninja obstacle course, and freestyle in the open jump area.

9. Enjoy a friendly game of bowling.

Bowling is fun for all ages! The Mermaid in Mounds View has kid-friendly balls, bumpers and ramps, and the on-site restaurant has a kid’s menu and delivers laneside. Blaine’s Bowlero features lanes with black lights and video walls. Flaherty’s Arden Bowl in Arden Hills offers open bowling every day and also has an arcade.

10. Play at an indoor entertainment center.

It’s easy to keep kids occupied all day at an entertainment destination. The Fun Lab in Blaine offers attractions including laser tag, an interactive dark ride, virtual reality, a ropes course, and a laser maze. At Grand Slam Family Fun Center in Coon Rapids, there’s a multi-level laser tag arena, a medieval-themed mini golf course, batting cages, bumper cars, and a ninja course.

Conveniently located to Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the ten communities of the Twin Cities Gateway (Anoka, Arden Hills, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, and Shoreview) offer trails and parks, recreational facilities, cultural attractions, and affordable hotels with free parking. Book your stay today!