#12 - Outdoor concert at Bryant Square Park

Minneapolis' Music in the Parks series is perfect for our family right now. The 1-year-old and 4-year-old can play on the playground while mom and dad enjoy the music. We often hang out with the grandparents at one of the shows, as well. It makes a nice night out.

See shows at Bryant Square Park on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Bryant also has a pool and fields, as well as a basketball hoop. I like it when the swings and areas for both preK and over K are right next to each other.

3101 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis

Learn more at http://www.mplsmusicandmovies.com/

Yo Jimbo Jazz

I love the dolphin! It doesn't work as a fountain anymore, but is still fun to climb on.

#32 - Swim at Como Park

This is a great pool, complete with waterslides that kids of all ages (including Pre-K) can go on. There aren't many pools like that. I think it'd also be fun to bring bigger kids and try out the zip line and cliff jumping area. Plus, the cost is less than most places (such as Cacade Bay and Bunker Beach).

Plus, if it rains, your admission is good at the indoor city-run pool just a ways away. (Great River Waterpark at Lexington and 94)

Click here to view a news story I wrote on Como. http://www.monitorsaintpaul.com/affordable-family-fun-at-como/

Click here to view city web site with details on pool hours. http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2672

Aquatic zip line and climbing well

Zero-depth entry

The 25-yard 6-lane lap pool features 2 basketball hoops. My 4-year-old just wanted to jump in and swim to dad.

My 1-year-old loved this area. He fell asleep before I could snap a photo of him there, however!

#30 - Family Reunion in Jamestown, Minn.

We had a great time road-tripping out to Jamestown, N.D. Because the grandparents were with, the hubs and I hopped on the motorcycle for the ride while the kids rode with the grandparents. When taking kids on a road trip, the key is to bring lots of food. At least that works with my kids! When we get to where we're going, they're too busy playing to eat! It all balances out.

While we were out there, we took the opportunity to see the World's Largest Buffalo. The Frontier Museum was tons of fun!

Learn more about the Benson family on my family history blog: http://theycametominnesota.blogspot.com/

The Benson Clan

No outing is complete without ice cream

If you look close, there's a white buffalo out there on the hilltop.

#11 - Outdoor concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell

If you want to catch live, outdoor music in the summer in Minneapolis, your best bet is the Lake Harriet Bandshell. There's a concert there every evening Monday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 5:30 p.m. http://www.mplsmusicandmovies.com

Take a walk, and visit the Rose Garden/Peace Garden to the east of the bandshell. They are gorgeous.

The playground up the hill is tons of fun, with one of the new water features Minneapolis Parks is adding to its playgrounds when it redos them. The only downside is that you can't see the stage from the playground.

If you are too lazy to pack a picnic, you can eat some basic fried food at Bread & Pickle. They also serve beer and wine.

#1 - Fort Snelling

We could have spent all day at Fort Snelling, but we only had so much time before naps. Because we have a Minnesota Historical Society membership and got in free, we didn't feel too much pressure to see everything at Fort Snelling. Instead we took our time and just enjoyed ourselves. Jesse and Josey tried out the stilts, and Josey washed clothes in a wash-tub. I tried on a soldier's hat. We picnicked on the grounds. It was an overcast day, so it didn't get too hot and surprisingly, the place wasn't crowded. We made some great memories.

#38 - If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Oh, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" is a hilarious show! Apparently, youngsters love slapstick (and so do I). I wasn't sure about a show with just three adult male actors portraying a mouse and a boy, but I love the book so off we went. And it was fantastic! I should know that the Minneapolis Children's Theater will never disappoint.

We saw the whole thing from the top row so that I could keep the 13-month-old Boy in his Ergo as it was during his nap time. It wasn't easy for him to fall asleep during the riotous laughter!