Are the kids looking for something fun to do and you’ve run out of ideas? Planning family outings and choosing the right activity can be challenging when kids have different interests and they are at different ages. Sometimes the price tag can make a fun activity stressful for parents who paid a big chunk of cash for a couple hours of fun.

The good news for parents is that there are several city-sponsored family programs at public areas and parks that are affordable or free. Here is a look some of the affordable things to do in Minnesota with the kids.

Tamarack Nature Center – 5287 Otter Lake Road, White Bear Township

Enjoy the outdoors and use up some your kid’s energy at the Tamarack Nature Center. It’s a great place for families to walk the center’s trails and explore the nature areas. The center’s Discovery Hollow and Garden costs nothing to see and kids will get to dig in the dirt, feel the stream, create forts out of branches and climb rocks. It will keep the kids entertained and even mom and dad will have fun with some of the programs like planting gardens and insects.

Mall of America – 401 South Avenue, Bloomington

Did you know you check out free family flicks at the mall weekly? The Theatres at Mall of America have three options every week including Saturdays at 10am and Tuesdays at 11:30am. They do a Free Family Flicks and Free Sensory Flicks and families affected by autism will have an environment with more light, less noise and more freedom to move or talk during the show. Tuesdays offers Free Toddler Flicks that includes food for $4.

Midtown Global Market – 920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis

Wee Wednesday takes place Wednesdays at 10:30am at the international marketplace in Midtown. Kids under 5 years old can dance, watch a puppet show, learn to cook and pet live animals.

Finally, don’t miss the playground at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove or The Landing in Shakopee for more affordable fun.