I've been told I'm a know-it-all. Not about everything, but specifically a know-it-all about the Minnesota State Fair. 

I wear that "know-it-all" badge with pride. Because I do know it all. I've gone almost my whole life, I worked there for several years, and I just simply know my way around the grounds like the back of my hand. 

Then I went to the Minnesota State Fair preview event and discovered that I know NOTHING about all the family friendly activities the fair offers. Including attractions that don't involve extra money (looking at you mid/kidway) AND promote learning. 

Math-on-a-Stick

This is a new exhibit this year and is so much fun! As a parent who is not a fan of math, I'm constantly looking for ways to make math fun, because it's just not my thing (but my kids don't need to know that). And this attraction is a great way to make numbers and patterns exciting--especially considering all the competition at the fair for "exciting" things. Stop by the Math-on-a-Stick exhibit in Baldwin Park and make designs and patterns with geometric or reptile-shaped tiles, sort, count, check out a shape or a number book and more! Plus, they have a great interactive numbers game scavenger hunt that once completed you can return for a prize. It's a great place to take a break from all the craziness at the fair and let your kids us stretch those brain muscles a little. 

Alphabet Forest

The Alphabet Forest, also in Baldwin Park, is the place to go for all things letters. Take pictures with Fair Letters, make alphabet necklaces and other crafts, take a book break and so much more. I'm a lover of the written word and we are a family of readers, which makes it all the harder to believe that I didn't know about this area before now. This sad state of affairs will be changing this year. Also, when you stop by, you can pick up a Fabulous Fair Alphabet game card (or download it from the website ahead of time) and look out for words that start with the letters as you walk around the fair. Fill it out and return it for your blue ribbon! Such a fun activity to do as a family as you enjoy your time at the fair.

****Note: If you like scavenger-type hunts like the Alphabet and Number Game, you should check out "Be a Flower Detective" (in the Ag-Hort Building 8/31 & 9/1); "Be a Fine Arts Detective" (Fine Arts Center); and "Moo Booth CSI (Cow Scene Investigation)" in the Cattle Barn.****

Little Farm Hands

Children (ages 3-10) become farm hands at the Little Farm Hands exhibit, experiencing the agricultural process, beginning at the farm and ending at the market. After the children have gone through the stations (little barns) and collected their products, they "sell" them at the farmers market for "cash" to be used at the grocery store where they can buy the finished products. Located on the southwest corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street. 

EquiMania!

Do you have kids that love horses? Do you love horses? Then you should definitely check out the EquiMania! exhibit in the horse barn. There are display stations covering a variety of topics including horse nutrition, behavior, anatomy, horse and farm safety, horse careers and more. 

Barns

One of the highlights of the fair, for me, is going to the barns and checking out all the animals. The kids love it too--and I love that the Fair has stations in the barns to educate the kids on the animals they are seeing. There's the "Moo Booth" in the cattle barn, "Oink Booth" in the swine barn and "Baa Booth" in the sheep barn. 

More awesome kid/family stuff to check out: 

Giant Slide (a tradition for so many families!)

Parade (daily at 2pm)

CHS Miracle of Birth Center

Eco Experience (including the Nature Adventure Play area)

Robot Demonstrations (daily in the Education Building)

Great Big Sandbox (Baldwin Park)

Home Depot (offers kids project daily)

Education Building (see all the finished K-12 projects and maybe enter next year!)

DNR Fish Pond

...and of course, the Mid/Kidway. Plus more...check out the Fair's "Fun Finder" for even more stuff to do! 

Plus, there are costumed characters you can meet at the fair daily, including the State Fair mascots, Fairborne & Fairchild, Curious George & Word Girl, Smokey Bear, and characters from PAW Patrol (make sure to check out the website for exact locations/days, not all are there everyday). 

Couple tips:

*Complimentary Sunscreen is available at all information booths. 

*There are multiple nursing stations located across the fair.

*FREE ID bracelets to help reunite lost kids with their families. Make your first stop when you get to the fair be an information booth and get an ID bracelet for your kids. That way if they get separated from you, your contact information will be on their wrist to make for an easy reunion. 

*Stroller and wagon rental--we use this every year instead of trying to lug a wagon/stroller with--but, just as a FYI, the Park & Ride busses allow strollers on board.

*COME EARLY. Most kid exhibits and the barns open by 8. Plus there are lots of places to get breakfast (and some that serve special items ONLY available for breakfast).

*There's a convenience store (Steichen's Convenience Store) located just north of the Sheep and Poultry Barn where you can find diapers and other supplies you may suddenly find yourself needing.

*And, finally, my biggest tip of all: The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book. Cost: $5. What you get: 150 coupons to food, merchandise and attractions, good all 12 days of the Fair. And not stuff you won't use. So much great stuff. 

Finally, a little treat for you...a friend and fellow blogger is giving away A FREE DAY AT THE FAIR. You read that right. This includes 2 admission tickets, a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, 25 Midway tickets, and 2 ticket to see Patti Labelle and the Commodores! Just go to her blog HERE to see how to enter. I forgot to ask her if I can enter...

Since the theme today was "family" here's a favorite picture of mine--my daughter hanging with my mom at the greatest place on earth. No, not Disneyland--The Minnesota State Fair!

xo Sara

{P.S. Here's part one of this preview: all about the food.}