1. Sky Vu Drive-In

Sky Vu is an outdoor, drive-in movie theatre a short drive from Grand Forks! They always have yummy snacks and candies not found at some other movie theaters, like hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels – which is Jonas’s favorite part. Mairi loves that the staff are always so  nice, and if you bring a sharpie you can write and/or draw something in the bathroom. When you visit, they have their own radio station that streams the movie’s audio, so you can listen to the movie from inside the car! Sky Vu is one of the best places to sit and enjoy a movie in a car or out in nature. You can look on their website to find movie schedules and showings.

2. Riverside Pool

Riverside is an awesome pool with a slide, two diving boards, swimming lessons, and a baby pool, so it’s a good place for all ages to go swimming. In the summertime, your parents can sign you up for swimming lessons through the Grand Forks Park District. We think the diving boards are so cool and like making up fancy jumps and dives! Our little brother loves splashing and running in the baby pool. In the summer they also sell snacks! It is located within Riverside Park, so when you’re done swimming you can enjoy the park, too!

3. ArtWise Art Show

ArtWise is an art show filled with art from Grand Forks elementary schoolers. This year, it took over many shops in the Grand Cities Mall and artwork from hundreds of students were hung on the walls. It’s really fun to find our artwork and see others’ creations. There are so many stands led by artists where you can make fun arts and crafts. There are also performances from local dance studios, choirs, and more. Jonas’s favorite thing to do at ArtWise is making felt puppets. Mairi likes seeing all of her friends’ artwork, and having her friends see hers.

4. Fishing at Ryan Lake

Ryan Lake is a human-made lake that is within city limits – near South Middle School. There is a playground, bike paths, big hills to climb, and the lake, of course. Each spring, the lake is stocked with fish and kids can fish off the docks. We always do catch and release.

Jonas’s favorite thing to do at Ryan Lake is have a picnic by the hills. Mairi likes rolling down the hills and racing her brothers.

5. Splash in puddles

Splashing in puddles is not an official thing led by the Grand Forks community,   but it’s still fun! Just pull up your rain boots and coat (and maybe your umbrella) and start jumpin’. Jonas does his best to get dirty and Mairi jumps as hard as she can to see how high her splashes will go.

6. Sertoma Park

Sertoma Park has a fun, colorful playground with awesome playground equipment. Sertoma offers playground equipment accessible for kids with disabilities – it’s called Ali’s Boundless Playground because a young girl in Grand Forks wanted to make sure everyone could play. There is a creek, a  fairy door, a bridge, a hiking trail, and a perfect spot for a picnic. Jonas’s favorite thing to do at Sertoma is go to the creek. Mairi likes going to the little “island” in the middle of the lake. The only way to get there is finding the right rocks to step on behind all the greenery. (There are also tadpoles there in spring!)

7. Northern Air Family Fun Center

Northern Air is a fun place to go to with so many things to do we can’t even put them all into a list. They have virtual reality games, a ball pit, laser tag, trampolines, a fun train for little kids, axe throwing for adults, and bouncy houses. Mairi likes the trampoline area, where you can literally bounce off the walls! You get to wear fun yellow Northern Air socks when you’re there, too. They also have snacks and ice cream – which we all know makes every experience better.

8. Recital Season

Recital season is fun for us because there are so many fun things to see and do. Mairi and Jonas are both in Grand Cities Children’s Choir (GCCC). Mairi is in Accordo Voce, and Jonas is in Poco Voce. GCCC is a great program that unites Grand Forks youth in song! We love it. We also have instrument recitals in the spring. Jonas takes violin lessons at Arioso and loves to play for family and friends at his violin recitals. Mairi likes her school band recitals. She plays the trumpet and likes it a lot! We’ve both been students at Nancy Pasley Ballet School and they have a huge spring recital at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. There are many great dance schools in Grand Forks, including North Dakota Ballet Company and Dance, Etc.!

9. Grand Forks Rocks

Grand Forks Rocks is a Facebook group and a city-wide game. People from all over town paint and hide rocks. If you think it sounds boring, just wait to see all the amazing rocks and hiding places. You’d be surprised at how many you could find! You can paint anything you want, whatever size of a rock, and whenever you want! If you find a rock, take a picture and post it on the GF Rocks Facebook group! You can keep the rock or hide it again – it’s up to you. Hiding rocks is a great way to interact with other people while socially distancing, too.

10. UND Art Camps

UND Art Camps help kids learn about many kinds of art from professional artists in the spring and summer. Jonas attended puppet camp taught by Sheila Dalgleish. He learned how to make different kinds of puppets, had lunch outside, and had a puppet parade. Mairi attended pottery camp taught by Guillermo Guardia.  UND art camp is offered by the North Dakota Museum of Art on the UND campus. On the last day of camp, you all watch a presentation with pictures of everyone making art! The whole experience is really fun, and you could make a lot of friends along the way. NDMOA also hosts weekend family days where you can bring your parents to make art with you!