1. Utilizing the Local Library

STEAM centered activities and active story times: These are fun ways to get moving, make learning entertaining, and meet new friends your child’s age. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the libraries here just have so much to offer.

Hobby clubs: No matter your niche; gaming, puzzle making, Lego kit building, and more, there’s probably a club available for your teen to enjoy. If not, with a simple ask and some coordination, you’ll be in luck.

Themed events: Being a cool Mom isn’t all about the kids, Dad has to think we’re cool, too, right? My husband had no clue the library offers events in the evenings as well for adults/kids such as concerts, wine tasting, or holiday-centered activities. I’m sharing this with you because it could be just the change of pace you need.

2. Tapping into Your/Your Child’s Inner Creative

ArtWise: They offer classes through the North Dakota Museum of Art as well as artist lunch/meet and greets, a place for creating, and a beautiful gallery of local art in the Columbia Mall you can browse through and even purchase from. My kids like to see the pieces created by kid

Grand Forks Rocks: This is a Facebook page that showcases hand-painted rocks that are both found and hidden around town. Adding to the collection and hiding a few of your own is a fun way to create with purpose and give a smile to an unsuspecting passerby. My kids love both painting and finding and we know lots of friends who collect the rocks they find.

3. Unconventional Ways to Get Out of the House

Thrifting: Grand Forks has so many awesome thrift and consignment shops such as The Arc, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and St. Joseph’s to name a few. If you know me, there’s nothing cooler than a good deal and the kids love checking out all the toys and usually leave with a fun piece of clothing. Kids are pretty easy to please and mine think it’s fun we can come out and play with someone else’s toys and that they can afford to bring home something special with their own money.

PlayIT Multi-Sport Complex: PlayIT has a variety of fun things to do for kids and adults of all ages. Everything from batting cages, golf simulators, basketball courts, to foosball and air hockey. Good competition always brings out the biggest smiles in our house, not to mention Dad enjoys it too because he gets to interact with the kids doing something high energy. I notice these kinds of things always create the best memories for us because we’re just having fun.

Go see a play: Empire Arts Center, Fire Hall Theatre, Northwood Performing Arts Center, Burtness Theatre, Chester Fritz Theatre, and all the local schools offer a variety of shows all throughout the year that are engaging and funny.

4. Grow Your Knowledge

In my opinion, there’s nothing cooler than being informed.

Parenting classes: North Dakota State University Extension Office in Grand Forks offers parenting classes for a variety of things such as positive discipline, how to co-parent, or even just how to ensure you are an active parent in your child’s life. Sometimes it can be easy to just wing it, but it’s so beneficial if you have the time to hear a professional’s perspective and add some extra knowledge in your back pocket when it comes to navigating the highs and lows of parenthood.

SafeKids: Is an organization that works to educate parents and loved ones how to prevent accidental injuries. Accidents happen, but being knowledgeable can prevent a variety of negative outcomes. They offer car seat clinics, teach proper fitting of safety gear for sports and cycling, water safety, and even babysitting classes for a kid who is ready to take on a little more responsibility. It goes without saying anyone with children could benefit from them and almost all of their events are free to attend.

Altru: Offers classes on prenatal health, birthing, and even family dynamics to help you as you transition into parenthood, or just want to get more information.

5. Find a Community

I know for me when I first transitioned out of the military and became a mom, finding mom friends was hard, but once I tapped into a couple of online pages, it was easy to make connections.

Grand Forks Mommas: is an online group that helps facilitate in-person playdates for littles and meet ups for moms who are looking to get out. It’s nice to do something without the kids sometimes so you’re re-energized and more at ease for them in the long run. They also encourage communications online through various games and selling of secondhand items.

Grand Forks Area Mothers: is a larger online group that fosters connections through engagement. If there’s a question you have, there’s a mom on there with the answer. Being in the know of what’s going on for families has definitely earned me several “cool” points. They also encourage meeting up and finding connections locally.