Low Cost Activites...

Hi S.,

I'm not sure how far you would want to go, but I take my daughter to Como Conservatory and Zoo in Roseville. It is basically free...they ask for a donation, but you do not have to give one. The conservatory is very pretty but the zoo is the big draw for my daughter. They have lions, a tiger, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, chimps, polar bears etc.
Another free park is Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater (also a bit of a drive for you), but younger kids love it!
I hope this helps,
M.

What about the Como Zoo? It's always free:

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

If you like to take them to beaches. Lebanon Hills is free and has a great beach that isn't overwhelming. There is also other nature stuff you can do there. My kids really enjoy this.

The Dakota County library has free passes to get into many different museums that you check out. It is a first come, first serve, but maybe they have something for nonprofit groups.

For the water park experience without the $ and fear of drowning, there is a great place in St. Louis Park (and a few other suburbs I think) called the Splash Pad. It is free, fenced in, offers shade, bathrooms, and a big park. It would be a bit of a drive but I think worth it!

I belong to the moms club and we are always looking for free/inexpensive activities. We have toured the fire station, Krispy Kreme in apple valley(everyone got a free doughnut), petco in apple valley, rainbow foods in apple valley. Each of these tours were free and the kids loved them. I know you can also set up police station tours. The Eagan movie theater has free movies this summer on Tues/Wed and they have a G and a PG movie running at the same time(10 am). Rosemount has open gym which is free on Mon, Wed, Fri from 9:30-11 during the school year(not sure about summer). Hopefully that gives you a few new ideas. Good luck and thank you for what you do.

The Eagan movie Theater and I think the Inver Grove Heights theater offer FREE movies on certain days of the week, most of the movies are G rated but heck, its FREE and who doesnt love going to the movies.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve (huge playground for ALL ages-well, most anyway)
Como Zoo
Lake Elmo-$5/car load
Blackhawk park in Eagan is great, large playground, lots of grass area for blowing bubbles, picnicing, or flying kites, always offers a walking path.
Apple Valley Community Center has FREE gym time for different ages groups. Visit the website and look for the calendar of events and choose the city newsletter.
Check out www.exploreminnesota.com a list of activities, events, etc.
Thats all I can think of for now, hope that helps.