What Kids Really Want to Do on MEA Weekend — Minnesota Edition

My kids have been asking the same question for a few weeks now, “Mom, what are we doing for MEA?”.  Sometimes, that phrase even had a slight, little whine to it.  Another time, I'm pretty sure I saw an eye roll as I said, “I’m not sure”. 

You know what they say, life with teenagers is never dull. 😜

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What Teenagers Really Want To Do During MEA Weekend In Minnesota

I love my kiddos, and they are great kids, but there are some days when I get confused about what to do to help us all have a happy day.  Example, the other day, I said "Good Morning!" to one of the teens when they woke up and apparently that was the end to our happy day.  #momlifewithteenagers

To help calm the crankiness, I decided to just ask my teenagers what they wanted to do for MEA.  After they sent a text to their friends for a few ideas, they sent me a text back with their list...because actually having a conversation is not how we communicate in 2025.  📱

If you are trying to find some fun ideas for your kids over MEA, check out this list that my teens and their friends came up with:

• Mall of America
  • just get them a wristband and stay close (mall rules) but not too close, that would be embarrassing.  (Get directions to the Mall of America here.)

• Swimming
  • In teenage words, this actually means they want to go to a hotel that has a water park.  Great Wolf Lodge by the Mall of America is one of the closer ones and is teenage-approved.  The Wisconsin Dells is a bit of a drive but if you venture over there, I can almost guarantee that you will see a few other Minnesotans hanging out by the pools too.

• Sleep.
  • Need I say more. 

• Really Hard Corn Maze
  • There are quite a few easy and preschool-friendly mazes and activities around but as the kids said, "we are over getting stamps on a piece of paper.  We want to get lost and freak out in the corn for a few seconds.".  Ok.  One great place to make that "lost" scenario happen is out at Northwoods Apple Orchard.  

• Axe Throwing
  • Ok, this is one that I'd do as well.  If you live in Rochester, there is actually a really fun place called Old School Arcade and Axe Throwing.  Get directions here.

If you were thinking of going to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard over MEA weekend, those are great ideas too!  Let them pick out their pumpkin and even find time to do a little bit of carving too.  If you need a few suggestions on places to go, check out the huge list below.

Got any great ideas for families during MEA weekend in Minnesota?

I’d love to hear them! Send me a message on my Facebook page (Jessica On The Radio) or DM me on Instagram.  

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