Getting outside during the summer months is something Minnesotans love to do, and while this summer looks a bit different than what we are used to, there are still plenty of activities to do as a family in the Greater Mankato Area. Keep reading for some of our favorite local activities to try out as a family this summer!
Ney Nature Center Events
For parents with younger children, the Ney Nature Center hosts many events throughout the summer that are super family friendly! Here are some of their upcoming adventures:
- Geocaching for S’mores on Saturday, June 27th at 10am-12pm
- Family Pond Investigation on Sunday, July 12th at 9:30-11:30am
- Foraging Hike on Saturday, August 22nd at 9-11am
Check out the Ney Nature website for a full list of upcoming events, camps, and more!
Play Some Ball
We are lucky to live in an area with dozens of parks available to us that have outdoor recreation fields available for community use. Here are some ideas for where you can play some of your favorite family sports:
- Play basketball at Alexander Park
- Play baseball at Peacepipe Park
- Play pickleball at Tourtellotte Park
- Play tennis at Erlandson Park
- Play volleyball at Highland Park
Pack up a cooler and grab some family and friends to organize a day of sports! We recommend checking out the full list of local parks and their amenities [here] to see exactly what you can do at each location.
Take a Hike or a Bike
If a day of hiking or a long bike ride is more up your alley, there are many trail systems that you should try in the Greater Mankato Area. Check out the local hiking and biking trail map to see these trail types:
- Hiking
- Multi-Use
- Off-Street
- On-Street
You can also reference the City of Mankato Biking Loop Guide to map out your long ride on one of the five local trails!
We hope these ideas inspire you to get your family outside this summer to enjoy some of the fun activities and beautiful scenery that our region has to offer.