These mom bloggers take the guesswork out of parenting — and life — in Minneapolis.
There are so many things that parents — as well as babysitters and nannies — can do in the state of Minnesota to keep you and your little ones busy. You can find everything from the world’s largest mall to one of the best State Fairs in the country, and 10,000 lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating. Sometimes, finding the time to hunt for the best family-friendly restaurant or closest indoor park can be time consuming, especially when you have kids demanding your attention.
These Twin Cities bloggers take the guesswork out of finding all the family-friendly places our great state. Their blogs were created by busy parents and local aficionados whose love of all things Minnesota comes through on each post. From indoor adventures during the long winter months to local hot spots to check off your to-see list in the summer, these blogs have you covered.
Twin Cities Mom Blog, by Beth Zustiak
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Two working moms founded Twin Cities Moms Blog, which launched in January 2014 with the goal of providing a centralized resource to Twin Cities parents. Beth’s blog has informational content on everything from parks in your area to the best doughnut shops in the cities. They also break down kid-friendly places to eat — like Yum and Mozza Mia, pediatricians in the area, and they provide education and activity resources, as well as thoughtful parenting articles for moms with kids of all ages.
Beth also includes a handy Neighborhood Guide to connect Twin Cities moms with one another by location, so you can meet other parents in your area. This is great if you are new to the area, a new mom, or are just looking for someone nearby to connect with.
Pocket Your Dollars, by Carrie Rocha
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter
Started by founder Carrie Rocha after paying off and vowing to stay out of debt, this Twin Cities mom is the go-to consumer and money-saving expert in the Minneapolis area. She provides deals, coupons, and money-saving advice for everything from apparel, local restaurants, day care, pet care, and everything in between. She posts weekly coupon and shopping lists for some of the Twin Cities’ largest stores (think Target and HyVee) with easy-to-follow advice on how to save cash at each location.
Rocha’s weekly shopping list is their most popular feature, giving money-saving shopping lists by store based on deals, but she also shares timeless money-saving advice. Online shoppers can also use her cash back site, PYD Rewards, to earn a percentage of cash back when you shop online.
Eater Twin Cities
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Moms definitely need to get out for a night on the town with friends or their significant others every once in awhile. Whether you want to find the hottest new restaurant in town — like Grande Cafe or Bellecour — or locate a specific cuisine in your neighborhood, Eater Twin Cities is your one-stop shop. They also have family-friendly articles and lists for everything from the Twin Cities’ best ice cream shops to kid-friendly nosh spots all over the state.
The site also has a Features section if you are a real foodie or like to cook at home, with articles on the latest trends in food and the what is happening in the food in cities all over the world.
Wit & Delight, by Kate Arends
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Wit and Delight was created in 2008 by Kate Arends, who was working as a graphic designer in Minneapolis. Since that time, she has successfully launched product solutions for nationally renowned brands and local favorites, including Target — where they carry Wit and Delight products, 3M, Fossil, and Red Wing Heritage. Her more than 3.1 million followers look to her for everything from fashion and interior design to travel and relationship advice. She has impeccable style and sound advice on where to shop, eat, and find the best the Twin Cities has to offer.
Kate also has a Parenthood section full of insightful articles about working mothers, birth stories, and the pursuit many mothers feel of trying to have it all. You can shop her kids’ products direct from her site, as well, with adorable options for babies and toddlers.
MinneMama Adventures, by Nicki Brunner
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The founder behind this blog created by mom of three Nicki Brunner was to create a single location for entertainment and adventure spots in the Twin Cities. She has created visual maps and directories, which is a huge time saver when you just want to point to a location and go. Her map also makes it easy if find yourself with a little extra time on your hands in a neighborhood you don’t know very well. Just click on the location pin and go! She even has an area on her blog where parents can submit their own adventures to be added.
She has plenty of indoor and outdoor spots listed, perfect for kids of all ages. From the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America for your little ones to Crystal Caves for older kids, Nicki has easy to find links for every location.