November Calendar of Events

Make Your Own Snowshoes

This two-part program will teach you how to lace your own pair of Ojibwa style snowshoes from a kit. All participants must attend the first session to receive their kit. Participants will continue lacing on their own and during the second session on November 28. Reservations required; recommended for ages 12 and up. $85/kit per person, $80/friends of CNC. 12-4pm. Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Tr, Hastings, 651-437-4359.

Monday, November 22

Thanksgiving Turkey

Pre-School Craft Time! Making crafts is a great way to build fine and gross motor skills. Youngsters experience colors, shapes, textures and more through lots of different craft projects. 10:30am. Ages 3-5 with adult. FREE! Zany Brainy, Roseville, 651-635-0067. Edina 612-920-0410. Maple Grove 612-416-2798.

Tuesday, November 23

By the Light of the "White-tail" Moon

Under the bright light of the full moon, hike our trail to discover the secret life of deer. Learn some tracking tips as you roleplay some of their interesting habits. Listen to a Native American legend about deer while you sip a hot beverage. Prepay by November 21. 7-8:30pm. We welcome people of all abilities. Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 E 7th St, Maplewood, for fee cost call 651-738-9383.

Wednesday, November 24

Brio Train World

Little Learner Activity Time! A great way to teach basic concepts like sorting, organizing, catching, ands more. Products like building kits and let's pretend sets make the learning fun! Ages two to four with adult. 10:30am. FREE! Zany Brainy, Roseville 651-635-0067. Edina 612-920-0410. Maple Grove 612-416-2798.

Thursday, November 25

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, gobble, gobble. And cranberries, too! Mark your calendars offto be with friends, loved ones and family. Whether you're into a hectic family feast, out-to-eat, or just into relaxing with a mellow day at home, Minnesota Parent wishes you all a happy holiday with plenty of good-time tradition.

Friday, November 26

Fabulous Fridays!

Zany Brainy is busy on Friday nights. There's something new happening every week - check it out! New video release: We'll show "Muppets in Space" in our Showtime Theater. All ages. 7pm. Zany Brainy, Roseville, 651-635-0067. Edina 612-920-0410. Maple Grove 612-416-2798.

Saturday, November 27

What Happens If...

Learn the how-tos and basics of phonics, classical music and more with games that teach with the press of a button or the turn of a block. For kids ages two and up. FREE! 10am-2pm. Creative Kidstuff, all six stores. 612-927-0653.

Thanksgiving Treats

Edinborough Park's 13th Annual Thanksgiving Treats is a family fun day with free entertainment. Along with face painting and cariacture art, enjoy perfromances by Annette Fragale & Friends (clowns - 11am), the Craig Carlson Show (magic - noon), and The Krissie & Norton Show (1pm). 11am-2pm. Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S, Edina. 612-893-9890.

Sunday, November 28

Winnie the Pooh

Pooh helps kick off the holiday season with the all new video release of "Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving."Join us for other holiday videos, too! All ages. 2pm. FREE! Zany Brainy, Roseville, 651-635-0067. Edina 612-920-0410. Maple Grove 612-416-2798.

Monday, November 29

Happy Hanukkah Storyhour

Learn about the special customs and meaning of Hanukkah, one of the most special times of the year! Ages three and up. FREE! 10am. Barnes and Noble, 2080 Ford Pkwy, St. Paul, 651-690-9443.

Tuesday, November 30

Hanukkah Stories

Board Book Buddies! Youngsters develop vocabulary, hone their language skills and discover new horizons through age-appropriate books. They'll learn that reading is fun, too. Ages four and under. 10:30am. FREE! Zany Brainy, Roseville 651-635-0067. Edina 612-920-0410. Maple Grove 612-416-2798.

Ongoing Calender

ONGOING EXHIBITS

Impressions of Nature

Through December 5

One of America's leading impressionist painters, Frank W. Benson (1862-1951) followed his passion for wildlife in his sporting art. Impressions of Nature: The Wildfowl Art of Frank W. Benson features rarely seen paintings and etchings by this pioneer of American wildlife art. Subjects range from migratory waterfowl and shorebirds to hunting and fishing scenes, as well as a collection of antique shorebird decoys. Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Mpls. Located on the corner of University Ave & 17th Ave SE. Members/free, Adults/$3, Youths age 3-16, students & seniors/$2, Children under 3 & U of M students/staff/faculty are free. Tues-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5. Sunday admission is FREE! 612-624-7083.

Holiday Star Shows

November 19-January 12

Now showing at the Minneapolis Planetarium is A Christmas Present and 'Tis the Season.Special Holidazzle shows of 'Tis the SeasonNovember 26-December 31 at 5:30pm before the parade. Tickets: $3/children 12 and under, $4.50/adults and teens. Minneapolis Planetarium, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. Show dates and times vary; call the Showtime line at 612-630-6150.

The Big Adventure

Through November 7

In this action-packed exhibit, children can explore Adventure Mountainand The Tunnels of Funwhere they climb a six-foot wall of rocks and crawl through dark tunnels. At Out on a Ledge,where they appear to be three stories in the air, kisd move from building to building on a thin beam. Next, they can fly through the air on the Virtual Flyer,a kid-size airplane in which they dodge a flying saucer, hot air balloons, ducks, and mountains! All this and more adventures await kids at The Big Adventure. Ages 1-2/$3.95; 3-59/$5.95. Hours vary. Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 West 7th Street, St. Paul, (651) 225-6001.