Baby Beginnings Class

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Baby Beginnings Class

Date(s)
Starts Friday, January 9, 2026 - 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

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Eve Clarke

Bloomington Public Schools ECFE Licensed Parent Educator
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Join us with your baby to sing, play, and meet other parents with infants. A licensed parent educator will lead songs and games for you and baby as well as research-based parenting topic discussions. A lactation consultant will also be available to support you.

Families can join anytime. All are welcome!

A sliding scale fee chart is available at the registration link to determine your payment level based on the size of your family and your income. You will be able to choose one of these levels during the registration process. No one will be denied participation due to inability to pay. We hope to see you there! 

Early Learning at Washburn

Mystery House Tours at the Pond House

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Mystery House Tours at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, February 28, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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An image of the historic Pond House in winter with a magnifying glass

Examine the 1856 Pond House as a history detective. 

  • What are the mysterious markings on the bricks?
  • Why is the window glass wavy?
  • Why is there a door on every side of the house? 

Answer these and other curious questions to win a detective gadget!

Free program for all ages. No registration required. Drop in any time during the three-hour event. 

blm.mn/pondhouse


Button and String Puzzles and Games at the Pond House

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Button and String Puzzles and Games at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, February 21, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Pond House button and string puzzles graphic 2023

Make a wooden button and string puzzle to take home! Befuddle your family and friends with these pioneer head-scratchers. 

Try unraveling several more string puzzles which will be on display. Then learn to play Cat’s Cradle and other string games that have entertained families for centuries. 

This is a free program and all materials are provided. No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours. 

Hum, Sing or Whistle a Happy Tune at the Pond House

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Hum, Sing or Whistle a Happy Tune at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, February 14, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Man playing a tin whistle musical instrument

Learn to play simple folk tunes like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Muffin Man” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on a kazoo or a tin whistle. Or just sing along! 

Early settlers in Minnesota learned to make their own music. Participants can take home a kazoo or tin whistle with sheet music. Bring the whole family.

No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event. 

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours.

Braid a Mini Rug at the Pond House

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Braid a Mini Rug at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Mini braided rug

Try out this homespun craft while making your own coaster-sized “rug” to take home. 

Choose fabric strips, learn to braid them, then hand stitch your braid into a mini rug. 

Adult assistance needed for children. All materials provided. 

Free program for all ages. No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.  

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours.


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Know Your Three R's at the Pond House

Title

Know Your Three R's at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, January 24, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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One Room Schoolhouse desk, pencil, book, chalkboard

We're turning the historic Pond House into a one-room schoolhouse for a day! 

Explore the "three R's" of learning: 

  • Read from McGuffey’s Eclectic Reader.
  • Use a fountain pen to wRite with.
  • Solve aRithmetic problems on a chalk slate. 

Then compete in an old-fashioned spelling bee, a favorite community event in early Minnesota. 

Bring your family and friends to this free, all ages program! 

No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event. 

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours. 

Spinning Your Wheels at the Pond House

Title

Spinning Your Wheels at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, January 17, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Spinning

Card wool and spin it with a drop spindle, treadle a spinning wheel, and learn about natural dyes from Pauline Bold, an expert in hand spinning. 

Then weave a mug rug or bookmark to take home

Free program for all ages. Materials provided. No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.  

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours.

Whimmy Diddles at the Pond House

Title

Whimmy Diddles at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - 1–4 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Parks and Recreation Department

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Whimmy Diddle 2

Make one of these mysterious mechanical toys to take home and see if your friends can guess how it works! 

The toy originated in southern Appalachia, then traveled west. It has many names including Gee Haw Stick and Whammy Diddle. 

Free program for all ages, but adult supervision needed for childrenNo registration required. Materials provided. Drop in any time during the three-hour event.   

blm.mn/pondhouse


Ask about Pond House tours.

Bloomington City Council approves 2026 budget

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Bloomington City Council approves 2026 budget

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On Monday, December 15, the City Council approved Bloomington’s 2026 property tax levy and general fund budget with a tax levy increase of 6.96%. For a median-valued homeowner that equates to an increase of $124.39 per year, or $2.39 per week. This is a 2.48% reduction from Bloomington’s preliminary tax levy of 9.44%. Bloomington’s approved 2026 property tax levy and budget is also lower than the average preliminary 2026 tax levy increase of Minnesota cities, which is 8.7%.

More than half of the budget increase supports public safety as Bloomington Fire Department transitions to a combined full-time and part-time staffing model. On a larger scale, more than 82% of this budget will go toward the five areas that make up the nuts-and-bolts work of city government: police, fire, public works, parks and recreation, and community development. 

"The level of spending in these vital areas reflects the priorities, values and expectations of Bloomington residents," said Mayor Tim Busse. “The Council’s work on the annual budget is the most important work we do. I believe that the 2026 levy increase reflects the City’s mission to cultivate an enduring and remarkable community where people want to be." 

Residents pay combined taxes to the City, Hennepin County and the school district. The City’s share is roughly one-third of the total property tax bill with the remaining two-thirds going to Hennepin County and Bloomington Public Schools.

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Finance Department

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