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! 

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

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. 

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.

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.

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

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. 

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.

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 children. No registration required. Materials provided. Drop in any time during the three-hour event.   

blm.mn/pondhouse

Ask about Pond House tours.

Visit the City's online agenda management system to view the agenda and minutes for this meeting as they become available.