10 Things Every Minnesota Kid Did During Summer Vacation

As we start to get into the time of year when kids are wrapping up school, I can't help but think back to those summer vacation days I used to have. From sun-up to sundown, there was always something to do in the neighborhood or with my cousins. How many of these 10 things can you say you did growing up during summer vacation?

Sprinklers, Bikes, and Frogs

Whether it was playing in the sprinklers rather than going to a pool, riding your bike all day long, or catching fish, frogs, or fireflies, growing up in Minnesota was a magical time for many kids. What is your favorite Minnesota memory from growing up? Did we share any of these moments?

Waiting All Day To Go Swimming, Even If the Water Was Freezing

Minnesota kids didn’t care if the lake was 62 degrees. If the sun was out, everyone was jumping off the dock, cannonballing into the water, or being dragged behind a tube until sunset. Did anyone else get blue lips from swimming in the lake WAY too early?

Hearing the Ice Cream Truck From Blocks Away

It was a short soundtrack to knowing summer was here. The ice cream truck. The sound instantly triggered chaos. Kids would sprint inside looking for cash or beg parents for a few dollars. What was your go-to? A bomb pop? The Ninja Turtle with gumball eyes?

Riding Bikes Everywhere Without Telling Anyone Where You Were

This one I feel doesn't happen as much anymore, but it was fairly common that my cousins and I would take off on your bikes in the morning and would be gone for most of the day, often pedalling back home as the sun started to go down. If we were thirsty, we'd just find a hose and take a sip. (Why did the hose water always taste 'better' than a glass of water?)

Catching Frogs, Turtles, or Crayfish at the Lake

If you had the chance to grow up going to a lake regularly, or if you had some water nearby, this was a core memory for many. It felt like every kid became a wildlife expert during the summer. Buckets full of tiny fish, frogs, and crayfish were basically mandatory at cabins and campgrounds.

Living at the Ballpark All Summer Long

Small-town Minnesota summers revolved around the ballpark. Whether you were playing or cashing in by shagging foul balls and redeeming them at the concessions stand, days and nights were spent at the ballpark. Remember the piles of sunflower seeds?

Running Through Sprinklers Instead of Going to a Waterpark

Not every family had access to pools or fancy waterparks, but we all had that one sprinkler, or some tarp and dish soap for a DIY slip 'n slide. That was enough for hours and hours of entertainment on a summer afternoon.

Hearing Parents Yell “Close the Door, You’re Letting the AC Out!”

It was always Dad, too. "I'm not paying to cool the outdoors," or my grandpa's favorite was "Were you born in a barn? Close the door." BTW: As an adult now, I can see why they had that reaction.

Spending Entire Days at the County Fair

The county fair was basically summer’s Super Bowl. From riding some sketchy rides to spending your summer savings on carnival games and mini-donuts. It was the place you might have had your first 'girl' or 'boy' friend, it was a week of late nights and early mornings, as you weren't going to miss out on an opportunity to hang out with your friends before school started back up.

Getting Absolutely Tore-Up by Mosquitoes at Night

It sounds like an awkward slow clap around the fire, but it's just people swatting at the hordes of mosquitoes that came out of nowhere to disrupt your perfectly fine evening. The smell of Citronella candles still takes me back to times spent on the deck or by the fire, avoiding the unavoidable bug bites.

Watching Summer Storms Roll In

Whether you were watching from inside the house or sitting out on the porch, there was just something hypnotizing about watching the storms roll in. The distant rumbling of thunder and the occasional flash of lightning after the sun went down were instant cinema for both my dad and me.

How many of these memories do you have?

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