OCTOBER 2026
Ac t i v i t i es
COMPLIMENTARY
E v e n ts
Fun!
Volume 02 / Issue 10
October 2026
Meet Fargo Magazine is published 12 times a year and is free. Copies are available at more than 500 Fargo-Moorhead locations and digitally at meetfargo.com.
Publisher EDITORIAL Editorial Team Lead Art Director Editorial Graphic Designer Contributors INTERACTIVE Director of Performance Marketing Director of Creative Strategies Web Project Manager Senior Graphic Designer Director of Web Operations Director of Agency Social Media Senior Digital Advertising Specialist ADVERTISING VP of Business Development Sales Representative
Mike Dragosavich Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Kim Cowles Ty Betts Amanda Frost, Folkways and Ashley Morken, Unglued Kellen Feeney Megan Suedbeck Matthew Haire Sarah Cabler Sara Jentink Mhairi Christopherson Tammy Fogle Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Digital Sales Representative
Abby Schauer Abby@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Senior Digital Advertising Specialist
Matt Purpur Matt@SpotlightMediaFargo.com
Director of New Market Sales & Expansion Client Relations Director of Client Success Marketing Admin Accounting Specialist DISTRIBUTION Delivery
Cooper Opheim Cooper@spotlightmediafargo.com ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Jessica Ventzke Tyler Duclos Missy Roberts John Stuber
Meet Fargo is published by Spotlight, LLC. Copyright 2026 Meet Fargo and meetfargo.com. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Meet Fargo and Spotlight, LLC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. Spotlight, LLC accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.
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FROMTHEEDITOR
I don’t have kids, but I care about whether our community is a good place to raise them. That question belongs to more than parents. It belongs to employers deciding how much flexibility to offer, neighbors looking out for one another, and businesses thinking about who feels welcome when they walk through the door. It belongs to anyone who wants the next generation to feel connected to this place.
Putting together our Parents’ Guide is a reminder of how many people have a role in that work. Parents make the decisions, handle the logistics, and navigate challenges the rest of us might never notice. But they shouldn’t have to find every answer on their own. Sometimes, support means connecting with the right professional. Sometimes, it means finding an activity a child enjoys. And sometimes, it’s knowing where to take everyone
for dinner without stretching the budget. Our goal with this issue is to make a few of those searches easier. We want these pages to introduce you to useful resources, help you discover local options, and give you something worth saving for the moment you need it. Not every story will apply to every family. That’s the point: Families have different needs, and a helpful guide should make room for them.
For those of us without children, there’s an opportunity to better understand what our friends, coworkers, and neighbors are balancing, and to consider how we can help. I’ll leave the parenting advice to people with more experience. But I hope this issue helps you find a useful contact, a new idea, or one less thing to figure out alone. A good place to raise a family takes people willing to show up for families. That’s a community worth investing in, whether you have children or not.
Brady Drake Meet Fargo Editor
TABLEOFCONTENTS
MEET FARGO // OCTOBER 2026
Partner Content: 2 Floor To Ceiling: How Do I Choose The Right Window Coverings?
18 Valley Christian Counseling & Wellness:
Healing for the Whole Person. Care for the Whole Family.
22 Simply You Clinic: [For Mom] / [For Dad] 24 The Home Authority: How Do You Make
Your Basement Everyone’s Favorite Room?
26 Magnifi Financial: From the First Piggy
41
56
Bank to the First Set of House Keys
30 Encompass Family Support: Wondering About Your Child’s Development?
32 Self Storage Solutions: Make Room for the Life You Actually Live
34 Vita Roofing:
Answering Your Roofing Questions!
Parents’ Picks:
70
70 94
36 Catholic Charities ND 39 DJ Colter 41 Twin Cities Gateway Tourism 46 Self Storage Solutions 48 Nexus Family Healing 50 Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery 52 Dakota Adult & Pediatric Psychiatry
The Parents’ Guide 56 Activities For Every Age 70 Second Shot At Invention 78 The Fargo-Moorhead Parents’ Guide Fall & Winter Event Calendar 94 Kids Eat Free
104
108
100 Meet the Maker: Mahto Creations 104 Folkways: Building Community for Growing Kids 108 Care Beyond The Clock
MEET OUR TEAM AT
LEARN MORE ABOUT US AT SPOTLIGHTMEDIAFARGO.COM
Healing for the Whole Person. Care for the Whole Family. VALLEY CHRISTIAN COUNSELING & WELLNESS At Valley Christian Counseling & Wellness’s new Hulbert Children’s Center, helping a child grow might involve a climbing wall, a therapeutic swing, or learning to make a bed. Each offers a different opportunity to build skills and confidence in a space designed around children’s needs. Opened in 2026 in Fargo’s former Chuck E. Cheese building, the center reflects Valley’s commitment to caring for the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. A therapy gym provides room for movement and exploration, while a simulated life-skills apartment allows children to practice everyday tasks, including folding laundry and making a bed, in a supportive environment. Play therapy rooms offer additional opportunities for connection and growth. Parents have a place to recharge, too. The Still Waters Parent Lounge includes massage chairs. Alongside family-friendly waiting areas, these features reinforce an important part of Valley’s approach of caring for children also means considering the needs of their caregivers. The expanded space accompanies a growing range of services. Children’s care includes counseling, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy—including pelvic floor therapy—nutrition coaching, and medication management. Providers use the building’s resources creatively, bringing together professional expertise and compassionate, Christ-centered care. As a nonprofit ministry, Valley combines Biblical principles with professional therapies. Its mission is to help people become more fully alive, with support that extends beyond childhood to individuals, couples, and families. The goal is a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where people can express concerns, learn coping skills, and pursue emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual well-being.
TO LEARN MORE OR SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION, VISIT VALLEYCHRISTIAN.CO OR CALL 701.232.6224
valley christian counseling & wellness 18 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
| Main office: 1112 Nodak Dr., Fargo | Hulbert Children’s Center: 1202 Nodak Dr., Fargo | valleychristian.co | /valleychristiancounselingcenter | @valleychristiancw
ou’re tired. Your body feels different. Your patience is shorter. Your libido has disappeared. Maybe your periods changed, or you’ve never quite felt like yourself since having a baby. Motherhood changes a lot. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept feeling bad as your new normal.
How many of these have you normalized? ━ Exhausted—even when you actually get enough sleep
━ Anxiety, irritability, rage or constantly feeling overstimulated ━ Brain fog, poor focus or forgetting words
━ Weight gain or suddenly struggling to lose weight
━ Hair thinning, acne or other unexpected body changes ━ Heavy, painful or irregular periods
━ Low libido, vaginal dryness or painful sex
━ Hot flashes, night sweats or waking throughout the night ━ Difficulty getting pregnant or growing your family
━ Feeling like you’ve never quite felt like you again after having a baby
Maybe you’ve told yourself, Of course I’m tired—I’m a mom. Maybe you assumed painful periods were normal because you’ve always had them. You blamed your low libido on kids and a busy schedule, your weight changes on getting older, and your brain fog on having too much on your plate. And when your labs came back “normal,” you wondered if maybe this is simply how you’re supposed to feel now. It doesn’t have to end there. Pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, sleep disruption and the postpartum period can bring enormous changes but symptoms can also overlap with thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, hormonal changes, PCOS, endometriosis, metabolic conditions, postpartum anxiety or depression and other medical concerns. And as your kids get older, perimenopause may enter the picture too.
LET’S FIND OUT WHY YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE YOURSELF. At Simply You Wellness, we look at the whole picture—not just one symptom or one lab result. We consider your health history, menstrual cycle, pregnancies, postpartum experience, fertility goals, medications, mental health, metabolic health and appropriate testing. From there, we create an individualized plan that may include hormone replacement therapy, thyroid or metabolic treatment, PCOS or endometriosis care, infertility treatment and IUI, sexual health treatments, weight management, postpartum mental health care, TMS therapy and more. Because addressing what’s happening now isn’t only about feeling better today. Depending on the underlying cause, some conditions can affect fertility, bone health, metabolic and cardiovascular health, mental health, sexual health and longterm quality of life.
YO U TA K E CA R E O F E V E R YO N E E L S E . I T ’ S O K AY T O TA K E CA R E O F YO U , T O O. Most major insurance plans accepted!
S C H E D U L E YO U R A P P O I N T M E N T T O DAY ! 22 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
| 701-203-3442
ork. Kids. Practices. Bills. Stress. You’re supposed to be tired, right? But when did feeling exhausted, gaining weight, and losing your drive become something you just accepted? Getting older brings changes. Feeling progressively worse doesn’t have to be written off as one of them.
LET’S FIGURE OUT WHAT CHANGED.
How many of these have you normalized?
At Simply You Wellness, men’s health is more than checking a testosterone level and handing you a prescription.
━ Tired all day—even after a full night’s sleep
━ Gaining weight, especially around your middle
━ Losing muscle, strength, or workout performance ━ Taking longer to recover from exercise
We look at your symptoms, health history, medications, sleep, metabolic health, sexual health, fertility goals, and appropriate labs to understand what may actually be contributing.
━ Brain fog or difficulty concentrating ━ Less motivation, energy or drive ━ Low sex drive
━ Fewer morning erections
━ Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
━ Irritability, anxiety, or simply not feeling like yourself
Maybe you blame it on work. Or stress. Or having kids. You don’t have the energy you used to, your workouts aren’t producing the same results, and your waistline is changing even though your routine hasn’t changed much. Sex may be different too. Maybe you’re thinking about it less—or things simply aren’t working like they used to. So you tell yourself, I’m getting older. This is probably normal. But age shouldn’t automatically be the explanation for everything. Testosterone can be part of the picture, but it isn’t the only possibility. Thyroid disorders, metabolic changes, sleep apnea, medications, mental health conditions, and other medical issues can cause many of the same symptoms.
Your individualized plan may include testosterone replacement therapy when medically appropriate, hormone management, sexual health treatments, weight management, thyroid and metabolic care, fertility evaluation, mental health treatment, TMS therapy, and other options. And these changes are worth addressing. Depending on the underlying cause, changes in energy, weight, hormones, and sexual function may occur alongside conditions affecting metabolic and cardiovascular health, fertility, bone health, mental health, and overall quality of life.
I T ’ S WO RT H F I N D I N G O U T W H Y YO U F E E L D I F F E R E N T. N ow w e l c o m i n g n e w p a t i e n t s i n Fa r g o.
| s i m p l y yo u c l i n i c . c o m
| /simplyyouclinic
| @ s i m p l y yo u c l i n i c 23
By Brady Drake
A child’s first money question might be whether there is enough in the piggy bank for a new toy. A few years later, it becomes whether a summer job can cover a car. Eventually, it might be whether buying a home is possible. Those questions arrive at different ages and under different circumstances. But parents can begin preparing their children for them long before a loan application or a first apartment lease enters the picture.
For Laura Grefsrud, Branch Manager of Magnifi Financial, the starting point is helping families think ahead to the next milestone. “It’s almost like how to prepare your kid for the next phase of life in a way,” Grefsrud said. Magnifi, a member-owned, not-forprofit credit union, offers services ranging from youth savings to auto loans and mortgages. Our conversation
Before children can manage their own money, parents can begin setting some aside for them. Grefsrud’s advice was to start with a savings account and a contribution the family can maintain—even something as small as $5 a week. At that pace, a family would contribute $260 over 52 weeks, before any interest or dividends. The amount can change with the family’s circumstances. 26 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
with Grefsrud focused on how families can connect those tools to everyday lessons like setting money aside, making spending decisions, understanding borrowing, and asking questions before a major purchase. Parents do not need to deliver all those lessons at once. The next useful conversation can be as simple as deciding what to do with birthday money.
The habit is what parents are beginning to establish. As children grow, those deposits can become something they participate in. A birthday check offers an opportunity to talk about saving part of a gift. A toy they want can become a goal with a price and a timeline. Looking at the balance together gives the conversation something concrete.
Magnifi’s Little Scholars Savings account serves children ages 0–12 and includes a birthday gift each year and a free gift with deposits of $25 or more. The account transitions to Boom! Savings at age 13; that account is designed for ages 13–19. Both are listed without monthly fees or penalties. These incentives are ways to encourage children to keep saving.
Eventually, children need opportunities to make spending decisions themselves. That might mean managing money for concessions at a football game, deciding how much allowance to save, or choosing between a small purchase today and something bigger next month. Grefsrud pointed to Greenlight, a debit card and money app for families, as one tool for practicing those decisions with parental involvement. Through Magnifi’s partnership, eligible members can receive Greenlight at
A first paycheck creates a new set of possibilities—and a good reason to talk about where money will go before it is spent. Whether a young adult is starting college, entering a trade, or working full time, the budget needs to reflect actual take-home income and actual responsibilities. A student whose family covers housing will have a different plan from someone paying rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs. Magnifi’s budgeting guidance recommends tracking spending for a month to understand current habits, then choosing a budgeting method that is practical to
no cost* while maintaining their Magnifi account as the funding source. It includes debit cards for up to five children, spending notifications, parent controls, chores and allowance features, savings goals, and gamified financial education with Greenlight Level Up™. Registration is available through Magnifi’s online banking or mobile app. Parents can use those features to start conversations. What did a child plan to spend? What actually happened? Did a purchase feel worth it afterward?
maintain. It also suggests brief weekly check-ins and offers a budget worksheet and digital tools for managing money. Parents can make that process less abstract by reviewing a first pay stub together and listing which expenses the young adult will now cover. The conversation should include irregular costs, too like school supplies, a vehicle registration bill, or a trip home. This is also a useful time to understand the checking account itself. What fees might apply? Which ATMs can be used? How are
A useful practice is to agree ahead of time on what a set amount must cover. For example, a parent might provide spending money for an outing and explain which purchases are the child’s responsibility. Reviewing the choices afterward makes the lesson more specific than a general reminder to “be careful with money.” *Subject to terms. Details at mymagnifi.org/greenlight.
purchases and pending transactions displayed? What happens if the balance is too low? For a planned purchase farther down the road, Magnifi offers My Goal Savings, which allows members to automate deposits toward a chosen goal. Because the account has deposit requirements and an early-withdrawal penalty, families should review its terms and consider when they will need access to the money. 27
A young adult may handle a checking account responsibly and still have little credit history. Grefsrud identified this as an important next step after school, especially for someone who will eventually want to finance a vehicle or purchase a home. She suggested discussing a credit card with a modest limit and an affordable interest rate as a possible starting point. The lesson should begin with repayment.
A first vehicle brings freedom, but its monthly loan payment tells only part of the story. Insurance, fuel, maintenance, registration, and repairs also compete for the buyer’s income. Before shopping, a young adult can build a transportation budget that includes those expenses and leaves room for the unexpected. The CFPB’s auto loan guide encourages borrowers to compare financing and consider the full cost of a loan. A longer repayment period can reduce the monthly payment while increasing total interest costs. Comparing the APR, amount financed, loan length, and total payments helps reveal that tradeoff.
28 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends paying on time, keeping balances low compared with available credit, and applying only for credit that is needed. Carrying a balance and paying interest are not necessary to build a good credit score. Paying the balance in full each month helps keep borrowing costs down. For a young adult ready and eligible for a card, one manageable approach is to use it for a small, planned expense and budget to pay the statement balance in full
Magnifi finances new and used vehicles, including purchases from dealerships and individuals, and offers prequalification to help buyers establish a loan amount before shopping. Its published terms explain that rates and payments depend on factors including creditworthiness, the vehicle, the loan amount, fees, and the repayment term. For parents, this milestone is an opportunity to sit beside a young buyer while comparing options. Two vehicles with similar sticker
by the due date. Payment reminders or automatic payments can help, provided enough money remains in the payment account. Magnifi lists no-annualfee credit cards, including its Platinum option, which emphasizes a lower APR relative to its rewards options. Applicants should review current terms and eligibility; an advertised card is not a guarantee of approval. Parents can also explain that a credit limit is the lender’s maximum—not a suggested spending target.
prices may have different insurance or maintenance costs. Two loan offers with similar payments may take different lengths of time to repay.
Homebuying can feel out of reach before a young adult has spoken with a lender. Grefsrud encouraged families to learn about available programs rather than assume every buyer needs the same down payment. Magnifi’s first-time homebuyer resources list conventional options with down payments as low as 3% for qualifying first-time buyers, FHA loans with 3.5% down, and Rural Development financing with no down payment for eligible borrowers and properties. Income, location, credit, and other requirements vary. A smaller down payment still leaves other questions to answer. Buyers should
ask what cash they will need at closing and what the full monthly payment includes. Taxes, insurance, any mortgage insurance, maintenance, and repairs all belong in the affordability discussion. A helpful early conversation with a lender can cover three questions: 1. Which programs fit this buyer? 2. What money is needed upfront?
For parents helping a young adult prepare, the groundwork connects back to earlier stages: consistent saving, a working budget, and responsible credit use.
3. What monthly cost fits the buyer’s budget?
Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Housing.
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PARTNER CONTENT
Make Room for the Life You Actually Live Self Storage Solutions Makes it Easy By Brady Drake |
provided by Self Storage Solutions
or many people, self storage is something they think about during a move, renovation, or major life transition. However, Self Storage Solutions in FargoMoorhead is encouraging customers to think about it differently—as a long-term tool for creating a more organized, functional home. That might mean moving holiday decorations out of the basement, storing expensive sports or recreational gear, protecting sentimental family items, or simply freeing up enough space to park in the garage again. Heather Johnson of Self Storage Solutions has seen firsthand how useful that extra breathing room can be. By moving seasonal items into storage, homeowners can keep a clearer inventory of what they own while reducing the clutter that tends to accumulate in garages, basements, and spare rooms. Storage can also provide flexibility during more complicated transitions. Families helping a parent move into assisted living, military members leaving for deployment or basic training, and people navigating moves or downsizing may need a secure place for belongings without being
forced to make immediate decisions about what to keep. Self Storage Solutions has also invested in features designed for how customers live today. Every facility offers climate-controlled storage, 24/7 video surveillance, online rentals and Bluetooth-enabled access as standard amenities. The Fargo and Moorhead locations provide additional options, including traditional outdoor drive-up units and parking spaces for vehicles, boats and RVs. Bluetooth technology allows customers to use their phones for gate and unit entry, making it easy to securely share access with a spouse, child or another trusted person. Some larger 10-by-25foot units at the Moorhead facility also feature climate control, garage doors and electrical access. According to Johnson, customers are using many of these spaces to store and charge electric vehicles. Across all Self Storage Solutions locations, customers can use a mobile app for convenient, Bluetooth-enabled facility access. The app also allows customers to securely share access with a spouse, child, or another trusted person—even when they are not there in person.
Fargo Location 701-532-2200 3030 36th St S, Fargo, ND
Moorhead Location 701-532-2200 2726 20th Ave S, Moorhead, MN
SelfStorageSolutionsND.com | /SelfStorageSolutionsND 32 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
| @selfstoragesolutionsnd
| /selfstoragesolutions
J. ALAN PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY
STRONG ROOTS BRIGHT FUTURES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES NORTH DAKOTA For some families, they reach out to Catholic Charities to learn about what adoption could look like. For others, it’s finding support years after a child has joined their family. Catholic Charities North Dakota works with families at both points—and throughout the experiences in between—through adoption, pregnancy and parenting support, and services that continue after adoption or guardianship is finalized. Now, three of the organization’s programs have new names. For parents who recognize the former names or are discovering these resources for the first time, the most important message is simple: The names have changed, but the commitment to compassionate care remains the same.
36 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
Previously known as Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Services, Strong Roots Bright Futures supports expectant parents AND families preparing to grow through adoption. Its work includes pregnancy and parenting assistance, infant adoption, and support for families pursuing an out of state, identified, or international adoption. The new name reflects the program’s focus on helping children and families build stability and lasting support in preparation for a bright future. For expectant parents making an adoption plan or choosing to parent their baby, that support extends through pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period. The relationship is not limited to a single decision or milestone; the team remains available as parents navigate what comes next. Prospective adoptive parents are provided comprehensive support through home study services, placement services, and postplacement/post-adoption services offering education and guidance every step of the way.
NORTH DAKOTA ADOPTION NETWORK Formerly known as Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK), the North Dakota Adoption Network continues to support children in foster care who need permanent families and the families preparing to welcome them.
Families preparing to adopt are supported every step of the way. Through training, education, and ongoing guidance, families gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs and experiences of children in foster care while preparing to provide the stability, connection, and lifelong commitment every child deserves.
NORTH DAKOTA POST PERMANENCY NETWORK Finalization is an important milestone, but a family’s journey continues long after that day, and so can support and connection. The North Dakota Post Permanency Network, formerly the North Dakota Post Adopt Network, provides ongoing support to families after adoption or guardianship has been finalized. Families are supported as they navigate the joys, changes, and challenges that can come after permanency. Support may include one-on-
Together, the three programs provide support and connection for children and families throughout their journey, from preparation to permanency and beyond.
one guidance, parenting education, referrals to community resources, support groups, family events and retreats, and opportunities to connect with other adoptive and guardianship families. These services create opportunities for families to build a strong network of support, connect with others who share similar experiences, and find encouragement along the way. Services are voluntary and provided at no cost.
5201 Bishops Blvd S Ste B, Fargo, ND 58104 | 701.235.4457 | catholiccharitiesnd.org
| /catholiccharitiesnd | @catholiccharitiesnd
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BUILDING A PLAN THAT GROWS DJ Colter Agency serves individuals, families, businesses and farmers, offering home, auto, farm, business and life insurance.
DJ COLTER AGENCY After losing his brother, Colter experienced firsthand just how important it is to have a plan in place. In the midst of grief, life didn’t stop—bills still needed to be paid, responsibilities remained, and protecting his niece’s future became even more important. That experience showed him the true value of life insurance: it provides financial support, creates stability, and gives families one less thing to carry during life’s hardest moments. That perspective is how DJ built his agency. We focus on educating our customers. At his Fargo agency, that focus begins with questions: • At the end of the day, what is important to you? • Do you have a plan for your family’s future? • When was the last time you reviewed your coverage?
Connect with DJ Colter Agency at 701-235-6641 or djcolter.com.
The focus is education rather than a one-sizefits-all policy. As children grow, responsibilities change and families reach new milestones.
Their insurance needs change too. Parents can start by reviewing their current coverage and making sure it still fits their families’ priorities. A conversation today can help parents understand their options and make a plan for what comes next.
UNDERSTANDING UMBRELLA COVERAGE Umbrella insurance provides another layer of liability protection above Home and Auto underlying limits. For families, that can help protect assets they have worked hard to build. TEEN DRIVERS are one reason to revisit liability protection. Umbrella
coverage may cost more when a teenager is driving, but that’s when you need it most! Colter’s approach is to educate customers on their coverages, identify possible gaps, and offer solutions to make sure they have the correct protections.
PROTECTING FUTURE OPTIONS Life Insurance for your children is more than immediate protection. Colter encourages parents to consider future insurability—the ability to qualify for coverage later when they WANT it. Unexpected health conditions may make obtaining Life Insurance more difficult as a child grows. Starting a policy
early may help preserve future options. Depending on the policy, some plans also build cash value that could help with milestones such as a first car, a home purchase, or a wedding. The key is locking them in for coverage when they NEED it and may not qualify for it.
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PROVIDED BY TWIN CITIES GATEWAY LAKE JOHANNA, ARDEN HILLS
TWIN CITIES GATEWAY TOURISM A family getaway does not have to begin at an airport—or end with everyone exhausted from navigating traffic, parking ramps, and an overpacked schedule. For Fargo-Moorhead families, Twin Cities Gateway offers an appealing middle ground: close enough for an easy road trip, far enough to feel like a real vacation, and positioned so visitors can enjoy the excitement of the Twin Cities without making downtown Minneapolis or Saint Paul their home base. Located approximately three-and-a-half hours from Fargo by car, Twin Cities Gateway represents 11 communities north of Minneapolis and Saint Paul: Anoka, Arden Hills, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey, and Shoreview. Together, these communities offer a family-friendly mix of waterparks, nature centers, sports facilities, trails, restaurants, local shops, community festivals, and comfortable places to stay.
CONTINUED> 41
SUNFISH PARK - RAMSEY
AT A GLANCE Approximately 3.5 hours from Fargo-Moorhead 11 communities north of Minneapolis and Saint Paul 27 lodging properties with free parking Indoor and outdoor attractions for every season Free guides, maps, hotel listings, and trip ideas at tcgateway.com
42 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
A HOME BASE THAT MAKES TRAVEL EASIER One of the biggest advantages of staying in the Twin Cities Gateway is flexibility. Families can choose from 27 lodging properties, all offering free parking, with trusted hotel brands and options located near the region’s major roads and attractions. Many properties also offer family-friendly amenities such as spacious suites, complimentary breakfast, indoor pools, kitchen areas, and easy access to restaurants and shopping. Amenities vary by property, allowing families to select the stay that best fits their plans and budget.
Instead of unloading the family in the middle of a busy downtown district, parents can establish a comfortable home base and decide how ambitious each day should be. One day might include a professional sporting event, museum, or major metro attraction. The next might be spent entirely within the Gateway, exploring a nature trail, visiting an indoor playground, or relaxing beside the hotel pool. That freedom makes it easier to build a trip around the family rather than forcing the family to keep up with the trip.
BUNKER BEACH WATER PARK - COON RAPIDS
SPRINGBROOK NATURE CENTER- FRIDLEY
MAKE A SPLASH IN ANY SEASON
TRADE SCREEN TIME FOR TRAIL TIME
During the summer, Bunker Beach Water Park in Coon Rapids is one of the region’s biggest family attractions. Located within Bunker Hills Regional Park, Minnesota’s largest outdoor waterpark features a massive wave pool, a 900-foot lazy river, six towering waterslides, and a zero-depth-entry lagoon where younger children can splash and play.
Twin Cities Gateway also gives families plenty of opportunities to slow down and reconnect outdoors.
Families can keep swimming even after Minnesota’s outdoor waterpark season ends. Shoreview Community Center is home to two year-round indoor waterparks. Tropics offers a large waterslide, water basketball, water volleyball, and floating play features, while Bamboo Bay provides a tropical-themed, zero-entry environment with slides, buckets, and spray features designed especially for younger children. A daily admission pass also includes access to the community center’s Tropical Adventure Indoor Playground.
Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley protects 127 acres of prairie, oak and aspen forest, oak savanna, and wetlands. Families can explore three miles of hiking trails, cross floating boardwalks, visit live native animals inside the Interpretive Center, and let children climb, build, balance, and imagine in the center’s nature play area. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, families can turn a waterpark visit into a longer outdoor adventure. The park offers playgrounds, biking and walking trails, disc golf, camping, nature play, and horseback-riding opportunities through Bunker Park Stables. Trail rides, pony rides, carriage rides, lessons, and seasonal hay or sleigh rides give children another memorable way to experience the park.
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BIG ADVENTURES FOR ACTIVE KIDS For children who would rather climb, slide, skate, or compete, the Gateway has no shortage of highenergy options.
WALDOCH FARM - LINO LAKES
A DIFFERENT GETAWAY IN EVERY SEASON No two trips to the Twin Cities Gateway need to look the same. Summer brings waterparks, beaches, trails, berry picking, community festivals, and outdoor events. Fall invites families to explore local farms, changing leaves, historic downtowns, and one of Minnesota’s most distinctive traditions: Anoka’s Halloween celebration. Known as the Halloween Capital of the World, Anoka has organized community Halloween festivities since 1920. Today, its October celebrations include parades, costume events, family activities, and traditions supported by a volunteerled nonprofit that also raises money for local schools and student scholarships. Outside
44 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
Halloween season, families can explore Anoka’s shops, restaurants, parks, trails, and riverfront setting. Winter and rainy days are covered, too, thanks to indoor waterparks, playgrounds, ice facilities, community centers, and a rotating calendar of family events.
ANOKA HALLOWEEN - ANOKA
NORTHERN SODA COMPANY NEW BRIGHTON
The Eagles Nest Indoor Playground at the New Brighton Community Center includes a 23-foot Web Tower Challenge, a 36-foot quadruple wave slide, a tightrope walk, climbing features, and a separate toddler area for children age three and younger. Because admission is valid for the entire day, families can take a break for lunch and return for another round of play. Blaine’s National Sports Center is especially valuable for families traveling for tournaments. The more-than-600-acre campus is recognized as the world’s largest amateur sports facility and includes more than 50 outdoor athletic fields, indoor training spaces, a stadium, golf facilities, and the eight-sheet NSC Super Rink. It hosts leagues, camps, tournaments, and sporting events throughout the year, making the Twin Cities Gateway a natural destination for both young athletes and their families.
SILVER LAKE PARK - MOUNDS VIEW
START PLANNING BEFORE YOU PACK Twin Cities Gateway makes it easier for parents to turn a general idea—“We should get away for a weekend”—into an actual plan. The organization provides free digital and printed visitor guides, hotel information, event calendars, maps, seasonal recommendations, and ideas for familyfriendly attractions, dining, and outdoor recreation. Its website allows parents to research several communities at once rather than piecing together a trip through dozens of separate searches. The result is a vacation that can feel exciting without becoming complicated, expensive, or overwhelming.
SHOREVIEW COMMONS DESTINATION PLAYGROUND - SHOREVIEW
Whether your family is traveling for a tournament, planning a waterpark weekend, searching for an outdoor adventure, or simply looking for a change of scenery, Twin Cities Gateway offers an easy place to begin—and plenty of reasons to return.
7071 University Ave NE Fridley, MN 55432 | tcgateway.com | /TCGateway | @tc_gateway
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PROVIDED BY SELF STORAGE SOLUTIONS
SELF STORAGE SOLUTIONS Clutter rarely takes over a home all at once. It builds one tote, toy, outgrown stroller, holiday decoration, and piece of sports equipment at a time. Eventually, families may find themselves cleaning around belongings instead of using their rooms as intended. The garage becomes difficult to navigate. The spare bedroom stops being available for guests. Closets become so full that finding one needed item turns into a project of its own. At Self Storage Solutions, the goal is not to convince families to get rid of everything they value. It is to give them another option: creating more room at home while keeping the belongings they still need, use, or want to preserve.
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WHEN YOUR HOME HAS TOO MANY JOBS Today’s homes often serve as offices, playrooms, classrooms, gathering places, gyms, and storage areas—all at the same time. When every room is expected to do several jobs, even a manageable amount of clutter can begin interfering with daily routines. An off-site storage unit can create a little breathing room. Families may use one for holiday
decorations, camping supplies, patio furniture, children’s clothing, keepsakes, hobby equipment, or furniture they are not ready to part with. Others rotate items seasonally, bringing out what they need and storing what they do not. The result is not necessarily a perfectly organized home. It is a home that is easier to live in.
STORAGE THAT FITS THE SEASON Self Storage Solutions offers nearly 1,500 storage options, ranging from traditional and temperature-controlled units to parking for RVs, boats, and vehicles. Families can choose a short-term option during a move or renovation, establish a seasonal rotation, or keep a unit for belongings they want accessible but do not need inside the house every day.
Available conveniences include online contactless rentals, Bluetooth-enabled access, 24-hour video surveillance, delivery acceptance, dollies and handcarts, and vehicle parking. The Fargo facility also offers an indoor heated loading bay, moving supplies, and on-site truck rental. Specific amenities vary by location.
HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIT The Fargo and Moorhead locations are managed by Fargo-area native Heather Johnson, whose priority is helping customers find the type and size of space that truly meets their needs. Heather works alongside Thomas, Taelor, and Savannah across the local facilities. Rather than treating storage as a one-size-fits-all service, the team takes time to understand what a customer is storing, how
often it will be accessed, and which features would make the experience easier. They have helped families through moves, renovations, changing seasons, growing households, and nearly every kind of space challenge. As Heather wants parents to know: You are not the only one.
LOCALLY OWNED AND COMMUNITY MINDED Self Storage Solutions is locally owned and operated by people who live, work, raise their children, and support schools and organizations in the communities the company serves.
provide more than additional square footage. It can restore the garage, reopen the spare bedroom, simplify cleaning, and create more room for the people and moments that make a house feel like home.
For families feeling crowded by their belongings, storage can
Fargo 3030 36th St S Fargo, ND 58103 | selfstoragesolutionsnd.com | Search “Self Storage Solutions”
Moorhead 2726 20th Ave S Moorhead, MN 56560 | 701.532.2200
COULD YOUR FAMILY USE MORE BREATHING ROOM? Storage may help when: • Seasonal items occupy most of the garage or basement. • A spare bedroom has become a permanent holding area. • Cleaning means repeatedly moving the same boxes and bins. • Sports equipment, strollers, and children’s items are crowding everyday spaces. • A move, renovation, new baby, or other transition creates a temporary space crunch. • A boat, camper, collectible vehicle, or other seasonal investment needs a secure home.
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PROVIDED BY NEXUS
SUPPORT WITHOUT LOSING CONNECTION
NEXUS FAMILY HEALING For a young person who needs extra support, a safe and stable home can be a place to develop confidence, learn everyday skills, and build meaningful relationships. Nexus Family Healing’s new Host Homes Program is designed to create those opportunities for North Dakota youth ages 10–19 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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The program carefully matches youth with trained Host Home providers who offer individualized support, mentorship, and a family environment. Its purpose goes beyond providing housing as providers help young people develop life skills and greater
independence while maintaining connections to their schools, activities, and support networks whenever possible. Keeping families connected is central to that work, with the overall goal of reuniting youth with their natural families.
A NEED CLOSE TO HOME Host Homes is North Dakota’s only state-certified program of its kind. It is recruiting providers statewide, with an especially urgent need within 60 miles of Fargo and Bismarck. More local providers can help youth remain near the relationships, activities, and support systems that matter most to them.
This initiative reflects the national nonprofit’s broader mission of stabilizing families and strengthening mental health, work it has pursued for more than 50 years. In North Dakota, its services also include Treatment Foster Care, residential treatment at Luther Hall in Fargo, Independent Living services for youth aging out of foster care, and school-based mental health support.
CARING ADULTS, SUPPORTED ALONG THE WAY Applicants do not need a background in human services to explore becoming a Host Home provider. Nexus supplies training, ongoing support, and resources to help individuals and families succeed. Providers must be at least 21 years old, pass background and home safety checks, and complete the required training. Nexus welcomes applicants
from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. For those considering the role, you must have a willingness to care, connect, and consistently support a young person— not an expectation of being a perfect parent.
JOHN PIERRE AND BIBI
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE PROGRAM Host Homes Program Director Sommer Baker brings more than 17 years of human services experience to the initiative. Before leading its North Dakota launch, she directed a similar program in Minnesota, connecting individuals with
disabilities to supportive familybased living arrangements. North Dakota’s first certified Host Home providers, Jean Pierre “John Pierre” Shukuru and Nyambibi “Bibi” Jolie, are based in West Fargo.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP Interested adults can schedule a virtual informational session or complete an online interest form through the Host Homes page at nexusfamilyhealing.org. Questions are also welcome by email, phone, or text.
Whether someone is ready to open their home or simply wants to understand the commitment, reaching out is an opportunity to learn how they might help a young person find stability, connection, and belonging.
| NPH-HostHomes@nexusfamilyhealing.org | 701.280.9545 in Fargo or 701.224.9611 in Bismarck | 701.850.9335
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PROVIDED BY PRAIRIE ORAL AND FACIAL SURGERY
PRAIRIE ORAL AND FACIAL SURGERY
CARE FOR GROWING SMILES
Learning that your child needs oral surgery can feel intimidating. Even a relatively common procedure may leave parents wondering what treatment will involve, how their child will be kept comfortable, and what recovery will look like.
ANESTHESIA OPTIONS CLOSE TO HOME
At Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery, those questions are welcomed. Led by oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Ryan Smart and Dr. Corbett Haas, along with a dedicated team that believes exceptional care begins with listening. Their goal is to give families clear information, thoughtful guidance, and confidence at every stage of treatment.
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Children and teenagers may be referred to Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery for several reasons. Sometimes an orthodontist determines that one or more teeth need to be removed
Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery offers anesthesia services designed to help patients receive treatment as comfortably as possible. Available options include IV sedation and general anesthesia, depending on the procedure and the patient’s individual needs. The practice also partners with anesthesia providers to offer specialized services for pediatric patients within its private Fargo
to create space or support a larger treatment plan. In those situations, Prairie works as part of the child’s broader care team, coordinating with the referring orthodontist or dental provider.
clinic. For many eligible children, this provides an alternative to receiving the same care in a hospital setting. That convenience can make a meaningful difference for families. Parents can bring their child to a familiar, focused clinical environment while receiving care from professionals experienced in surgical and anesthesia-related needs.
WHEN ORTHODONTICS IS ONLY PART OF THE SOLUTION
HELPING FAMILIES FEEL PREPARED Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery’s mission extends beyond completing procedures. The practice is committed to elevating the community through active engagement and exceptional care.
Some children and teenagers have jaw-development concerns that cannot be corrected through braces alone. In those cases, corrective jaw surgery— also known as orthognathic surgery—may become part of a coordinated treatment plan involving an oral surgeon and orthodontist. Corrective jaw surgery realigns the jaws and teeth. Depending on the patient, it may improve bite alignment and functions such as chewing, speaking, swallowing, or breathing. Because each case is different, treatment begins with a detailed evaluation and an individualized surgical plan. Prairie Oral and Facial Surgery guides families through the entire process, helping them understand why surgery has been recommended, what to expect during treatment, and how recovery will progress.
ADVANCED TRAINING, PERSONAL CARE Dr. Smart and Dr. Haas are dualdegree oral and maxillofacial surgeons, holding both dental and medical degrees. Both are graduates of Harvard Medical School and have completed extensive surgical training involving oral health, facial anatomy, anesthesia, and complex conditions affecting the teeth and jaws.
For parents, that means having a place where questions are taken seriously and treatment is explained clearly. Whether a child needs an extraction connected to orthodontic treatment, a teenager is preparing for wisdom teeth removal, or a family is beginning the corrective jaw surgery process, Prairie’s team is ready to help them take the next step with greater confidence.
WHEN MIGHT A CHILD OR TEEN BE REFERRED TO AN ORAL SURGEON? •A tooth needs to be removed as part of orthodontic treatment. •Wisdom teeth are impacted, crowded, painful, or difficult to keep healthy. •A child needs specialized anesthesia for an oral procedure. •Jaw growth or alignment is affecting the bite or facial balance. •Orthodontics alone cannot fully correct a significant jaw misalignment.
Families can also follow the practice on Instagram for educational information, uplifting team content, community involvement, and a behind-the-scenes look at the people providing their care.
2585 23rd Ave S, Suite A Fargo, ND 58103 1225 Washington Avenue Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 | prairieoralsurgery.com | 701.478.4404 | @prairie_oral_surgery
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YOU HAVE A VOICE IN YOUR CARE Good care begins with understanding the person—not simply the diagnosis. The team takes time to learn about each patient’s history, concerns, and goals,
DAKOTA ADULT & PEDIATRIC PSYCHIATRY Choosing psychiatric care is personal. Families want to feel heard, understand their options, and build a relationship with someone they trust. Recognized as a Parents’ Pick in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Dakota Adult & Pediatric Psychiatry places those relationships at the heart of its care.
PERSONALIZED CARE STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION. | 4541 52nd Ave S Ste 100 Fargo, ND 58104
| 701-552-6578 | dakotapsychiatry.com | Search “ Dakota Adult & Pediatric Psychiatry”
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developing individualized treatment plans and explaining options so patients and families can participate in decisions about their care.
CARE THAT GROWS WITH YOUR FAMILY From children beginning at age 5 through adolescence and adulthood, the practice supports patients across generations. For families receiving care together,
that approach helps providers understand the relationships and everyday circumstances that shape each person’s mental health.
A TEAM DEDICATED TO PSYCHIATRIC CARE The clinical team includes Dr. Douglas Hess, DO, dual board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; Aubrey Hess, MPAS, PA-C; and Jordyn
Buckmier, PMHNP. Together, they bring specialized training and a shared commitment to helping patients understand and navigate their treatment.
OPTIONS FOR TREATMENTRESISTANT DEPRESSION Alongside psychiatric evaluation and medication management, the clinic offers Spravato® (esketamine) for eligible adults with treatment-resistant
depression. Treatment requires an assessment of appropriateness, supervised administration, and at least two hours of monitoring after each treatment.
THE
PARENTS' GUIDE
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ACTIVITIES
Finding something fun for the entire family sounds simple—until one child wants to climb, another wants to create and the youngest needs a place where they can safely explore.
EV ER Y AGE
Fortunately, Fargo-Moorhead offers more choices than ever. Families can spend a morning at a free indoor play space, register for swimming or gymnastics, explore a wooded nature park, build a video game, join a theatre production or meet friends for bowling, laser tag and tabletop games.
FOR
This guide organizes some of the area’s best options by the ages they serve most effectively. Many attractions welcome several age groups, so consider the ranges a starting point rather than a strict rule. Look for these labels throughout the guide: FREE means there is no regular admission charge. DROP-IN means advance registration is not normally required. RESERVATION means space may be limited. SEASONAL means schedules depend on weather or time of year. SENSORY-FRIENDLY identifies places or programs designed with additional flexibility and support.
LAKE AGASSIZ REGIONAL LIBRARY
The Loop
AGES 0–10 | FREE | DROP-IN | NEW FOR 2026
Moorhead’s downtown community facility opened in April 2026 and includes one of the metro’s most useful free family spaces. The second-floor children’s area has low bookshelves, reading nooks, platform climbers, interactive wall panels and a separate toddler zone. Caregivers can also use the building’s indoor walking loop, making The Loop especially helpful during extreme heat, winter weather or days when families need a flexible outing without admission costs or registration. 56 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
OC TOBER 2026–MARCH 2027
Fargo Fargo Parks and Fargo Parks Sports Center AGES 1–18 | DROP-IN AND REGISTRATION
The Fargo Parks Sports Center includes an indoor playground designed for children ages 1–12. Admission is currently $5, while adults and babies younger than 12 months enter free. Separate mini structures serve children ages 6–23 months and 2–5, and the playground includes features designed with wheelchair users in mind. Socks are required, and adults must supervise. Beyond the playground, Fargo Parks offers youth art, swimming, volleyball, Nerf events, adaptive recreation and seasonal outdoor programming. Registration periods and age divisions change throughout the year, so consult the current activity catalog before enrolling.
Caring for Kids Playland AGES 1–6 | FREE | DROP-IN
Located inside West Acres, Caring for Kids Playland is a free soft-play area designed for children 42 inches and shorter. Foam tunnels, slides, and crawlable structures give younger children a convenient place to move while families are shopping or waiting for a meal. The playland closes briefly during the day for cleaning, so check the current schedule before planning a visit around it.
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym AGES 1–18 | DROP-IN | SENSORY-FRIENDLY
We Rock the Spectrum provides inclusive open play for children across a broad age and ability range. Its sensory-rich gym encourages climbing, swinging, jumping, and imaginative movement while allowing children flexibility in how they participate. A parent or guardian must remain with each child, and socks are required. Open-play hours may change when the facility is reserved for private events, so families should confirm availability before visiting.
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OC TOBEREVERY 2026–MARCHAGE 2027 ACTIVITIES FOR
TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics Preschool Open Gym WALKING AGE–5 | RESERVATION ADVISED
TNT’s preschool open gym is designed for children who are walking through age 5. Each 60-minute session allows children to explore the gym with an active adult helper while instructors monitor safe play. Pre-registration is strongly recommended because capacity is limited. Current admission is $7 per child, with punch cards available for repeat visitors. The open-gym format provides a convenient introduction before families consider ongoing gymnastics instruction.
Dreamland Indoor Playground AGES 1–10 | DROP-IN
Dreamland Indoor Playground continues to operate in south Fargo with climbing structures, slides, open play, and party options. The indoor setting makes it a useful choice during extreme heat, cold weather, or rainy days. Its mix of smaller and larger play features is best suited to toddlers through elementary-age children, although caregivers should supervise based on each child’s abilities.
Courts Plus AGES 1–12 | DROP-IN
Courts Plus has a seven-level indoor playground for children ages 1–12, giving elementary-age visitors room to climb, crawl, and explore. A separate pirate-ship area is reserved for children 3 and younger, allowing toddlers to play away from the largest structures. Current admission is $5 per child, and socks are required.
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ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY AGE Rustad Recreation Center and West Fargo Parks AGES 1–18 | DROP-IN AND REGISTRATION
Rustad Recreation Center combines an indoor playground with open gym space, indoor turf, and a free elevated walking track that permits strollers. Playground admission is currently $5, while children younger than 2 enter free. Scholarships may be available to qualifying families. The facility also serves as a hub for West Fargo Parks programming, giving older children and teens access to sports, recreation, and seasonal activities. Families should use the current West Fargo Parks catalog to confirm program ages and registration dates.
Levity
AGES 18 MONTHS–12 | DROP-IN AND RESERVATION
This downtown West Fargo destination combines a tumble gym, arcade, pizza, and ice cream. Tumble classes begin at 18 months and continue through age 10, while open-gym sessions welcome children through age 12. The noncompetitive environment makes Levity a manageable introduction to tumbling for children who enjoy movement but may not be ready for a formal gymnastics program. Classes require a greater commitment, while open gym allows families to try the space first.
Fargo Public Library AGES 0–18 | FREE
The Fargo Public Library remains one of the metro’s strongest free resources for families. Early-childhood programming includes Baby Rhyme Time for children from birth through 24 months, sensory storytimes for ages 0–5, preschool storytimes, and toddler-andpreschool yoga. Older children and teens can participate in chess, Mario Kart events, science activities, reading challenges, and creative workshops. Some tournaments divide participants into 13-and-younger and 14-and-older brackets, allowing young competitors to participate with similar-age players. Many programs do not require registration, although space and supplies may be limited.
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Red River Zoo AGES 0–18 | DROP-IN
Not every family outing needs a playground or structured class. The Red River Zoo offers a stroller-friendly way to introduce younger children to animals and the outdoors while giving older children opportunities to learn about wildlife and conservation. Because families can move through the zoo at their own pace, it works for a broad age range. Younger visitors may focus on animal sightings, while older children can engage more deeply with educational signs, keeper programs, and special events.
NRG Adventure Park AGES 2–18 | RESERVATION | NEW FOR 2026
NRG opened its Fargo location in May 2026 with trampolines, a ninja course, soft play, climbing, ropes, ziplines, dodgeball, an indoor sliding hill, and a dedicated toddler zone. Toddler Rush is reserved for children 7 and younger with their caregivers on designated weekday mornings, giving younger visitors time to explore without sharing the park with larger participants. Friday Neon Nights add music and backlit attractions for older kids and teens. Waivers are required, and families should review attraction-specific rules before visiting.
ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY AGE
Slick City
AGES 2–18 | RESERVATION
Instead of traditional trampolines, Slick City centers its experience around large indoor slides and air courts. Standard action tickets are designed for children 4 and older, while the Junior Jungle provides padded mini slides and climbing features for children 5 and younger. Older children and teens can watch for glow-style After Hours events featuring music, neon lighting, and access to the park’s larger attractions. Facility socks are required, and younger visitors should begin with smaller features before progressing to steeper slides.
Sky Zone
AGES 2–18 | RESERVATION
Sky Zone provides trampoline-based attractions for school-age children and teens, while Little Leapers sessions give children 7 and younger a designated time to bounce, climb, and explore with an adult. The younger-child sessions can make a first visit feel more manageable by reducing the number of larger jumpers in the park. Because Little Leapers and other special-event schedules can change seasonally, families should confirm the current calendar rather than relying on previously printed weekly hours.
Four Star Ninja Academy AGES 4–18 | DROP-IN AND RESERVATION
Four Star Ninja Academy uses running, jumping, climbing, balance, and agility exercises across more than 40 scaled and full-size obstacles. Families can choose between structured classes, open gym, private instruction, and special events. Open gym is often the best starting point because children can explore the equipment without immediately committing to a class series. The variety of obstacle sizes allows younger beginners and older athletes to find challenges that fit their experience.
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ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY AGE
Fargo All Stars AGES 1–18 | DROP-IN | LOW-COST
Fargo All Stars provides a low-pressure environment for children interested in tumbling and gymnastics equipment. Its current schedule includes a $5 Wednesday open gym for all ages and a Thursday morning Daytime Playtime for children younger than 6, their adult helpers, and siblings. Both are walk-in programs, making them useful for families who want to try the facility before committing to structured lessons.
Rope & Oak Children’s Nature Park AGES 2–12 | SEASONAL | NEW FOR 2026
Located in a 12-acre forest south of Fargo, Rope & Oak combines a halfmile trail with more than 50 hands-on attractions. Children can climb, dig, balance, build, and explore ziplines, a dino dig, a sensory trail, climbing nets, wildlife activities, and nature puzzles. Plan for dirt, uneven ground, and approximately two to three hours outdoors. Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended, along with water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Because the park is weather-dependent, check for rain closures before driving out.
Code Ninjas AGES 5–14 | RESERVATION
Code Ninjas introduces children to coding, game development and technology through age-appropriate projects. Its Jr. curriculum is designed for ages 5–7 and uses visual activities that do not require advanced reading skills. Older children can progress into more involved coding programs, camps and clubs. Birthday parties, special events and parentnight-out programs provide lower-commitment ways to explore the center.
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Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre AGES 3–15 | RESERVATION
Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre offers preschool acting for ages 3–5, youth classes beginning in kindergarten, middle-school acting, musical theatre through grade 9, and adaptive theatre programming. The classes provide an entry point for children who enjoy stories, music, costumes, or imaginative play but may not be interested in athletics. Seasonal camps and productions give participants opportunities to build confidence, learn performance skills, and collaborate with other young artists.
Trollwood Performing Arts School AGES 5–18 | RESERVATION
Trollwood offers a progression of performing-arts opportunities from kindergarten through high school. ArtSpark serves children in grades K–5 through weeklong sessions featuring theatre games, singing, acting, storytelling, and movement. Participants are divided into K–2 and 3–5 groups so instruction and final showcases match their developmental stages. Trollwood Academy serves students in grades 8–12 with classes in acting, dance, vocal performance, songwriting, film, improvisation, and technical theatre. The Mainstage Musical also gives high school students opportunities in the cast, orchestra, stage management, costumes, lighting, hair and makeup, scenery, and run crew.
Clay Your Way AGES 4–18 | DROP-IN
Clay Your Way is an easy choice for a creative family outing without a longterm commitment. Visitors can walk in, select a pottery piece, paint it, and return later after it has been glazed and fired. The studio also offers canvas painting, splatter art, glass projects, and board art. Younger children may need help, while older kids and teens can work more independently on detailed designs.
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ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY AGE
Whimsy Time DIY
AGES 6–18 | DROP-IN AND RESERVATION
Whimsy Time DIY in West Fargo offers projects such as pipe-cleaner art, handmade soap, candles, punch-needle art, charm bracelets, and painted-bead accessories. Project complexity varies considerably. Younger children may need hands-on help from an adult, while older children and teens can select more detailed projects and work independently. Checking the current project menu before visiting can help families choose an activity that matches each participant’s age, patience, and crafting experience.
Fargo Climbing
AGES 5–18 | DROP-IN AND RESERVATION
Fargo Climbing offers one of the metro’s clearest progressions from introductory recreation to competitive training. Climbing 101 is designed for ages 5–12, while Climbing 201 serves ages 5–13. Experienced climbers ages 8–16 can join Climbing Club, and the competitive youth team extends through age 17. Summer camps and select parent-night-out events offer lowercommitment introductions. Because bouldering combines individual problem-solving with a social gym environment, it can appeal to both competitive athletes and kids looking for an alternative to traditional team sports.
Kingpinz Social
AGES 5–18 | RESERVATION RECOMMENDED
Kingpinz combines HyperBowling, laser tag, escape rooms, virtual-reality arcade games, and a full-service restaurant. The variety makes it especially practical for families or groups with different interests. One child can focus on bowling while another is more excited about the arcade or an escape-room challenge. Younger children may get the most from bowling and arcade games, while older kids and teens can take advantage of the more strategic attractions. Bowling lanes can be reserved online.
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Thunder Road Family Fun Park
AGES 4–18 | SEASONAL AND YEAR-ROUND ATTRACTIONS
Thunder Road remains a strong choice for family competition, birthday outings, and groups with a wide age range. Attractions include gokarts, rookie karts, two miniature-golf courses, bumper cars, laser tag, batting cages and an arcade. Age and height requirements vary by attraction, so younger children may not be eligible for every activity. Attractions also operate under different seasonal schedules, making it important to check availability before promising a specific experience.
Tactical Action Gaming AGES 4–18 | RESERVATION
Tactical Action Gaming offers Nerf missions, GellyBall and tactical laser tag. The venue recommends Nerf for ages 4–8, GellyBall for children as young as 5, and its mission-based laser tag for ages 8 and older. This destination is best suited to children and teens who enjoy active competition, team strategy, and structured objectives rather than openended play. Reservations are especially important for birthday parties, friend groups, and private missions.
Paradox Comics-N-Cards AGES 8–18 | DROP-IN AND EVENT REGISTRATION
Paradox Comics-N-Cards provides dedicated gaming tables and a busy calendar of tabletop events. Activities include Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, board games, Dungeons & Dragons, and alternative role-playing sessions. The store is particularly useful for children and teens whose interests lean toward strategy, storytelling, and collecting rather than athletics. Recurring events give young people a consistent place to meet others around shared interests, although parents should confirm the experience level and age expectations for individual events.
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ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY AGE
Fargo Air Museum AGES 4–18 | DROP-IN AND RESERVATION
The Fargo Air Museum offers more than a chance to view aircraft. Its active calendar includes STEAM camps, youth aviation programs, Young Eagles build nights, and hands-on events exploring subjects such as engineering and air-traffic control. Younger children can enjoy a general museum visit, while older students can look for more advanced camps and building activities. Some programs require registration, and private events can affect regular museum hours.
Minnesota State Moorhead Planetarium AGES 5–18 | RESERVATION
The MSUM Planetarium offers immersive astronomy presentations and multimedia shows for a wide range of ages. Its combination of traditional night-sky education and themed entertainment can appeal to dedicated science enthusiasts as well as children who simply enjoy the full-dome experience. Younger children may prefer shorter or more visually driven shows, while older students can watch for advanced astronomy presentations and special events. Current standard tickets are $5 for children 12 and younger and $8 for adults. Popular ticketed shows may sell out.
Moorhead Parks and Recreation
AGES 5–18 | FREE, DROP-IN AND REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Moorhead Parks and Recreation offers activities that extend from early elementary school through the teen years. Current choices include LEGO challenges for ages 5–10, Slime Time for ages 6–11, pickleball camp for ages 8–12, and Game Zone, a drop-in social program for ages 10–14 featuring pool, ping pong, air hockey, and hoops. Older participants can explore a Red Cross babysitting course for ages 11–16, beginner crochet for ages 16 and older, and free youth open gym through age 17. Introductory sports, art, skating, swimming, and adaptive programs are also offered seasonally. 68 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
Plains Art Museum
AGES 5–18 | FREE AND REGISTRATION OPTIONS
A general museum visit can introduce children of many ages to visual art, while workshops allow them to create something of their own. Plains Art Museum continues to host youth opportunities, including Art + Autism workshops centered on autistic participants in flexible, handson environments. The museum’s 2026 Art + Autism sessions included separate groups for ages 7–11 and 11–17, with support people welcome. Families should review individual program descriptions because workshop ages, registration requirements, and supply limits vary.
Fargo Billiards and Gastropub
AGES 13–18 | FAMILY DISCRETION ADVISED
Fargo Billiards has more than 40 pool tables along with shuffleboard, cornhole, pinball, and arcade games. It can be a fun parent-and-teen outing, especially for older children interested in learning billiards or meeting friends for a casual activity. The business is also a full-service gastropub and bar that remains open late. Families should choose the time of day and level of supervision that best fit their comfort level.
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A Second Shot at Invention By Brady Drake Photos provided by John McDonough
J
John McDonough had just finished building Rocket Ball No. 58 when he took a picture of its serial number. At the time of his interview, he had sold 47. Eleven more were ready for whatever came next. For a man trying to turn an invention into a livelihood between shifts maintaining Fargo’s federal courthouse, those numbers meant something. Every completed game was another small piece of evidence that an idea first assembled on a child’s pool table could become a business. McDonough had been this far before. Years earlier, an invention of his had reached major retailers without producing the return he had hoped for. This time, he was watching the costs more closely, asking harder questions of suppliers and learning exactly how much work could hide inside something designed for fun. The game itself moves considerably faster. Rocket Ball sends a ball racing between opponents operating hand controls, with a metal bell sounding when someone scores. It can be played head-tohead or with four players, and McDonough describes the action as “real life pong.” There is no screen to watch. The person to beat is sitting across the table. “You can block any shot if you’re fast enough,” McDonough said. Getting a business off the ground requires a different kind of timing.
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AN IDEA
built to Move McDonough’s professional background is in heating and air conditioning. He studied the trade in the Moorhead area in the mid-1980s, then spent four years working in Phoenix before returning north in 1990. The Arizona heat left an impression. “You couldn’t leave your tools out on the roof,” he said. “If you came back 10 minutes later, you wouldn’t be able to touch them.” By the time of the interview, he had spent about 20 years as a maintenance technician at the federal courthouse in Fargo. His workdays involve the practical problems of keeping a building operating like lighting, plumbing, heating, cooling, and generators. Rocket Ball began with a problem he chose for himself. Could he create a game for a kitchen table that would make a ball move really fast?
He assembled a hand control from wood and aluminum, using his thumb as the primary trigger. Once that worked, he built three more and mounted all four to a child’s pool table. Adding an opponent changed the possibilities. Players could send the ball back with enough speed that the next return depended on timing, positioning, and anticipation. With two players on each side, teamwork added another layer. The basic action was easy to understand. Getting good at it could take longer. McDonough asked friends to try the prototype and tell him whether it was worth pursuing protection for the invention. Their encouragement helped move him forward. But a larger test came in 2023, when he took a bulky wooden prototype to Gen Con in Indianapolis.
He traveled there alone with a game he estimated weighed about 30 pounds. According to McDonough, roughly 70 people tried it, playing hundreds of games and filling out surveys afterward. He recalled strong interest in owning one at a price of a couple hundred dollars. Those reactions gave him a reason to keep going. They also gave him a challenge to turn the wooden prototype into something he could manufacture and sell. After returning home, he brought the project to Applied Engineering. An engineer helped translate his homemade version into a design using plastic and aluminum.
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WHAT THE RAKE
INSIDE THE FORMER
Taught Him
Dentist’s Office
Long before Rocket Ball, McDonough tried to improve another familiar activity—raking a lawn.
Rocket Ball’s assembly operation occupies a former dentist’s office on Front Street in Barnesville, Minnesota.
His early design used three rake heads. In the 1990s, producing it meant cutting up existing rakes and assembling the inventions themselves. A later version, called the Rapid Rake, placed one rake behind another in a spring-loaded design.
When McDonough described the shop, it had evolved into roughly seven stations for completing a game. Six people, including McDonough, his wife, and other family members, could help with production, although he was doing most of the assembly himself while sales developed.
It worked quickly, he said, although moving multiple rake heads also demanded more effort from the user. The product reached Menards and numerous Ace stores, according to McDonough. Distribution, however, did not solve the economics. Sales and profit margins were not strong enough to sustain the venture. “It just didn’t have the sales to justify,” he said. “We weren’t making enough of a profit margin.” The experience changed how he approached his next product. He wanted evidence that people enjoyed using Rocket Ball before committing heavily to protecting it. He paid closer attention to budgets. He became more willing to negotiate. Supplier prices, he learned, deserved questions. Could another company make a part more affordably? Could a design change shorten assembly time? Would a larger order reduce the cost enough to matter? Those questions follow him through Rocket Ball’s development because he has already experienced the gap between getting a product into stores and making money from it.
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He estimated that he could build a game from start to finish in about an hour and a half. With everyone helping, production could move considerably faster. Getting to that point required repeated adjustments. Early games had problems with the material on their bottoms, prompting him to retrieve one that had been placed at a local business. Rivets presented another lesson: different brands did not behave the same way, and some broke improperly, leaving sharp edges. He had to find ones that performed consistently. He also worked on smoothing metal components, including the bells, and refining the assembly process. Suppliers in the region produce parts for the game, while some components—including balls, scorekeeping beads, and rubber parts—come from overseas. The details extend to how those parts are purchased. McDonough has sought
suppliers offering 30-day payment terms, giving the business more flexibility than paying for everything upfront. He has also dealt with a shipment of balls arriving substantially short of the expected quantity. Each adjustment affects the same calculation—what it costs to deliver a finished game, and what remains after it sells. At the time of the interview, McDonough said the project had absorbed nearly $250,000 through a combination of loans, investor money, and funds he and his wife contributed. The operation had parts for a 200game run. He hoped a future round of investment would support a larger production run and allow him to work on Rocket Ball full time. Larger orders could lower component costs and help make wholesale distribution feasible. But that step depends on margins. A retailer’s interest means little if the price it can pay leaves the manufacturer without enough profit. McDonough has learned to look past the excitement of getting onto a shelf and ask whether the business can afford to be there.
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A GAME PEOPLE
Need to Try For all the attention required by parts and pricing, McDonough’s favorite part happens when someone starts playing. He described bringing several games to park events and watching children crowd around them. Sometimes, their parents had difficulty persuading them to leave. That enthusiasm helps explain why demonstrations are central to his sales approach. A photograph can show what Rocket Ball looks like. Playing gives a potential buyer a chance to feel the controls, follow a rally and discover whether the family wants another round. The company lists the game at $249.99, a purchase that requires more consideration than an inexpensive toy. McDonough sees the comparison as air hockey or foosball—a game people can return
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to, with a tabletop format that does not require a dedicated game table. Families are his first priority, but other customers have expanded his thinking about where the game fits. He said sales have included senior living communities, including Eventide. Because it can be played seated, he sees opportunities for people with different mobility needs to participate. Bars and restaurants offer another possibility.
SEEING IT
Through At 64, McDonough knows what it costs him to keep two jobs moving. His courthouse schedule runs from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., five days a week. Often, he said, he gets home and then heads to Barnesville. Time spent building games competes with time spent selling them, preparing for events, and finding ways to finance the next step. He wishes, sometimes, that he had come up with the idea 10 or 15 years earlier. He had more stamina then. He also describes a steadier life now: a supportive wife, four cats and six years without drinking at the time of the interview. The earlier invention left him with lessons he can use, and the current one gives him something he wants to finish.
There is someone he wishes could see it. His father worked in advertising and helped create commercials for the rake business. He died in 2011. “He’d be having a lot of fun making commercials,” McDonough said. For now, McDonough is editing videos on his phone, taking games to events and trying to turn the reactions he sees across the table into enough sales to sustain the company. When asked what he would tell another inventor, he returned to the practical work: understand the market, be careful with spending and build a sound business plan. His reason for continuing is more personal. “I have to see this through all the way.”
THE FARGO-MOORHEAD PARENTS’ GUIDE
Fall & Winter EVENT C ALENDAR
october Moorhead Youth Open Gym
SATURDAYS, OCTOBER-MARCH, 10 A.M.-2 P.M. | ELLEN HOPKINS ELEMENTARY | AGES 17 AND UNDER | FREE
Classic cars take over the parking lot for an easygoing evening that works especially well for young vehicle enthusiasts. Families with children sensitive to loud noises may want to bring hearing protection in case engines start revving.
When colder weather makes outdoor play less reliable, Moorhead Youth Open Gym provides a dependable place for children to move. The season runs through March, although families should watch for holiday weekends when sessions are not offered.
Spooky Space
OCTOBER 10-11 | MSUM PLANETARIUM | AGES 6+ | TICKETED
For kids who prefer planets to haunted houses, Spooky Space offers a gentler October adventure. The educational show adds seasonal fun without relying heavily on frightening imagery.
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There is almost always something happening for families in FargoMoorhead—you just have to know where to look. From pumpkin patches and holiday celebrations to planetarium shows, winter festivals, performances, markets and other seasonal events, this calendar is designed to help parents plan family fun throughout the fall and winter months. Confirmed dates are listed when available. Events marked Date TBD are established annual or seasonal events expected to return but whose 2026–27 details had not yet been announced when this guide was prepared. Because schedules can change, families should always check with the organizer before heading out.
OC TOBER 2026–MARCH 2027
Folkways Night Bazaar: Spook
OCTOBER 15, 5-9 P.M. | BREWHALLA MARKET | ALL AGES
Vendors, food, and creative Halloween energy fill Brewhalla during this special Folkways market. Families with younger children may want to visit toward the beginning of the evening.
Boo at the Zoo
OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17, AND OCTOBER 24 | RED RIVER ZOO | TODDLERS-GRADE SCHOOL | TICKETED
The Red River Zoo’s popular Halloween tradition combines costumes, animals, and kid-friendly seasonal fun. Watch for official dates, ticket information, and scheduled activity times as October approaches.
Trick or Treat Wish Walk
OCTOBER 24, 10 A.M.-2 P.M. | DOWNTOWN FARGO | ALL AGES | SUGGESTED $5 DONATION PER CHILD
Costumed families can make their way through Downtown Fargo while collecting treats and supporting a charitable cause. Dress for the weather and consider costumes that are comfortable enough for walking several blocks.
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NOVEMBER Pangea: Cultivate Our Cultures
NOVEMBER 14, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | HJEMKOMST CENTER | ALL AGES | FREE
Pangea celebrates the many cultures represented throughout the region with food, music, dance, art, and storytelling. Families can stay for an hour or spend much of the day exploring performances and activities.
Artistic Universe
NOVEMBER 15, 3-4 P.M. | MSUM PLANETARIUM | ALL AGES | TICKETED
Art, music, and astronomy come together in this STEAM-focused planetarium show. It is also an excellent indoor option when November weather makes outdoor plans less appealing.
Christkindlmarkt
NOVEMBER 20-22 AND 27-29 | FARGO CIVIC CENTER | ALL AGES | ADULTS $10; AGES 17 AND UNDER FREE
Holiday food, gifts, music, and festive décor turn the Fargo Civic Center into a European-inspired seasonal market. Earlier daytime hours may be more comfortable for families with young children.
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Moorhead Holiday Kickoff DATE TBD | MOORHEAD | ALL AGES | TYPICALLY FREE
Moorhead’s annual holiday celebration traditionally includes community gathering, lights, music, and seasonal treats. Watch for an official date, location, and weather plan.
Santa Village Opening Weekend
NOVEMBER 28-29, 1-6 P.M. DECEMBER 5-6, 12-13 AND 17-22 | RHEAULT FARM | ALL AGES | FREE
Rheault Farm officially begins its holiday season with Santa visits and festive activities. Families who want to avoid December’s busiest weekends may find opening weekend especially appealing.
DECEMBER LASER Holidays
DECEMBER 4, 11 AND 18, 6:30 P.M. | MSUM PLANETARIUM | OLDER CHILDREN AND TEENS | TICKETED
Holiday music gets a laser-show makeover during these Friday-night performances. Because the show uses intense flashing effects, families should review the photosensitivity warning before attending.
Xcel Energy Holiday Lights Parade
DECEMBER 5, 6:30 P.M. | DOWNTOWN FARGO | ALL AGES | FREE
Illuminated floats brighten downtown during one of the region’s most recognizable holiday traditions. Check road closures beforehand, arrive early, and identify a nearby indoor location where children can warm up if needed.
Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Rental Season
WINTER WEEKENDS | HJEMKOMST CENTER AND VIKING SHIP PARK | ALL AGES | RENTAL FEE
Families interested in trying winter recreation can rent equipment rather than investing in their own gear. Availability depends heavily on snowfall and trail conditions, so always check for a same-day update.
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Skate with Santa DATE TBD | MOORHEAD | ALL AGES | TYPICALLY FREE
Santa and Mrs. Claus trade the sleigh for skates during this active holiday outing. Watch for the rink location, skate-rental information, and helmet recommendations.
Season of Light
DECEMBER 13 AND 20, 3 P.M. | MSUM PLANETARIUM | ALL AGES | TICKETED
This planetarium program explores the astronomy, lights, and traditions associated with winter celebrations around the world. It offers a thoughtful holiday experience that goes beyond the traditional Santa visit.
The Classic Nutcracker
DECEMBER 18-20 | NDSU FESTIVAL CONCERT HALL | ALL AGES | TICKETED
Live dance, music, and pre-show activities turn the traditional holiday production into a complete family experience. Parents of younger children may want to check the running time and lapchild policy before purchasing seats.
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January Winter Youth Sports Sampler BEGINS JANUARY 5 | FARGO PARKS SPORTS CENTER | YOUNG CHILDREN | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Children can experiment with multiple sports in a low-pressure environment before families commit to an entire season or league. Check age divisions and session information when registration opens.
Pint Size Explorers: A Skink’s Story JANUARY 8 | RED RIVER ZOO | AGES 4-6 | $15 MEMBERS; $20 NONMEMBERS
This preschool program uses hands-on learning to introduce children to skinks and animal adaptations. Session sizes may be limited, so advance registration is a good idea.
Youth Ice Fishing Derby JANUARY 9, 2-3 P.M. | WOODHAVEN SOUTH FISHING POND | AGES 15 AND UNDER | FREE
Pre-drilled holes, bait, and s’mores help make this an approachable introduction to ice fishing. Families should bring their own rods and tackle and dress for rapidly changing winter conditions.
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january Tot Art Studio and Little Art Studio
FIVE-WEEK SESSION BEGINNING JANUARY 11 FIVE-WEEK SESSION BEGINNING JANUARY 12 | FARGO | AGES 6-8 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Preschoolers can spend part of the winter experimenting with creativity in a structured art environment. Check whether caregivers stay for the class when registering. The Little Art Studio is designed for early elementary artists; this multiweek program gives children a regular creative outlet during the heart of winter. Space and supplies may be limited.
ZOOcation: Snow School
JANUARY 15, 8 A.M.-3 P.M. | RED RIVER ZOO | GRADES 1-5 | $35-$40
This full-day school-break program combines snow, ice, wildlife, and conservation learning. Parents should check lunch requirements, outdoor clothing recommendations, and drop-off procedures.
Solar System Explorers: Tour 1
JANUARY 23-24 | MSUM PLANETARIUM | AGES 3+ | TICKETED
The first installment in a four-part planetarium series invites children to begin a Solar System Explorers passport. Saturday programming is geared toward ages 3-6, with Sunday designed for ages 7 and older.
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Youth Pond Hockey Day
JANUARY 23, 9 A.M.-3 P.M. | LINDENWOOD PARK | 6U-10U TEAMS
Young hockey players take the game outdoors during this community pond hockey event. Spectating siblings and parents should plan for cold temperatures and check warming options before arriving.
Frostival
DATE TBD | METRO-WIDE | ALL AGES | MANY ACTIVITIES FREE
Frostival embraces exactly what makes winter in Fargo-Moorhead unique. Expect outdoor recreation, creative competitions, family activities, and the popular Frozen Fortress when the full 2027 schedule is released.
Cardboard Sled Race DATE TBD | FARGO | ALL AGES | FREE
Families build their own cardboard creations before sending them down the hill during this Frostival favorite. Wait for the official construction rules before breaking out the tape and boxes.
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february Fargo Pond Hockey Classic
FEBRUARY 6-7 | LINDENWOOD PARK | HOCKEY FAMILIES | FREE TO WATCH
Outdoor hockey takes center stage during a full weekend of games at Lindenwood Park. Spectators should check parking, concession, and warming-area information before heading out.
Pint Size Explorers: What’cha Takin About? FEBRUARY 12 | RED RIVER ZOO | AGES 4-6 | $15-$20
Young animal lovers will meet the zoo’s takin while learning about the adaptations animals need to survive in mountainous environments.
Butterfly Ball
DATE TBD | AVALON EVENT CENTER | AGES 4-12 WITH A SPECIAL ADULT | TICKETED
Children can dress up and enjoy a memorable evening with an important adult in their lives. The event is designed to welcome many types of family relationships, not just traditional parentchild pairings.
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ZOOcation: Predator and Prey Day
FEBRUARY 16, 8 A.M.-3 P.M. | RED RIVER ZOO | GRADES 1-5 | $35-$40
Games, wildlife, and animal science fill this fullday school-break program. Check what children need to pack and whether the date aligns with your school calendar.
Nerf Wars
FEBRUARY 17 | METRO RECREATION CENTER | SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Indoor Nerf battles provide a high-energy solution to winter cabin fever. Review agespecific session times as well as eye-protection and equipment rules before registering.
Solar System Explorers: Tour 2
FEBRUARY 20-21 | MSUM PLANETARIUM | AGES 3+ | TICKETED
The second stop in the planetarium passport series focuses on the rocky planets. Families can still join even if they missed the January program.
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february The Joys of Painting with Bob Ross FEBRUARY 20, 2-4 P.M. | YUNKER FARM | FAMILIES AND OLDER CHILDREN | $10
Happy little trees and family creativity meet in this playful painting event. Check whether supplies are included and whether each participating family member needs a ticket.
Red River Valley Home & Garden Show FEBRUARY 26-28 | FARGODOME | ALL AGES | TICKETED
Although primarily a home and garden event, kid-friendly features such as a treasure hunt can make it enjoyable for the whole family. Watch for admission promotions and children’s programming details.
The Cat in the Hat: No Place Like Space FEBRUARY 27-28 | MSUM PLANETARIUM | YOUNG CHILDREN | TICKETED
Dr. Seuss helps introduce young children to space through a story many already know and love. It is an especially easy indoor outing for preschool and early elementary families.
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MARCH Pint Size Explorers: Otter Fun MARCH 12 | RED RIVER ZOO | AGES 4-6 | $15-$20
Play-centered activities introduce preschoolers to otters and their behaviors. Advance registration is recommended for these small-group zoo programs.
Celtic Festival
DATE TBD | HJEMKOMST CENTER | ALL AGES
Music, dancing, heritage activities, and food make the Celtic Festival flexible enough for families to visit for an hour or stay much longer. It pairs naturally with the St. Patrick’s weekend festivities.
Fargo-Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade
DATE TBD | DOWNTOWN FARGO-MOORHEAD | ALL AGES | FREE
Bands, dancers, horses, floats, and plenty of green make this one of the metro’s biggest early-spring gatherings. Verify the route before attending because it has changed in recent years.
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Solar System Explorers: Tour 3
MARCH 20-21 | MSUM PLANETARIUM | AGES 3+ | TICKETED
The third stop on the Solar System Explorers journey heads toward the gas giants. Children completing three of the four programs can qualify for a series badge and certificate.
Bunny Hop Bash
DATE TBD | COURTS PLUS COMMUNITY FITNESS | AGES 1-11 | TICKETED
Egg hunts, crafts, inflatables, and photos bring spring indoors regardless of the weather. Space can be limited, making this one to register for early.
ZOOcation: What’s the Scoop?
MARCH 30, 8 A.M.-3 P.M. | RED RIVER ZOO | GRADES 1-5 | $35-$40
Yes, this program is about poop—and that is exactly why children may love it. Campers use scat, diet, and tracking clues to learn about animal health and behavior.
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There are nights when dinner needs to be something other than another task on the list. Maybe practice ran late, the refrigerator is looking uninspiring, or everyone could simply use a change of scenery. A restaurant meal can be a welcome break, and choosing the right day can make the bill a little easier to enjoy, too. Around the metro, kids-eat-free offers range from a Tuesday buffet to a weekend meal with an adult entrée. The trick is knowing what qualifies. Some specials have an age cutoff, others require a minimum purchase, and a free entrée does not always include a drink. Here’s where to start planning your next family meal.
SICKIES GARAGE BURGERS & BREWS
FARGO | MONDAY FAMILY NIGHT A burger night is one way to ease into the week, and both Fargo Sickies locations advertise a Monday kids-eatfree promotion. The automotive-themed restaurants give families two options across town, with a burger-focused menu for the adults and a free children’s meal among the Monday attractions. | 3431 Fiechtner Drive S., Fargo | 701.478.7425 | 2551 45th St. S., Suite 101, Fargo | 701.532.3202
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BREWTUS’ BRICKHOUSE
WEST FARGO | LIL’ BREWSER MONDAYS Brewtus’ gives the beginning of the week its own family tradition with Lil’ Brewser Mondays. The restaurant’s posted special advertises that kids eat free with an accompanying adult, making its West Fargo location another option for a Monday meal together. | 705 32nd Ave. E., West Fargo | 701.532.1397
RUBY TUESDAY
FARGO | TUESDAY AFTER 5 P.M. AND FRIDAY ALL DAY | AGES 12 AND YOUNGER Despite the name, Tuesday is not the only day to keep Ruby Tuesday on the family calendar. The restaurant advertises free meals for children 12 and younger on Tuesday evenings after 5 p.m. and throughout the day on Fridays, with the purchase of a full-priced adult entrée. | 2535 23rd Ave. S., Fargo | 701.232.2012
PIZZA RANCH
FARGO | TUESDAY, 11 A.M.–8 P.M. AGES 12 AND YOUNGER When the family cannot agree on one entrée, a buffet offers some flexibility. At Fargo’s Pizza Ranch, one child age 12 or younger receives a free buffet with each full-priced adult buffet purchased on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fargo’s Pizza Ranch also lists children ages 0–2 as free under its regular buffet pricing, separate from the Tuesday promotion. For children ages 3–12 visiting outside the special, the posted regular price is $1 per year of age. | 4480 23rd Ave. S., Suite A, Fargo | 701.356.4141
MACKENZIE RIVER PIZZA, GRILL & PUB WEST FARGO | WEDNESDAY | AGES 12 AND YOUNGER
MacKenzie River’s West Fargo location offers a midweek reason to let someone else handle dinner. Children 12 and younger eat free on Wednesdays with a qualifying purchase of $13 or more. | 819 24th Ave. E., West Fargo | 701.532.2221
SMASHBURGER FARGO | WEDNESDAY | AGES 12 AND YOUNGER
Smashburger’s Wednesday offer comes with a clear ordering checklist that includes purchasing an adult entrée, a side, and a drink, and receive a free kids’ meal for a child age 12 or younger. This offer is good through December 31 | 1801 45th St. SW, Fargo
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PEPPER’S SPORTS CAFE
FARGO | SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 11 A.M.–6 P.M. A weekend meal does not have to wait until dinnertime. Pepper’s offers one free children’s entrée with the purchase of one regular-priced adult entrée on both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 2510 S. University Drive, Fargo | 701.232.2366
PARADISO MEXICAN RESTAURANT FARGO | SUNDAY | AGES 8 AND YOUNGER
For families with younger children, Paradiso’s Sunday special offers several familiar choices alongside the Mexican dishes. Children age 8 or younger can select one free item from the children’s menu when accompanied by a parent who orders food of equal or greater value. The menu includes a taco platter, a bean-and-cheese burrito, a burger, mini corn dogs, and chicken tenders.
HOOLIGANS BAR & GRILL
WEST FARGO | SUNDAY Hooligans adds another West Fargo option to the Sunday lineup. They offer free kids’ food with an adult purchase, giving families a reason to gather for a meal before the next week begins. | 509 32nd Ave. W., West Fargo | 701.373.0770
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| 801 38th St. S., Fargo | 701.282.5747
HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL
FARGO | REGULAR MENU PRICING AGES 3 AND YOUNGER
Families with toddlers do not necessarily need to plan around a weekly promotion at HuHot. The restaurant’s menu for its Fargo and Bismarck locations lists the kids’ grill meal, including rice, as free for children age 3 and younger. This is specifically the grill meal. Children’s chicken strips and macaroni and cheese are separate, paid menu items. For older siblings, the same menu lists the grill meal for ages 4–12 at $5.99. | 1801 45th St. S., Fargo | 701.478.4688
THE SANDBOX RESTAURANT & BAR SOL AVE. KITCHEN MOORHEAD | REGULAR CHILDREN’S MENU | AGES 10 AND YOUNGER
For a Moorhead meal that does not depend on a particular promotional night, Sol Ave. Kitchen’s children’s menu offers several modestly priced choices. The posted menu includes a $4 chicken taco, a $5 quesadilla, $5 chicken strips, and a $6 hot ham-andcheese sandwich, served with a choice of fries or fruit.
WEST FARGO | MONDAY FAMILY NIGHT | HALF-PRICE KIDS’ MEALS
The Sandbox’s Monday family night features half-price spaghetti and kids’ meals. It is a discount, not a free-meal offer—a distinction worth noting when planning the family budget. | 3147 Bluestem Drive, West Fargo | 701.532.2699
| 1408 First Ave. N., Suite 2, Moorhead | 218.284.7653
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Mahto Creations
Meet The
By Ashley Morken, Owner, Unglued
Photos provided by Ashley Morken
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H
eather Goudreaux of Mahto Creations is crafting up beaded creations with color and sparkle for you to wear and enjoy! Get to know more about the maker below and how she started as a beading supplier and then took off with her own creativity in her handcrafted beading business - using traditional techniques to make pieces uniquely her own.
Tell us a bit about yourself. I live in Fargo, and when I’m not prepping for a vendor event or working on Mahto Creations, I enjoy spending time with my son and daughter. Family is a big part of my life, and I love being able to balance my time between them and something I’m passionate about.
Describe what type of products you create at Mahto Creations. At Mahto Creations, we create hand-beaded earrings, necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and other unique beadwork. Each piece is handmade with care, and we take pride in creating one-of-a-kind designs that you won’t find anywhere else.
Tell us how you got started with your handcrafted business. What inspired you? I originally started by selling beading supplies such as cabochons, rhinestone banding, and other unique materials that beaders could use in their own creations. I also wanted to provide more options for customers who live in remote areas and may not have access to these types of supplies locally. Over time, I realized I wanted to take that creativity a step further and begin creating my own beadwork. That eventually led Mahto Creations from being primarily a supplier to becoming a creator of our own line of handmade pieces.
Where does the name Mahto Creations come from? In the Lakota language, Mahto means “bear.” I took inspiration from my family name, Bear Ribs, and combined that with “Creations” to create the name Mahto Creations. I wanted my business name to reflect my family, our
heritage, and the traditions that are important to me.
Could you tell us about how your background influences what you create today? I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and I grew up watching my mother bead. I was always fascinated by the time, patience, and creativity she put into her work. As I got older, I wanted to carry that tradition forward in my own way. Beading has become a way for me to stay connected to my family and heritage while creating something that is uniquely my own. I have also had the opportunity to teach my children how to bead, which is especially meaningful to me because it allows the tradition to continue into the next generation.
How has your business evolved over the years? We’ve grown from being a supplier of beading materials to creating our own line of handmade beadwork. Making that transition has allowed me to be more creative and develop pieces that are truly our own.
That is so fun that you previously were a beading supplier and then moved into creating! I’m curious, what is your favorite type of bead to work with currently? I work with size 11 Czech seed beads on a daily basis, and they are definitely my go-to beads. More recently, I have started experimenting with chunky beads for keychains, which has been a fun change. I would also like to challenge myself by working with size 15 Delica beads for some of my pieces. They are smaller and more uniform, so getting the beads to sit correctly and achieve the finished look I want will
definitely be a challenge. But I enjoy learning new techniques and pushing myself to improve, so I’m looking forward to giving them a try.
What was one of the most difficult pieces you’ve created? One of the most challenging pieces I’ve created was a beaded medallion. I knew it would take a significant amount of time and patience, so I wanted to make sure I could dedicate the time it deserved. It was definitely a challenge, but it was also rewarding to see the finished piece come together.
Where does your inspiration come from for new pieces? We love creating one-of-a-kind pieces, and we’re very proud that no two pieces are exactly the same. We’re always looking for ways to come up with designs that are unique and different from what we’ve created before. Sometimes that can be challenging, but it’s also one of the things that makes creating so much fun.
What is something someone might find surprising about working with beadwork? I think people might be surprised by how much thought goes into choosing colors. Finding colors that complement each other— whether they’re warm tones, cool tones, or a combination of several different colors—can really change the look and feel of a piece. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and experiment with colors you might not normally put together.
What has been the most challenging part of this handcrafted business? One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with creating enough pieces for each vendor
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event. Every item is handmade, and the more intricate the details are, the more time it takes to complete. Balancing the time it takes to create each piece with preparing for events can definitely be challenging.
What has been the most rewarding part? The most rewarding part is seeing our customers happy with the pieces they purchase. We especially love seeing returning customers and hearing their feedback. Knowing that someone connects with a piece enough to come back and shop with us again means a lot. We also appreciate the suggestions and ideas our customers share because they help inspire us.
What is one type of craft you haven’t dabbled in yet that you’d be interested to try?
Mahto Creations
I think I would really like to try quilting, especially making Star Quilts. I have family members who quilt, and I have always admired the beautiful work they create. I think part of what holds me back is that I second-guess myself because I see how talented they are. But I would love to give it a try someday. I think learning a new craft would be both challenging and rewarding, and it would be another way to connect with a tradition that is meaningful to my family.
What advice would you have given yourself five years ago? I would have told myself not to be afraid to make the transition from being a supplier to becoming a creator. Taking that step opened the door to so much more creativity and allowed me to build something that is truly my own.
Where can people find your work or connect with you? You can find Mahto Creations on Facebook and Instagram. I also share information about upcoming vendor events on our social media, so that’s the best way to keep up with where we’ll be next and see our newest pieces.
Mahto Creations | Search “Mahto Creations” | @mahto.creations
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BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR GROWING KIDS When I think about some of my favorite childhood memories, they aren't particularly impressive on paper. I grew up in a home daycare, which meant there were kids all around me and in my home throughout my childhood. We were different ages, and that was part of what made it fun. The six-year-olds learned from the eleven-year-olds, while the older kids learned to be patient with the four-year-olds. We all learned from each other by watching, copying, and leading one another, adjusting when our games didn't quite work. We invented games in the backyard with rules I couldn't possibly recreate now. I remember playing backwards kickball, building elaborate "meals" with sticks and rocks, and making up dance routines we would perform for one another. In the moment, none of this felt educational. Daycare came in the hours after school, so it was our time to play. We were just figuring things out as we went, making up games, changing the rules, and finding imaginative ways of playing together. Looking back, I can see how valuable that time was for my social development. I was learning how to join a group, make room for someone younger, disagree and keep playing, and be imaginative with other people. I was also learning what it felt like to belong to a community outside of my classroom.
CHRISTKINDLMARKT
November 20–22 & 27–29 Fargo Civic Center $10 for adults, which includes admission to all six days Children 17 and under are free
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Core memories have become shorthand for something especially meaningful: a perfect vacation, a birthday party, or a first day of school outfit. There can be a lot of pressure in the idea of creating core memories for children, especially when so much of life can feel highly curated. Core memories aren't always moments that can be perfectly engineered. Giving children opportunities to simply be around other people matters. Play supports children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills. When
By Amanda Frost, Marketing Manager - Folkways Photos provided by Folkways
children play together, they practice negotiating, communicating, cooperating, and solving problems. They also get to experience something that can be difficult to recreate in a scheduled activity: figuring out how to participate in a group without an adult deciding exactly what happens next. At Folkways events, adults create the setting, but children get to decide what happens inside it. At the Red River Market, a child might watch a cooking demonstration and see another child bravely try a new sample, or build castles and obstacle courses with kids they just met using the Blue Blocks. At Night Bazaars, they can make art beside someone new, dance to live music, or get excited about dressing up in costumes all summer long, not just on Halloween. At Christkindlmarkt, they might watch a folk artist work, make a s'more around the fire, or keep an eye out for their favorite holiday character wandering through the market.
These moments can create opportunities for children to connect with peers outside the usual circles of school, sports, or organized activities. A child might recognize a classmate at the market, meet someone from another neighborhood, or see the same family at several events throughout the summer. The relationships don't have to become close friendships to matter. Familiar faces help a place feel familiar, and that sense of recognition can be meaningful for children and adults alike.
RED RIVER MARKET Saturdays, 10 am–2 pm July–October Broadway Square Free
There is also something valuable about children playing alongside people who aren't exactly their age. An older child might show a younger child how to do something without realizing they are teaching. A younger child might imitate someone they look up to. Two children might disagree about the rules of a game and have to work it out themselves. These small interactions give children room to practice social skills in real time,
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rather than simply being told how to cooperate or be kind. Children's social lives can also become increasingly scheduled. School, sports, lessons, camps, and arranged playdates all have their place, but community spaces offer something different: a chance to show up without needing to know exactly who will be there or what will happen. When families return to the same place regularly, those outings can become community rituals. I once talked with a mom who regularly brings her son and younger brother to the Red River Market. She told me she loved having a built-in weekend plan that didn't require adding something to the calendar or spending money. As they kept coming back, she started running into people she knew, and her son began recognizing other kids who regularly came to the market, too. What started as a weekly outing became a familiar place where their social circles could naturally grow. Of course, being able to attend community events isn't equally accessible to every family, but providing free events can help remove some of those barriers. Folkways hosts more than 30 free events throughout the community each year. At the Red River Market, Folkways partners with MATBUS to provide free rides to and from the market, with ride coupons available through the Red River Market website. The SNAP Match program can also match up to $15 per person per market, giving SNAP shoppers up to $30 to spend on eligible food and helping families access locally grown produce. Both the Night Bazaar and Red River Market also offer free music, performances, art, cultural experiences, and opportunities for play without requiring a ticket. Community spaces can also make ordinary family routines feel a little more meaningful. A trip to the farmers market can become a chance to talk
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about where food comes from, meet the person who grew the carrots coming home for dinner, or watch a cooking demonstration together. A yearly trip to Christkindlmarkt can become a tradition of making s'mores by the fire, picking up a favorite holiday treat, or trying to catch a photo with a favorite Christmas character. The activity itself doesn't have to be extraordinary for the tradition to become meaningful. One of my favorite moments at a Night Bazaar this year happened when a little girl asked if I wanted to dance with her. I was working the event, so there were plenty of things I could have been doing, but I took a few minutes to dance with her. I was dressed as a fairy, so maybe years from now she will remember a summer night when she danced with a fairy at a street festival. Maybe she won't. That isn't really something I can control. What I can do is help create spaces where moments like that are possible alongside my team. Folkways creates opportunities for children to play together, meet people outside their usual circles, invent their own games, and experience the small surprises that make a community feel alive. Moments that bring people together through shared experiences can build a sense of belonging, not just for the little ones in our community, but for people of all ages. Learn more at folkways.org and redriver.market
Care Beyond the Clock At 9:45 at night, most childcare centers are dark. The toys have been put away, the classroom lights are off, and the last employee has gone home. But across Fargo-Moorhead, other workplaces are only changing shifts. Nurses and nursing assistants are beginning overnight rounds. Manufacturing employees are clocking in. Hotel, restaurant, cleaning, transportation and public-safety workers are preparing for hours that do not fit neatly between breakfast and dinner. For a parent scheduled to begin work at 10 p.m., the decisive question may not be whether a job is available. It may be whether anyone can care for a child while that parent works. Sky Purdin, speaking on behalf of Jasmin Child Care and Preschool in Fargo, hears versions of that dilemma often. An employer may need someone for a late shift and have a willing worker ready to fill it, Purdin said, but the arrangement collapses if the worker cannot find childcare. A labor shortage, viewed from the family’s kitchen table, can be a childcare-hours shortage. Jasmin has built its work around that reality. The nonprofit early-learning program offers care 24 hours a day, five days a week, along with daytime care on weekends. It recently added three classrooms and more playground space. Approximately 70 children attend across its different shifts, according to Purdin. The center is also a multilingual gathering place where families from many cultures encounter one another every day. It is an early-learning program that tracks children’s development and prepares them for kindergarten. It connects parents with developmental screenings and community resources. It offers experiences outside the classroom, from gardens and swimming lessons to visits with first responders. And it is working toward a second location in Moorhead that could substantially expand its reach. Taken together, those roles point to a much larger story. Jasmin is not simply a place where children stay while adults work. It is an example of what childcare becomes when a community treats it as education, family support, cultural connection, and economic infrastructure all at once. 108 | OCTOBER 2026 | MEETFARGO.COM
BY BRADY DRAKE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JASMIN CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL
A Schedule Built Around Real Life
Traditional childcare hours were designed around a traditional workday. Yet for many families, that workday has become more the exception than the rule. Hospitals operate around the clock. Factories run second and third shifts. Retailers and restaurants remain open late and on weekends. Many essential jobs have early start times, variable schedules, or mandatory overtime. Parents in those roles often piece together care through relatives, friends, opposite work schedules, and improvised arrangements. One disruption—a sick grandparent, a changed shift or a school closure— can threaten a paycheck. Purdin sees Jasmin’s extended hours as a practical response to that mismatch. The center can accommodate early mornings, evenings, and overnights, creating options for parents who may otherwise be forced to turn down work, reduce their hours, or leave a job. “If an employee needs to come in at 10 p.m. but doesn’t have childcare, that employee may have to quit because they don’t have anyone to watch their child,” Purdin said, describing the problem facing both parents and employers. The center’s recent expansion made room for more families. Three additional classrooms and a larger play area increased the space available for children, while the round-the-clock
weekday schedule allowed Jasmin to serve families across more than one work shift. Enrollment is spread throughout the day and night rather than concentrated in a single block of hours. That model requires more than simply keeping the doors unlocked longer. Children need routines, meals, rest, learning, and emotional security regardless of when a parent’s shift begins. Teachers must make a late-night classroom feel predictable and safe. Communication between families and staff becomes especially important when one parent arrives before sunrise, and another child leaves in the afternoon. Extended-hours care also presents a visibility problem. Families may not search for overnight childcare because they assume it does not exist. Employers may not know they can refer workers to such a program. Meanwhile, the people operating the center are consumed by the immediate work of caring for children. “We’re busy doing the work and not so busy advertising,” Purdin said. “We’re putting a lot into the kids, and maybe not so many people know about us.” For Jasmin, greater visibility is not merely a marketing objective. It could connect an unemployed parent with a workable shift, help a business retain a trained employee or give a family a more stable weekly routine. CONTINUED> 109
A Center Born From a Community Need
Jasmin’s history begins with someone noticing a gap. Founder Rhoda Elmi was visiting a friend in Fargo when she heard about the local shortage of childcare. She researched the need, moved to the community, and opened Jasmin in January 2015. The center was founded and operated by an immigrant family that understood both the practical demands of childcare and the additional barriers faced by families learning how to navigate a new city, language, and network of institutions. By 2017, Jasmin was serving 39 children and had a waiting list for infant care. Five employees outside the founding family were New Americans. The program offered kindergarten preparation and afterschool care, and its staff helped parents understand
letters, prepare for school meetings, and navigate healthcare and other services. That combination—care for children and guidance for the adults who love them—was present from the beginning. “It’s not all about the money,” Elmi said in an early profile of the center. “It’s all about the community. We came here to help people.” The center has grown considerably since then, but the philosophy remains recognizable. Jasmin’s stated mission is to provide high-quality, affordable early education, remove barriers to children’s success, and connect families with community partners. Enrollment is open to families of all backgrounds.
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Trust Comes Before Services
The phrase “wraparound services” can sound bureaucratic. At Jasmin, it often begins with a conversation. A parent may be wondering whether a child is meeting developmental milestones. Another may need a car seat checked. A family may be unfamiliar with local therapy providers or unsure how to arrange a screening. Jasmin does not attempt to replace healthcare providers, social workers, or public agencies. Instead, staff members help families find the right door and, when needed, make the introduction easier. Purdin described the center as a connector. Jasmin has worked with community providers, including Pediatric Partners, to make developmental screening and support easier for families to access. The center can share information, facilitate a visit, or help a parent communicate with a provider. The goal is not to pressure a family into accepting a service. Parents remain in control. “We don’t push anything on anybody,” Purdin said. “We’re here to listen to the parents.” That approach depends on trust—something that cannot be created through a referral form alone. Childcare teachers see children across hundreds of ordinary moments—during meals, play, transitions, frustration, rest and discovery. They learn how a child asks for help, what captures the child’s attention and what changes when the child is tired or overwhelmed. Parents, in turn, know their children’s histories, temperaments, and lives outside the classroom. When both sides communicate openly, concerns can be identified earlier, and
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strengths can be reinforced more intentionally. For families who speak languages other than English or who are unfamiliar with local systems, a trusted childcare provider can make an intimidating institution feel more navigable. A staff member who understands a family’s language or cultural frame of reference may help explain not only what a service is, but why it is being offered and what choices the parent has. Many of these connections and added experiences are offered without an additional fee to families, Purdin said. That is particularly significant at a center where, by Purdin’s estimate, more than 90% of families have low incomes and may qualify for programs such as the Child Care Assistance Program or the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. The service model rests on a simple idea: a child’s development cannot be separated neatly from the family’s circumstances. A child may need literacy practice, but the family may also need a stable care schedule. A teacher may notice a developmental concern, but the parent may need help finding the right specialist. A family may qualify for assistance, but still struggle with a waitlist or application process. Effective early care responds to the whole picture.
Learning That Can Be Seen and Measured Jasmin’s flexible schedule should not be mistaken for custodial care. Education remains central to the program. The center participates in Bright & Early ND, North Dakota’s quality rating and improvement system for early care and education programs. Jasmin has reached Step 3 in the fourstep system, Purdin said. The designation reflects work beyond basic licensing requirements, including attention to curriculum, classroom practice, child assessment and continued quality improvement. Jasmin uses Teaching Strategies GOLD, an observation-based system for following children’s development and learning. Teachers document progress across developmental areas and use that information to understand where a child is thriving and where additional attention may help. Purdin said the center assesses children regularly, including quarterly reviews of developmental progress. For parents, that process can turn a vague question—“Is my
child ready?”—into a more useful conversation about specific skills. Teachers can discuss language development, early math, social-emotional growth, motor skills, attention, and independence. They can recognize progress that may be easy to miss from day to day and adjust classroom experiences to meet children at different stages. In preschool, children practice the foundations they will need in kindergarten, like recognizing letters and numbers, developing vocabulary, writing their names, listening to stories, and learning how to participate in a group. Purdin said many children leave Jasmin ready for school, with some already beginning to read books independently. Readiness, however, is larger than academics. It includes taking turns, communicating needs, handling frustration, following routines, making friends, and gaining confidence in unfamiliar settings. For a child learning English while also maintaining a home language, readiness may include becoming comfortable moving between linguistic worlds. For a child who
has experienced instability, it may begin with feeling secure enough to explore. Jasmin extends learning beyond worksheets and classroom walls. A large garden gives children opportunities to touch soil, observe plants, and understand where food comes from. Garden grants have supported lessons about nutrition, sensory exploration and healthy eating. Field trips and community partnerships introduce children to swimming, camps, art, and public servants. Visits involving police officers, firefighters, and other first responders allow children to meet the people behind uniforms in a welcoming setting. The center has also partnered with BIO Girls, a Fargo-based program that supports girls’ confidence and well-being. Each experience adds another layer to the curriculum, like movement, curiosity, resilience, community awareness, or the simple confidence that comes from trying something new.
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A Classroom That Looks Like the World
Over time, Jasmin has served children representing more than 30 ethnicities and 16 languages, Purdin said. The numbers are striking, but their meaning is best understood at child height. In one classroom, a child may hear a friend speak a different language with a parent. Lunches, names, clothing, hair, family traditions and ways of celebrating may differ. Teachers may draw on several languages to reassure a new student or help a child connect an unfamiliar English word to something already understood. The formal language of instruction is English, Purdin said, but staff members can use other languages as bridges when children need them. An Essentia Health profile of Jasmin reported that the center’s educators and care staff collectively speak as many as eight languages. That capacity can change a family’s first encounter with childcare. A parent who would otherwise struggle to explain a child’s routine may find someone who understands. A child entering an English-speaking classroom may hear a familiar word at the moment it matters most. Purdin cautioned against treating any culture as a set of assumptions. Cultural competence, in this view, begins with patience and curiosity rather than a checklist. “Every person is an individual,” Purdin said. “Each culture has its strengths.” That requires adults to pause before judging a behavior they do not immediately understand. A parent’s expectations about sleep, food, discipline, independence,
or communication may be shaped by family and culture. A child’s silence may reflect language learning, uncertainty, or temperament rather than inability. Understanding begins when teachers ask what lies behind an action. “Every child has their own story and their own circumstances,” Purdin said. “Every child deserves an opportunity and somebody who is patient and kind enough to see them for who they really are, and the strengths that they have, and then draw those strengths out.” Purdin’s own child attends Jasmin, making the center’s diversity personal as well as professional. Growing up among children from many backgrounds makes difference ordinary rather than exotic. It widens a child’s sense of what a family, a language or a life can look like. Books and classroom lessons can introduce culture, Purdin said, but direct experience teaches differently. Children learn through friendships. They ask questions without the self-consciousness adults often bring to difference. They discover that unfamiliar does not mean frightening—and that no single family’s habits define what is normal for everyone. “Exposure is the best way to educate,” Purdin said. In a region shaped by migration, refugee resettlement, international education and changing workforce needs, those daily encounters have value far beyond one classroom. The children at Jasmin are practicing how to live in the community FargoMoorhead is becoming.
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Childcare Is Workforce Infrastructure Childcare is often discussed as a private family expense. Its effects are public. When care is unavailable, parents miss shifts, reduce hours, decline promotions, delay education or leave the workforce. Employers lose workers they have recruited and trained. Colleagues absorb vacancies. Healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality and other sectors already struggling to staff nontraditional hours face an additional constraint. Jasmin’s schedule makes that connection unusually visible. The center is not creating jobs in a factory or filling hospital shifts directly. It is making it possible for parents to accept and keep those jobs. That is why Purdin wants deeper relationships with employers. A company that hires evening or overnight workers could tell applicants about Jasmin. It could
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help employees understand childcare assistance, reserve or support care options, contribute to expansion, or collaborate on schedules that families and providers can sustain. What may look like philanthropy can also be a retention strategy. Essentia Health made that connection explicit in 2025, contributing $50,000 to support Jasmin’s expansion and its move to 24-hour weekday care. The health system described the partnership as a way to support families and strengthen the workforce, particularly for New American parents and others whose work does not fit standard business hours. The investment illustrates a broader opportunity. Childcare centers cannot solve a regional labor shortage alone, and employers cannot create enough care simply by distributing a list of providers. But businesses, governments, philanthropic
organizations and childcare professionals can align resources around the hours, locations and age groups where families face the largest gaps. Purdin believes greater partnership across sectors is essential. That includes financial support, but it also includes awareness. An employer who knows that extended-hours care exists can share that information before an employee reaches a crisis. A community organization can bring screenings or enrichment to children where they already spend their days. A city can make land available for a new center. A healthcare system can recognize that supporting childcare helps support its own workforce. Seen that way, a childcare classroom is part of the region’s economic foundation, as consequential in daily life as transportation or housing. If one piece fails, opportunity narrows.
The Cost of a Place in the Classroom
Even an innovative center operates within a childcare economy that is notoriously difficult to balance. Families need tuition to remain affordable. Teachers deserve wages that reflect the skill, patience, and responsibility their work demands. Programs must cover staffing, food, training, insurance, utilities, equipment, supplies, facilities, and compliance costs. Infants and younger children require especially low staff-to-child ratios, which makes care more expensive to provide precisely when many parents are least able to absorb the cost. Public assistance helps bridge the difference. North Dakota’s Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible low-income families pay for care while parents work, train, or attend school. But access to the program has been constrained. The state began a waitlist for new applicants on Dec. 1, 2025, while giving priority to households with very low incomes and families experiencing homelessness.
For providers, assistance delays create another problem. A center can have space, a family can want that space, and an employer can have a job available, yet the arrangement still may not come together. The empty seat does not necessarily signal a lack of demand. It may signal that the financing mechanism between family and provider has stalled. That is why childcare policy cannot be measured only by the number of licensed slots. Hours matter. Location matters. Affordability matters. The availability of infant care matters. Language access and trust matter. Whether a family can actually convert eligibility into assistance matters. Jasmin’s experience places all of those variables in one room.
Purdin said the delay has left some families caught between qualifying for help and actually receiving it. Without assistance, a parent may be unable to afford care; without care, the parent may be unable to begin working; without work, the family cannot build the income and stability the program is meant to support.
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The Teachers Behind the Model Programs, grants, and partnerships are visible in announcements. The daily labor that makes them meaningful is quieter. Jasmin’s teachers welcome children at unusual hours, notice developmental changes, plan lessons, prepare activities, mediate conflicts, communicate with parents, and create calm for children who may arrive tired or uncertain. They help children learn English without treating a
home language as a problem. They remember who is practicing a name, who is hesitant in the water, who has begun to share more easily, and who needs another patient invitation to join the group. Purdin repeatedly returned to the importance of those educators. They are the people doing the work “day in and day out,” often without the recognition given to other professions that communities depend on.
The point is more than ceremonial. Childcare quality depends on relationships, and relationships depend on a stable, skilled workforce. When teachers leave because wages are too low or the work is unsustainable, children lose trusted adults and centers lose accumulated knowledge. Supporting childcare therefore means supporting the people who provide it—not only buildings, programs, or enrollment targets.
Looking Across the River Jasmin’s next chapter may take shape in Moorhead. The organization has been developing plans for a second childcare and community center on the Minnesota side of the metro. In December 2022, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded Jasmin a $120,000 Child Care Economic Development Grant for the Moorhead project. Blossom Communities, which has assisted with development work, describes the project as new construction combining childcare and community space. Purdin said Moorhead’s City Council recently approved the sale of land to Jasmin. Earlier
possibilities involved a donated or federally supported parcel with development deadlines attached, Purdin explained. Purchasing the property would allow Jasmin to move according to the realities of fundraising and construction rather than risk a timeline it could not responsibly meet.
The word “community” in the project description is important. The vision is not merely to reproduce the Fargo center on another parcel. It is to create a place capable of supporting children and families more broadly—a physical hub for the partnership model Jasmin has developed over the past decade.
The project remains dependent on capital. Jasmin is fundraising, looking for partners and refining the scale of what can be built. Purdin estimated that the center could serve roughly 80 to 120 children across day and night shifts, though the final capacity will depend on the building and resources available.
If completed, the Moorhead center could address several needs at once: more childcare capacity, more options for nontraditional work hours, culturally responsive early education and easier connections between families and service providers. Its location in Moorhead would also make care more practical for Minnesota families who now
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cross the river or cannot make a Fargo location work with their commute. But the project also demonstrates how difficult childcare expansion can be. Recognizing demand is only the beginning. Land acquisition, design, licensing, financing, construction, and long-term operating costs all must align. Grants can catalyze a project without completing it. Public
partners can open a door, but community and private investment may still be needed to walk through it. Jasmin’s effort is therefore both a promise and a test. The need appears clear. The organization has a model and a history. The remaining question is whether the region can assemble the partnerships required to turn land and plans into classrooms.
A Shared Answer to a Shared Problem Childcare discussions often become trapped in false divisions. Is care the responsibility of parents or employers? Is it education or economic development? Should government, business or charity pay? Is a center serving children, families or the wider community?
The connections are not theoretical. They run through the daily choices families make about work, food, transportation, health and education.
Jasmin’s work suggests that the answer can be all of the above.
“Childcare is a big issue, and there are a lot of misconceptions around it,” Purdin said. “But it’s an issue that we can work together as a community to improve.”
A child learning to write a name is preparing for school. A parent dropping that child off before an overnight shift is participating in the workforce. A teacher who speaks a family’s language is building trust. A developmental referral can influence a child’s future. An employer’s contribution can help retain workers. A city’s land decision can determine whether dozens of new care spaces are possible.
Purdin wants the community to understand both the scale of the challenge and its solvability.
Working together does not mean asking one institution to do everything. It means recognizing how much each sector has at stake. Employers need reliable workers. Cities need healthy neighborhoods and a strong tax base. Schools benefit when children arrive ready to learn.
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Healthcare systems need staff at every hour. Parents need the ability to earn a living without compromising their children’s safety. Children need stable relationships and opportunities to thrive. Jasmin Child Care and Preschool sits at the intersection of those needs. Its lights remain on when much of the city sleeps, but the larger significance of the center is not simply that it operates late. It is that Jasmin sees the full lives surrounding every classroom— the shift schedules, languages, ambitions, obstacles, and untapped strengths—and builds care around them. That is not a peripheral service. It is part of how a community works.
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