Screen-Free Week, May 4-10, 2025

Take and Makes

'Take and Make' kits will be available for pick up May 5-11 at Liberty Ridge Site 2 or the District Program Center while supplies last.

About the Teddy Bear Band

The Teddy Bear Band offers guaranteed family fun because  “YOU’RE IN THE SHOW”! Over 10,000 shows performed! BYOTB (bring your own teddy bear) and join in on the fun.

When the band started in 1985 all four members were participating in Bloomington’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program. Ron Gustafson, was the Early Childhood Teacher for the other band members' Daddy and Me class. According to Gustafson, “The idea was to take music from our circle time activities and put it on stage. Three of the dads were musicians. "I invited them to join me in a benefit performance and came up with the name Teddy Bear Band", said Gustafson. Bass player and professional musician Richard Erickson saw the potential for community performances. Gustafson and Erickson auditioned for the MELSA Library System and Teddy Bear Band was on its way playing over 150 shows in its’ first year.

In 38 years the band has played nearly 10,000 shows and the pace is not slowing down. In June and July alone they will be playing 32 gigs. Performance locations include Duluth, Granite Falls, Hutchinson, Sandstone, Isanti, Gaylord, St. Cloud and more.

Play Date at Valley Creek Park

Join us for a play date at the park! Meet new friends and enjoy time outside. Registration is not required. 

• 9-11 a.m. 
• Location:
  Valley Creek Park
  11500 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55129

 

Soccer Shots

Join us for a screen free, fun-filled session with the talented coaches from the Soccer Shots program! This is a great opportunity for you and your little one to experience the program together. Please arrive five minutes early, a guardian will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.  

• Register by May 3, 2024
• 5-6:30 p.m.:
  • Mini program, ages 2-3: 5-5:30 p.m.
  • Young Classic program, ages 3-4: 5:30-6 p.m.
  • Older Classic program, ages 4-5: 6-6:30 p.m.
• Location:
  Red Rock Elementary
  3311 Commonwealth Ave., Woodbury, MN 55125

Register

If you register but can no longer attend, please call 651-425-7181 so someone on the waitlist can take your place.

Play Nook Adventures

Join us for a morning adventure! Your little one will have a blast climbing, sliding, hopping, and playing on the soft play equipment. With tunnels, slides, ball pits, blocks, and more, it will be a morning of open, active, and imaginative play. This event is only for ages 0-5. Socks are required for children and adults on the play nooks. Please arrive five minutes early, a guardian will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.

• Register by May 4, 2025
• Ages birth to 5 and their grown-ups
• Session 1: 9-10 a.m.
• Session 2: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
• Location:
  Liberty Ridge Site 2
  11283 Eagle View Blvd., Woodbury, MN 55129

Register

If you register but can no longer attend, please call 651-425-7181 so someone on the waitlist can take your place.

 

Open Play at We Rock the Spectrum Gym

Celebrate Screen-Free Week at one of the newest inclusive play spaces in town! We Rock the Spectrum is offering two free open play session for families. This welcoming environment features uniquely designed sensory equipment that supports a wide range of developmental needs. Children of all abilities are invited to explore, play, and connect in a space where everyone belongs.

• Register by May 4, 2025
• Ages birth to 5 and their grown-ups
• 4-6 p.m.
• Location:
  We Rock the Spectrum Gym
  2101 Wooddale Dr., Suite 1, Woodbury, MN 55125

Register

If you register but can no longer attend, please call 651-425-7181 so someone on the waitlist can take your place.

 

Open Play at We Rock the Spectrum Gym

Celebrate Screen-Free Week at one of the newest inclusive play spaces in town! We Rock the Spectrum is offering two free open play session for families. This welcoming environment features uniquely designed sensory equipment that supports a wide range of developmental needs. Children of all abilities are invited to explore, play, and connect in a space where everyone belongs.

• Register by May 4, 2025
• Ages birth to 5 and their grown-ups
• 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Location:
  We Rock the Spectrum Gym
  2101 Wooddale Dr., Suite 1, Woodbury, MN 55125

Register

If you register but can no longer attend, please call 651-425-7181 so someone on the waitlist can take your place.

 

Open House at Shepard Farm, Dodge Nature Center

Step away from screens and reconnect with nature during South Washing County Community Education’s Screen-Free Week! Join us for an open house at Shepard Farm for unplugged activities. Gather around the fire, meet friendly farm animals, or explore the scenic trails—it’s up to you!

• Registration is not required
• 5-7 p.m.
• Location:
  Shepard Farm, Dodge Nature Center
  8946 70th Street S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Learn More

Play Date at Colby Lake Park

Join us for a play date at the park! Meet new friends and enjoy time outside. Registration is not required. 

• 9-11 a.m. 
• Location:
  Colby Lake Park
  9715 Valley Creek Rd., Woodbury, MN 55129

 

Animal Hour at Carpenter Nature Center

Meet in the Visitor Center for an Animal Meet and Greet. Touch and feel items like furs, bones, feathers and more. Meet an Animal Ambassador (turtles, snakes, salamander or rabbit). Complete a scavenger hunt and/or coloring sheet! The trails at CNC are open and free to hike from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 7 days a week.

• Registration is not required.
• Family-friendly
• 3-4 p.m.
• Location:
  Minnesota Campus in the Visitor Center
  12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033

Learn More

 

Pajama Storytime

Join us in singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing at this inclusive, welcoming storytime for families at Park Grove Library starting at 6:30 p.m. in celebration of Screen Free Week! 

This special pajama storytime will celebrate screen-free week. Storytime is your opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Activities during and after storytime are designed to strengthen fine and large motor skills. Grown-ups are encouraged to actively participate alongside the children they bring (modeling is one of the best ways to influence behavior). 

Registration is not required. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffie or toy along! 

• Registration is not required.
• Recommended for children of developmental ages birth to 8 years and their grown-ups
• 6-6:30 p.m.
• Location:
  Park Grove Library
  7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
  Meet in the children's area.

Learn More

 

Play Date at Woodridge Park

Join us for a play date at the park! Meet new friends and enjoy time outside. Registration is not required. 

• 9-11 a.m. 
• Location:
  Woodridge Park
  9000 90th St. S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

 

Soccer Shots

Join us for a screen free, fun-filled session with the talented coaches from the Soccer Shots program! This is a great opportunity for you and your little one to experience the program together. Please arrive five minutes early, a guardian will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.  

• Register by May 3, 2024
• 5-6:30 p.m.:
  • Mini program, ages 2-3: 5-5:30 p.m.
  • Young Classic program, ages 3-4: 5:30-6 p.m.
  • Older Classic program, ages 4-5: 6-6:30 p.m.
• Location:
  Red Rock Elementary
  3311 Commonwealth Ave., Woodbury, MN 55125

Register

Need more ideas of what to do during Screen-Free Week? Below is a list of other activities for your family to enjoy. 

 

ECFE Drop-In Play

Drop-In Play sessions provide the opportunity for you and your child(ren) to pop in for some parent/child ECFE fun. Most sessions are weekly and run from September through May based on the ECFE program calendar. Registration is not required and sessions are free. Space is limited to 14 children per session. For ages birth-5 years old unless indicated. These sessions are non-separating. Limited to 1 session per family/day.

Liberty Ridge Site 2 11283 Eagle View Blvd., Woodbury, MN

• Mondays, 11:30-12:45 p.m. or 3:30-4:45 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
• Fridays, 11 :00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., or 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
• NEW THIS YEAR! Fridays, 8:45-10 a.m. (Birth to 36 months)

District Program Center 8400 E. Point Douglas Rd. S., Cottage Grove, MN

• Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Learn More

 

Washington County Libraries

Enjoy storytimes with Washington County librarians! Let’s foster early literacy by talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing together. 

Library storytimes are inclusive, welcoming programs that use stories, songs, movement, and more to help toddlers and preschoolers develop early literacy skills.

 

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park

Storytime 

• 10:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday
• Outdoors or inside Ravine Landing if the weather isn't suitable.
• Recommended for developmental ages birth-eight and their grown-ups
• Free, registration is not required

Park Grove Library

Storytime

• 10:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday

• Recommended for developmental ages 2-6, but children and caregivers of all ages are welcome

• Free, registration is not required

Family Art Cart

• 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday
• Recommended for developmental ages 3-12 and their families
• Free, registration is not required
• Activities will relate to the storytime theme of the day

Baby Storytime

• 9:45-10:15 a.m. on Thursday

• Recommended for developmental ages birth-8, but children and caregivers of all ages are welcome

• Free, registration is not required

Library Play Date

• 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday
• Recommended for developmental ages birth-eight and their grown-ups (siblings always welcome)
• Free, registration is not required

Art Cart: Process Art

• 1-4 p.m. on Saturday
• This inclusive, welcoming program is recommended for all ages
• Free, registration is not required

R.H. Stafford Library

Baby Storytime

• 10:30-11 a.m., Monday
• Recommended for developmental ages 0-24, but children and caregivers of all ages are welcome
• Free, registration is not required

Storytime

• 10:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Recommended for developmental ages 2-6, but children and caregivers of all ages are welcome
• Free, registration is not required

Music and Movement Storytime 

• 10:30-11 a.m. on Saturday
• Recommended for developmental ages 2-6, but children and caregivers of all ages are welcome
• Free, registration is not required

Learn More

 

Free County Park Day

On the first Tuesday (non-holiday) of every month, visit any Washington County Park for free. No vehicle permit required. View the website for details and to find a county park.

Learn More

Screen-Free Week is international celebration, hosted by the nonprofit Fairplay that takes place May 5-11, 2025. It is an opportunity to remove distractions and seek out opportunities for meaningful connection. Schools, libraries, communities and families around the world have organized events designed to help children turn off screens in order to connect with family, friends, nature and their own creativity. 

The SoWashCo Early Learning Advisory Council has planned a week of events to help families intentionally take part in activities that do not involve screens, spend time together and connect with others in our community.
 

There are a few activities that have limited space available and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Only those who pre-register may attend these events. 

Activities that required registration by the day before the event:

• Soccer Shots on Monday and Friday, May 5 and 9
• Play Nook Adventures at Liberty Ridge Site 2 on Tuesday, May 6
• Open Play at We Rock the Spectrum Gym on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7 and 8

If you register but can no longer attend, please call 651-425-7181 so someone on the waitlist can take your place.

Register

The Early Learning Advisory Council is a group of parent volunteers and community members that support the mission of SoWashCo Schools Early Childhood Family Education and Preschool programming through:

1. Contributing recommendations for program policies, goals, objectives and programs.
2. Advocating for ECFE and School Readiness in the district community and the Minnesota legislature.
3. Promoting the program through outreach events and community relation activities.
4. Volunteer recruitment to support and enhance programming.
5. Generating funding and other resource support to enrich program offerings for families and children.