Story by : Georgann Kilbane
 Are we there yet?
Stillwater is the kind of a place where you can take a high-spirited carload of kids and keep them, and yourself, amused for several days.
A former lumber town, Stillwater is nestled in the St. Croix’s valley-long playground, overflowing with entertainment. Choose from climbing walls, feeding ducks, hiking paths and picking apples.
fun at all costs
Among the new-style attractions is a climbing wall built into the town’s historic grain elevator. Basic instruction for all ages begins at $30. A day pass is $5. Getting there is a breeze, just turn right at the first stoplight downtown. Call P.J. Asch Otterfitters (651) 430-2286 for more information.
One round of 18-hole miniature golf costs $4.25 for children (adults $5) at Xanadu Family Fun Center (651) 439-9090, open from May through September, just west of the Stillwater High School. Play video games in the arcade while you’re there or buy a $2 bucket of balloons and have a water war.
Ooh La La! is what the kids can shout after they paint their own ceramics at the shop of the same name, 402 N. Main St. Kids (and adults) are welcome to paint their little hearts out on miniature teddy bears, even platters. Staff members fire the bisqueware and ship it out later, or you pick it up. Studio time
is $5 an hour plus the price of bisqueware. (651) 439-1098.
bunches of fun
If you happen to be a Mom who’s inherited a posse of someone else’s kids to entertain for an afternoon, here’s good news. Each of the above activities will accommodate groups: P.J. Asch offers $69 climbing parties for groups of 6; Xanadu’s group rates for a round of golf are $3.75 each for 11 to 20 children or $3.25 for 21 or more; Ooh La La offers a birthday package for five children ages 4 to 16 (reservations at least two weeks prior) including bisqueware and a beverage for $90.
Or you can drive the little rascals across the Wisconsin border to the Bass Lake Cheese Factory where they can watch the gooey stuff being made. Kids love the free samples. The factory is about 8 miles from Stillwater. Call for directions and an appointment at (715) 247-5586.
cheap fun
Good news for budget-conscious families: some of the best things in this old town cost little or nothing. Locals, for example, like to buy 50-cent bags of shelled corn at the Stillwater Farm Store on Main Street, then feed the ducks on the St. Croix river. Others picnic on the waterfront while luxury cruisers and paddle wheelers pass and the famous old lift bridge strains up and down. Lowell Park’s gazebo adds a nice touch of class and comfort.
The Main Street steps on the South end of town are guaranteed to slow rambunctious kids down. High school athletes and mountain climbers train here. Promise the kids an old fashioned burger and malt (about $8.50) at Darla’s Malt Shop, 131 S. Main St., if they can make it to the top. Order from Darla’s side window during the summer to save time, but then you‘ll miss the ‘40s ambiance indoors (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
fun in the sun
Ah, you say, but we want to get back to nature – explore some vernal pools, study some birds close-up, sit under an apple tree.
Look no further.
At Aamodt’s Apple Farm, 6428 Manning Ave., west of downtown, they’ll engage the kids in the entire apple-growing tradition, from tree branch to warm pie. Check out such group activities as hay and sleigh rides. Admission is free. Activities are paid. Call (651) 439-3127.
Then there are the parks – so many, space limits their description. Opportunities abound for biking and hiking, tent camping, swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing in the summer; cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling in the winter.
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