Interesting Facts about Minnesota

These interesting facts about Minnesota for kids include millions of turkeys and fish produced each year, Tonka Trucks, and the largest urban sculpture garden.

This is part of the 50 states unit study as we travel around America, learning about each state’s history. Check out these Minnesota facts for kids below! Find some fun crafts, activities, and books for each state that will engage kids of all ages.

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Minnesota State Facts

Glaciers shaped Minnesota, giving it plains, low hills, lakes, forests, mountains, and rivers. To the north, it borders Canada, offering a diverse landscape. Its capital, St. Paul, marks the center of the state, which joined the United States as the 32nd state in 1858. Known as The North Star State, Minnesota brims with wildlife, captivating residents and visitors alike.

Fact One: 45 million turkeys are produced each year

In addition to producing turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner for the country, Minnesota also has over 70,000 wild turkeys roaming the state. If you go for a visit, you’ll most likely see some turkeys in the woods!

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Make these edible chocolate turkey treats!
This fun paper chain turkey wreath is perfect for Thanksgiving.
Read Turkey Trouble in this fun kids’ book.
Plant your own seeds with this flower pot turkey.
This button turkey craft will keep your kids entertained for hours.

Fact Two: Minnesota harvests over 18 million pounds of fish each year

Minnesota is home to thousands of lakes that fish farmers use to harvest millions of pounds of fish each year. In addition, private fishers can also catch all kinds of fish to take home and eat. You’ll find largemouth bass, walleye, panfish, northern pike, trout, salmon, and so many more.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Try this 3D paper plate rainbow fish craft with your preschoolers.
These swimming fish are so much fun to make.
Read all about Fish For Kids in this colorful book.
Make sparkly fish in this rainbow fish toilet paper roll craft.
These watercolor coffee filter fish let your little ones be creative.

Fact Three: The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the US

This huge garden is home to 40 sculptures and is open year-round. It opened in 1988 and has been a popular tourist attraction since then. Some of the art is even interactive and are fun for kids and adults, alike.

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Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Make your own colored paper collage sculptures.
This fun hanging colored stick sculpture is perfect to display.
Use this book to make your own clay animals.
Make your own beaded wire sculpture with this creative craft.
These stacked cardboard sculptures are so much fun to make.

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Fact Four: Tonka Trucks were created in Minnetonka, Minnesota

Minnetonka began making toy metal trucks in 1955 and has been popular with kids ever since. Hasbro bought Tonka Trucks and kept the Tonka brand. These toys are now popular all over the world.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Help your preschoolers make this dump truck construction paper craft.
Let your kids paint with trucks in this fun activity.
Get your kids learning with this Truck Activity Book.
This craft stick fall truck activity is perfect all year round.
Make a paper plate monster truck with this craft.

Fact Five: The first intercollegiate basketball was played in Minnesota in 1895

Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota was where college basketball was first played in 1895. The game was played against the University of Minnesota’s School of Agriculture and the final score was 9 – 3.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids: