We love the Sioux Falls Area and are thankful that we get to live, work, and raise our families in this amazing area of the Midwest. Thank you for joining us on the 2026 Familyfest Fun Cruise!

Thank you to ‘hood Magazine, the businesses that participated, and the sponsors. We’ve attended the Familyfest Fun Cruise the last couple of years and have had such an amazing time together. We look forward to exploring places we’ve never been before. This year, we especially liked learning about Wings Gymnastics and trying some delicious drinks at the Human Bean, and we plan to head back to both soon!

-Kali

My family chatted about this and one thing we love about the Familyfest Fun Cruise is that it gets us out of our routine and gives us an excuse to explore new places, try new experiences, and make memories we probably wouldn’t have created otherwise. Thanks, again!

-Adam

Thank you, again! Please pass along our appreciation to Black Hills Federal Credit Union and to all the volunteers and businesses that made this event happen. It was such a fun day! 

-Dana

We will definitely be back to some of the places we visited though! My son absolutely loved 605 Ninja and can’t wait to go again! He is 4 and couldn’t reach any of the overhead things but he was happy as can be to climb as high as he could and jump down to the mats. Haha. He also had a lovely coach give him a chance to try the silks for a bit. He is so active and loves trying new things, so anywhere that he is allowed–and encouraged!–to run and climb and jump, that is his happy place. Everyone we interacted with there was helpful, encouraging and kind. We will be back for open gym and hopefully for classes if we are closer in the future!

My boyfriend already has a membership to Silver Star Car Wash so we frequent there often. But we had my vehicle that day and so we drove through for a free wash. My son loved the sand and water pools to play in and again the gal that was there interacting with everyone was incredibly friendly. We were there close to the end of the event and it was looking like it might start to storm. Where some might be looking at their watch, counting down the minutes to being done with a busy day, her energy and customer service was phenomenal. She interacted with my son in finding some “treasures” in the sand and visited a bit with me and my boyfriend. It was a great experience all around and we will happily continue to support them. 

Our family looks forward to the Familyfest Fun Cruise each year, so we can check out places we haven’t visited before, enjoy quality time together, and try all the fun activities each business plans. Thanks for creating such a fun day for families! 

-Ashley

We are relatively new to Sioux Falls, and Familyfest has been an amazing opportunity for us to discover everything the city has to offer, especially for our toddler. We attended Familyfest last year, and since then, we have participated in open gym sessions at Wings Gymnastics. This summer, we are looking forward to exploring Safe Splash!

-Gigi

We loved the swag bags and car wash and touch a truck is always a hit with our kids! A fun time is had by the kids and the adults!

-Jennifer 

We love being about to get out of the house, explore some of our favorite places (like The Outdoor Campus), and also discover new places (like We Rock the Spectrum)!

-Emma

We just moved here from Kentucky about 2 months ago. This was the perfect event for us to get to know our Community more. We appreciated all the efforts that went into this. This really was a great way to meet new people and enjoy what Sioux Falls has to offer our family.

-Maria

All the different activities for the kids to be able to try new things and learn new things. And as their mom to see and learn about new businesses and what they offer

-Jessica

Thank you to everyone who makes the cruise happen each year! We are so thankful to our businesses, sponsors, and families for making Familyfest one of the best days of the year.

The post Familyfest Fun Cruise: Why Families Love the Cruise! appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

What You Need to Know

Familyfest is happening on Saturday, May 30th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get ready for a day full of FREE family fun! This free event is meant to help introduce you to everything the Sioux Falls Area offers families. Learn about what is available for families, about the fun things to do in Sioux Falls, and try out something you have been eyeing for free!

For 5 things to know about the cruise, read this post! 

How to Prepare

Plan out your Cruise in Advance! 

Pick up a copy of the ‘hood Magazine and mark the location that you want to go to on the cruise. Or, check out our full directory listing online and see our cruise map. Make sure to think about what stops your family would enjoy the most. This year, we have many locations that are either cluster stops or are combined with a pop-up! These stops mean one less trip in and out of the car! 

Remember, you plan your cruise! There is no certain order you have to go in! Simply cruise to wherever your family would like and enjoy as much time there as you want to. 

Bring Snacks/Pack a Lunch

The Cruise runs from 9 am to 2 pm! Often, we have heard families say they were not planning to cruise for so long but ended up going the full-time because of how much fun everyone was having! So, make sure you have some snacks or a picnic packed!

Plan to Pick-Up your Swag Bag

Our Swag Bag pick-up location this year is the Outdoor Campus! This year’s swag bag is filled with great coupons, fun items, information, and more! Swing by the Outdoor Campus for both your Swag Bag and some free fishing! Swag Bags are for the first 500 families. 

Tag Familyfest_SF and the ‘hood Magazine during the Cruise

Make sure to tag the ‘hood Magazine and Familyfest during the Fun Cruise! We can’t wait to see all of the fun your family is going to have while experiencing everything the Sioux Falls Area offers to families! 

Sign up for the Giveaways

Each location of the Fun Cruise will have a QR code for you to scan. Scanning this code and entering your information puts your name in for prizes!  

For all the information you need to know about Familyfest, click here! You can find our cruise map, FAQ’s, and full directory of stops at this link. 

We are so excited to cruise with you on May 30th!

The post Familyfest is this Saturday! appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

We’re highlighting a few local families who have attended Familyfest in the past and sharing how it’s helped them experience Sioux Falls in a whole new way.

The Treviño Family

Carlos, Crystal, Brenna, and Tres

Q: Why does your family enjoy participating in Familyfest?

We love to get out and explore our community and try new things. We are always looking for lower-cost options to get us out of the house and get our wiggles out. This is a fun way to do that!

Q: What are your tips and tricks for participating in Familyfest with younger children?

We pick out the opportunities that we know will keep them engaged, foster their interest in learning, and get them giggling. And we bring snacks!

Q: Why should other families join in on the Fun Cruise this year?

It’s a fun way to learn about the businesses in our community and what they have to offer families.

The Warnhoff Family

Kurt, Marysa, Max, Lottie, and Gus

Q: How do you pick what stops to go to?

I always review all the stops with the kids and ask what they are most interested in. Then it depends on time. If we have a lot of time, we will use the guide to help us plan visits to the kids’ preferred stops. If we need to be efficient, we’ll stick to one area of town and hit up as many stops as we can! 

Q: What have some of your favorite stops on the cruise been in the past?

We have loved our stops at Wings Gymnastics and Creator’s Kids. We are now taking lessons at Wings because my daughter fell in love with the gym during the cruise last year. Of course, anywhere that has popsicles or ice cream has also been a hit!

Q: Why should other families join in on the Fun Cruise this year?

If you’ve ever been unsure where to go or what to do with your kids, this is a great way to “sample” different options. We have a wonderful kid-focused community here in Sioux Falls!

The post Why Families Love the Familyfest Fun Cruise appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

37 stops at 20 locations! 

We have so many incredible local businesses and organizations on the Fun Cruise this year. Make sure to check out the full directory of Familyfest stops here!

This year, we are excited to welcome back Touch-A-Truck, sponsored by Knief River! Check them out at Scouting America. You can also find the South Dakota Safety Council there, too! Of course, we all love free stuff. Make sure to stop by the Outdoor Campus for your Swag Bag and free fishing.

How does the Familyfest Fun Cruise work, you might be wondering? We have a whole section of our site dedicated to all things Familyfest. Check that out here. For more information, read on!  

Here are 5 Things to Know about Familyfest!

1. Cruise Your Way!

Familyfest runs from 9 am-2 pm on Saturday, May 30th. It would be nearly impossible to fit in all the different stops! There is no requirement of where to start, how many stops to go to, or how long your cruise for. You are able to pick the locations that fit your family the best! 

The Swag Bag (bags sponsored by Virtus Investments) stop is at the Outdoor Campus this year! At some point during the cruise, you may want to stop by for your swag bag. But it’s not a requirement!

2. Swag Bags

Speaking of Swag Bags…they are worth the pick-up! The Swag Bag is filled with great information, coupons and deals, treats from local businesses, and more! There will be 500 bags available (1 per family)! Find your Swag Bag pick-up location at the Outdoor Campus. Make sure to also check out everything the Outdoor Campus has to offer! During Familyfest you can enjoy free fishing out on their pond! 

3. Keep Location in Mind

Check out the Familyfest Fun Cruise Map to see where all of the stops will be this year. We have grouped the stops together based on location. Plan out your Fun Cruise around these locations so that you avoid having to backtrack or drive back across town. 

This year, we also have a bunch of cluster stops! These “Pop-Up” stops are located next to or inside another location. They might have an extra stop or even a few extra stops altogether! We have cluster stops at 605 Ninja, Scouting American, Kids ‘R’ Kids, Wings Gymnastics, We Rock the Spectrum, and at the Outdoor Campus.

4. Learn and Ask Questions

The Familyfest Fun Cruise is the perfect opportunity for your family to see what the Sioux Empire has to offer! Use this FREE day of fun to check out an area business you haven’t tried before or have been eyeing. This is the perfect day to ask questions, try things out, and learn all for FREE! 

5. Giveaways

Make sure to sign up for our ‘hood giveaway! At each Familyfest location, you will find a QR code to scan. After you scan, you simply answer a few quick questions (Name, email, ect). Every time you scan, your name is entered into our giveaway drawings. Not only will you get to enjoy a day of free family fun, but you can also win!

We are so excited to cruise with you soon! Mark your calendars and get ready for a great year with the Familyfest Fun Cruise!

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Familyfest is more than just a day of fun; it’s an opportunity for families to get out and explore all that Sioux Falls has to offer. From discovering new activities to visiting local favorites, the cruise makes it easy to experience the community in a fresh way. It’s a chance to try something new, meet local organizations, and walk away with a list of places to visit again. 

Meet Henley

Meet Henley and his Dad, Thadeus, our 2026 Familyfest Cover Star! Last year was their first time attending Familyfest, and they loved it! In particular, they loved testing their skills at 605 Ninja and spending time fishing together at the Outdoor Campus. 

Thadeus loved how welcoming all the different locations were. It made trying new places and activities extra fun. Getting to have new experiences with Henley was his favorite part of the day. Henley shared that his favorite part was “Hanging with my Dad!” 

The Giedds love calling Sioux Falls home. “Sioux Falls is home for me and much of my family,” Thadeus shares. “We enjoy being a part of Sioux Falls and seeing our community have flourishing public spaces and events.” 

For Henley, Familyfest is already a favorite, helping his family discover new adventures right in their own backyard! 

The post 2026 Familyfest Cover Star Spotlight: Henley  appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

Local families will be cruising the Sioux Empire and visiting local businesses to show their support, participate in fun activities, and, of course…win prizes!

Want your business on the Fun Cruise? Spots fill up fast! Contact us at admin@thehoodmagazine.com

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Bella and her family have attended the Familyfest Fun Cruise for the last few years and look forward to it each year. We asked Bella and her family about their favorite stops, top tips for the Fun Cruise, and to share why they think other families should participate in Familyfest!  

What are Some of Your Favorite Stops from Past Years? 

The Touch-a-Truck stop, getting free ice-cream from Stenslands, and fishing at the Outdoor Campus have been some of our favorite stops. Getting the free swag bag is also a favorite each year!  

My favorite part of Familyfest is going to all the different businesses and doing the fun activities they have. It’s like a little adventure at every stop! 

-Bella

What are Your Tips for Other Families on the Fun Cruise? 

To make the most of your FamilyFest cruise, start early and plan your route ahead of time! Use the event map to group together locations that are close to each other. Prioritize the stops your family is most excited about, and don’t forget to leave room for a few surprises along the way! 

Don’t forget to check out the Familyfest and ‘hood social media pages leading up to the event for more information and giveaways, too!  

Why Should Families Attend Familyfest? 

Families should attend because it’s a fun adventure the whole family can enjoy together! It gets you out of the house and cruising around town to discover local businesses you might not know about. Kids will love the activities and surprises along the way, and parents get the chance to explore new spots and connect with the community. It’s a great way to make memories while supporting local! 

The post Meet Our Familyfest Fun Cruise Cover Star: Bella!  appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

This year, kick off summer with Familyfest! 

The Familyfest Fun Cruise is on May 31st this year (2025) and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is the perfect way to start off your summer fun. Check out over 40 locations around Sioux Falls and what they offer to families. Maybe you have been wanting to check out a local place without the commitment to signing up for lessons. Or, you may not know many of the amazing places around town that are perfect for families!

The Familyfest Fun Cruise allows your family to check out local businesses, have a ton of free fun, enter to win prizes, and support local! We are so thankful to live in an area that has so much to offer families, and we can’t wait to help you discover everything that Sioux Falls has to offer! 

This year, our Swag Bag pickup-up location is at the Outdoor Campus. Swing by the campus to not only pick up your swag bag, sponsored by Virtus Investments,  filled with fun goodies but also enjoy some free fishing! Check out Touch-a-Truck at the O’Gorman High School Parking Lot, Sponsored by Knief River. There are so many amazing stops on this year’s cruise. 

So, mark your calendars for May 31st! Make sure to sign up for our limo giveaway to cruise in style. Be on the lookout for Fancy (our Familyfest mascot) around town leading up to the Fun Cruise. 

Click here for a full list of stops. Click here for our Familyfest FAQ page if you are looking for more information. Click here for the giveaway.

The post Kick off Summer with Familyfest appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

By Kayla Huizing 

Last summer, we loaded up our crew of little ones and spent the day cruising around Sioux Falls for Familyfest. It was our first year participating in the cruise, and even though getting kids in and out of car seats all day doesn’t sound like most people’s idea of fun, we had the best time. 

One of our favorite stops was Silverstar Car Wash. Not only did Albert and I get a free car wash (always a win), but our toddler got to pick out a toy car, get it dirty, and then wash it. He thought that was the absolute coolest thing ever. Another huge hit was the Touch-a-Truck stop! The free swag bag at The Outdoor Campus was also a bonus!  

Cruise the Way Your Family Wants 

What made the day work for us was keeping it relaxed. We had a list of places we wanted to check out, but we didn’t stress about hitting them all. If the kids were enjoying a stop, we just let them play and didn’t worry about the clock. With little ones, that kind of flexibility is key. 

One unexpected highlight was stopping at Sensory Studio. It wasn’t a place we had been before, and they had so many fun activities outside for the kids to explore. That’s something I really appreciated about the cruise—it introduced us to businesses we might not have thought to visit otherwise. 

Summer Highlight 

Familyfest was one of the highlights of our summer. We loved cruising around Sioux Falls together, exploring local businesses, and participating in all of their fun activities. It was a great reason to get out of the house for some free family fun! 

We’ll definitely be doing the cruise again this year, and I’d absolutely recommend it to other families—yes, even the ones with babies and toddlers. Pack some snacks, adjust your expectations, and go with the flow. The flexibility to choose your own stops allows you to make the cruise relaxed and fun for your whole family.  

We love the Familyfest Fun Cruise because we love Sioux Falls and everything it offers families. We can’t wait to see what new stops we discover this time around! 

To learn more about Familyfest 2025 (May 31st), check out our Familyfest Fun Cruise Page! Find our FAQ page, stop descriptions, map of the cruise, and our giveaway page!

The post Why Familyfest is Worth the Drive  appeared first on the 'hood magazine.

We love that the Familyfest Fun Cruise provides families with the chance to discover new opportunities here in the Sioux Empire. The Familyfest Fun Cruise has something for everyone! Maybe you are a newcomer to the area and looking for information on family-friendly activities, or you are a parent of growing children on the lookout for new opportunities. With something for everyone, we are confident that you will have a great time! To learn more about this year’s cruise, click here!

Liz and Brandon Wittrock’s family has been taking part in the Familyfest Fun Cruise since it started! We asked them why they love Familyfest and to give us their best tips for doing the Fun Cruise with a younger family.  

Why does your family enjoy participating in the Familyfest Fun Cruise?  

We love to support our local businesses and discover new things to see and do! My kids have also inherited my luck when it comes to giveaways, and the joy of freebies can’t be beat. As the years have gone on, it’s been so fun to run into our friends while we are out and about as well! 

What are your tips and tricks for participating in Familyfest with younger children?  

With the current set up of Familyfest having multiple “core” zones around town for activities – if you are going with younger kiddos I would definitely suggest choosing one (or two) of those clusters to enjoy and not try to set out to hit everywhere! Let the kids take their time enjoying the activities the businesses and organizations have put so much time and thought into! 

Why should other families join in on the Cruise this year?  

Aren’t you always looking for something cheap, fun and new to do?! Let ‘hood and Familyfest make it simple! Not only will you have this day covered, you’ll come away with so many more ideas of things to do and places to go for the rest of the summer (and beyond)! 

Why do you love being in the Sioux Falls Area? 

We are so blessed to be in a community that supports small and local businesses! The ‘hood Magazine and Familyfest are such an asset for our growing families in the Sioux Falls area! 

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