While the forecast is currently calling for rain, if you feel like braving the weather, here are some great events going on in and around Edmonton this coming weekend:
Open Sky Music Festival (June 8th – 10th at Hawrelak Park) – Support the Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area with a portion of Youth ticket sales while you enjoy this open air festival of reggae, surf rock and roots music.
2012 Sprouts New Play Festival For Kids (June 9th & 10th at Stanley A. Milner Library Theatre) – Pack a picnic and enjoy a variety of short plays geared for children and families. The festival also features storytelling, art, and music appropriate for children up to 12 years of age.
River Day (June 9th from 1pm – 4pm in Fort Saskatchewan) – Enjoy free family events including: Fish Derby, Water Rescue Display, face painting and crafts for the kids.
River Day (June 9th from 10:30am-2:30pm in Parkland County) – Celebrate River Day by participating in gold panning, free burgers, children’s activities and more.
Bug-ology (June 10th from noon – 4pm at John Janzen Nature Centre) – Earn your Bug-ology diploma by visiting all of the labs set up around the centre including: Edmonton Science Network Small Crawling and Flying Insects Lab, Royal Alberta Museum Bug Room Lab, Butterfly Life Cycle Lab, Create-a-Bug Craft Lab, Aquatic Insect Lab, and the Worm Composting Lab. Be sure to click through to the listing itself to ensure that you don’t miss out on some time-specific activities as well!
Bike Day (June 10th from 10am – 3pm at the Callingwood Farmers’ Market) - Get a free bicycle tune-up and have all of your bicycle questions answered as mechanics from the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society will be at the market in honour of Bike Month in Edmonton.
If you don’t feel like braving the weather, check out some of my recommendations for indoor fun:
Art Gallery of Alberta – Features “Tours for Tots” (ages 3-5) on Wednesdays from 10am – 11am & “All Day Sundays” (all ages) on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 12 – 4pm.
Telus World of Science – Features child-friendly exhibits, “Kids Discovery Zone” and the newly renovated Discoveryland Gallery is now open.
Child-friendly Coffeehouses – Enjoy your specialty coffees and snacks while your children play in specially designed indoor playgrounds & play areas. Some of the local café’s include:
Gymboree – Let your child develop & learn while playing. Enroll your children in classes or drop-in and play with a membership.
Kidz Quarterz – While the indoor playground is designed for children up to the age of 12, there is a toddler area that includes large foam blocks and room to climb and play. Enjoy a coffee, snacks or lunch while you’re there.
Your Local Library – Be sure to check out everything your local library has to offer. Often there are classes that include singing and reading with your little ones as well as other thematic classes.
Recreation Centres – There are quite a few Recreation Centres that feature fabulous indoor playgrounds and activities for children. Some include:
- Terwillegar’s Children’s Wing – features an Indoor Playground for Ages 0-10
- Mill Woods – features an Indoor Playground and Wave Pool
- O’Leary Fitness and Leisure Centre - features a waterslide and teach pool
- Millennium Place – features a water playground, leisure ice rink and more
John Janzen Nature Centre’s Tegler Discovery Zone – An indoor play space that allows children to explore nature and climb play structures. This play area is not staffed and is for children ages 10 years and younger so younger children will have to be monitored as it is a common play space.
Your Local Swimming Pool – Be sure to check out both lessons and family swim times at your local swimming pool. Take advantage of special rates on days when your school aged children have early dismissal or no school.
If you’re still looking for things to do, check out some of our regular listings:
See a movie with your newborn/infant in a baby-friendly environment with the Stars & Strollers features (held in Edmonton on Wednesdays & Thursdays). Also be sure to check out Cineplex Family Favourites where you can see favourite family movies (this week is The Last Starfighter) every Saturday morning for $2.50/ticket at select theatres.
