Ages - Babies and Toddlers Archives – Active Parents

The Wonderlab at Toys R Us Burlington (Closed)

Amber Rohal — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

We are so sad to be the bearers of bad news but this location has closed permanently as of April 2025.

The Toys R Us Burlington location has had a serious glow up and families are going to love visiting even more now! Come along as we take you on a tour of the brand new FREE Wonderlab!

Read More: Find even more free things to do with kids in Burlington here.

Welcome To The Wonderlab!

If you had visited Toys R Us in Burlington in the past couple of years you will have seen their creative section, called Wonderlab. Families with young kids could take part in a variety of creative activities from painting to paper crafts and even sensory play with a cool sand table.

In April 2024, after some top-secret renovations took place, Wonderlab by Toys R Us reopened bigger and better than ever! In additional to the cool creative aspects we told you about above, kids are now invited to explore an awesome, FREE indoor active-play structure that’s sure to add some high-energy fun to your next visit.

As you can see, the new indoor play structure is huge and just begging to be climbed on.

Wonderlab Has Creative Fun, Too!

In addition to this high-energy play space, Wonderlab is still home to the creative, hands-on activities you may have already enjoyed recently. Come ready to get a little messy (think sparkles, paint, glue) and take part in these stations:

Paint Wall
LEGO^® Table
Easels
Craft Tables
Chalkboard
Sand Table

Notes For Visiting Wonderlab

Come prepared to get messy!
Kids’ use of materials is at the discretion of the supervising adult.
Strollers must be checked outside Wonderlab.
Everyone deserves kindness + respect.
Everyone shares the space + tidies up their station.
Food + drink are not permitted; however, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.

Read More: Check out these awesome local toys stores when you need to purchase a cool gift for one of your favourite little people.

Where Is The Toys R Us Wonderlab?

Currently, Wonderlab is only at Toys R Us Burlington, located at 3051 Appleby Line, Burlington, ON L7M 0V7.

Read Our Latest Articles

Catch up on what we’ve been covering! Here are our latest reads, hot off the presses just for you. Never miss an article when you subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with kid-friendly fun and events.

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Stroller-Friendly Trails Near Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville

Amber Rohal — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Here are some of the best-loved and most recommended stroller-friendly hikes near me in Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton. We asked our followers with wee ones where they love to walk with their wagons and wheels.

Stroller-Friendly Trails in Burlington

Burlington Beachway Park

Spencer Smith Park, Burlington

Home to 2 km of paved trails in the downtown Burlington area. One of the more popular stroller-friendly trails in Burlington. Park is free to access, and Some days/times offer free parking nearby. There are several paid parking lots close to the park: Spencer Smith Park West Parking lot and Waterfront Park West Lot both on Lakeshore Road, Waterfront Parking Garage on Locust Street, and several other municipal paid lots in the surrounding area. Washrooms are available at Discovery Landing at the west end of the park, near the splash pad.

Cityview Park

1500 Kerns Road, Burlington

1.7 km of gravel trails surround the playground, sports fields and wooded area. Free access and free parking.

Burloak Waterfront Park

5420 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington

Another favourite Burlington waterfront trail is located lakeside and beside a park. It includes several kilometres long in each direction as the trail is part of the Waterfront Trail. Free access to the trail with free parking. See our in-depth article on Burloak Waterfront Park here.

The bridge at Cherry Hill Gate in Burlington

Cherry Hill Gate

680 Plains Road West, Burlington

This 2 km trail consists of packed gravel and a boardwalk and is one of the most-loved stroller-friendly trails in Burlington. Full of wildlife encounters and natural beauty. Free to access, paid parking at the trailhead. No washrooms on the trail, but there are washrooms at the main RBG Centre across the road. Also featured in our article Free and Cheap Things To Do in Burlington.

Lowville park

6207 Lowville Park Rd, Burlington

1.8 km trail through the playground and the wooded area provides you with packed gravel and mulch trails through a wooded area and alongside Bronte Creek. Access is free, but reservations are required at weekends and after 3:30pm on weekdays. Free parking and washrooms available.

Read more: These playgrounds are a fabulous and free way to spend a day with your little one.

Hidden Valley Park

1137 Hidden Valley Rd, Burlington

5.5 km of packed gravel trails through woods and beside the creek. Free parking, free to access and washrooms available. See our in-depth article on Hidden Valley Park here.

Wagon and Stroller-Friendly Trails in Oakville

Crosstown Pipeline Trail

At Mowat Avenue and River Oaks Blvd W, Oakville, or access from Neyagawa Blvd near the baseball diamond at Neyagawa Park.

2 km of paved trails are perfect for a wagon or stroller walk. Free access to the trails, with paid street parking or at Neyagawa Park parking lot. No washrooms.

West Oaks Trail Community park

2860 Westoak Trails Blvd, Oakville

2 km of trails consisting of paved and packed gravel. Free to access, with free parking. Washroom facilities are open May to October.

Joe Sam’s Park in Waterdown Hamilton

Lions Valley Park

2417 Fourth Line, Oakville

10 km of stroller-friendly valley trails in Oakville wind throughout this large park. Made with packed gravel, and consisting of a few steep hills. Free parking, a playground, creek access and free to access. No washrooms.

Bronte Creek Provincial park

1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville

Bronte Creek is home to 7 easy, stroller-friendly trails in Oakville ranging from 1.6 to 17.1 km, all included in your day-use fee or with your membership. Playgrounds, washrooms and picnicking are also available. See our article on Bronte Creek here.

Crawford lake Conservation Area

3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON

1 km Crawford Lake Trail is a beautiful boardwalk. There are other trails ranging from 1.5-3.6 km that are packed gravel. Day Use fees apply or are included in your Conservation Halton Annual Pass with parking included. Washrooms at Visitor Centre and near the parking lot. This is one of our favourite hikes to do with kids.

Stroller-Friendly Trails in Hamilton

Bayfront park Loop Trail

200 Harbour Front Dr, Hamilton

2.4 km of paved trails along the Hamilton waterfront. Free access and free parking, plus washrooms, a playground and green space.

Chedoke Radial Trail

Beddoe Drive, behind Chedoke Golf Course

9.5 km and one of our absolute favourite hikes to do with kids. Packed gravel makes it a favourite for cyclists as well. Shaded and some of the best views of the city. Free parking at Chedoke Golf Course. No washrooms.

Cootes Paradise Trails at RBG

You can access a variety of trails around the Cootes Paradise Marsh, and each has something fabulous to offer. We love the area near the Hamilton Aviary Caleb’s Walk, Ravine Road Trail with its packed gravel trail. Download the Cootes Paradise trail map here and you can expand your walk as long as you’d like! Paid parking is available at various spots around Cootes Paradise.

Princess Point Loop

330 Macklin Street North, Hamilton

1.9 km of trails on packed dirt. No washrooms, but free access to the trail with paid parking at the trailhead.

Crawford Lake – courtesy of Burlington Gazette

Main Loop at Dundas Valley Conservation Area

650 Governors Road, Dundas

2.5 km long and one of our favourite hikes to do with kids. Ample shade, streams and even equestrians to see on this packed dirt stroller-friendly trail in Hamilton. Per vehicle entrance fee of $11, includes parking and is well worth it. Washrooms are available.

Valens Lake Boardwalk Trail

1691 Regional 97 Rd, Cambridge

4.2 km boardwalk and packed dirt trail around Valens Lake. One of our favourite beaches as well! Day use fees apply or are included with your Conservation Hamilton annual pass. Parking is included in fees. Washrooms available.

Joe Sam’s Park

752 Centre Rd, Waterdown

8.5 km of stroller-friendly trails in Hamilton are accessible in all seasons. Boardwalk, paved and packed gravel, grass. Ball diamonds, playground and dog park. Free access and free parking.

Rockwood Conservation Area

161 Fall Street South, Rockwood

2.9 km of trails that vary between packed gravel, soil and boardwalk. Day use fees apply or use are included with your Grand River parks membership. Parking is included in fees. Washrooms available.

Dundas Valley Conservation Area trails

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Triple C Farm: Get Up Close With Adorable Farm Animals

Amber Rohal — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Triple C Farm is one of our most recommended farms in Hamilton to visit. If you’ve got little kids who love visiting petting zoos, or adults who love a great cause, Triple C Farm is the place to be.

Find more animal adventures…

Welcome to Triple C Farm in Ancaster

I’ve yet to meet a family who hasn’t enjoyed their visit to Triple C Farm. The staff – a family of 5 who run the show – are kind and compassionate. Parents, Trisha and Pascal, along with their three sons purchased the farm in 2013. All three boys are autistic, and the family knew this farm would be a great location for the boys to learn the skills needed to become productive adults.

Triple C Farm is now a fully-functioning animal sanctuary. They also run volunteer programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

Visiting Triple C Farm

Pre-booking your visit online is a requirement for visiting the Ancaster farm, they are not currently taking drop-ins. Visitors’ numbers are kept small to allow for a peaceful visit.

You can pre-book your visit online using the link at the bottom of this article. Your visit will be 1 hour and the cost is $15 to book your spot, plus $5 per person cash when you arrive. All of the money from admission fees goes to supporting the nutritional and medical needs of the rescued animals.

Come dressed to get a little messy – this is a fully-functioning farm after all! Pants may get muddy and footwear will come in contact with everything you’d find in an animal pen. I always wear rubber boots and jeans that I can easily wash. The farm has a wash station and sanitizer to use.

What To See And Do At Triple C Farm in Ancaster

If you’re looking for a great petting zoo near you, you are in luck – sort of. Triple C is more than a petting zoo, they are an animal sanctuary. Almost all of their animals are approachable and friendly, and Tricia or Pascal will let you know who needs their space on the day you visit.

You will have full access to the goat/alpaca/etc. enclosure, plus you can roam the farm and meet a cornucopia of other farm friends like pigs, horses, goats, cows and sheep. Plus, some more unique animals like alpacas, ducks, bunnies and more.

All throughout the year, Triple C Farm welcomes many new furry family members including rabbits, pigs, donkeys, goats and horses! Many of the animals are available for “adoption” meaning you get to be the animal’s owner as they live at the farm. You can visit, feed, and more. Every adoption helps keep the farm animals healthy and fed and helps offset the price of any veterinary care they need.

One of the reasons I love Triple C is that visitors don’t feed the animal, so the animals aren’t clamouring to get at you. You’re welcomed into their space and able to walk around and enjoy their company. You can pet them and even hold some of the furry residents. The volunteers there will show you the correct way to hold a baby goat if you visit in the springtime.

Be sure to take some time at the end to feed the chickens and ducks with the farm-provided feed. They are a few of the animals on the farm you can feed, and boy is it fun!

Events and Experiences at Triple C

Add Goat Yoga and Goat Movie Nights to your bucket list because you can do both here at this Hamilton farm. Triple C Farm events and so much fun. Their events calendar is always full of fun ways to be at the farm.

One of the most popular farm offers is the mobile farm experience. Bring gentle petting zoo animals to your school, daycare, home or seniors home and watch faces light up!

Admission to Triple C

Visits are by appointment only – walk-ins will not be accepted. Booking Fee:

To secure your booking, a $15 (taxes included) non-refundable booking fee is required.
Additionally, we ask for a $5 per person contribution to the farm upon arrival. This contribution goes towards feeding the animals, their vet bills, etc. Payment can be made by debit, credit, or cash.

Visit Triple C Farm at 500 Carluke Road West in Ancaster, Ontario. Their website is triplecfarm.ca

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Children’s Museums and Galleries Families Love

Amber Rohal — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000

We’ve collected some of the best family-friendly children’s museums and galleries in our region. Whether you want to know more about life in pioneer and early industrial times, famous sports personalities, appreciate works of art, dabble in hands-on experiments and science, planes, trains, automobiles and even secret passages, these family destinations will help you do just that.

Some of these destinations are seasonal and we’ve noted that in their write ups below.

Children’s Museums and Galleries in Oakville

Oakville Museum The historic buildings of Erchless Estate were once home to Oakville’s founding family, The Chisholms, but are now the setting for Oakville’s community museum. Guided tours are available of the building and grounds and the museum is home to ever-changing exhibits. Admission is by donation. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Oakville Galleries – Housed in two spaces in downtown Oakville there are travelling exhibitions as well as a permanent collection.

Milton Family-Friendly Museums and Galleries

Halton County Radial Railway – See the collection of historic streetcars, trains, and buses, then experience life on the rails on the 2km full-sized electrical railway. Look out for their very popular Halloween and Christmas events to start back up! Admission is $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, $18 for ages 10-17, $12 for 4-9 and kids under 4 are free. The museum is opening for the season is in May. You can read all about our visit to the HCRR here.

image courtesy of HCRY.org

Burlington Children’s Museums and Art Galleries

Ireland house was occupied by the Ireland family between 1835 and 1985 and shows what life was like in the 1850s, 1890s, and 1920s. Home of the traditional Victorian Christmas event, there are often special days or programs to look out for.

Art Gallery of Burlington is located in the downtown neighbourhood. It is free to visit any of the exhibits and galleries, but donations are greatly appreciated. The exhibits rotate throughout the year, so visiting is always a great idea. Their Family Studio is home to free art classes throughout the year as well.

Joseph Brant Museum has a permanent collection showing the history of the region with lots of local photographs and items. See the changes through the time of places you see every day! There’s also a travelling exhibition space that changes a few times a year. Keep an eye on their website to see what’s new and happening.

During its renovation, Joseph Brant Museum was outfitted with a permanent kid-friendly section called the Children’s Gallery. This gallery is where kids get hands-on with a variety of ways to learn about Burlington. Activities encourage kids to use STEAM techniques to play and learn simultaneously. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, Children 3-12 are $6 and under 2 are free.

Giant Lite-Brite is just one of the interactive exhibits in the Children’s Gallery at Jo Brant Museum

Hamilton Area Museums Families Love

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology – Explore the early industrial revolution in this 150-year-old waterworks with two 70-ton steam engines. The museum has a variety of permanent and changing exhibits.

Battlefield House – Experience this 19th-century homestead, home to the Gage family and the site of the 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek. Look for the re-enactment of the Battle in early June.

Dundurn Castle – Lots to explore at this site: Dundurn Castle, built in the 1830s, the Hamilton Military Museum, and the coach house.

Dundurn Castle in Hamilton

Whitehern Historic House and Gardens – See artefacts from many different time periods in this house that was inhabited by three generations of the McQuesten family.

Art Gallery of Hamilton – Home of one of our favourite installations, the Bruegel-Bosch bus. See how many strange things you can spot! Read about our visits here. There are free days and discounts often, and the entire 2nd floor is great for families to visit.

Art Gallery of Hamilton

More Hamilton Museums and Points of Interest Kids Will Enjoy

Worker’s Art and Heritage Centre – A community museum celebrating the history of workers and labour, as well as social justice issues.

HMCS Haida (June-Sept) Climb aboard the Tribal class destroyer and imagine being a crew member on “Canada’s most fightingest ship”.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum – Get an up-close look at many of the aircraft flown by Canadians and the Canadian military from the beginning of WWII to the present. Visit in April thru the warm weather to watch planes take off and land.

Westfield Heritage Village: Over 35 historical buildings are set in a large conservation area. Step back in time with the help of costumed interpreters, and then hike the surrounding woodlands and meadowlands. Known for Maple Syrup, Ice Cream and Christmas events there’s always a good time to visit!

CFL Hall of Fame houses over 30,000 items, including trophies, helmets, and playing equipment. Not to mention game and record balls, jerseys, sweaters, banners, photographs, films and videos. A must-see for any football fan!

At the time of publication, the Hamilton Children’s Museum remains closed due to capital project work. We can’t wait to see what the future brings for one of our favourite children’s museums!

Family-Friendly Museums and Galleries in Niagara

Laura Secord Homestead: This small house in the small village of Queenston was the home of and starting point of Laura Secord’s 32km journey to warn the British of the attack planned by the Americans during the war of 1812.

Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo Children’s Museums

Guelph Children’s Museum: With special hands-on interactive kid-friendly galleries you can explore the history of Guelph and with temporary, changing exhibits, there’s always something new to see.

THEMUSEUM: Five floors of fun! THEMUSEUM has permanent and temporary exhibitions, events, and programs for all ages. Walking pianos, a bed of nails, and waterflow table are all big hits here! This is one of the best family-friendly children’s museums I’ve been to!

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village: Discover the history of the Waterloo region from indigenous peoples to community settlement in the 1800s, to the industrial revolution and manufacturing boom. Outside, wander the 60-acre Doon Heritage Village where interpreters in period dress and the Building Stories app will help you learn more about the buildings and way of life from the early 1900s.

Making stop-motion animation at THEMUSEUM

Museums and More That Are Worth The Drive to Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): Explore natural history from dinosaurs to the bat cave, as well as history from around the world. With special hands-on interactive galleries, the artefacts really come alive!

Hockey Hall of Fame: Home of the original Stanley Cup as well as artefacts, memorabilia and hands-on galleries. Permanent exhibits show Ethnicity in Hockey, Women in Hockey, and Disabled Hockey.

Casa Loma: Sir Henry Pellatt built Casa Loma – then the biggest private residence in Canada – full of extravagant fixtures and fittings. An extremely popular film location you can see some recreations from some of the more famous movies and television shows filmed there. With a secret passage out to the carriage house, there is a lot to explore.

Black Creek Pioneer Village: Visit small-town Ontario from the 1860s made up of 40 heritage buildings, most donated and relocated to Black Creek (sometimes brick by brick!), 70 heritage animals and gardens of plants and flowers grown from heritage seeds. Costumed educators show visitors the trades and crafts of the time using some of the 50,000 artefacts on-site to bring the time to life.

McMichael Art Gallery: Focussed exclusively on indigenous and Canadian art, this beautiful gallery is home to over 6,500 artworks by the Group of Seven, First Nations, Metis, Inuit and contemporary artists. With permanent and temporary exhibitions there’s always something new.

Dinosaurs at The ROM

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50+ Things To Do This Winter

Amber Rohal — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 17:58:00 +0000

Let’s banish those winter blues! Here are more than 50 things to do in winter in Hamilton and Halton area, including Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Waterdown, Hamilton, Stoney Creek and beyond. We love keeping this list on hand for those days when you need a little extra motivation to head out into the coldworld. This list of winter thing to do should inspire you to revisit a family favourite winter adventure, try something new and have fun!

Explore Nature

Hike at one of our favourite kid-approved hiking spots. We’ve got stroller-friendly hikes here, so bring the littlest explorers with you.
Wander near the water. Lake Ontario’s waterfront is easily accessible, smooth-paved in most areas, and always free to explore.
Keep an eye on the wildlife all winter in Burlington’s Cherry Hill Gate. Bring your binoculars and observe the birds, squirrels and other animals in the waterways. They’re active no matter the time of year!
Visit Bronte Creek Provincial park and explore the working Victorian-era farmhouse and see some of their farm animals. If the temperatures are mild, they may be out in their pens! (spring and summer)
Take a trip to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. It’s a tropical oasis that kids will love.
Triple C Farm is one of our favourite places to visit – even in the winter! Their farm takes in animals in need and is home to goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, pigs and more!
It’s always a warm, spring day at the Gage Park Greenhouse. Bonus – it’s free to visit all year long!

Gage Park Greenhouse has turtles, fish and birds!

Soak Up The Christmas Spirit

Use our Google Map to find streets and neighbourhoods decked out in their Christmas lights and displays.
Wander through Downtown Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park and see the annual Lakeside Festival of Lights. No cost, and strategically located near some great hot chocolate shops!
Top Pick: check out our Map of Christmas lights – it includes photos, address, and driving routes.

Add a Memorable Family Experience To Your Calendar

Hop aboard one of these epic train rides and enjoy the ride, the sights and the experience.
Save your pennies and skip the major leagues! We absolutely love OHL hockey games. They’re family-friendly and full of action for a fraction of the price of a Leafs game. Check out the home games for the Brantford Bull Dogs (who have moved from Hamilton to this arena in Brantford) and the Niagara Ice Dogs here.
TreeTop Trekking in Hamilton has their Tree Walk Village open over the winter break.
Families who love a challenge will love the skills needed to beat an Escape Room. We have a ton of them to choose from, and each location has different themes, rooms and skill levels required.
When was the last time you beat your kids at bowling? Sounds like they could use a rematch and we know the coolest lanes to visit.

All aboard for a seasonal train ride.

Run, Jump, Climb and Play!

Play Indoors no matter the weather. Here’s our massive list of indoor things to do nearby.
You can read our coverage of local play centres here and see which ones are going to be added to your “must-visit list”.
Tweens and Teens will love climbing at The Hub Climbing in Mississauga.
Indoor play centres are always an option to escape the winter temperatures while also keeping the kids active and moving. Here are the lists of indoor play centres in Halton and this list is for Hamilton and Niagara.
My teens love an afternoon at the arcade. And I love when I can beat them at retro video games and air hockey!
Bowling is one of our favourite things to do with the kids because we never know who will score the lowest haha! But the best part is that you don’t need to win to have a great time.

Easy Outdoor Activities For Winter Fun

Toboggan the hills, there are 10 city-approved sledding hills in Hamilton and Burlington for you to try.
Skate at an outdoor skating rink. We know where the best ones are!
Glide around these cross-country skiing trails in and around Halton and Hamilton.
One of the most popular outdoor winter activities for families is snow tubing. There are more local tubing hills that you would imagine!

Outdoor rinks are ready for you!

Take a Road Trip or a Day Trip

Stratford, Ontario looks like a Hallmark movie set in the winter, and their downtown shopping is quaint. Don’t miss out on their widely-known chocolate shops while you’re there.
Spend the day or weekend in Guelph because there is so much to do! Here are 10+ things to do in Guelph to get you started.
Have you read our recap of our trip to London, Ontario? You need to add a visit to your winter season itinerary!
Staycation-ing is my jam, and we loved our local stay trip in Burlington.
Have you heard of Leamington? It’s a cute little town that is home to an excellent hotel that is so much fun you won’t need to leave it!

Best Western Leamington is so fun you won’t want to leave the hotel!

Eat Great Food

It wouldn’t be winter in Canada without a visit to the maple syrup farms and festivals.
Our readers told us the very best donuts in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville – go get one today!
The best french fry joints are open all year long. You told us these were the best spots for fries in town.
It’s never not a great time for ice cream! And lots of these ice cream shops are open all year.

Free and Cheap Ideas

Look into Postcrossing. We’ve been talking about it non-stop since we discovered it. You get an address for someone who would love to receive a postcard and send them one. You, in turn, get one sent to you. We’ve sent and received cards from Japan, England, Lithuania and Africa!
The same goes with Letters From Afar. Kids will love following Isabelle on her world adventures through beautiful letters, maps and stamps. We’ve been subscribers for years and these letters are truly something you can save and read with your grandkids!
Get science-y with these easy and quick at-home experiments you can do with simple items from your cupboards. Kids will love it and they’ll leave a little something, too!
Check out the Library. They’ve got books, movies, games, learning kits, audiobooks and even family passes to art galleries, conservation areas and museums!
Play at the Tansley Woods Community Centre play structure. It’s free!

Read Our Latest Articles

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We Rock The Spectrum Indoor Playcentre Oakville

Amber Rohal — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

We Rock The Spectrum in Oakville is a kids gym where everyone is welcome, regardless of their abilities and needs. From toddlers thru teen years, everyone loves playing at this unique kid’s gym.

WRTS in Oakville is one of our favourite indoor places to play. This indoor gym has a variety of ways to play with its unique design. The equipment at this play centre can be changed around in just minutes. It’s never the same twice! My daughter loved this rainbow saucer-type swing so much we got one of the backyard. Family fun at its finest!

play equipment you won’t find at any other Indoor play centre

I think the best part of visiting is seeing the unique ways they play with the equipment. The yoga balls, the zip line and crash pad, and the one-of-a-kind swings, all lead kids of all ages into playing in new ways. Everything at this indoor play centre in oakville is open-ended and can be used in various ways. Imaginations are used like never before!

From The Owner

From, the owner: “After discovering We Rock the Spectrum in America, we knew how much our community needed it, and that we just had to bring this amazing gym to Canada. We Rock the Spectrum is more than just a gym – it’s a safe space for kids of ALL abilities to play and grow, where they can be themselves, feel embraced, understood, and feel that they belong! WRTS is a place where families will create memories that will last a lifetime! We are the place where you never have to say “I’m sorry”!”

In addition to active play options, WRTS Oakville also has a calming room. With its dim lighting, calming music and an under-the-sea feel, this is the perfect escape when you need some quiet time away from the play area or are feeling overstimulated. Read a book in one of the cozy corners or watch the gentle flow of the lava lamp-type decor. Get creative at the blackboard by drawing a masterpiece or playing one of the many board games or puzzles at the table. There are many unique ways to play at this indoor playground in Oakville.

birthday parties and open play programs

They are the home of amazing private birthday parties in their party room and the gym offers open play times for everyone in the community. They offer programs that help kids on the spectrum connect with their peers, learn social-emotional skills, and explore music. Acting as a respite care service, parents with kids on the spectrum and with diverse needs can drop their kids off for supervised programs.

Address: We Rock The Spectrum is located at 245 Weycroft Road, Unit #3 in Oakville. You can visit their website here.

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Andrews Scenic Acres Farm Market

Amber Rohal — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:01:27 +0000

From spring through autumn, Andrews Farm Market – also known as Andrews Scenic Acres – is an ideal outdoor place to go with kids. This Milton farm offers a variety of activities and seasonal events that families will love. Read on for what to expect when you visit.

Andrew’s Scenic Acres (Also known as Andrew’s Farm Market and Winery)

Spend a fun day at the farm when you visit Andrew’s Scenic Acres in Milton. Kids will love the playground, the farm animals and fresh air. Parents will love the marketplace and fresh produce to take home.

Pick Your Own and Fresh-Picked Produce at Andrews

This Milton farm is home to about 19 different crops that are ready for harvest from early spring through late fall. Of those, half are available as pick-your-own varieties. Picking your own fruit and veggies is an amazing activities to do with kids because they get first hand knowledge about where their food comes from.

Andrews Farm offers these options for pick your own: rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, currants, raspberries, blueberries, wild flowers and pumpkins.

Any time you visit, take home some freshly picked produce, some wine made from fruit grown on the farm and of course baked goods!

What Kids Love About Andrews Scenic Acres

In addition to the fresh air and room to run around, there is a lot for kids to do at Andrews Farm in Milton.

Large sandbox – bring them some toys to use in the sand. There were a few, but they were popular.
Animals to feed – goats, alpacas, pigs, ducks, chickens.
Playground equipment – it’s a fun combination of a natural and traditional playground with some classics, like a tire swing.
Large hay bale towers to climb
Tractor rides
Food on-site – canned/bottled drinks for sale, popcorn, cotton candy, fruit popsicles, lollipops, decorated cookies, baked goods, candy, chips, etc.
Picnic areas all through the grounds

Tips For Parents

One main washroom with baby station near the main entrance, plus port-a-potties are available around the grounds.

Andrews Farm Market is stroller and wagon-friendly and lots of parents brig their to make the walks quicker and easier.

If you have sand box fans, bring them some toys to use in the sand.

Want to feed the animals? Bring coins for the feed dispenser. And hand sanitizer for afterwards.

The farm is ideal for kids 10 and under. Toddlers will love free roaming.

More Info

Andrews Farm Market is located at 9365 10 Side Road, in Milton, Ontario

They are open 10 am – 5 pm weekdays and 10 am – 6 pm on weekends & holidays. Last admission is 1 hour before closing for the farm and PYO fields.

In person admission prices: Kids 0-5 are free, ages 6-64 are $16.50 and seniors over 65+ are $12. Seniors FREE on Mondays (Excluding Holidays)

Buy Online & Save! In person admission prices: Ages 6-64 are $15, seniors 65+ are $10.

More Animal Adventures

Whether it’s farm life, a zoo or a local sanctuary, we know some great places to learn more and get up close and personal with animals.

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Hamilton Farm Crawl

Amber Rohal — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 21:10:47 +0000

What is Farm Crawl Hamilton, you ask? Farm Crawl provides public access to farms across Hamilton to learn about agriculture, see operations and have a “genuine” farm experience. It happens 3 times a year, so get your tickets today!

Photo courtesy of https://depositphotos.com/

When is the event?

Farm Crawl dates are June 22, July 27, and Sept. 14, 2024. Participating farms will be open from 10 am – 4 pm for visitors with tickets. You may visit multiple farms on the day(s) of the event.

Where are the farms?

There are 10 farms participating in June Farm Crawl 2024. The farms on the June schedule are:

Angora Springs
Hearts Content
Jerry’s Berries & Lotsa Hostas
Manorun Farm
Liberty Way Farm
Simpler Thyme
West Avenue Cider
Rock Maple Lodge
Summit Station Dairy
Between the Vines

Read more about each farm here. By visiting all of the different farms you’ll see animals, plants, flowers, herbs, maple syrup and more.

How much does it cost?

Ticket fees go towards marketing, advertising and running the event. Purchase tickets online in advance or on the day of the event. Tickets cost $35 for a family. Individual tickets are $17.50 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children. You can also get a season pass for $50. Be prepared to show your tickets upon entering each of the farms.

Is there anything else I should know?

Farm Crawl runs rain or shine. Please leave your pets at home. There is no shuttle bus between the farms, and you should budget 10-30 minutes drive time between farms.

Spend the day outdoors learning from local farmers about where our food comes from and return home with healthy and organic ingredients for a yummy meal to feed to your family!

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100 Days of Fun: Summer Event Calendars For June, July and August

Amber Rohal — Thu, 30 May 2024 13:00:06 +0000

The best part about summer break is all that free time. But the overwhelming part of summer break is all that free time! Don’t stress, because here at Active Parents we are well versed in finding great things to do in your community and close by.

We’ve created these summer event calendar highlighting 3 months of great things happening near you through June, July and August. Our regions are firing up with summer festivals, outdoor movies, free community concerts, beach days and so much more. It’s an exciting time to be a local, don’t you agree?!

Our June, July and August summer event calendars are your cure for summer boredom and the key to making some serious memories with the kiddos this year.

What’s So Special About Our Summer Event Calendars?

Our summer event calendars can be used in a variety of ways to make your summer so much easier. Here is some inspiration:

Download the calendars from our drive and they will have a linked event or blog to give you complete details. Everything from the beach beaches to play visit, the coolest splash pads to chill out at and of course the best in free kid-friendly activities all summer long. Download our calendars to your phone, tablet or desktop and the links will be active and ready for you when you need them.

You can print our calendars, too! Post them on your fridge or keep them in your purse. Circle all of the most-do activities for your bucket list and cross them off as you go!

Keep us in the loop! Tag us on Instagram when you cross and activity off you summer event calendars!

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Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love

Amber Rohal — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:31:13 +0000

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm in St. Catharines is a must-visit for families. Pack a lunch and bring the kids, because this is a day trip you’re going to want to add to your summer bucket list.

Read More: Find more farms here

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm – How It Came To Be

Just a short history of this sweet farm… Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm was created by Harry “Happy” Rolph when he build a bird sanctuary on his property. Happy, along with his wife Jen, built several ponds on the property to help attract more birds, and eventually grew to attract thousands of birds annually to the property. When the couple decided to retire in the 70s, the sanctuary was purchased by the Province, City and Niagara Conservation Authority, and eventually was bought by the City of St. Catharines. To honour his work, the location was renamed Happy Rolph Bird Sanctuary in 1974.

What Animals Are At Happy Rolph’s?

Spend a few hours getting up close with animals. Rolph’s has everything including alpacas, horses, chickens, turkeys, llamas and a big hog. The grounds are well-kept and wheel-friendly. In staying with its bird sanctuary roots, you can visit the large pond that is home to swans, mallards, ducks and geese. You can buy some feed for them at the farm as well.

Is Happy Rolph’s Free?

Yes! Happy Rolph’s is a free place to visit! Voluntary donations are accepted. You can bring in your own picnic lunch and snacks, just don’t feed the animals! And if you feel so inclined, you can purchase a bag of duck feed for just $2 and help fill the feathered bellies of the ducks and swans in the pond.

More Things To Do At The Farm

Enjoy their playground with swings
Bring a picnic – lots of picnic tables
Walk the grounds, they’re stroller and wheel friendly
Bring some cash and feed the ducks for $2 per bag of feed

Address and Hours and Parking

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm is located at 650 Read Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7K6. They are open daily, and free to visit any time. Summer greenspace hours are dusk to dawn, animal area hours are 10 am – 8 pm and washrooms are 7 am – 8 pm. There is free parking available on-site, but it fills up quickly on weekends, so visit through the week if you can. Some visitors report parking on the street, but please watch for local regulations if you do this. Visit their website here. When you plan your visit, expect to spend a few hours here, and then wander down the path to Lake Ontario and enjoy the view.

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Ride the Antique Carousel at Lakeside Park

Amber Rohal — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:20:30 +0000

Take a trip back in time when you ride the antique carousel at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie. It’s perfectly located on the Lake Ontario waterfront, beside a fabulous beach and playground. Pack a lunch and enjoy a full day of simple, antique fun and laughs.

About The Lakeside Park Carousel

It really is a thing of beauty! This carousel was hand-carved between 1898 and 1905 and is the design masterpiece of a man named Charles I.D. Looff. Looff was a master carver who came to America from Germany in 1870. Charles Looff designed and built dozens of carousels and amusement parks in his time, including the famous Santa Monica Pier! The carousel was designed and crafted in Brooklyn, New York then made its way to Scarborough, Ontario before finally setting down permanent roots in St. Catharines in 1921.

Handcrafted Beauty and a Real Bargain

The Lakeside Park Carousel has 68 hand-carved wooden animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats and giraffes. The carousel also has four chariots. The animals on the carousel still have real horsehair tails. Like the day the carousel first opened, rides are still only 5 cents each. All fees are used to keep the carousel in pristine condition.

Hours, Pricing and More Info

You can visit the Lakeside Park Carousel from spring to fall.

Weekends and holidays, May 18 to July 1: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Daily, July 1 to Sept. 2: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekends, Sept. 7 until Oct. 14: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Carousel is still 5 cents a ride or admission by donation. You can also purchase a Season Pass for $22.10 including HST. You can purchase the Season Pass from the gift shop during your next visit. It’s also available for photography rentals and sponsorship.

More To Do Near The Lakeside Park Carousel in St. Catharines

There are lots of things to do with kids in St. Catharines in addition to the Lakeside Park Carousel, so plan to spend the day – or more – here. Your little kids will love seeing the sweet animals and birds at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm. It’s free to visit, and all donations made go to supporting the health and care of the animals you’ll meet. Watch the massive ships go in and out of the Canal from the Lock 3 Viewing Platform. Enjoy a family-friendly and accessible hike at the Glenridge Quarry and you’ll see children’s science and nature area, a pond boardwalk with a viewing area and the wildflower meadow.

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Parent Support Groups and Social Programs

Amber Rohal — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:43:30 +0000

Parent support groups and social programs for new parents are a great way to connect with parents in the same stage of parenthood as you are. New parents, experienced parents, and caregivers will all benefit from meeting oher adults. Babies aren’t the only ones who need socialization, right? Throughout Halton and Hamilton, there are a wide variety of programs and groups that offer support, encouragement and social activities for parents and their children. Here we have a comprehensive list of wonderful groups and support services. DId we miss one? Please click here and share it with us!

Related: More great things to do with your babies and toddlers

Parent Support Groups in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville

The Common Moms

Classes & Drop in Program Costs Vary

The Common Moms was built with the hopes of helping moms to get social, have fun, and find support from their peers. They provide activities, programs and resources at both their Flagship ‘Family Room’ and at drop in locations throughout Halton & Hamilton. Common Moms programs and classes encourage and enhance psychological and social development for babies and toddlers while foster friendships for parents.

https://www.thecommonmoms.com

Empowered Mothers Group Program

$150 investment

This is a 6 week program based in Mississauga that offers connections with like-minded women and assists in navigating the challenges of motherhood.

https://www.monicabhardwaj.com/empowering-mothers-group

Mommy Connections Burlington & Oakville

Classes & Group Event Costs Vary

Mommy Connections is a local organization that offers unique programs from pregnancy, birth and up to age 4! They include things like CPR classes, special events, and weekly meet-ups to local moms looking to discover new things and make new friends.

Mommy Connections Burlington

Mommy Connections Oakville

Read More: Find toddler-approved indoor play centres here

The WOMB Burlington & Milton

Classes & Workshop Costs Vary

The WOMB fosters an environment for support and education from fertility to early parenthood through a collaborative whole-health team. They offer everything from fitness & yoga classes to parent & tot groups, as well as free workshops and drop in programs. They also offer health services like acupuncture, breastfeeding support, counselling, chiropractic care and more.

https://www.thewomb.ca/who-we-are/

Oakville Parent & Child Centre (OPCC)

Classes & Drop in Program Costs Vary

For over 40 years, the OPCC has been offering quality activities and programs for parents to gather, grow and learn. They focus on empowering children and their families as they interact and develop. They offer both free and paid programming. Choose from drop in play time to stroller walks, and music and art classes, OPCC offers anything you can think of to support parents and their children up to age 6!

https://www.op-cc.ca

Read More: Find toddler-approved indoor play centres here

Growing Together Therapy

Class Costs Vary

Growing Together Therapy was created by a licensed Social Worker with the goal of providing support & encouragement through play based interventions. Play reduces stress, increases positive behaviours, and majorly impacts parent child relationships. Connect With Play offers group classes & programs to teach, connect and encourage more play and positivity!

https://www.growingtogethertherapy.ca/

Halton Region Parenting Supports

Free!

Did you know that the Halton Region offers 14 different parent support programs? From Prenatal Classes to Parenting with Love Programs, they strive to offer a variety of classes to support healthy growth and development in children and encourage confidence and positivity in parenthood.

https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Children-and-Parenting/Parenting-Supports/Parenting-Programs-and-Supports

EarlyON Centres

Offer Free & Paid Programs

EarlyON Child & Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to six and their caregivers to participate in playful, positive, inquiry-based programming and support. Their parent support groups range from drop in playtimes to professionally guided classes on things like child development, parenting and more. There are programs offered throughout the Halton region, many of which are free and do not require registration.

https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Children-and-Parenting/EarlyON-Child-and-Family-Centres

Read More: Drop into The Family Room and experience their play space that caters to new parents and their kids.

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Parent and Tot Programs in Burlington, Hamilton and Oakville

Amber Rohal — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 18:23:04 +0000

Parent and Tot classes are a great way to have fun with your little one, while also learning new skills and meeting new parents and kids. Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville mom and baby classes and parent and tot programs are a great way to mix up your at-home routine and add something new to the calendar.

Hosting a Parent and Tot program in Hamilton, Burlington or Oakville? Click here to add it to this guide.

City of Burlington

The City of Burlington offers a wide variety of recreation programs for all ages and abilities, from educational programs to sports, events and social programs, to support active living and a healthy lifestyle. We offer register and drop-in programs to suit your needs. These programs typically include: Sports and Fitness: Activities such as skating, pickleball, swimming, yoga, play fit and fitness classes. Arts and Culture: Programs in music, including bands, student theater and cultural events. Youth and Family Programs: After-school programs, summer camps, drop-in programs, such as basketball. Older Adult: Social gatherings, fitness classes, and educational programs tailored for older adults. Community Events: Festivals, and special events that bring the community together. Outdoor Recreation: Hiking, biking, nature walks, tobogganing, golf and other outdoor activities. Burlington Recreation, Community and Culture is about enhancing the quality of life […]

Creative Edge Dance Studio

At Creative Edge Dance Studio, our goal is to provide all dancers with the opportunity to believe in themselves through the art of dance. With the instruction of our young, talented and award-winning staff we offer a positive and fun environment for all our dance families. What We Offer: Special workshops and intensives with world-renowned choreographers including Blake McGrath, Toyko, Amanda Cleghorn and more!) Drop-In and Open Classes Recreational Programming for 2 ½ -18 years of age Adult Classes Full Time Competitive Part-Time and Pre Competitive Programs Street and Contemporary Programs Birthday Parties Summer Camps for Competitive and Recreational Dancers

Goldfish Swim School - Oakville

Goldfish Swim School is proud to offer year-round swim instruction for children ages 4 months to 12 years. Our swimming lessons for kids are based on the philosophy that children learn through play! Our tropical facility was specially designed for kids, with a shiver-free, indoor 90-degree pool, kid-friendly amenities, and a strong emphasis on water safety. Our perpetual lesson program includes free makeup classes, meaning scheduling is flexible for busy families! Goldfish Swim School Burlington also offers Pool Parties for a SPLASHtastic birthday event, and will take care of everything, including set up and clean up! Look out for us at community events and schools, plus teaching lifesaving Water Safety information to kiddos in our community with our FREE W.A.T.E.R. Safety Program! Burlington: https://goldfishswimschool.com/burlington-ont/ Oakville: https://goldfishswimschool.com/oakville/

Museums of Burlington Toddler Days

Our toddler program takes place at Joseph Brant Museum from 10:30am to 12:00pm on Wednesday mornings. The cost is $10/child (accompanying adults are complimentary). Each session is a different theme. The program is designed for children ages 2 - 4, pre-registration is required.

Aqua-Tots Burlington

At Aqua-Tots Burlington, children of all abilities from 4 months-12 years old become safe and confident swimmers in our year-round, indoor, 90° pool.

Art Gallery of Burlington

The AGB is Burlington's public art gallery and community centre. We are a place of intersection where creators, cultures, and communities meet and share in creativity.

Atlantis School of Swim

Provides swimming lessons for all ages. We offer private (1:1), semi-private (2:1) and small group (3:1) lessons.

Back to Basics Swim Academy

We have taught thousands of students the life skill of Swimming. We have a program to get your family into the swim of things.

Blossom Musik

Teaches the Kindermusik program to parents and kids under 5 in Hamilton and Burlington.

British Swim School - Burlington

The teaching fundamentals at the heart of our aquatics program have not changed, but we are elevating the steps we’re taking to keep you safe during swimming lessons with us.

British Swim School - Milton

The teaching fundamentals at the heart of our aquatics program have not changed, but we are elevating the steps we’re taking to keep you safe during swimming lessons with us.

Burlington Gymnastics Club

We might be biased, but we can’t think of a better place for little ones to learn about movement and play than in the gym. Full of fun colours, shapes, and surfaces! By playing in and exploring the gym, you will be providing your little one with a fun and interactive experience. Our gyms have designated preschool spaces, and all equipment is adaptable for tiny hands and feet allowing our littlest gymnasts to move and explore easily.

Burlington Trampoline and Tumbling

Burlington Trampoline and Tumbling’s competitive trampoline and tumbling program produce athletes who are ranked provincially, nationally and internationally. We offer fun-filled, high energy recreational classes, which help kids develop confidence, strength and agility. In our state-of-the-art facility, we offer classes all year round in Trampoline, Tumbling, NINJA ZONE and more!

Centre Ice Training Academy

Promoting and providing a high quality organized hockey experience. Centre Ice would like to encourage the game of hockey through skill development, quality leadership, understanding teamwork and good sportsmanship in an atmosphere that is positive and fun for all. We want to help foster personal excellence in all athletes, regardless of their skill level or gender.

City Dance Corps

A fun and welcoming, education-focused dance studio for kids ages 3-16! We offer ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, and more - helping kids grow creatively and physically. RAD ballet exams, performance groups, birthday parties, and private coaching available. Join the dance family! Business Name : City Dance Corps Youth Address: 2630 Bristol Circle, Oakville, ON Website:https://www.citydancecorpsyouth.com Phone: 416-260-2356 Email: [email protected]

Dancesations Dance Academy

Dancesations Dance Academy offers a variety of classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, lyrical and contemporary. For children and teens ages 3 & up

Enchantment Theatre

Enchantment Theatre provides Early Years Music Classes, and Children's Theatre performances to Families in the Hamilton Area.

Fit For Fun

Fit For Fun is a physical education program that develops fundamental movement skills and sports skills in a fun and engaging way. Classes are run by a certified teacher.

Go Bananas!

Our facility is designed with kids in mind - with colourful and creative things to climb everyone from 25-300lbs is welcome!

Goldfish Swim School - Burlington

Whether you are looking for weekly group lesson pricing for your baby or are interested in your advanced swimmer joining our swim team, our pricing page for Goldfish Swim School - Burlington ONT has all the info you'll need to get started.

Gymalaya Burlington

Gymalaya with locations in Vaughan, Newmarket, and Burlington is GTA’s best recreational gymnastics facility, offers recreational gymnastics classes with state-of-the-art equipment designed specifically for young children. The kid size proportions of the equipment help motivate the children, enhance their performance and increase safety.

Kindermusic With Miss Corrie

Niagara's top music and movement classes for young children.

Lil Rockers

Located in Milton, Ontario, Lil’ Rockers is specially designed to teach foundational music concepts to babies, toddlers, and pre-school age children. Our research-based early childhood classes encourage both children and adults to become and remain music makers throughout their lives; nurturing innate musicality, inspiring creativity, and making learning fun!

Little Kickers Burlington

We give children a positive intro to sport by teaching high quality soccer skills in friendly, pressure-free environment. Our classes are tailored for ages 18 months to 8 yrs.

Little Kickers Grimsby

Little Kickers is a non-competitive program that uses imagination and play-to-learn basic soccer skills. Our 1.5 - 2.5 yr class is a full parent and tot class. This means our parents get to join in on the FUN! The next age group is 2.5 - 3.5 yrs old and the main goal for this age group is taking a step back from our parents and learning independence. The Mighty Kickers program starts at 3.5 yrs old and goes up to their 5th birthday. This class introduces team concepts and mini-matches at the end of each class. Our final age group is our Mega Kickers for children 5 - 7yrs old. This group will work on a different skill each week such as passing, defending, striking etc. They will also play a structured soccer game for half of the class. The main goal of our program is to give all children a positive introduction to sports! Classes are running in Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Hamilton and Grimsby.

Little Kickers Hamilton

Little Rebels

Not your typical music class or song circle – this is music for kids with a twist! Our classes get kiddos moving, grooving, and learning – independently! We use renditions of Broadway show tunes, rock ‘n’ roll, Motown jams, and a few kids classics. We integrate movement and props into our classes to make it fun for the whole family.

Little Yogis Academy Halton

Little Yogis is a mobile Yoga & Mindfulness program for kids aged 2 - 13 years in the Halton Region (Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown) with the goal of improving physical, mental, and emotional health through our curriculum. Little Yogis partners with schools, childcare centres, non-profit and for-profit organizations to improve the health and wellness of our communities. We are proud to be an approved external service provider for the Halton District School Board!

Making Waves Swim School - Guelph

Making Waves Swim School - Milton

Mommy Connections

It takes a village. We’re here to help you build yours. Our programs, which take place in 30 communities across Canada, offer a unique opportunity to connect with other moms at the same stage as you, learn from local experts and try new activities – all while bonding with your baby, toddler (or both!)

Mr. Ben's Music

Mr. Ben’s Music offers group classes for children ages 0-6 in a fun, caring and immersive environment. Since its inception in 2011 it has quickly become one of the most popular children's music programs in the Greater Hamilton Area.

Music Together Giggle and Groove

From babyhood through the early elementary years, Music Together nurtures each child’s natural musicality in a playful, musically rich learning environment. Our research-based music classes are designed to be non-formal and non-performance oriented, so your child can learn at his or her own pace, in a way that’s developmentally appropriate.

Music With Miss Michelle

Music With Miss Michelle offers "Fam Jam" the fun parent and child music class that you will look forward to each week! Private vocal lessons and group vocal classes too!

Oakville Academy for the Arts

Dance classes in every style for kids ages 6 and older. They also have programs for pre-school ages kids and parent & baby classes.

Oakville Swim Academy

Offers a full range of introductory, beginner, and advanced swim courses, to help people of all ages learn and perfect their swimming skills. Starting at 6 months through adulthood.

Passion To Fitness

Offers kids gymnastics, dance, cheer and ninja warrior classes to kids from pre-school age through adult.

Performance School of Music and Dance

Offers Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Preschool Dance and Parent & Tot classes.

Red Tree Performance Academy

Sam's Swim Academy

Sam's Swim Academy offers year-round swim lessons, First Aid & CPR certifications and guarding services for pool parties. Dive in and discover a world of aquatic excellence.

Sport Kidz Milton

Ages 18 months to 5 years old

Sport Kidz Waterdown

18 months to 5

Sportball GTA

Sportball offers non-competitive programs for kids 16 months–12 years, teaching soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, football, hockey, T-ball.

Summer Swim Academy

Offers private backyard swimming lessons and guarded pool parties to families in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton area, and Milton for children ages 6 months to 14 years old.

Summer Swim Academy Ancaster

Offers private backyard swimming lessons and guarded pool parties to families in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton area, and Milton for children ages 6 months to 14 years old.

Summer Swim Academy Hamilton

Offers private backyard swimming lessons and guarded pool parties to families in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton area, and Milton for children ages 6 months to 14 years old.

Summer Swim Academy Oakville

Offers private backyard swimming lessons and guarded pool parties to families in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton area, and Milton for children ages 6 months to 14 years old.

Summer Swim Academy Waterdown

Offers private backyard swimming lessons and guarded pool parties to families in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton area, and Milton for children ages 6 months to 14 years old.

The City of Hamilton

Hamilton offers learn-to-swim programs for all ages, starting with parent and tot programs, at various city recreation centres.

The Common Moms

Join us for our art, music, sensory, seasonal and enrichment programs with your little one. We host parent and baby activities and events in Burlington, Waterdown, Milton and Stoney Creek.

The Common Moms Ancaster

We provide Moms and their babies with fun events, activities, programs and resources to enhance both physical and social development as well as make Mom Life a little bit easier. Join us for our art, music, sensory, seasonal and enrichment programs with your little one. We host parent and baby activities and events in Burlington, Waterdown, Milton and Stoney Creek.

The Common Moms Burlington

The Common Moms Guelph

The Common Moms Milton

The Dance Class

We offer classes for ages 2 and up in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, pointe, lyrical, modern and musical theatre. We offer daytime, evening and weekend options. Since it’s never too late to fall in love with dance, our adult dance classes offer a great way to stay in shape! The Dance Class has a strong ballet background that follows the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Dancers can train at a variety of levels and select students will be asked to enter ballet exams in the spring/summer.

The Dream Centre

At The Dream Centre, we pride ourselves on a warm, caring, family atmosphere. We believe high success can be achieved through encouragement and instilling self-confidence in our dancers, gymnasts, martial arts and fitness students no matter what size, shape, age or ethnicity. Our award winning faculty bring much expertise to The Dream Centre and to the Waterdown community.

TipToe Music

TipToe Music is on a mission to make the world a better place by making it more musical by bringing Music Together's music and movement classes to life for kids newborn to 8 years old and the grown-ups who love them.

Waterdown Dance

Waterdown Dancers Inc. is a dance studio located in Waterdown, Ontario. We offer the very best in Kids and Teen dance classes and private lessons.

We Swim Ancaster

We offer year-round private swimming lessons, Parent & Tot classes, group swimming lessons, swim coaching and group Aquafit classes. All of our great programs are tailored to meet your individual needs and various swimming levels.

We Swim Hamilton

Offers year-round private swimming lessons, Parent & Tot classes, group swimming lessons, swim coaching and group Aquafit classes in Hamilton.

World Class Gymnastics

Offers a wide range of classes for all ages starting as early as 2 years old. Their programs include floor work, balance beam, uneven bars, trampoline and vaulting.

YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford

Each location has swimming lessons for kids starting as early as 6 months old, right up to lifeguard status. Special needs programs are 1:1 and available as well.

YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford

Each location has swimming lessons for kids starting as early as 6 months old, right up to lifeguard status. Special needs programs are 1:1 and available as well.

YMCA Hamilton Downtown

Each location has swimming lessons for kids starting as early as 6 months old, right up to lifeguard status. Special needs programs are 1:1 and available as well.

YMCA Les Chater

Each location has swimming lessons for kids starting as early as 6 months old, right up to lifeguard status. Special needs programs are 1:1 and available as well.

YMCA Ron Edwards

Each location has swimming lessons for kids starting as early as 6 months old, right up to lifeguard status. Special needs programs are 1:1 and available as well.

Zacada Circus School

Circus performance training and recreational circus classes. The classes offered are acro gymnastics, aerials, trampoline, trapeze, tight rope and more. The Circus Cubs is a program offered for children 2-5 years of age. Camps are 6+

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Natures Superheroes: Brand New Winter Exhibit at RBG

Amber Rohal — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:36:42 +0000

Royal Botanical Gardens is back with another amazing, interactive exhibit for the winter and spring. If you have school age kids or lifelong learners, this is a great way to spend a few hours together.

Meet Nature’s Superheroes

Life is full of surprising wonders. Over billions of years, living things have evolved from simple cells into a stunning variety of life forms—full of different colours, textures, behaviours, special parts, and cool skills. Some animals and plants are familiar, but others are so amazing that they make us think in new ways!

Even though some plants and animals might seem really special, their unique features often help them with basic things like reproduction, breathing, and basic movements. They also find smart ways to sense the world, eat, and stay safe. The living things you’ll learn about at this exhibit have creative solutions to these simple, everyday challenges.

You’ll learn about popular animals like penguins and porcupines, and you can see cool characters like the axolotl and turtles.

Special Features

In additional to this extraordinary and immersive display, your tickets also include shows and animal encounters!

Weekday Schedule:

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discovery Station

10:30 a.m. Turtle Talk

2:00 p.m. Animal Encounters

Weekend* Schedule

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discovery Station

10:30 a.m. Puppet Show

11:30 a.m. Animal Encounters

12:30 p.m. Discovery Show

1:30 p.m. Animal Encounters

2:30 p.m. Discovery Show

3:30 p.m. Animal Encounters

4:30 p.m. Storytime

*Also runs holidays and March Break. An additional Animal Encounter show runs at 9:30 a.m. on dates the exhibit opens at 9 a.m.

Your Questions Answered!

What ages will enjoy this show?

The RBG says elementary school-age kids are who this exhibit is geared towards. I saw kids as young as 3 having a great time, and I as an adult loved it on my own. Lots of grandparents were there with their grandkids, too. If you like animals and nature, this is a great exhibit to check out.

What “live” animals will we see?

There are a variety of aquariums with live sea creatures in them. At the shows, listed above, you can see a few more animals up close.

2023 Royal Botanical Gardens Tickets

This is a time-ticketed exhibition and pre-registration is required. Tickets will only be available at the door when capacity allows. The winter exhibit is included in your RBG Membership, but registration still required.

Admission Type	Ticket Price
Adult	$19.50
Senior 65+ years of age	$16.50
Student (valid student card from a post-secondary institution is required)	$16.50
Child ages 3-12	$11.50
Child 0-2	Free
RBG Members	Free

+ TAXES AND SERVICE FEES

While You’re At The Royal Botanical Gardens

A Must See In Any Weather – the Natural Playground

One of the top reasons families love going to the Royal Botanical Gardens in the nice weather is their great natural playground. Access is included in your admission and kids will love channelling the Swiss Family Robinson as they explore.

Visit The Indoor Gardens

While you’re at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, you can also go and check out the Mediterranean Garden and the Cactus Garden. Two beautiful spots filled with various domestic and exotic plants, cactuses, succulents, and fruit trees. My favourite or the lemon trees! Also, check out the water features and the fish pond. So tranquil! Royal Botanical Gardens is a perfect mini escape from the winter cold.

Upcoming Events at Royal Botanical Gardens

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Enjoy Christmas town, Winterlit and Winter Fun at Mountsberg Conservation Area

Amber Rohal — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:25:21 +0000

Mountsberg Conservation Area is one of eight Conservation Halton parks. It’s located in Campbellville, just north of Burlington, and features outdoor activities and attractions suitable for everyone from littles to seniors. A pay-one-price lets you enjoy a full day of fresh air, animals and best that nature has to offer.

Article Contents

Admission

Things To Do

Halloween Spooktacular

Christmas Town

Winterlit

Maple Town

How Much Is Admission To Mountsberg Conservation Area?

Reservations are not required, but you can book your visit online and save on gate fees. If you are not particulr on when you visit, why not check out a FREE Conservation Halton Family Pass from your local library.

Age Group	Online Price	At The Gate Price
Adult (15-64)	$10.50+hst	$12+hst
Senior (65 and over)	$8.25+hst	$9.75+hst
Child (5-14)	$7.25+hst	$8.75+hst
Child Under 5	Free	Free

Prices as of 2024, special events pricing will differ.

Mountsberg Attractions and Activities

No matter your age – stroller to seniors, everyone loves Mountsberg. The grounds are beautifully maintained and offer a variety of things to do. You can spend 3+ hours here, so pack a picnic and snacks.

Explore the Discovery Centre and learn about native animals and trees and how they coexist.

Wander the trails throughout the area and keep your eyes peeled for rabbits, horses, so many birds and reptiles.

Make time – lots of time – for the Mountsberg Raptor Centre because this is my favourite part. Beautiful birds of prey like the Barn Owl, hawks and a bald eagle are all waiting to meet you. Stay for a presentation or book a tour. Both are well worth it.

Grab your fishing pole and head to the Mountsberg reservoir. You may also see some frogs, ducks and turtles. They’re allowed to swim, but no swimming for the humans, please!

Visit the animals at the Barn. You may see sheep, goats, rabbits and chickens. During the warm months, you’ll see some gorgeous horses in their yard. They’re big beauties!

Special Events at Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Spooktacular

In October, everyone is invited to Mountsberg Spooktacular, a family-friendly Halloween event. Spooktacular includes a spooky walk, scavenger hunt, a haunted barn and more. But don’t worry, nothing too scary, so kids of all ages will love it. Click here to read all about Mountsberg Spooktacular.

Christmas Town at Mountsberg

Each year, Mountsberg Christmas town draws families from all throughout the region. Everyone loves this event because it is an enchanting encounter with Santa in his woodland retreat. Ticket are sold for this event and they sell hour fast – within hours! This year, Christmas Town runs from November 16 to December 23, available Tuesday through Sunday (excluding November 25/26).

The Christmas Town experience:

A guided excursion via woodland wagon ride to Christmas Town (please note: a tractor may be utilized in certain cases due to weather conditions or the well-being of the horses)

Exclusive family meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Tour Mrs. Claus’ kitchen where treats are baked

Scavenger hunt, crafts and keepsake ornament making

Decorating cookies and savoring hot chocolate

Explore Elf Academy, Toy Central and the Flight Academy

Additionally, guests can visit the Raptors (during daytime) and farm animals or play at the natural playground

Winterlit

The trails at Mountsberg are always beautiful in winter, but now they’re even more special! Winterlit offers a unique outdoor experience with holiday lights and illuminated art installations along the way. The Illuminated Sugarbush Trail is about 1 km long has soft overhead lighting for a lovely evening stroll. The WInterlit Trail is also 1 km, so you can easily do both in your single visit. Enjoy local musicians’ music as you explore Mountsberg in winter on Thursday to Sunday evenings.

On specific nights, join the winter wildlife excursion, Owl Prowl, Mountsberg’s Raptor Centre staff host guided Owl Prowls on select 2024 dates – January 6, 7, 13, 14, and February 3 and 4. These mysterious creatures are active this time of year. The program takes guests into the woods to listen for wild owls after meeting one of the resident Mountsberg owls up close. Passes for these walks are limited and can be added to your Winterlit ticket.

Winterlit runs evenings between December 29, 2023 and January 7, 2024 (January 2, 2024 excepted) and Friday through Sunday January 12 to February 19, 2024.

Winterlit Pricing:
Non-Members – $22/adult, $19/child or senior, child 4 and under free
Members – $16.00/adult, $14/child or senior, child 4 and under free
Add Ons: Paint a Heart: $5 and/or Owl Prowl: $10

Enchanted Evenings are December 31st (New Years Eve) and Saturday, February 10 (right before Valentines Day) and these nights have added magic to make your visit extra special. Visitors will enjoy bonus entertainment, like a magician and fire performers and can take part in candle making. Listen to live music and treat yourself to some delicious food.

Winterlit Enchanted Evenings Price:
Non-Members – $30/adult, $25/child or senior, child 4 and under free
Members – $23/adult, $18/child or senior, child 4 and under free
Add Ons: Paint a Heart: $5, Candle Making: $8, Owl Prowl: $10

Maple Town at Mountsberg

Late winter is a “sweet” time of year when you visit Mountsberg Maple Town. Learn how maple syrup is made now, and how it was made long ago. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the Mountsberg sugar bush and sample some hot syrup poured over fresh, clean snow. Mountsberg Maple Town is a special event and may require addition payment and booking in advance.

Things to know before you go To Mountsberg Conservation Area

Wheelchair accessible with an elevator in the discovery centre

Stroller friendly with packed gravel trails

Gift shop on the main floor of the discovery centre with light snacks and souvenirs available for purchase

Washroom available with changing stations (outhouses available too)

Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park if you’d like to bring your own food

Reservations are recommended but not required. Pre-book your reservation online ahead of time to save on gate fees.

Mountsberg Conservation Area has an automated gate that will let you right in (no waiting)

Tons of parking (one vehicle permitted per reservation)

Dogs are permitted, however, they must be on a leash and are to be kept away from farm animal areas

Check the Conservation Halton website before you go to see which attractions are open

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20 Things To Do With Toddlers At Home

Amber Rohal — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 01:34:37 +0000

We asked our toddler experts – parents! – how to keep a toddler entertained at home during the inclement weather. Here’s what they said.

Toddlers are funny little humans who wake up raring to go! Parents know if you don’t find a way to spend that energy it can mean tantrums, sleepless nights and an all-around difficult day for everyone. So we asked our favourite toddler parents – YOU! – what they’re doing at home with their little ones to keep everyone busy and sane. Try one today – or try them all!

Related: Try these easy crafts and at-home science experiments you can do with items in your cupboard.

Break Up Your Day Into Chunks

I had a kiddo who was a little ball of energy and one thing I tried to do when possible was to think of our days in time blocks. I tried to not walk into the living room in the morning with every toy, book and craft out ready to be played with. The over-stimulation was a big problem for her, and it made all toys boring after an hour or two. If you can (when you can) have toys away and bring them out to have some intentional time playing with them. Saying things like “Let’s build a big city with the blocks” or “Should we have painting time now?” can really help little ones focus on one activity at a time. Here are a few ideas for indoor activities for toddlers from real parents like you!

Borrow Some Fun from the Library

Local libraries are my top recommendation for every age – not just toddlers! If you’re short on time, or see something you love in the library catalogue online, you can place “holds” on the items you want. Once they’re available, the library gathers them up and notifies you that you can come and get them. It’s super easy. We’ve been doing this a lot over the past year and it’s been so great. You can do this with technology, free family passes, activity kits and more! Libraries have also removed late fines/fees to help encourage more people to borrow without the worry of a financial charge should they be late. Thanks, Libraries! Click your city to learn more about borrowing books and more from your local library: Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville.

Read Listen to Books!

Listening to a story is a great way to start a day or unwind after some serious action. You can re-read some of their faves or pull out a new book that is seasonally timed. I love the library for free books (and more!) but I also love little free libraries, Free-To-A-Good-Home-style groups on Facebook and thrift shops. If you’ve got a Spotify account, you can listen to stories read aloud through your app. Great stories and classics

Bathtubs For The Win!

Bathtubs are such an under-appreciated tool when it comes to toddler fun. If you at all concerned about the mess, move the play to the tub! It washes up easily and your kids will love it! Bust out the bathtub crayons, finger paint with shaving cream, glow sticks and bubbles! Anything goes in the bathtub when you are entertaining toddlers and preschoolers.

Bring The Outdoors In

When it snows and you just don’t feel like putting on all that gear, scoop some snow into a big bin and let the kiddos explore it! How can they melt it? Squeezing it, dropping water on it, breathing hot air on it? Give them some cool scoopers, measuring cups and an eye dropper with some coloured water and watch your Antarctic scientist conduct experiments until the snow melts. Bonus! Then you turn it into a water play bin. toss in some small toys, too. Another easy and free way to keep your toddler entertained at home.

We Love Sensory Bins

…And kids do too! I love that they’re relatively inexpensive to put together, and you can keep reusing the pieces over and over again (unless you use snow, that’s got a limited lifespan!). Get yourself a container with a lid. I liked the wide, shallow ones that slide under beds because it tucked under our cabinet perfectly. The lid is so great to have for an easy tidy up. Here are some themed sensory activities for toddlers to get you started.

Dinosaur Hunters – kinetic sand, plastic dino toys, excavation tools from your kitchen drawers.

Indoor Gardener – keep it tidy and use dry black beans as soil, pipe cleaners, faux flowers, trowel, garden gloves, and pretty pots.

Super Chef – dried pasta, large kitchen utensils, a chef’s hat, and unbreakable serving plates.

Under The Sea – water beads, sea creatures and seashells you gather from the beach (or dollar store!)

You can mix them up for season and holidays with plastic easter eggs, leaves and things, feathers, rice, shaving cream and more!

Get Moving

Kids love a good action song and all that crazy movement is an excellent way to burn off some energy. Janelle is sharing her favourite Action Songs Spotify playlist. Over 40 minutes of free dance party tunes to groove to. Thanks, Janelle!

Bigger Is Better

A loooooong roll of paper like this one is worth its weight in gold! Kids love things that are oversized, and having a large piece of paper makes colouring and painting easier when the art surface is larger. Use it for drawing mazes, streets and roadways, tracing yourselves, and just about anything you can think of. Older kids will love it too.

Paper roll activities for toddlers from Janelle V.

Relocate To Make The Ordinary Extraordinary

Believe me when I say I understand how tedious the days can be with a little, and even more so now with very few places you can go. I feel for you! One more tip I had was to move around your living space. When you are going to read a book together, ask your toddler where they want to read the book. In the yard, on the porch, on the stairs, in bed? One mom friend moved lunchtime to the car just to change up the scenery! It’s a small tweak but it will seem like so much more to your little one. Who wouldn’t love to read a story in the bathtub.

Keep It Simple

New toys, books and electronics always get the attention – but for how long do they really keep your toddler entertained at home and at what expense? It’s such a cliché, but kids really would prefer the cardboard box to play with! Keep those delivery boxes, paper towels and TP tubes, egg cartons, bubble wrap and more! They’ll become essential tools for simple activities. Your toddler will love building with them, decorating them with crayons and stickers, and transforming them into everything from a racecar to a rocketship.

Teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to decorating a cardboard box! Photo c/o Janelle V.

Tried, Tested and True Way to Keep a Toddler Entertained at Home

There are some activity ideas for toddlers that never fail to break up the day and keep your toddler entertained at home. They’ve been around for years and most of them from when we were kids! They’re great investments and can be used over and over again. Plus, they offer lots of hand eye coordination practice. Here are the staples to keep in your home:

Blocks – either wooden or plastic

Drawing supplies – crayons and chalk are easily removed

Craft supplies – water paints, cotton balls, paint brushes, stickers

Small balls – soft ones mean less breakage and less tears

Play doh, kinetic sand, slime and ooblek

Pillows – for playing the floor is lava, a cozy reading space, and more

Wheeled toys – cars, trucks, anything with wheels

Books – always books!

Animal toys – for role playing, learning names/colours sounds

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Easy Crafts and Experiments For Kids

Amber Rohal — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:54:47 +0000

PA Day, weekend or a rainy day – no matter the reason, we have 5 easy experiments and messy crafts you can do with your kids! These simple activities can be done with things you (probably) already have around the house. The hands-on fun double as educational, but don’t tell the kids! Let’s go!

Slime Volcano

This is such a great experiment because it combines two of my favourite experiments, slime and volcanos, into one awesome one.

Ingredients

Baking Soda

Vinegar

Water

Glue

Food Color

Contact Solution (re-nu brand works best)

2 containers for the mixtures and 1 large container to hold the eruption.

How to do it!

Make the slime base by combing ¼ cup white glue, 2 tbs baking soda, food color and 2 tbs water. Mix together

In another container make the activator using ½ cup vinegar, 2 tbs contact solution and food color.

Put the base mixture (in its container) inside the large container.

Slowly add the activator and stir to start the eruption.

Once the eruption is done stir the mixture for a minute to make sure it is fully combined

Remove your slime and enjoy!

Check out the video to see the Slime Volcano come to life!

Candy Rainbow

This experiment is so easy and fun and there are so many different ways to do it! It’s also a great way to use some candy you’ve had around the house for a while!

Ingredients

Candy with a colorful shell (Skittles or M&Ms work best)

Warm Water

A small plate with a bit of a rim

How to do it!

Make a circle around the edge of your plate using your candy. You can do the colors in whatever order you like but the more variety the better the looks.

Pour the warm water over the candy and wait for a moment.

Watch your rainbow appear!

Check out the video to see the rainbow in action!

Shaving Cream Art

This is a great activity that will give your child some really cool art and a fun sensory experience! There is no wrong way to make shaving cream art which is what makes it so great.

Materials

Shaving Cream

Paint

Finger painting Paper

A deep rectangular container

A stick/chopstick/knife/closed marker, something to make your pattern

How to do it!

Start by filling your container with shaving cream

Add blobs of paint around the shaving cream

Use your stick to create a design

Place your finger painting paper on top and press

Remove it and either scrape of the shaving cream or let it dry with the shaving cream still on

Keep repeating until you aren’t getting a great design anymore

Play with the shaving cream!

Check out the video for all the instructions!

Dry Erase Race

This is such a fun game that you can play again and again, you can even get creative with what you are racing!

Materials

A deep glass container (like a baking dish)

At least 2 DRY ERASE markers of different colors

A piece of white paper or paper towel

Something to use as a finish line.

A container with water.

Straws

Instructions

Put your glass container on top of the paper towel and finish line.

Draw a different colored circle for everyone racer using the dry erase markers.

Slowly add enough water to loosen the dots so they are free floating and there is a small amount of water in the container

Use the straws to blow your dots towards the finish line, first to the end wins!

Empty the water, dry out the container and start again!

Check out how to play here!

Super Simple Paint Rainbow

If you have paint and a large piece of paper give this simple rainbow trick a try!

Materials

A large piece of paper (finger painting paper works create)

Four + colors of paint

A used paper towel roll

How to do it!

Put 4 blobs of paint in a row on the left side of the paper.

Place the paper towel roll in the middle of the paper with one side sitting in the paint

Press firmly into the paint to make sure you get it on the roll.

Hold the paper towel roll by the end that is in the centre of the paper

Use your other hand to slowly spin the paper towel roll creating a rainbow.

Have fun painting and decorating around your rainbow!

Check out the video to see how it works!

I hope you have a great March Break and enjoy some of these easy and fun activities with your kids!

You can find Sara sharing more easy crafts and activities on Instagram.

More Fun For Your Family

Looking for more ways to have a great day at home? Click here for our ideas!

The post Easy Crafts and Experiments For Kids appeared first on Active Parents.

Playtown Niagara Is A Pint-Sized Imagination Space

Amber Rohal — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 19:10:00 +0000

Playtown in St. Catharines is a super fun destination for kids who love pretend play and using their imaginations to the max! Esther and her daughters visited and here’s what they experienced.

>> Find more Indoor Play Ideas here.

>> Looking for Toddler-Sized Indoor Play Centres? We’ve got a list of those, as well!

Do your kids love to pretend play? If they do, Playtown Niagara is the perfect place for you to visit!

This week, I took all four of my girls to Playtown, technically located in St. Catharines. Our first visit was a hit with my kids – ages 7, 6, 3, and 1. We met some friends there, stayed for two full hours, and my kids would only leave with promises to return.

After signing in, we took off our shoes and coats in their big walk-in closet and then headed through an alarmed door into a small cafe. The alarmed door is great to make sure little ones can’t sneak away like ninjas in the night! While there was no food or drink available for purchase, we were allowed to bring any of our own along. I dropped off our things on one of the tables, while my kids ran to explore. Before I knew it, I had no idea where they had gone, however, the security monitors in the cafe displayed each section clearly and it was easy to see which areas my kids had gravitated towards.

Imaginations Can Run Wild At Playtown in St. Catharines

The big room is split into different playhouses. There is an auto shop (pictured above) in addition to a diner, a grocery store, a theatre, a salon, an animal hospital, a raceway, and even a home! Along with this, in the middle of the big room, the kids can run and play with a space shuttle, a fire truck, and an ice cream truck. It was so fun watching where my kids picked to play, and how they used their imaginations in various ways. An added bonus? I didn’t have to clean up after them! Likewise, I was also thankful for my one-year-old that we found a toddler area with toys perfect for her.

Where Is Playtown Niagara?

Playtown Niagara is located at 150 Dunkirk Road in St. Catharines. Visit their website at playtownniagara.com

How Much Is Admission To Playtown Niagara?

You can choose public play or private play. Prices, hours and restrictions change often, so check them out online here.

What Ages Will Enjoy Playtown?

Esther’s kids are ages 1 through 7 and their age group was perfect for Playtown in St. Catharines.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Playtown Niagara?

Playtown Niagara’s drop-in hours for public play change week to week because they host special events and birthday parties so it is important to check the website or their Facebook page before you head on over.

Can You Bring Food To Playtown?

I loved that my kids could stop and eat some snacks at any time and I am thankful my friend thought of bringing coffees from a nearby Starbucks. The closest restaurants are about a five-minute drive, and another mom had the grand idea of bringing Happy Meals for her kids to enjoy in between their playing. Unfortunately, the washrooms inside the playground were out of order, so we did have to head out the doors of ‘PlayTown’ when my kids needed to go to the washroom.

Is Playtown Baby- and Stroller-Friendly?

Definitely! Babies will love exploring a section of their own with rainbow, padded floors and lots of new toys to play with. Strollers easily roll through the facility.

Good To Know Before You Go

Lots of parking onsite

Multiple washrooms

TV screens show all of the play areas so you can see your kids when they’re out of eyesight

Yes, they host events and special events, so call before you visit to make sure open play is on for that day

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The post Playtown Niagara Is A Pint-Sized Imagination Space appeared first on Active Parents.

Burlington’s Children Festival 2023 Update

Amber Rohal — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Burlington’s Children’s Festival is not on the events calendar for 2023. We are disappointed, too! We hope this popular and free family event will be back in 2024. As more info is made available we will keep our readers posted right here.

Find more events and activities on our Events Calendar.

When and Where is the Children’s Festival in 2022?

Burlington’s Children’s Festival is back for 2022 and has a new look for this year! To connect with more people closer to home, you can check out 3 Kids Mini Fests at a park near you! This year, the children’s festival won’t be held at Spencer Smith Park.

Burlington Children’s Festival is a much-loved annual event that we are so excited to see back for 2022. This year the City of Burlington is hosting 3 simultaneous Kids Mini Fests at 3 parks. Each park will host the same lineup of events, so you can choose the park closest to you for convenience!

Three locations will be home to Mini Kids Fest this year, each with similar programming and activities happening all day for kids and families. All three Mini Kids Fests will happen on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parks playing host this year are Brant Hills Park, Cumberland Park and Millcroft Park.

Brant Hills Park – 2255 Brant Street (northwest Burlington)

Cumberland Park – 562 Cumberland Ave. (south-central Burlington)

Millcroft Park 4520 Millcroft Park Drive (northeast Burlington)

Read more: These playgrounds are a fabulous and free way to spend a day with your little one.

What is Children’s Festival All About?

Children’s Festival has been a full day of free, kid-friendly activities. In past years, the annual Children’s Festival has included magicians, face-painting, and balloon artists as well as games and crafts. Local businesses and vendors are invited as well, which gives the community a chance to meet service and program providers in person and learn more.

Active Parents has been there in past years and it’s one of the best ways we connected with YOU in real life! We’ve seen dance studios perform and musicians treat us to songs and singing. Martial Arts and gymnastics clubs offer demonstrations and

There is also a vendor aspect to the event where you can find great local business owners who cater to kids and families.

Hot Off The Presses!

The post Burlington’s Children Festival 2023 Update appeared first on Active Parents.

Sensory-Friendly Events And Special Needs Activities

Amber Rohal — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:14:45 +0000

Welcome to our calendar of local sensory-friendly events, activities, movies and shopping hours. This is a list of sensory-friendly events taking place near Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and the Waterloo Region. Whether you are a person with sensory sensitivities, or a caregiver looking for inclusive activities for your loved ones, we hope this list will be helpful in finding events that suit your needs.

Our calendar lists sensory-friendly movies and shows, events and event sensory-friendly shopping times at local businesses.

Special Events and Fun Activities for Kids with Special Needs

Many kids and adults in our community experience sensory sensitivities. Whether it be from autism, ADHD, or other sensory processing disorders, needs vary from person to person. For these individuals, attending events such as concerts, movies, and sports games can be overwhelming and sometimes even impossible due to lights and loud noise. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards creating spaces that cater to these needs. These events and activities typically feature modified lighting and sound levels, designated quiet areas, and other accommodations to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees.

Here is a round-up of sensory-friendly locations and details on what they offer special needs families to make their visit more comfortable.

Sensory-Friendly Play Places and Attractions

We Rock The Spectrum Oakville was designed specifically with special needs families in mind. We Rock The Spectrum offers a play place where everyone is welcome, and no one ever has to say sorry. Visitors will have fun with their play structure, adaptable swings, and zipline. Be sure to check out their calming room and camps created to support kids on the spectrum.

The Westdale Cinema in Hamilton hosts sensory-friendly movies. During these specific times, they dim the lights and lower the volume. They also offer Open Captioning for deaf or hard-of-hearing movie-goers. These special movie times skip the advertisements and movie previews and start the movie right away.

Burlington Public Library offers visitors Sensory Kits to use while in the library. These kits contain noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and sensory fidget toys. Sensory kits are free to use in the library and are available at 6 of the 7 BPL branches.

Sobey’s grocery stores have set times each week that they refer to as “sensory hours”. During these times, their lights are dimmed and music is turned way down or off. You can find your local stores and more info on sensory-friendly shopping hours at Sobey’s here.

Flying Squirrel in Hamilton hosts a sensory-friendly day on the first Tuesday of every month. Every day, Flying Squirrel offers guests with special needs a rate of $8 per hour, with free admission for one assisting caretaker or parent.

Cineplex movie theatres offer sensory-friendly screenings. This program provides a sensory-friendly environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Enjoy newly released films in a “lights up, sound down” environment in theatres across Canada.

Major Attractions

Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto has been designed at a certified Autism centre. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada hosts monthly sensory-friendly hours throughout the year, which will offer increased lighting, a music-free environment and a quiet room for guests who require a break. These monthly sensory-friendly days were developed in partnership with Autism Ontario and will occur monthly. They accept the Acces 2 card and are Accessibility Certified as well.

Have You Got Your Access 2 Card?

“The Access 2 card is for people of all ages and types of permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person at hundreds of participating entertainment, cultural and recreational venues across Canada.” This card provides free admission for a support person to over 500 attractions and locations nationwide. Click here to learn more about applying for and using an Access 2 card.

Are you hosting an event that caters to the needs of children with disabilities or sensory processing disorders? We would love to include it in our list. Listing an event is free and easy thanks to our submission form.

Upcoming Special Needs and Sensory-Friendly Events, Movies and Shopping Hours

Are you hosting an event that fits this list? We would love to include it. Listing an event is free and easy! Please add it to our calendar.

List
Month

May 2025

May 10

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

May 15 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

May 17

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

May 22 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

May 24

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

May 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Paddington in Peru – Sensory Friendly Screening

Paddington in Peru – Sensory Friendly Screening

The Westdale Theatre 1014 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

May 25 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Paddington in Peru – Sensory Friendly Screening

Paddington in Peru – Sensory Friendly Screening

The Westdale Theatre 1014 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

May 29 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

May 31

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

June 2025

June 3

Special Needs Tuesdays at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Hamilton 1550 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

June 5 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

June 7

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

June 12 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

June 14

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

June 19 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

June 21

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

June 26 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

June 28

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

July 2025

July 1

Special Needs Tuesdays at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Hamilton 1550 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

July 3 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

July 5

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

July 10 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

July 12

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

July 17 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

July 19

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

July 24 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

July 26

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

July 31 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

August 2025

August 2

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

August 5

Special Needs Tuesdays at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Hamilton 1550 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

August 7 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

August 9

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

August 14 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

August 16

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

August 21 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

August 23

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

August 28 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

August 30

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

September 2025

September 2

Special Needs Tuesdays at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Hamilton 1550 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

September 4 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

September 6

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

September 11 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

September 13

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

September 18 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

September 20

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

September 25 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

September 27

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

October 2025

October 2 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Quiet Hour at Dundas Museum and Archives

Dundas Museum & Archives 139 Park St. West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

October 4

Sensory Friendly Swimming

Tansley Woods Community Centre 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

October 7

Special Needs Tuesdays at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Hamilton 1550 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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The post Sensory-Friendly Events And Special Needs Activities appeared first on Active Parents.

50+ Free Things To Do In The Summer + Printable

Amber Rohal — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Summer doesn’t have to break the bank! We know the best fun and free things to do with kids all summer long. Active Parents has your Guide to 50+ things to do in the summer that won’t break the bank. Share this list of cheap and free summer fun with everyone you know and be the SUMMER SUPERSTAR!

50+ Ideas For Free Summer Fun Near Hamilton and Halton

If your wallet is feeling a little lighter than usual these days, you’re not alone! Oftentimes, summer vacation can be the most expensive time of year, even if your kids aren’t in summer camps. Active Parents can help you. We’ve put together a massive list of fun, free things to do in the summer near Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton!

The List!

1. Join the Summer Reading Club at your local library. All local libraries host a summer reading challenge for kids. Young readers have the chance to win prizes for reading over the summer!

2. Take in a Free Movie in the Park – All summer long Burlington is hosting free movies under the stars.

3. Happy Rolph’s is Free To Visit – families with young kids will love visiting this free animal sanctuary.

4. Visit the Gage Park Greenhouse. This free greenhouse is home to a plethora of plant life, fish, turtles, and more!

5. Cherry Hill Gate is part of the Royal Botanical Gardens family. It’s home to a great trail, a boardwalk over a marshy expanse and so much wildlife.

6. Visit the New and Improved Gage Park. Gage Park is always a full day of entertainment thanks to its cool playground and splash pad!

7. Listen to an Outdoor Concert. The City of Burlington is hosting twice-weekly outdoor concerts in various locations throughout the summer.

8. Attend one of Burlington’s Children’s Festivals. This year there are 3 separate events happening simultaneously to bring the Children’s Festival to more people!

9. Catch Some Canada Day Fireworks. Beautiful fireworks light up the night sky on July 1.

10. Bike The Waterfront Trail. Start and stop along the route as you like, and there is so much to see on your ride!

11. Splash Pads are my favourite go-to for free summer fun. Easily find Burlington splash pads, Hamilton splash pads and Oakville splash pads here.

More Free Summer Fun…

12. Beat The Forecast – This free indoor play structure at Tansley Woods is great for little kids.

13. Local Skate Parks are a hot spot for tweens and teens in the summer. Bring your safety gear and a water bottle to one of these local parks in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville.

14. Waterdown Park has something for everyone: Wheel the paved path, splash pad, and playground. Plus the epic skate park has been repainted!

15. Try Geocaching. This one is ideal for kids who are tweens, or really good with a phone’s GPS. You get to track down a “cache” that could have a special surprise inside! Read our newbie’s guide here.

16. Discover New Playgrounds – Use our Playground Guide to find the best park for you! Lots of photos to help you choose, and one of the easier ideas on our list of free things to do in the summer.

17. Chase Waterfalls – Hamilton is home to some of the best waterfalls you’ll find, and they’re almost all free to visit and explore!

18. Chedoke Trail – This stroller-friendly trail is shaded and offers stunning views of the city. Perfect for the whole family.

19. Shop The Farmer’s Market – fresh kettle popcorn, sweet strawberries, baked goods and more await you at these local farmers’ markets.

20. Stroll the Japanese Garden at Tansley Woods and enjoy the peaceful gardens and beautiful plants.

21. The Tugboat Playground at Pier 4 Park for an afternoon of fun and imagination.

22. Send Postcards Internationally – Postcrossing is one of our favourite activities! Sign up for a free account to send and receive postcards from around the world.

23. Snap a Selfie with Theodore Tugboat – He makes his home at the Pier in Hamilton near a great playground, splash pad and biking paths.

Still…More Free Things To Do In The Summer

24. Library Free Passes – Did you know that you can borrow family passes to great destinations like Ontario Parks, Royal Botanical Gardens, Halton and Hamilton Conservation Areas and more with your library card?

25. Tuesdays at the AGH – Access to the 2nd floor (my favourite, and the most kid-friendly) of the Art Gallery of Hamilton is free every day! Visit on a Tuesday and the entire gallery is free admission.

26. Have a Picnic at Gairloch Gardens – This Oakville garden is stunning all summer long so make sure to check it out. And why not have a picnic, too?

27. Visit The Majestic Trumpeter Swans – They live at one of Burlington’s best parks and are one of our must-see free things to do in the summer.

28. Borrow Play Equipment For Free – Hamilton, Oakville and Burlington each have free equipment lending services. Everything from balls to life jackets can be borrowed for free.

29. Go Fishing! No one needs to be great at fishing to enjoy it. It’s a relaxing option for some free summer fun. Find some great fishing spots here.

30. Leave a Book, Take a Book – Little free libraries are where all of our books go once we’ve read them and are ready to pass them on.

31. Spend The Day At The Beach – we put together a list of the very best local beaches that our community of parents recommend.

photo courtesy of trip advisor

Save Your Pennies – These Ideas Are Free, Too!

32. Free Library Fun – there is always something great happening at your local library. Use our calendar to see what’s happening today.

33. Trainspotting Around Town – Here are some great spots to see trains locally – choo-choo!

34. Something For Kids Who Like Bridges and Big Boats: You can see them both in action down at the lift bridge.

35. Ride The Dirt Jumps at Nelson – Free and well-maintained dirt jumps are just what your daredevil on two wheels is looking for! This is one of my 12-year-old’s favourite free things to do in the summer.

36. Creek Walking is such a great way to keep cool while exploring water creatures up close. Here are our favourite places to creek walk.

37. Explore a Natural Playground – We have so many natural playgrounds that are just a short drive away. Which one will you visit first?

38. Lowville Park is a Must-See Park because it has everything! Picnic space, a great playground, lots of fields and a trail. Plus, Bronte Creek runs through it!

39. Find a Restaurant Where Kids Eat Free – we have an ever-growing list and keep watching as summer deals pop up and are added.

40. Walk The Labyrinth – Did you know that Burlington has a labyrinth?

41. Volunteer With Your Kids – volunteering is free but it pays out in multiples, and when your kids are involved, they benefit too.

Inexpensive Things To Do With Kids This Summer

In addition to those 40+ free things to do in the summer, we have some inexpensive ideas for you too! It’s true that the best things in life are free, but sometimes a few bucks can really amp up the fun. These inexpensive things to do with kids in and around Burlington, Hamilton and Oakville are some of our faves. We try to do as many as possible every year.

42. Outdoor Swimming Pools are they are here to cool you off when the temperature rises. Easily find Burlington, Hamilton and Oakville pools with our guides.

43. Indoor Swimming Pools are less busy in the summer and therefore the perfect way to ensure you don’t get sunburned.

44. Beat Your Kids At Mini Golf – we have some unique and creative mini-putt courses nearby.

Cheap Things To Do With The Family This Summer

45. Kids Bowl Free All Summer Long! Register your child for 2 free games of bowling all summer and you’ll always have a rainy-day plan up your sleeve.

46. What Is Footgolf? It’s part golf and part soccer…and all fun! This Hamilton golf course is where you can play.

47. Explore The Karsts – a Karst is a cave-like opening in the earth and Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is the coolest place to see them.

48. Walk The Gnome Trail at Bronte Creek with your little ones and their imaginations will run wild.

49. Eat Your Way Around The City – we know the best places to get ice cream, the top-rated donut shops and the french fries you crave. Read them all here.

50. Go To The Drive-In with the kids, prices are reasonable when you have a carfull, and you can’t beat the memories you’ll make.

51. Take a City Bus Tour: We did it a few years ago and my kids loved it! Some ages ride for free, making this one of the easiest, air-conditioned and free things to do in the summer.

52. Visit a Sunflower Farm at the end of the summer and you’ll be spellbound by the glowing fields of gold as far as the eye can see.

Printable Summer Bucket List of Free Things To Do In The Summer

You can count on Active Parents for 50+ inexpensive summer activities that are ideal for families. Summer vacation can quickly go from carefree to stressful if parents aren’t careful. Plan simple activities you can do as a family to make the most of summer vacation.

Free fun like visiting the beach or splash pad. Frugal fun like having a BBQ or getting some ice cream together. Most of these activities require little planning and are almost entirely free. We cover it all, and we hope this keeps boredom off your trail all summer long!

Click here to download a printable PDF version for your fridge!

Tag us when you’re sharing your fun on Facebook and Instagram. Especially if you try one of these free things to do in the summer We love being tagged and living vicariously through your adventures!

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7 Reasons To Visit Cherry Hill Gate This Weekend

Amber Rohal — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:29:33 +0000

Nestled in the Aldershot community of Burlington lies a hidden gem, the Cherry Hill Gate. This nature reserve, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens lands, beckons outdoor fans, offering a perfect blend of wilderness, charming hiking trails, and a peaceful atmosphere. Come along with us as we delve into the wonders that await visitors at Cherry Hill Gate.

Like the outdoors? You will love these…

Find more easy outdoor walks that kids will actually enjoy.

These Stroller-Friendly trails are smooth and perfect for a spring day

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens – it’s right across the street from Cherry Hill Gate

Where Is Cherry Hill Gate?

Located in Burlington, Ontario, Cherry Hill Gate is part of the Royal Botanical Gardens family of natural properties. Access to the trail is free and easy – two reasons we love this location so much. The entrance is on the north side of Plains Road, just west of the main RBG Centre. Free parking is available if you are a member, otherwise, you can pay for parking at the meters.

Wildlife Love Cherry Hill Gate

Cherry Hill is a sanctuary for wildlife, providing a harmonious habitat for many species. Keep an eye out for deer if you visit early in the morning or at dusk. It is not uncommon to encounter squirrels darting playfully or glimpse a fox silently surveying its surroundings. The delicate songs of warblers and the croaks of frogs create a symphony of nature’s vibrant chorus. For nature enthusiasts and photographers, Cherry Hill offers endless opportunities to observe and capture the beauty of these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat.

What kind of wildlife should you be on the lookout for? Birds, both in the trees and in Grindstone Creek, squirrels, chipmunks, and small (non-poisonous) snakes. In the creeks and ponds, watch for frogs and salamanders, and you may even see some water mammals like beavers!

Many visitors bring sunflower seeds, peanuts and other favourites to feed the birds and chipmunks.

Trails and Hiking

Cherry Hill Gate boasts an array of picturesque hiking trails that cater to various skill levels. From leisurely strolls to challenging hikes, there is something for everyone. The trails wind through lush woodlands, meandering alongside babbling brooks and captivating wildflower meadows. Nature lovers will relish the chance to explore the diversity of ecosystems present in this unique environment.

The Cherry Blossom Trail is ideal for a leisurely walk, guiding you through a beautiful forest adorned with vibrant cherry blossoms in the spring. If you seek a more challenging adventure, the Summit Trail offers breathtaking views from the top, rewarding hikers with panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.

The trail is made up of packed gravel and sand, wooden boardwalks and bridges like the one below. It’s very stroller/wagon friendly. There is a steep hill at the very beginning of the trail, but as long as you hold on tight, you’ll be fine. wheelchairs may not find this area as easy to maneuver, though.

Look over the rails of the bridges as you pass and see if you can catch a glimpse of fish, ducks or even a beaver! There is so much life just below the surface.

Read more: These playgrounds are a fabulous and free way to spend a day with your little one.

Do You Recognise This Tree Stump?

You will see a number of families enjoying Cherry Hill when you visit. It is a top destination in all weather because it’s free, stroller and wagon-friendly, and keeps kids engaged with animal signings and climbing. One of the best views, in my opinion, is the upturned tree complete with a wild spray of roots. We get a photo every time we visit!

Cherry Hill Gate provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is an excellent way to spend time in the fresh air with your family.

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9 Easy Activities For Toddlers To Do At Home

Amber Rohal — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Young toddlers are so much fun. The amount of discovery and learning at this stage is incredible and if you’re like me, you just want to encourage all of it as much as possible. This is why I wanted to share our favourite at-home activities for toddlers. We’ve included gross motor activities for toddlers, art and sensory activities toddlers love, and of course, some dramatic play ideas that are super easy.

So here’s a list of 9 easy activities for toddlers that you can play with every single day.

Keep reading…toddler ideas and articles

Baking and Cooking Toddler Activities

This one can get messy, but only if you let it. You get to control how many “ingredients” your toddler gets, so go with your comfort level. Letting them explore and practice their scooping and pouring and mixing is all part of the fun. It’s also great to have their own little set of tools that they are able to use.

Sometimes a large wooden spoon or whisk can be overwhelming for a toddler so it’s nice for them to have something they can handle with more ease. To make things easier, I will prep all of the amounts of each ingredient and put them into small cups or containers. You can demonstrate with one item what you’d like them to do and then see if they can repeat it. I like to use a big heavy glass bowl to limit the amount of movement when they are mixing. This also counts as great gross motor activities for toddlers.

Every time we have done this together, she gets better and better at it and now just knows what to do. That part for me is always so fun to watch and so worth the mess that might end up on the floor (great opportunity to teach them cleaning up!) Also, if you have a plastic serrated knife, another great activity is to teach them to cut. I find a banana is a great place to start!

Here are some of the things we’ve enjoyed making together so far:

Bread
Muffins
Cookies
Scrambled Eggs
French Toast

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers

G is currently in a stage where she just loves anything that involves scooping and pouring. This is one of the best toddler activities for her to practice so I encourage it as often as I can. Again, this can get messy BUT so worth it to watch the way they improve each time. There are so many options for this and so many benefits from gross motor activities.

Here are some we’ve enjoyed:

Beans
Rice
Oatmeal
Water beads
DIY Edible Sand (baked flour and oil)
Fruit in Water

** it’s always important to use your own discretion when it comes to what you feel is safe and appropriate for your child based on where they are with mouthing objects. And even if they are no longer mouthing, it’s still important to supervise when working with small objects.

Add in fun scooping and pouring activities for toddlers

DIY Or Printable Flashcards

I recently purchased a laminator and I’m slightly obsessed with it! There are so many great printable resources available online or if you yourself are creative, Canva has some great editable templates specifically for flashcards. G pulls these out multiple times a day and I LOVE watching how quickly she has learned each of the flashcards that I go through with her.

I currently have 3 packs of flashcards:

Family & Friends
Alphabet
Songs

Animals
Colours
Fruits & Vegetables
Body Parts

Set Up a Self-Care Station

This is one of my favourite activities for toddlers, and it is inspired by Montessori. They encourage a toddler height station where they can brush their teeth, brush their hair, and wash their face and their hands. Having their own station encourages their independence while also emphasizing its importance in their daily routine.

When I looked at these stations on Pinterest, they all looked super cute but kind of out of my price range or ability to put them together. I also don’t have a ton of extra space for this in our bathroom so I needed something I bit more compact. So I headed to my favourite store, Dollarama, and here’s what I was able to put together:

Small table
Mirror
Hairbrushes
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Handsoap
Face cloths
Water dispenser
Bowl
Kitchen drying mat

It isn’t perfect, it’s a little on the short side for her. Ideally, you’d want to mirror at her eye level but it’s totally usable and she is learning valuable skills in the process.
**The glass pitcher is fixed to the table with a strong adhesive just to avoid the chance of it falling over.

A self-care station is a great toddler activity!

Cleaning Activities For Toddlers

I HATE cleaning so if there’s any way that I can make it more fun, I’m in! I’ve created a little cleaning bucket for Grace, again, all with items from Dollarama that she can use to help me clean. Her cleaning kit includes:

Microfiber cloth
Spray bottle
Duster
Dustpan and broom
Small Swiffer

The idea here isn’t to make it a game, so don’t just throw a bunch of something on the floor and say ‘okay clean up!’. Instead, when a mess happens, tell your toddler that it’s time to clean up and then go get whatever supplies they need. Include them in your cleaning routine. When it comes to cleaning products, I recommend only letting them use water or products you know are safe without any harmful chemicals.

Art Activities For Toddlers

It’s never too early for arts and crafts, believe me! Your little one might really surprise you. We started with Ziploc bag painting. I squeezed a bunch of paint colours onto a thick cardstock and put it into a Ziploc bag. I would tape that to a table or floor and allow her to squeeze all that paint around. It actually makes for some really pretty art. I’ve even cut some of them into hearts and sent them to distant family members in the mail as a way to cheer them up during these tough times.

G is also starting to really enjoy colouring. We’ve started with some thick crayons that she can hold well. We’ve also loved the Colour Wonder products for colouring with markers without the mess. Lastly, G is figuring out stickers. Watching the focus that is required from her to figure out sticking them on paper is mesmerizing to me. I suggest the thick foam stickers as they are easier for them to manoeuvre.

Ziploc Bag Painting
Crayons
ColourWonder products
Foam Stickers
Playdough
Paint with Water
Washable Paint
Washable Markers
Tissue Paper & Glue (or to avoid glue, use contact paper)

Playing Make-Believe With Toddlers

I love the idea of dramatic play. This is really where their imagination can run wild. At the toddler stage, however, they still aren’t quite able to really grasp the concept of make-believe. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still try it with them. Here are a few that we’ve done so far:

Tea party
Cooking with play food
Mommy and Doll
Tissue Paper Ice Cream Shop

More importantly, I’m starting to collect items that I think will be fun for when she is really able to grasp dramatic play. Things like coffee cups and lids for their own cafe. Pizza boxes for a pizza shop. Doughnut boxes for a bakery. The possibilities are endless!

Sensory Activities For Toddlers

If you have a little one, I’m sure you’ve heard the word sensory multiple times when it comes to playing with toddlers. In our experience, it’s easy to equate sensory just with touch and forget about some of the other senses (smell, taste, sight and hearing). When I was reminded of this, I immediately ran to my spice cupboard and pulled out some things for G to smell. She was so fascinated by it and now every time I open our spice cupboard, she does a giant inhale through her nose! So the possibilities here are endless really, I mean just search sensory play on Pinterest and you will be bombarded with a ton of different ideas.

Here are some that we’ve enjoyed:

Rainbow spaghetti
Rainbow rice
Jello dig
Spice tray
Animal noises
Music
Ice Cubes

Outdoor Play With Young Toddlers

I don’t know about your little one but mine could be outside all day! It makes me a little nervous for winter as I hate the cold but hopefully I will brave it for her sake (and mine). Being outside is a great opportunity to teach her different athletic skills and test out their physical abilities safely. If you’re brave, you could even try and include them in your workouts.

Here are a few things to try:

Throw a ball to a person
Throwing a ball at pins
Kick a ball
Swing a golf club
Kick a ball while running
Catch a ball
Swing a bat
Swing a hockey stick
Running
Exercise
Stretching
Dancing

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Tansley Woods Community Centre

Amber Rohal — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Burlington’s Tansley Woods Community Centre is home to a full day (or more!) of fun for families. Come with us as Esther and her family tell you all the reasons why you should visit this week. Have you been to Tansley Woods playground? Visit there, too!

We were excited to explore a ‘new-to-us’ indoor playground at the Tansley Woods Community Center. This FREE play structure was so fun for my three kids to play on. While small, it was perfect for their ages (ages 5, 3 and 12 months). In fact, I would suggest it for any parent that has kids in the 1-6 age range. We arrived right before 9:30, found close parking easily and were pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was at this time, though it definitely began to pick up later in the morning. Tansley Woods Community Centre’s play gym was clean, cozy, and calm – or at least as calm as it could be with toddlers running, climbing, and sliding.

In between, we took a break for a quick snack and to use the washroom, which was right outside the playground doors. We then decided to venture a little further and explored the onsite library. While no toys, activity boards, or puzzles were out just yet, it had a great little book section for kids. My girls picked out two books to read and then we headed back to the playground for a second chance to get out their wiggles.

I know this will not be our last time at Tansley Woods Community Centre in Burlington. I especially imagine it being a great place to take the kids on a rainy day before bedtime to get out all their energy. Thankfully, it is open all hours that the community center is open and therefore can be used at any time of the day.

Drop-In Programs and Swimming at Tansley Woods Community Centre

I can’t wait to bring my seven-year-old along to enjoy swimming and using that big blue water slide. There are many different times available each day to do so for the low price of $3.11 per person. After talking to reception, I also learned that every Tuesday and Thursday they have “Playfit” in the gym for ages 5 months to 6 years. The cost for this one is $3.60 for one parent and child and $2 for every additional child.

Walking right outside the indoor playground area, I noticed a serene rocky picnic area that I know my girls would love to explore in the warmer weather as well. You could spend an entire day just at this one community centre.

The blue waterslide at Tansley Woods Community Centre

Good To Know Info

Tansley Woods Community Centre is owned and maintained by The City of Burlington. It’s home to drop-in and pre-registered programs, swimming, camps, a library and more. Washrooms are available on-site as are a snack counter, tables, a library and an outdoor garden.

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Let’s Play at Playcious Oakville

Amber Rohal — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:45:29 +0000

We discovered another excellent indoor play centre in Oakville and we think your kids will like it here. Playcious Oakville is a large and vibrant indoor play space with tons of activities for toddlers to tweens. It’s tucked behind the RioCan Centre at Burloak and the QEW.

Indoor place places are the cure for any weather! Find them all here.

Playcious Oakville has a large climber that kids love.

Playcious Oakville – What To Expect

We visited this new-to-us indoor play centre on a weekend and could clearly tell this is a hot spot for birthday parties. Parking is free at Playcious Oakville and there is a lot of it. The entrance is wheelchair accessible and the whole facility is on one floor. It’s not stroller friendly so I suggest baby-wearing if you’re bringing an infant along, but as long as you can crawl there’s definitely fun to be had.

There’s a full-service snack bar with a seating area. They serve hot, kid-friendly foods such as chicken nuggets, fish & chips and hotdogs. For little snackers, there are cookies, chips and everyone’s favourite, a Slush Puppy machine! It is also worth mentioning there is a coffee bar to help perk up tired party parents.

A climbing tower to the left and bumper cars to the right.

The play structure has a huge selection of interactive activities inside and is large enough to accommodate grown-ups. Toddlers can join in on the fun if they are accompanied by an adult. Between the large slides, a soft ball shooter and a mini ninja warrior obstacle course there is something for every Playcious Oakville player.

We were impressed with their cleanliness, too. It was a busy Sunday at this indoor play centre in Oakville and the facility closed every 2 hrs (between play time slots) to clean both the play structure and the entire space. There is a family washroom available in addition to diaper changing stations. Parents could also access slippers to wear in the washroom, which was a nice touch.

Arcade action!

Playcious Oakville’s Best Features

Large play structure that is appropriate for a wide range of ages

2 small arcades (one for younger gamers and one for older kids)

Toddler soft play area close to the entrance and blocked off so littles are safe from the big kids

Tons of seating for parents

5 party rooms

2 rock climbing structures (included in admission)

2 bumper car areas (one for toddlers and one for big kids, also included in admission)

Snack bar/seating area with hot foods and light snacks (halal available)

Cubby and coat area for belongings (no lockers)

All families are given the same colour wristband with the corresponding code that is checked upon entrance and departure (definite points for safety)

Good To Know Before You Go

Walk-ins are available at Playcious Oakville but limited, book online to avoid disappointment as they are quite busy, especially on weekends

Sign the waiver online to save time and maximize play time

Bring your socks! They are available for purchase if you forget

Playcious Oakville is located at 3280 South Service Rd West, Unit C4, in Oakville, ON L6L 0B1

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The post Let’s Play at Playcious Oakville appeared first on Active Parents.

Your Little Gymnast Will Love Gymalaya Burlington

Amber Rohal — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 19:41:58 +0000

We know you want your kid’s gymnastics class to be an excellent one, and Gymalaya Burlington scores top marks with parents like you. Read on and we will show you why their programs are worthy of your consideration.

Read More:

Parent and Toddler Programs

Parent Support Groups

The Best Indoor Play Places For Toddlers

Welcome to Gymalaya!

Gymalaya Burlington is located in the ActivityPlex on Mainway. It’s a central hub for numerous kids’ classes in Burlington. Parents love this location because their kids can each be in different programs while only having to drive to one location. Brilliant! Adults can take advantage of the classes and equipment at the on-site fitness centre.

The Burlington location has a state-of-the-art facility. It’s bright and cheerful and is a magnet for kids of all ages. The gym has unique equipment designed specifically for young children. The kid-size proportions of the equipment encourage kids to climb, jump and balance, all while taking safety into consideration.

Each week the staff changes up the configuration and setting of the equipment to provide a new and stimulating experience for kids and toddler gymnastics classes. Parents, if you’re not taking part in the class with your little one, you can relax in the viewing area and enjoy free WiFi.

Scooters, crawlers and curious kids will love their time at Gymalaya.

Toddler Gymnastics Classes

A baby or toddler gymnastics class is perfect for kids with extra energy and adventurous spirits. Gymalaya was built for these kids! And if you have a shy or introverted child, they’ll love the small size of the equipment because it’s welcoming and begs to be played on.

Gymalya offers so many active programs for kids and parents. These activities are sure to get children moving and increase confidence in their abilities. Each of these programs runs as a parent+baby program and occurs weekly for 7-8 weeks. Here are some:

TinyGym for babies 4-10 months and a grown-up – a 40-minute class with singing, free play on the equipment, bubbles and movement songs.

BabyGym for crawlers up to 18 months – interactive songs with an adult, free play, structured exploration of the equipment and sensory props.

TotGym is for kids 18m to 3yo – activities include crawling, climbing, hanging, swinging, tumbling and much more, all to build confidence in their abilities.

Click here to register and learn more about gymnastics programs with Gymalaya

School-Age Kids Gymnastics Classes

Those bigger kids will love taking a class on their own, with parents watching from the windows. Here is where kids are introduced to real gymnastics and move up through the levels to hone their skills and challenge themselves further.

KidnderGym 3-4 years old

JuniorGym 5-6 years old

Senior Gym 7-8 years old

AcroGym 6-10 years old

Cartwheel Clinics, too!

Click here to register and learn more about gymnastics programs with Gymalaya

Kids Gymnastic Equipment

Some of the equipment you’ll see at Gymalaya Burlington includes…

a 30-foot tumble trampoline

different types of bars and rings for hanging, pulling up on and swinging from

balance beams

mini trampoline

climbing wall bars

and other pieces of equipment such as slides, tunnels, stairs, soft blocks and more.

Camps, Gymnastics Birthday Parties and Drop in Play, Too!

Kids will love the fun they have and the new friends they make at gymnastics camp! Campers 5 and older are invited to summer camps, March Break and Winter Break and PA Day camps, too!

We love a high-energy unique birthday party and that is exactly what you’ll get with Gymalaya! Parties run for 1 hour and 45 minutes and some parachute play is the cherry on top! These parties are perfect for kids 10 and under and are led by qualified instructors. Set up, clean up and invitations are included.

Drop-in gymnastics play is so great when you’re looking for something to do, but aren’t ready to commit. Find drop-in info here.

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The post Your Little Gymnast Will Love Gymalaya Burlington appeared first on Active Parents.

The Best Indoor Play Centres For Toddlers

Amber Rohal — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Everyone loves a massive place to play, but we know that not all indoor play centres are ideal for the littlest kids. We’ve put together a list of the best indoor play centres for toddlers to help you plan a great day out. Our list includes play centres that are sized just for toddlers and ones that have special toddler spaces with age-appropriate toys and activities.

We have the inside scoop on the indoor play centres in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Hamilton that parents love.

Keep reading…

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Featured Partners

Indoor Play Centres for Toddlers

An indoor play centre is always a great way to spend the day out of the house. Kids get to explore and learn and parents can meet other parents with kids in the same age group. Here is our list of indoor places to play that your toddler will want to visit again and again.

Or…Join a registered weekly, activity with your little one. We have a long list of great music, art and other programs for parents and tots.

Imaginasium Hamilton

Imaginasium is a great place if you are looking for your toddler or young child to explore their… you guessed it…imagination! When you walk in you enter a small child’s village. This includes a grocery store, a kinder college, a vet, a building station, a performing stage with dress-up clothes, a home, and a baby section.

Address: Imaginasium is located at 1070 Stone Church Rd East, Unit 20 in Hamilton.

Read about our visit here.

We Rock The Spectrum

WRTS Oakville is home to great drop-in play options and toddler-specific programs that happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The play equipment changes often and can be adjusted to support kids of all ages and abilities. Oakville’s most unique play centre! Read about our visit here.

Address: 245 Wyecroft Rd, Unit #3, Oakville, ON L6K 3Y6

read our review here

The Family Room by Always Connected

The Family Room provides a comfortable and inviting space for parents and children to use their imagination, get creative and enjoy time together! They have a special section for kids under 1 to play safely, and their main play space is visible in all areas so you can easily keep an eye on your toddlers. Located centrally in Waterdown, enjoy drop-in visits and sign up for sensory, art and music programs, too!

Address: 12 Barton St, Waterdown, ON L0R 2H0

Read about our visit here

Little Goobers

Little Goobers is located in Burlington and is an indoor play centre where kids of all ages can play together. You can book a 1-hour private play time Monday to Friday for $100 and include up to 10 kids, or choose drop-in play on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $15 per child, with 1 adult included per child. Private visits are great for including kids of all ages.

Address: 4059 New Stree, Burlington, ON L7L 1S8

goobers.ca

Aladdin’s Adventures

2 locations – Burlington and Mississauga – and both have dedicated toddler zones in addition to their large, indoor play centres. Kids 1-2 years old are $13, kids 2-12 are $17, and both include a free adult.

Address: 4325 Harvester Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 5M4 and 3450 Ridgeway Dr #10, Mississauga, ON L5L 0A2

Visit their website here

Playtown Niagara

Playtown in St. Catharines is full of imaginative possibilities for kids who love to make-believe. Their centre is home to so many stations that give kids the chance to be a vet, a doctor, a grocery store clerk, a performer, a chef and more.

Address: 150 Dunkirk Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2P 3H7

Read about our visit here

Balls of Fun

The Balls of Fun gym consists of ball themes that help kids develop vital skills needed for playing and sports in general. Kids are free to run around and aim balls, bounce, throw, catch, kick, and dribble balls, and they can participate in many sports like soccer, basketball and volleyball.

Address: 3615 Laird Road, Units 15 & 16, Mississauga, ON

ballsoffun.ca

Whether you’re dodging unreliable weather or just want something new to try, here are our latest 8 ideas for indoor things to do with kids. You can find all of our Indoor Activities here.

The post The Best Indoor Play Centres For Toddlers appeared first on Active Parents.

Ages - Babies and Toddlers Archives – Active Parents

The Wonderlab at Toys R Us Burlington (Closed)

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Wonderlab Has Creative Fun, Too!

Notes For Visiting Wonderlab

Where Is The Toys R Us Wonderlab?

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Stroller-Friendly Trails Near Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville

Stroller-Friendly Trails in Burlington

Burlington Beachway Park

Cityview Park

Burloak Waterfront Park

Cherry Hill Gate

Lowville park

Hidden Valley Park

Wagon and Stroller-Friendly Trails in Oakville

Crosstown Pipeline Trail

West Oaks Trail Community park

Lions Valley Park

Bronte Creek Provincial park

Crawford lake Conservation Area

Stroller-Friendly Trails in Hamilton

Bayfront park Loop Trail

Chedoke Radial Trail

Cootes Paradise Trails at RBG

Princess Point Loop

Main Loop at Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Valens Lake Boardwalk Trail

Joe Sam’s Park

Rockwood Conservation Area

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Triple C Farm: Get Up Close With Adorable Farm Animals

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Admission to Triple C

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Children’s Museums and Galleries in Oakville

Milton Family-Friendly Museums and Galleries

Burlington Children’s Museums and Art Galleries

Hamilton Area Museums Families Love

More Hamilton Museums and Points of Interest Kids Will Enjoy

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Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo Children’s Museums

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50+ Things To Do This Winter

Explore Nature

Soak Up The Christmas Spirit

Add a Memorable Family Experience To Your Calendar

Run, Jump, Climb and Play!

Easy Outdoor Activities For Winter Fun

Take a Road Trip or a Day Trip

Eat Great Food

Free and Cheap Ideas

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We Rock The Spectrum Indoor Playcentre Oakville

play equipment you won’t find at any other Indoor play centre

From The Owner

birthday parties and open play programs

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Andrews Scenic Acres Farm Market

Andrew’s Scenic Acres (Also known as Andrew’s Farm Market and Winery)

Pick Your Own and Fresh-Picked Produce at Andrews

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Hamilton Farm Crawl

When is the event?

Where are the farms?

How much does it cost?

Is there anything else I should know?

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100 Days of Fun: Summer Event Calendars For June, July and August

YES! Send Me 100 Days of Summer Fun!

Woohoo!