The post Dive Into These 5 Indoor Water parks in Ontario appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Tip! We also recommended these hotels that have great water slides and/or pools for when you want a smaller-scale wet and wild adventure.
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Indoor Water parks in Ontario
Waves Indoor Water park
Waves Indoor Water Park is located inside the Americana Hotel. It has affordable waterpark day passes that include a full day of fun with water slides, a pool, a water play centre, a toddler splash area and more! We love the beach entry (gradual entry) for little kids and grandparents. Private cabanas are available to rent.
There is also an arcade, a surf shop, an outdoor playground, and places to play. Day passes are $39.95 per person for a full day or save 50% on weeknights. Details here.
Good To Know:
- No outside food or beverage permitted
- On-site restaurant & snack bar
- Life jackets are available for free usage (first come, first served)
- Towels provided onsite
Waves Indoor Waterpark is located at 8444 Lundys Lane, Niagara Falls. Check our Waves reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on Expedia, Trivago or Hotels.com.
Fallsview Indoor Water park
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is 125,000 square feet of action-packed water fun. It has a massive play area, a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, 6-storey high waterslides, a full-sized wave pool, year-round outdoor activity pool and sundeck, plunge bowl, two oversized adult-only Jacuzzis and a children’s play area.
Drier options for play include the jungle beach playhouse. Day admission prices start at $32.99 per person entry. There is also a $35 parking fee.
Good To Know:
- No outside food or beverages are permitted
- There are on-site restaurants and a snack bar
- Life jackets are available for free (first come, first served)
- Towels are not available on-site, so bring some from home.
Fallsview Waterpark is located at 5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Read Fallsview Waterpark reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on Expedia, Trivago or Hotels.ca.
Great Wolf Lodge Resort
Great Wolf Lodge is one of the biggest indoor waterparks in Canada. Families come from all around the province to stay and play here. You must be an overnight hotel guest to use the waterpark, they don’t offer day passes.
Their waterpark features a 4-story interactive fort treehouse complete with slides and toys for all ages. Little kids will love all of the waterslides in various sizes. If you’re looking for high-speed thrills, check out wolf tail which is a thrilling waterslide the teens will love. Don’t miss the frog pond with its obstacles and tube slides for water lovers of every age.
Need to get some R&R? Just grab a tube and float your cares away on the lazy river. Warm up in the whirlpool hot spas – they have one indoor and one outdoor!
Good To Know:
- 7 onsite restaurants and snack areas to keep you nourished
- Pool towels available onsite
- Life jackets are available for free (first come, first served)
Great Wolf Lodge Niagara is located at 3950 Victoria Ave, in Niagara Falls
Read Great Wolf Lodge Niagara reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on Expedia, Trivago or Hotels.ca.
Plunge! Indoor Aquatic Centre at Blue Mountain
I was late to the party when it comes to knowing Blue Mountain had an indoor water feature. While not technically big enough to be an indoor waterpark, it is still a fun place to visit if you’re in the Blue Mountain area. Slip slide down the water slide and enjoy their indoor and outdoor pools. Your family will love the rope swing, dumping bucket and basketball nets, too.
Visit Plunge all year for water park fun. Starting at $16 for a day pass, per person.
Good To Know:
- No outside food or beverages are permitted
- No towels are available, so bring some from home.
Plunge is located at 220 Gord Canning Drive, in the Blue Mountains.
Read Plunge! reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on Expedia, Trivago or Hotels.ca.
Adventure Bay Windsor Indoor Waterpark
Perfect for a weekend getaway to beat the blahs in winter. Adventure Bay Family Water Park features over 35,000 square feet of wild water adventures for guests of all ages. Attractions include 5 waterslides, “FlowRider”, a surf simulator, a wave pool and an activity pool, a lazy river, tot kids zone, and Splash Zone with slides and giant water tipping bucket. Interactive water play features include bubbling jets and geysers, aqua-cannons, tipping cones, and mini bungee swings!
Day passes start at $16.50 per person.
Good To Know:
- Outside food & drink permitted in specific dining areas
- No towels onsite
- Life Jackets are available for free (first come, first served)
Adventure Bay is located at 401 Pitt Street West in Windsor.
Read Adventure Bay reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on their website here.
Hotels With Awesome Indoor Pools and Waterslides (Almost As Good As An Indoor Waterpark)
You don’t have to go to a full-fledged waterpark to find wet and wild fun! We love these hotels with great waterslides and added family-favourite features.
Chelsea Hotel in Toronto
This hotel is beautiful and family-friendly. Their heated pool is perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy. Plus, their Corkscrew Waterslide loops outside the hotel! You have to be a guest at the hotel to swim. Pool and waterslide hours are limited right now, so check their website for open dates and times.
The hotel also has a teen lounge with old-school arcade games, flat-screen televisions, a foosball table and a pool table. Adults are invited to enjoy it too! Also check out the Kids Centre, complete with dress-up, educational and artistic activities to keep kids having fun.
Read Chelsea Hotel reviews on Tripadvisor or book your visit on Expedia, Trivago or Hotels.com.
Mississauga Meadowvale Hilton
We have stayed here with kids and without and it is an ideal hotel for anyone. Our last visit was a quick Family Day staycation and the kids still laugh about how fast their mom zoomed down this curly water slide. The pool’s open hours have been carrying recently so be sure to check it will be open when you plan to stay.
London’s Lamplighter Inn
Look at this indoor lighthouse! The Maplighter Inn is a very popular getaway for families and an equally-popular hotel for travelling sports teams. A visit is high on our must-do list. Read our review here.
Best Western Leamington
*Please contact the hotel before you book. Their pool has been under renovation in 2023.
In addition to the mini indoor waterpark and long water slides, this hotel offers an indoor climbing structure, basketball court, badminton, ping pong and more! You can read our review here.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory (Photos + FAQs Answered) appeared first on Active Parents.
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What is The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory?
A must-see attraction in the Waterloo Region, the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory has been open to the public since 2002. It’s 25,000 square feet of year-round indoor tropical paradise and home to thousands of butterflies, birds, fish, amphibians and insects. The Conservatory is privately owned, with a small team of amazing staff who are eager to share their knowledge with guests.
Will my kids have fun at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory?
The Butterfly Conservatory is ideal for all ages. Not only is it one of the largest greenhouses in Canada, but it’s also home to thousands of free-flying butterflies. Butterflies are friendly and will land on or near you! Your visit will give your kids the chance to see butterflies and insects up close, learn what butterflies eat, and even watch them in their cocoons.
Tip: Did you know that every 2 weeks or so another 1000 or more chrysalis are brought to the Butterfly Conservatory and hung up in the windows so visitors like us can watch them hatch and take their first flights. This was the highlight of our visit!
Be sure to visit the 2 museum-like galleries to get an up-close look at a variety of insects and learn about their environment and conservation. Victoria, our photographer, took her 2-year-old daughter to visit the butterfly conservatory and highly recommends it for toddlers!
How long does it take to go through the butterfly conservatory?
Expect more than butterflies at the butterfly conservatory! The conservatory is home to a variety of insects and moths, too.
Look deep in the habitats and you’ll catch a glimpse of both brightly coloured and camouflaging frogs. Turn your eyes a little lower and you’ll find fish and turtles! And all around you in the conservatory are free-flying birds.
Plan for a few loops of the greenhouse because you definitely won’t see everything in your first go around. Victoria and her little girl did about 4 loops and walked slowly. They spent about 90 minutes in total, but you should plan for a little more if you’re kids want to take a detailed look at the galleries. This is such a fun things to do in Cambridge!
How much is the butterfly conservatory?
The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m. 6 days a week (closed Mondays). Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory tickets for our 2-hour time frame must be purchased in advance online. This is one of the top rated things to do in Cambridge, Ontario so it can be busy on holiday and PA Days.
| General Admission (13-64) | $20.00 |
| Seniors (65+) | $15.00 |
| Children (3-12) | $10.00 |
| Children (2 & under) | FREE! |
Things to know about the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
- Timed-entry tickets for your 2-hour visit can be bought in advance online
- On-site parking is free
- Yes, the butterfly conservatory in Cambridge is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly
- Speak to the staff! They’re very friendly and knowledgable
- The conservatory is very warm and very humid. Dress in layers and expect 25-degree temperatures
- Washrooms on-site and accessible
- The gift shop is open
Address: the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Cambridge Ontario is located at 2500 Kossuth Road.
Photographer Bio: Victoria is a talented photographer specializing in capturing all types of families made with love, their furbabies and branding for small businesses and Mompreneurs. Follow her adventures in toddler motherhood, photography and exploring here.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post Art Gallery of Hamilton – How To Visit For Free! appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Read More: Looking for more kid-friendly museums and galleries, be sure to read this article.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton – Fun For Kids
The Art Gallery of Hamilton is 75,000 square feet and home to over 10,000 pieces in its collection. It’s way bigger than I imagined. Some pieces come and stay for a short period. These are called exhibitions. But many of the works call the art gallery home permanently and are referred to as collections. The second floor is home to a mixture of exhibitions and collections.
On our most recent visit, at the end of September, we spent the afternoon wandering the outdoor gallery grounds and checking out all of the works in the garden. Then we made our way inside to see our favourite gallery, Level 2. Here’s a scoop on what we saw.
Read More: Find more things to do in Hamilton right here.
The first collection we saw when we got off the elevator was titled Tom Thompson: The Art of Authentication. After checking out those works, we walked into the Level 2 Gallery and saw the temporary residency installation from Sylvia Nickerson. My layman’s description is “posed human figures made out of shredded, colourful paper”. It was so eye-catching and great to be able to look at it up close. There were large pieces right on the open floor that you could walk around and really observe. I just wanted to reach out and touch them (but don’t do that!).
My 11-year-old really liked the comic book-esque works and spent a lot of time checking them out in detail. Kids notice such unusual things! Some pieces included packing bits, tin foil, plastic and other repurposed items. They were busy and eye-catching and gave us so many things to point out. If I had a nickel for every time I said “Look at that!” I’d be rich.
We Came To See The Bus
Our main reason for visiting was to see something I’ve wanted to see for so long. The Bruegel-Bosch Bus by Kim Adams. It definitely didn’t disappoint! In fact, I’ve got plans to take the rest of the family back to check it out. The bus is a permanent installation at the AGH, so don’t worry that you might miss it. It’s a wild creation that connects an awesome Volks Wagon Bus and thousands of toys and action figures. It’s truly like nothing you’ve ever seen before. I cannot recommend a visit to see it enough.
When we visited, the roof had a small leak that was being repaired, so we couldn’t walk all around the Bus but normally you can see it from every angle. We recommend spending lots of time looking at every nook and cranny.
After we spent so long in that section, we wandered the rest of the second floor. They had a section filled with massive works by Indigenous artists and (again) we fell in love. Make sure to check it out when you visit the AGH. The colours are stunning.
Walk a little more and you’ll find more rooms with even more cool things to see. This miniature city scene had the tiniest details and was another of my daughter’s favourites. This room was filled with contemporary art, which was an excellent and engaging introduction for my 11-year-old. There were great discussions about the art itself, how it was made and why the artist and the design (why that colour? texture?)
Tips for Families Visiting the Art Gallery of Hamilton
The Art Gallery of Hamilton shares these tips for families when they visit:
- The AGH is baby-friendly. Bring your stroller or front baby carrier. They have elevators.
- Breastfeed in their many seating areas, or for more privacy try their Playroom space
- Washrooms have change tables
- Keep your visit short if you need to, match your child’s pace and come back multiple times
- Ask kids lots of questions to focus their investigation, and encourage them to share their ideas. Let your child lead to ensure you see things that interest and engage them. Play games like “I Spy” or “Tell Me What Happens Next.”
Visiting the AGH – For Free!
The very best part of our visit to Gallery Level 2 and the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery is that they are always FREE ADMISSION courtesy of RBC Incite Foundation for the Arts and Orlick Industries. And admission to the AGH in its entirety is free on Thursdays right now.
Address: Art Gallery of Hamilton – 123 King Street West in Hamilton. You can visit the AGH website here.
Upcoming Events at The AGH
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post High-Energy Excitement at Activate Burlington appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>From their website:
“Activate is the world’s first active gaming facility, where you’ll play arcade-style games by actually jumping, climbing, and dodging. You and your group of 3-5 will move freely between eleven interactive rooms, choosing games that challenge your agility, problem-solving, and speed. Dive through lasers. Climb glowing walls. Only the best can conquer them all. Think you have what it takes?”
Read More: Indoor Places To Visit
Visiting Activate in Burlington
Activate Burlington is a large, indoor entertainment facility for players ages 10 and older. The games are challenging and built with adults in mind. We had 2 adults and 2 kids, ages 10 and 12 with us and they tackled the games with gusto. We had a group of four, and Activate recommends 3-5 people per game. 2 can play, but it will be more challenging. Your visit is 75 minutes and you can choose your timeslot through their online booking system. You can have up to 10 in your booking time, but you’ll be split into groups of up to 5 to provide the best playing experience.
The Game Rooms
At Activate, you get access to all 9 rooms of gameplay, and you can play them more than once as long as time permits. I loved that the game rooms included both cooperative and competitive challenges because sometimes it’s fun to kick some butt! The rooms we each very different ad put our skills to the test. My kids loved the “Climb”, the room of light-up rock-climbing grips that change colour from green to red as you scale your way around the room. Stay off the red ones! There is also another level where the grips light up and you need to grab them whack-a-mole style!
“Grid” was a full energy mission to get from side to side without touching the lit tiles on the floor. Needless to say, I was the worst player on our team here, haha! But we laughed so much that I didn’t mind. This room has 3 variations of gameplay you can try. We had so much fun in all of the rooms, but my kids liked “Hoops” – a basketball shooting mission, and “Laser” the most.
“Laser” made you feel like you were creeping through a top-secret vault protected by motion-activated laser beams. It was another laugh-fest that made us sweaty and wide-eyed. This one was hard but so exciting. You can see all of the rooms at Active Burlington here.
Read More: More Things To Do With Your Tweens and Teens
Tips For Your Visit to Activate Burlington
Book your visit online before to make sure you get a spot. Walk-ins are permitted, but you may not get your preferred time. Bring a small group with you, and don’t worry about talent or skill because everyone will have a great time. This was an excellent outing for my tween and teen, and my husband (who likes being home) loved it too.
There are lockers to hold your coats/bags, etc. because you definitely want your hands free and to make movement easy. Short sleeves were good because you want easy access to your Activate wristband because that is what grants you access to the rooms, and tracks your scores. Think of it as a gym class: rubber-soled shoes, long hair tied back.
Outside of each room, and throughout the facility there was hand sanitizer, and we found it to be very clean.
Price: $28 per person, plus taxes. When you book online, you pay $5 to hold your spot and the rest upon arrival.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post Indoor Playgrounds & Trampoline Parks: Hamilton and Niagara appeared first on Active Parents.
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Bring The Playground Indoors!
Most indoor playgrounds have slides, climbing and play structures, pretend play, and sometimes a separate toddler play area.
Parents appreciate indoor playgrounds for their safety-tested toys and adult-supervised environments, granting them peace of mind as their children engage in active play. These kids indoor playgrounds allow parents to unwind or attend to tasks while their little ones burn off some energy during drop in play time.
Read More: We have lots of ideas for indoor things to do that go beyond indoor play centres which we highly recommend for families.
What to Expect At An Indoor Playground
When visiting a children’s indoor playground or trampoline park, expect a vibrant atmosphere buzzing with laughter and excitement. These lively spaces are filled with colorful play equipment, from slides and ball pits to trampolines and obstacle courses. Kids can have fun, play, and make friends in a safe place with supervision.
Parents can expect a hassle-free experience, with amenities like seating areas, Wi-Fi, and snack bars available. Safety measures such as staff supervision, cleanliness, and equipment maintenance ensure peace of mind for parents.
You can expect a larger crowd at your favourite indoor play centre when the weather is wet or on PA Days and March Break.
Read More: Got Toddlers? They’ll love this list of toddler-friendly play centres.
Planning A Party?
I personally loved the birthday parties we hosted at indoor playgrounds because they were so simple. With just one call almost all of the work was done for me. Play places and trampoline parks almost always offer party packages that include a private birthday party room, set up, to food to clean up, and the entertainment play space is built in! It’s really so easy, and all built into one price.
Plus, parents appreciate anything that wears their kiddo out, right?! I know I did!
Read More: We have many ideas for birthday party places here. The options are so fun and unique!
Indoor Playgrounds In Hamilton and Niagara
Do you have an indoor play place you’d like added to our list? You can submit it through this form, it’s quick and easy, and a basic listing is complimentary!
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post Indoor Playgrounds & Trampoline Parks in Burlington Oakville Milton appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks are excellent destinations no matter the weather or season! When you want something high-energy and full of excitement, an indoor play centre near serves your needs. I love taking my kids to an indoor playground when the weather isn’t cooperating. There’s something to do with kids of all ages.
Indoor playgrounds offer a haven of adventure for children and can be a relief for parents who have kids with energy to burn. These drop in play spaces have colourful slides, ball pits, and climbing structures to help kids move and explore. They provide a weather-proof environment for active play regardless of weather, fostering social interactions and physical development. Kids relish the freedom to explore, conquer obstacles, and make new friends, enhancing their motor skills and confidence.
One way to make sure the fun isn’t overwhelming is to find a location like We Rock The Spectrum in Oakville. They have a quiet spaces in case having the playground indoors gets to be a little too much for guests.
Indoor playgrounds give parents a chance to take a break while their kids play safely. It’s a good time to catch up on work or just relax.Plus, many offer free wifi and even a hot coffee, which makes a visit all the more enticing!
Read More: We visited Lil Monkeys Indoor Playground Inc. Read all about it. And if you’re up for a drive, this indoor playground in London has a trampoline park and ninja course!
Read More: If you’ve got toddlers, they’ll love this list of toddler-friendly play centres. If you have kids under 7 (or so), they’ll love this FREE little indoor playground in Burlington at one of the community centres.
Kids Indoor Playgrounds Near Me Make Great Party Venues
These spots offer a variety of play structures including climbing walls, arcade games and super fast slides. One reason indoor playgrounds make excellent venues for birthday parties is because they offer all-inclusive party packages. Your entertainment, food, set up and clean up can be all taken care of with a single phone call.
You will also find great choices for birthday party places right here. The options are fun and unique and deserve a look as well. Think outside the box!
Indoor Playgrounds: Oakville, Burlington and Milton
This list is our complete list of children’s indoor playgrounds in Milton, Burlington and Oakville. Find our article on Indoor Playgrounds in Hamilton here.
Add Your Trampoline Park or Indoor Play Centre
If you know of an indoor playground or trampoline park we missed, please use this form to give us the details and we will be more than happy to include it. Basic listings are free because we know how great a service our guide are to the parents in our community. Click here for the submission form.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
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]]>The post 100+ Awesome March Break Activities For 2024 appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>March Break 2024 in Ontario is full of great things to do in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara beyond. Our popular events calendar is full of cool March Break activities and fun things you can do with the kids this week. We’ve also suggested some of our favourite daytrips and local places to take kids to help you have something great to do every single day of the school break.
Read More: Click here to jump to the March Break Events Calendar.
Read More: Looking for March Break Camps? You can find them all here.
Outdoor Activities on March Break
Mountsberg Conservation Area is home to Maple Town once again this year. We love Maple Town because it is a great fresh air experience. You will learn how trees are tapped and how sap is collected then turned into delicious maple syrup. Pre-book your visit online.
Westfield Heritage Village is hosting “Maple Syrup Season” on select days in March. We’ve got two demonstration sites, a Maple Trivia Trail, and take-out pancakes from the St. George Lions Club. Visitors will also be able to buy maple treats from the General Store and Gift Shop.
Bring back the basics and blow your kids’ minds at the same time when you take them to a different playground every day! We have 35+ playground reviews for Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Milton right here. And we know the best natural playgrounds, too! Playgrounds are our favourite free March Break activities near me.
Have you tried snow tubing yet? The price isn’t as steep as I thought it would be! It’s a full day of thrills and chills on the hill with the family.
Explore nature with these kid-friendly hiking destinations. They have lots to see and do, and the inclines are too steep for little legs (or old lady knees, like mine!)
Some of our favourite free March Break activities are ice skating and tobogganing. We know the best outdoor rinks and hills around!
Challenge your whole family to a cool ropes course like the one at Treetop Trekking in Hamilton.
One of the destinations I recommend most – and about once a week – is a trip to Triple C Farm. You’ll get up close and personal with a wide variety of farm animals, each rescued and brought back into good health at this lovely farm.
March break Things To Do Indoors
Joseph Brant Museum has new exhibits, perfect for a spectrum of ages, plus a brand new Children’s Gallery. We visited with young kids and grandparents, and everyone had rave reviews.
Find the coolest indoor play centres in Halton and in Hamilton/Niagara here. They will be a popular destination this week, so if you’re looking to make some new friends with kids, you’re in luck!
Royal Botanical Gardens’ winter exhibit Nature’s Superheroes! is fabulous for families. We loved the live shows for the younger kids because they get to meet some of the animals in person. The exhibit itself is perfect for all ages, and has some great hands-on learning aspects.
Dress in your brightest whites and take the kids for a round of glow-in-the-dark mini golf here. Always a great idea if you have tweens and teens looking for March Break things to do.
Wander through the Art Gallery of Hamilton – especially the 2nd floor – and let your kids enjoy a feast for the eyes! A visit to the gallery is a great March Break activity in Hamilton.
Grab your kiddos and try out some cool board games at a local board game cafe. Or get creative and paint something beautiful at a local paint and pottery studio.
Enjoy the beauty of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory and you’ll be floored to realize it’s like a tropical climate in the middle of the city.
Children’s museums are so much fun to explore and enjoy and they offer hands-on learning and entertainment for kids.
Keep this list of things to do with tweens and teens handy and plan some fun with friends this March Break.
Free March Break Activities
Burlington Public Library has something awesome happening at each of their branches this week. You can find their full calendar of events here. And be sure to stop into the brand new Discovery Space at Central branch – you’re going to LOVE it! The space is drop in, no booking needed and filled with the coolest toys, arts and crafts and gadgets your kids will adore.
Hamilton Public Library branches have a full week of amazing – and free – activities for kids. Take in a story time, play games, nd join in activities including STEM and creative workshops. Find their events calendar here.
Geocaching is a great way to spend time outdoors with your kids. It brings together walking in the fresh air, investigative skills and a scavenger hunt!
Our events calendar is home to free and paid events happening this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ontario public and catholic schools are closed from March 13 thru 17 inclusively. Private school board closures may differ.
March Break is very busy at family-friendly destinations. If you can, prebook your visit to avoid disappointment.
March Break Activities and Events
In addition to the great suggestions above, there are a ton of cool events happening over March Break, too! You can find them all listed below.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
The post 100+ Awesome March Break Activities For 2024 appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Natures Superheroes: Brand New Winter Exhibit at RBG appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>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 |
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
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
The post Natures Superheroes: Brand New Winter Exhibit at RBG appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Feel Like A GIANT At Little Canada appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>When you’re looking for things to do in Toronto, plan a visit to Little Canada. They have put together some miniature displays of some of Canada’s most popular locations. The detail and the size will blow your mind!
Visiting Little Canada
We love a weekend in Toronto; this time we went to Little Canada. A visit had been on my to-do list for a few months and believe me when I tell you the in-person experience is so much better than anything you could have imagined.
You can book your visit and buy your tickets online or at the ticket booth. Little Canada is centrally located at Young Dundas Square, right in the middle of all the excitement of Toronto.
When you enter one of the staff members will give you a map and a scavenger hunt for your kids. They have a little Canadian moose hidden in every display that the kids will love finding. It also helps to hold their attention and keep them engaged.
Read More: Find our favourite day trip ideas here or spend the night at one of these family-friendly staycation destinations.
Be a GIANT tourist in Little Niagara Falls
The first room you walk into is Niagara Falls and it did not disappoint! If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how much I love doing all the touristy stops in the falls. This extremely detailed display was a walk down memory lane!
You’ll see the Falls and the huge tour boats that get you close to the rapids. The hydropower station and the gardens, too. Is it getting dark in here? Yes, it is! The lighting takes you from daytime to nighttime so you can watch the Niagara Falls light up. Keep following the falls around and around and you’ll come to the most exciting street in Ontario – Clifton Hill! How many of those Niagara tourist destinations (link) have you visited with your kids? The Vegas-like rights look great when the lights dim, too!
Toronto – A Little BIG City
The next room you visit is home to a large (yet little!) display of the most popular locations in Toronto. You’ll love the nostalgia and the memories that come flooding back every time you notice a familiar spot. Chinatown, the Rogers Center, the distillery district and of course Toronto’s busy highways!
Make sure to watch as the Rogers Center roof opens and closes.
Fun Fact: One of the miniature model makers told us that the Rogers Center model was so big that it wouldn’t fit through the doors. They had to cut a hole in the roof and lower it down from above!
Travel To More Little Canada Destinations
Little Canada has displays for smaller Ontario towns too – like Burlington and Hamilton! Both are part of the Little Golden Horseshoe exhibit. My kids loved this one because so many places were familiar and places they’d been before. Stelco, Around The Bay and a very famous hot dog stand, will catch your eye.
Ottawa was another familiar family favourite to re-explore at Little Canada. If you’ve never been, this is the perfect chance to see it from a bird’s eye view and plan your next getaway! The Parliament Buildings are so regal and patriotic. Make sure to watch for the sun to “go down” so you can watch the Canada Day fireworks! They really have thought of everything – even Beavertails!
Bonjour Petit Quebec! You won’t need to parlez Français to enjoy this exhibit! Petit Quebec is home to the Chateau Frontenac, one of Canada’s most beautiful hotels as well as its famous cobblestone roads. Look for iconic winter ice sculptures, sugar bushes, and more.
Coming Soon To Little Canada
Little Canada is always growing! 2024 has plans to see Little Rockies and Prairies, Little West Coast, East Coast, Little North and Petit Montreal. We can’t wait to visit again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Canada
It is located at Yonge-Dundas Square, 10 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON, M5B 2G9. Right across from the Eaton Centre.
You can find Gree P parking under the Eaton Centre, but I would suggest taking the GO Train in to make it easier on parents and more fun for kids!
Yes! Every level of Little Canada can be accessed by elevator, and staff are always on hand to help when needed.
No outside food or drinks are allowed, but, the Little Bites café is located adjacent to the Little Things gift shop when you get peckish.
About 90 minutes is what you should budget to see everything.
I want to thank the team at Little Canada for inviting us to explore your current exhibit. You can see more photos and book your visit at Little-Canada.ca.
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.
- African Lion Safari: Ontario’s Wildest Safari Adventure
- Safari Niagara: Where Wildlife Meets Family Adventure 2024
- Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love
- Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Opens May 31!
The post Feel Like A GIANT At Little Canada appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Where To Play Laser Tag – Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, KW Area appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Looking for laser tag? Our round up will highlight all of the local places to challenge your friends and people you’ve never met before. Whether you’re planning for a laser tag birthday party or are looking for some drop-in high-energy action, here is where you can find the best laser tag near you.
What Laser Tag Exactly?
Laser tag is a high energy indoor game that combines strategy, teamwork, and adrenaline-pumping action. Players gear up with vests and handheld laser devices, both provided by the location you visit. Players then make their way into a dimly lit, maze-like arena looking for the opposing team members.
The primary goal? Tag opponents with laser beams while dodging incoming fire to rack up points and claim victory. It’s a thrilling experience that is fit for various ages, making it a popular choice for birthday parties or just a fun indoor activity.
Read More: Do you love the challenge these destinations offer? You may also love spending the afternoon at one of these escape rooms.
Looking For Laser Quest?
Laser Quest was a very popular destination for anyone interested in playing some laser tag in Mississauga/Oakville. Sadly, with the varying restrictions and closures, Laser Quest closed all of their facilities in September 2020.
Read More: keep the excitment going when you go head to head at one of these cool video game arcades.
How Old Must Players Be?
Participation isn’t restricted by age. Your kids and adult will enjoy themselves in the excitement of laser tag. One things to keep in mind is that the laser blasters and vests can be heavy for younger kids. My girls were small, and the Planet Laser tag equipment was a little on the heavy side for them at 8 years old. I always suggest parents visit a laser tag centre before you commit to an event so you can test out the weight of the equipment.
Whether you’re a group of friends, a family looking for an awesome outing, or someone planning a fun team-building activity, lasertag offers an experience everyone can enjoy. Players strategize, communicate, and make their way through the maze-like battlegrounds, relying on teamwork and quick decision-making.
Each of these laser tag arenas make great destinations for a family outing or a birthday party or give a gift card for the ultimate experience gift.
Laser Tag Birthday Party For kids?
Birthday parties these arenas are a hit for numerous reasons. They offer a super cool game play setting where your birthday kid and their friends can enjoy friendly competition. The immersive nature of the game ensures everyone gets involved, creating lasting memories.
Tag venues often provide party packages, including private gaming sessions, reserved party areas for cake and celebrations, and sometimes even additional perks like arcade games or special effects lighting. I’ve held my kids parties at Planet Laser in Oakville and Splitsville laser tag in Burlington and recommend them both. We had a great time and so did our guests.
Indoor laser tag centers provide a controlled environment for gameplay, which makes them very popular locations to host birthday parties in the winter and rainy spring months. We’ve been to arenas that have cool themes and obstacles to use to your advantage, adding an extra layer of thrill to the gaming experience. The dimly lit settings with glow in the dark black lights and maze-like layout create an immersive and exciting feel for players.
Ultimate Laser Tag in Oakville, Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara and Laser tag in Kitchener Waterloo Region
In this list, you’ll find a round up of all the local options, each offering its own distinct challenges and themes. Whether you’re a newbie seeking an first-time visit to laser tag in Niagara Falls or a seasoned enthusiast looking for a new place to challenge you, these spots promise an exciting time.
) Battle facility. We aim to provide the ultimate events for any occasion - Birthdays, Team Celebrations, Camps and more!
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.
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The post Where To Play Laser Tag – Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, KW Area appeared first on Active Parents.
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