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]]>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.
Read More: Read more of our favourite day trips here
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.
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 Happy Rolph’s is a Free Animal Sanctuary Kids Will Love appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Triple C Farm: Get Up Close With Adorable Farm Animals appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Find more animal adventures…
- Springridge Farm in Milton
- Twin Valley Nature Park in Brantford
- Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
- Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls
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
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 Triple C Farm: Get Up Close With Adorable Farm Animals appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Ride the Antique Carousel at Lakeside Park appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>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.
Read More: Find more great fun in the Niagara Region right here.
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.
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 Centreville – A Full Day of Toronto Adventure For Families appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Centreville Opening For 2024
Centreville is opening for weekend fun in May, and on Monday, May 20 for Victoria Day. COme June, they are open daily until the end of August, then it’s back to weekends only in September.
Our day started off with a thrill because my kids love riding the GO Train. Right now, the GO Train has a special Kids GO Free promo where children 12 and under ride for free. The short walk from Union Station to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is easy and full of big-city sights and sounds, but the Ferry ride to Centre Island was my favourite part. It’s about 10 minutes long, and that’s way too short. The views of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario are picturesque and the lake breeze is invigorating.
Taking The Ferry To Centre Island Is One of The Best Parts
The best advice I can give you for this leg of our journey is to pre-buy your ferry tickets. The lines to buy at the terminal were long, and we walked up to the ticket gate like Beyonce – immediate access y’all! But don’t stress, everyone gets a seat, which seems impossible, but we were the final 4 passengers on a return ferry, and we still had seats.
The Rides at Centreville Amusement Park
Once we got to Centre Island, we let the kids take the wheel! The girls grabbed a map of the park and planned our route to their favourite rides. The first stops were the Bumble Bee Ride and the classic Antique Cars.
Eventually, I got to pick a ride, and you know I chose the iconic Sky Ride! The cable cars take you on a quiet, birds-eye-view ride over the top of the entire amusement park. It’s a perfect way to point out all the great spots you still have to check out, and to catch some more Lake Ontario views, too.
The girls rode almost every ride in the park, some multiple times! The lineups were quick, the longest they waited was about 10 minutes for the Toronto Island Mine Coaster, one of the most popular rides at the park. My kids were 9 and 11 when we went last, but they’re short, and they didn’t need an adult to ride with them on anything they went on.
Centreville’s website lists every ride and the age/height requirements, so you can see which rides your kids can ride alone, and which they need a parent to ride with them.
The Splash Pad at Centre Island Centreville
When the sun is at its hottest, the entire family will enjoy cooling down at Water Play! My girls, like all kids, ran around trying to guess which water jets would be the next to fire out water. Water Play was great for all ages, we saw babies being walked by their parents, and big kids like mine enjoying a soak.
What Rides Are At Centreville?
Hop on a train, coast in the bumper boats, and relax on the swans. Check the Centreville website on the day you’re planning to visit. They have a scrolling ticker at the top with their hours and any ride closures and park updates you’ll need to know. This makes it easy to circumvent any disappointment when you arrive.
How Much is Centreville?
To visit Centreville you will need to pay for 3 things: your GO Train ticket, your ferry ride to Centre Island and your park admission. Take advantage of the online discount and skip the line at Centreville by pre-purchasing your tickets in advance. Each Pass entitles one individual to enjoy unlimited rides for the day. There are height restrictions in place for various rides. Each ride also takes tickets, which you can see info on here.
GO Train Fares:
Adult weekend tickets are $10.00 for a one-day pass (on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday) and $15 for the entire weekend of GO Train travelling. Children under 12 ride free. You can see your exact fare here on the GO Transit website.
2024 Centreville Online Day Pass Prices:
Under 4′ = $31.64 +tax
Over 4′ = $40.71 +tax
Toronto Island Ferry Prices 2024:
Safe yourselves time and line ups and buy your Toronto Island ferry tickets in advance. Adults are $9.11, kids under 14 are $4.29 and youth 14-19 are $5.86 with ID.
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 Centreville – A Full Day of Toronto Adventure For Families appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>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!
The post Art Gallery of Hamilton – How To Visit For Free! appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Free Fishing Weekend 2024 in Ontario appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Wondering where you can fish near you? We have a roundup of reader-recommended fishing holes, lakes, creeks and more in the Hamilton and Halton area. If you have a fishing spot to recommend, please share it with us.
Read More: Where to fish in Hamilton and Halton
Free Fishing Weekends 2024 – Free Fishing in Ontario
Normally, in Ontario, you need to possess a fishing licence to fish recreationally. However, four times a year the government allows for licence-free fishing, and these weekends make the ideal time to get out in nature and enjoy a day lakeside.
Free Fishing Weekend in Ontario will allow for licence-free fishing for Canadian residents on the following days.
- Family Fishing Weekend in February (February 17-19, 2024)
- Mother’s Day Weekend in May (May 11-12, 2024)
- Father’s Day Weekend in June (June 15-16, 2024)
- Family Fishing Week in July (June 29–July 7, 2024)
If you’re not a regular fisher or a fishing licence holder, make sure you take advantage of these weekends. They are a great and fun way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors!
Read More: More Things To Do on Family Day Weekend
How To Borrow Fishing Equipment
Since 1998, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has sponsored a program called TackleShare to loan our fishing equipment for free. This program removes the financial barrier that would keep families from enjoying this relaxing sport.
Borrow rods, reels and even tackle is as simple as checking out a book from the library. TackleShare has hundreds of loaner sites in Ontario. They also partner with Ontario Parks to help bring fishing to more families. Just one more way to enjoy a free fishing weekend in Ontario! You can find a list of the loaner site 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!
The post Free Fishing Weekend 2024 in Ontario appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>The post Indoor Playgrounds & Trampoline Parks: Hamilton and Niagara appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>
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!
The post Indoor Playgrounds & Trampoline Parks: Hamilton and Niagara appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>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!
The post Indoor Playgrounds & Trampoline Parks in Burlington Oakville Milton 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 15 Local Toboggan Hills: Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville appeared first on Active Parents.
]]>Fresh snow is on the ground and I bet you’re asking yourself “Are there any tobogganing hills near me?”. There definitely are! This list will be very handy this winter anytime you are looking for a place to toboggan Burlington Hamilton.
Tobogganing is one of the easiest and cheapest winter activities to keep kids entertained on a snowy day. Grab a sled and your snow pants and use our list to find a tobogganing hill in Hamilton and Burlington to visit. We like to choose a new hill each time so we can compare and see which is the best!
These 11 toboggan hills are the city-approved sledding hills in Burlington and Hamilton because the city inspected these locations and determined them to be safest for sledding. Always watch the hills and make sure they’re clear to sled on.
Tobogganing is a Canadian winter pastime that almost makes our frigid winters bearable. While it may look like any hill will work, choose a tobogganing hill that is city-approved as you know it’s a safer alternative to other hills. Get bundled up, and bring your helmets, because you can never be too safe. Here are the designated hills to toboggan near Burlington and Hamilton.
City-Approved Toboggan Hills in Burlington
- LaSalle Park, at the east of the parking lot. There are 2 tobogganing hills at LaSalle. We like the wide and shorter one as the walk up is easier and the width means less trees to have to maneuver between.
- Tyandaga Golf Course, at hole No. 4, on the west slope
- Central Park, the hill northwest of Community Garden. This is a popular spot for us. I like that there is a long flat runoff at the bottom of the hill, with no obstructions. Lots of parking as well.
- Brant Hills Park and Community Centre, southwest of the tennis courts.
- Nelson Park, east side of the park, north of Centennial Bike Path
- Lowville Park, the hill on the southwest end of the park. This hill is very tall and very fast. My young teens went and enjoyed it, but I would be extra cautious with younger ones on the hill.
Related: Make time to ice skate this winter. We know the best outdoor ice rinks for families to enjoy.
City-Approved Hills For Tobogganing in Hamilton
- Garth and Stone Church Reservoir – 1515 Garth Street, Hamilton – Hill details: Northeast corner, Southern side (East of the parking lot)
- King’s Forest Golf Course – 100 Greenhill Avenue, Hamilton – Hill details: Hole #9 – in front of the 9th green
- Waterdown Memorial Park – 200 Hamilton Street, Waterdown – Hill details: Northeast corner, West of baseball diamond #3. This i s a popular sledding spot for all ages. Bring your ice skates and enjoy the skating rink loop, too.
- Chedoke Golf Course Martin Course – 563 Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton – Hill details: Martin Course, Hole #10- Tee
- Dundas Driving Park – 71 Cross Street, Dundas – Hill details: Between the former Parkside Public School and the Dundas Driving Park. Another popular hill for families to enjoy.
Popular Toboggan Hills in Oakville
The Town of Oakville website didn’t have info on toboggan hills, so it better to assume these locations are city-maintained. I’ve never been to any of these hills, so if you see something unsafe, I would love to know about it. And if you have a location to add/remove, give me a shout anytime. Safety first, always!
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park – 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville – Day admission required, but worth it because there is a ton to do (plus washrooms!)
- Old Abbey Lane Park – 1110 Old Abbey Lane, Oakville – Details: there are 3 hills beside Abbey Lane Public School
- Oxford Avenue & Upper Middle Road – Southeast corner of the intersection – this is a smaller hill that is great for little ones.
- Appleby College – 540 Lakeshore Road West – apparently, kids have been sledding here for many years, have you been?
toboggan safely
Here are a few tips to play safely while tobogganing in Burlington and Hamilton.
- Toboggan during daylight hours, not when it is dark.
- Toboggan when the hill is snow-covered, not when it is icy or bare.
- Check the hill and make sure it is free of obstacles and toboggan in the designated area.
- Wear a helmet designed for winter sports.
- Use a toboggan that is in good shape and has brakes and steering.
- Avoid wearing scarves or any clothing that could get caught in a toboggan and cause injury.
- Always sit down and face-forward on a toboggan.
- Do not build jumps or other obstacles on the toboggan hill.
- Walk up the side of the hill and leave the middle open for others coming down the hill.
- If you fall off of your toboggan, move out of the way to avoid being hit.
Reminder, visiting these sledding hills near me is an activity that you do at your own risk. The city, nor Active Parents, is not responsible for any personal injury or damage to your personal items.
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