During the cold and gloomy winter months, it can often be difficult to find activities that will keep your children happy and engaged while encouraging physical activity. In this blog, we have highlighted some indoor activities that will get your children moving during those inclement weather days, and some outdoor activities that are perfect for the days that it is warm enough to venture outside. Given that we have centres in a few different communities, we will be uploading these blogs by region. This blog will highlight 10 child friendly winter activities in Halton.
1. Family Day at Bronte Creek
- What: Tour the various barns and outbuildings to see your favorite farm animals. Pellet feed stations available. Children’s Playbarn – children 10 and under can climb, jump and explore tunnels ’till their hearts content. Live animals and hands-on displays showcasing Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s natural world. Hands-on nature and heritage crafts will be offered inside the nature centre.
- Includes:
- Children’s Farm
- Nature Centre
- Includes:
- When: February 17th, 2020
- 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Where: 1219 Burloak Drive. Oakville ON
- Who: Children of all ages!
2. Winter Wagon Rides
- What: Don’t let winter keep you inside! At Mountsberg Conservation Area you can go on a horse-drawn ride through a winter wonderland. Arrive at a roaring bonfire rosy-cheeked and ready for a tasty marshmallow roast- a perfect way to get outside and enjoy winter with friends and family! Make a day of it by visiting with the park’s resident birds of prey and farm animals, followed by a trip to the play barn and gift shop. A day spent outside in the crisp winter air and everyone will head home ready for a long winter’s nap.
- Where: 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0
- When: Weekends until February 17th
- 10:30am – 2:30pm
- Who: Children of all ages!
3. Toddler Days – Weather at Ireland House Burlington
- What: Rain, shine… or snow! This program will explore all the elements. We will make a tornado in a bottle, try to find Mr. Sun on a scavenger hunt, and build a play dough snowman.
- When: February 27th, 2020
- 10:30am – 12pm
- Where: Ireland House
- 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington ON, L7P5A8
- Who: Toddlers!
4. Annual Maple Syrup Festival
- What: Focuses on the history of maple syrup presented on a heritage farm from 1900.The festival heritage staff dress in historical attire and will help to immerse you in the history and culture of maple syrup. Attractions include: pancake house, fresh maple candy, fresh maple taffy, guide tours of maple lane, gift shop, wagon rides, farm animals, historical tours, family activities and more.
- Where: 1219 Burloak Drive. Oakville ON
- When:
- Feb. 29th – March 1st
- March 7th-8th
- March 14th-22nd
- March 28th-29th
- Who: Children of all ages!
5. Guided Snowshoeing for families
- What: Snowshoes offer a unique perspective on a unique season! A truly Canadian activity, snowshoeing is a magical way to explore the winter landscape. Sunset Snowshoe Hikes for families provides an opportunity for groups with children to enjoy a less strenuous hike, snowshoe games and fun nature activities. This trail is 3.4 km and would take 2 hrs at an easy pace. You can do as much or as little of the trail as you see fit!
- Has rentals available for children and adults
- Children under 4 are free
- Where: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X3
- When: Winter Season
- 8:30 am – 7:00pm
- Who: Children of all ages are welcome at the park and can be brought on the hike assuming the appropriate carrier!
6. Maple Town
- What: See how sap is magically transformed into sweet, sticky syrup and smell the fragrant steam rising from simmering kettles. Learn the secrets of making Maple Candy and taste free candy samples. Enjoy piping hot pancakes smothered in fresh maple syrup or a taste of taffy on snow while the woods around you slowly wake up from winter to spring. Take a guided wagon ride through the sugar bush and learn about the history of maple syrup, starting with it’s Indigenous origins. Climb, jump and run in the Play Barn. See dramatic bird of prey demonstrations in the Raptor Centre at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm or encounter the Mountsberg raptors in their enclosures along the Wildlife Walkway.
- Where: 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0
- When: February 29th – April 5th
- 10 – 4pm
- Who: Children of all ages!
7. Snow School at Glen Eden
- What: Glen Eden is a great place to get your start and they have something for everyone—whatever your skill level! CORE programs include lessons for newer skiers and snowboarders, whether you are brand new to snow sports or developing your skills from beginner to intermediate. ACADEMY programs are perfect for those skiers and snowboarders looking to take their abilities to the next level, with lessons that focus on developing skills from intermediate to advanced.
- Take a look at the skill level chart to see where you or your child will land: https://gleneden.on.ca/programs/skill-levels
- Where: 5234 Kelso Rd, Milton, ON L9T 2X7
- When: Monday to Sunday
- 8:30am – 9:30pm
- Who: Kinder program starts at 4 years old
8. Skating Rink: Glen Abbey Community Centre
- What: Skating is a fun family activity that everyone can enjoy! It gets both you and your child active.
- Skate and helmet rentals are available. Customer service hours are:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Sunday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Skate and helmet rentals are available. Customer service hours are:
- Where: 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario
- When: This schedule is in effect until March 22, 2020
- Adult and Child Recreational skate (12 years and under)
- Tuesdays, 9-10:15am
- Fridays: 1 – 2:50pm
- Adult and Child Sick and Pick (8 years and under)
- Wednesday: 1:30 – 3:20pm
- Saturday: 10:30am – 11:30am
- Adult and Child Recreational skate (12 years and under)
- Who: The age that you take your child skating is up to your personal discretion. As long as they have the ankle strength and the appropriate support, it is a personal decision.
9. Sweet Water Season
- What: Visit the reconstructed 15th century Longhouse Village and learn how maple sugar was discovered and made by Indigenous people 600 years ago as you take in an interactive (and edible!) Sweet Water demonstration. Then journey over to the Deer Clan Longhouse gallery to take in the First Harvest exhibit, an exploration of Indigenous maple sugaring from past to present.
- Where: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X3
- When: Weekends, March Break and Holidays
- February 29th – April 5th
- 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Who: Children of all ages!
10. Parent Pampering
- So this one isn’t technically one of our child friendly activities in Halton BUT it’s equally as important. This specific spa is in Burlington but we recommend parents in all communities make an effort to take some time for themselves.
- What: Sanctuary Day Spas has provided elegant retreats for women and men seeking to bring harmony and well-being to their busy lives through relaxation and renewal.Take care of you. Make time to relax your body and mind, reduce muscle fatigue and restore vital energy with a therapeutic or relaxation massage.
- Where: 3235 Fairview St, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3L1, Canada
- When:
- Monday to Friday 9:00am – 9:00pm
- Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Who: Busy parents
All of these activities (except for #10) are child friendly activities in Halton and come highly recommended by various sources in the community. If you have tried any of these places before or plan to in the future, please let us know on our social media pages!