Free Family Fun

Spring is here and there's a lot of fun stuff you can do with your family that won’t break the bank. Here are a few ideas that you, your kids and your wallet will love.

Have A Picnic

Enjoy a nice sunny day by eating lunch outside. Gather your kids and a picnic basket or cooler and head to your backyard, local park, beach or one of the many conservation areas across Canada. Don’t forget to bring a blanket, a Frisbee or beach ball and sunscreen. Public pools are also a great way to cool off. Contact your local municipality or community centre for details in your area.

Discover A Museum

Museums are a great place to learn and play. Many museums offer interactive exhibits, classes, and special programs for kids. They are also a great way to escape the heat. Also, many museums have a free day of the week, or reasonable admission prices. Check out the Official Directory of Canadian Museums online at http://www.museums.ca/ for a museum in your area.

Explore A Park Or Conservation Area

Each province has a variety of conservation areas, many of which are free or ask for a small donation. Planning a visit to Toronto? Check out the Toronto and Region Conservation for the Living City web site at www.trca.on.ca for information on parks and attractions in the GTA. National parks tell stories of Canada’s natural beginnings. The breathtaking scenery provides the perfect setting to teach your children about respecting and appreciating the natural environment. For a listing of parks across the country, visit the Parks Canada government Web site at http://www.pc.gc.ca/. Or call 888-773-8888 for general inquiries.

Visit A Library

• Each year the National Library sponsors "Read Up On It," a free annual program designed to promote Canadian authors and their books, encouraging young readers and their families to read. Books are selected along a different theme each year; this year's theme is The Magic of Books. You can learn more about this year's theme, see the books that have been selected, and order a free kit by visiting the Read Up on It site.
  
  
• Take a walk to your local public library. Many of these libraries have fun, free activities for kids. The best way for parents to find out what free activities are offered by the local public library would probably be to contact the library directly. If the library in question has a website, they may also be able to find such information there. The Canadian Library Gateway, provides a list of public libraries from across Canada that have websites.

Take In Some Culture

Canada is an ethnically and culturally diverse country. There are dozens of activities across the country and in your city to celebrate or diversity. Take a walk with your kids through your local Chinatown, Little Italy, Mennonite community or any of the various cultural and ethnic communities in your city. Local newspapers often advertise events for families, arts & crafts shows, fairs, and community theatre. Many of these activities are free. For many other ideas of what do to visit Canada’s official web site of the Canadian Tourism Commission for entertainment and festival guides which list fun, family activities taking place in every city in the province at http://www.travelcanada.ca/

Written By: Saskia B.

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