Although the financial ‘holiday hangover’ can leave you dreading your bank statement this time of year, it doesn’t mean your family has to be stuck at home for the rest of winter! From free meals to low-cost movies and much more, Calgary has many budget- friendly activities for children that will keep your family entertained and your bank account intact.
\n \n1. Recreation Centres. Local recreation centres offer hours of fun with everything from swimming, climbing walls, skating, obstacle courses, and gymnasium time. Although admission can be pricey, many leisure centres offer discounts on certain days or times. For a complete list of The City’s best deals, visit calgary.ca/free.
2. Winter wonderland at Bowness Park. Skating is the perfect free winter activity for the whole family. There is nowhere better to do it than Bowness Park! With a sparkling snow-covered lagoon and ice trails from mid-November to mid-March, you will think you have been transported into a winter wonderland. You can even try out an ice bike for a small rental fee.
3. Winter geocaching. If a little snow doesn’t bother your family, there are a number of winter geocaching opportunities in our city. Remember to keep safety in mind by dressing in layers, bringing spare batteries for your GPS, and don’t forget to bring a small shovel and pencil. For a detailed list of rules and locations, visit calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/Geocaching-in-parks.aspx.
4. Free activities at local stores. A number of Calgary stores including Toys R Us, Indigo, Mastermind Toys, The LEGO Store, Home Depot and Michaels host free activity and craft days throughout the year. Check out the stores' websites for details and to register.
5. Cheap movie day. Going to the movies is probably one of the top requests you hear from your kids when you are looking for something to do on an otherwise ‘boring’ day but taking the whole family can rack up a bill over $50 (not including popcorn and candy!). Luckily, Cineplex hosts Family Favourite Movies on Saturday mornings at 11am with a family favorite movie each week for only $3.99. The featured movies change each month. Titles can be found on their website, cineplex.com, and search for ‘Family Favourites.’
6. Indoor play places. Looking to get the kids out of the house without having to bundle them up like tiny Michelin Men? The number of indoor play areas in Calgary has exploded in the past few years, and it isn’t hard to find something for children of all ages from tots to teens. The price of entry varies depending on the place, but many are affordable, costing as little as $3 per child for hours of indoor fun.
7. Dine out on the cheap. Many restaurants in Calgary offer free children’s meals on certain days of the week or with the purchase of an adult meal. A few of these restaurants include Denny’s, Montana’s, Swiss Chalet, Applebees Grill and Bar, IHOP, and more.
8. Calgary Public Library. With almost unlimited things for kids to do including play areas (called Early Learning Centres), toys, movies, music, computer games, books, and free organized activities, it’s hard to imagine a place better than your local library to spend a few hours on a cold day.
9. Devonian Gardens. If you are looking for somewhere to hang out downtown, Devonian Gardens is a great alternative to the typical mall. Bring back memories of summer in the urban oasis with one hectare of botanical gardens, including more than 500 trees, 50 varieties of plants, a 900-square-foot living wall, fountains, fishponds, and a playground to climb and explore.
10. Visit a farmers' market. Why not have some fun and cross some items off of your grocery list at the same time? Year 'round farmers' markets offer an opportunity to bring home fresh produce, shop local, and grab a extra treat or take part in a fun activity. Check out Calgary Farmers' Market West or Calgary Farmers' Market South for all your food and fun needs.
\nStacie is a freelance writer, photographer, and mother of a delightful daughter and silly son.
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