Presented by TELUS Spark.
Between the public school board and the Catholic school board, Calgary has 2 back to back weeks of Spring Break this year (CBE: March 23 – April 2 & CSSD: March 30 – April 8). We’re rounding up as many great family-friendly events as we can during both Spring Breaks. Even if your kids are in Spring Break Camps, you’ll still find something to fit your schedule. You never know what spring can hold in Calgary, but whatever it is, we can enjoy the break!
TELUS Spark – Whales|Tohora:
One of the most exclusive exhibitions is making its final North American stop at Calgary’s science centre from January 20 – June 20, 2018! Whales|Tohorā is an interactive experience housing one of the world’s largest whale collections from the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. You can see 2 sperm whale skeletons: a male that is over 17 metres long and a femal that is nearly 10 metres long. Plus, check out the skull case with rare specimens! Read more about it here.
Lougheed House Presents The Future Looked Bright: Art Deco in Everyday Life
Anyone in your house interested in art or decorating or history? The newest exhibit at Lougheed House runs from February 1 to April 29 and showcases the exciting design style that swept the world in the 1920s and 30s. Read more about it here.
Cineplex March Break Family Favourites
Watching a movie during the Cineplex March Break Family Favourites is a great way to have fun on a budget this March Break. The movies on offer are Wonder, Despicable Me 3, Ferdinand, and The Boss Baby. During the weekdays of the break, the showtimes start at 11 am and all 4 movies will play each day (March 26 – 30). Check the website for specific times for each movie. Read more about it here. Or, check out the Family Favourites on Saturdays at 11 am.
Spring Rally in the Alley at Heritage Park
Build some family memories and enjoy a little bit of teamwork with this fun series of challenges at Heritage Park’s Gasoline Alley Museum from March 24 – April 2! Grab a map when you enter the museum and work together to complete all of the tasks. Join the adventure as you go back in time on the Canadian prairies! Read more about it here.
Landmark Cinemas March Break Movies
Landmark Cinemas is helping you get the kids out of the house this Spring Break, with $3 movies playing at their two Calgary theatres between March 26 and 29th, 2018. They have four popular family movies to choose from: Ferdinand, Paddington 2, Despicable Me 3, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Wonder, and The Boss Baby. Read more about it here.
Sunday Brunch
Spring break is a great time to get the family together and enjoy a leisurely Sunday brunch! There are a number of locations around the city that offer brunch. Check out the Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park, or even Fort Calgary. You could even do a special Easter brunch.
Bow Habitat Station Discovery Days
Discover Alberta’s wildlife and nature with the Bow Habitat Station Discovery Centre! Learn through staff and self-led, hands-on Investigation Stations for all ages. These hands-on activities are included with Discovery Centre admission. Discover Alberta’s Feathered Friends: March 23, 2018; 10 am – 4 pm. Discover Signs of Spring: March 27 – 29, 2018; 10 am – 4 pm. Read more about it here.
Easter Crafts & Cookies at Southland Leisure Centre
Who needs an excuse to eat treats and have some fun? Definitely not me! This free event at the Southland Leisure Centre is guaranteed to get the whole family smiling. Kids can make Easter crafts and there will be treats for everyone to nibble on, too. Read more about it here.
Banff Gondola Family Weekends
Experience a world of adventure and beauty at the summit of Banff’s Sulphur Mountain during Family Weekends: Saturdays & Sundays. Indoors, the experience is equal parts excitement and exploration. Visit before 12 pm for a mountaintop family adventure and receive FREE admission for kids! Enjoy the Junior Explorer Program. It’s self-guided fun in the exciting new interpretive centre, including a field journal for families to work through. Read more about it here. Or you can go Friday and Saturday nights for stargazing.
Microsoft Store Kids’ Events
There is something about technology that draws kids in like a magnet. Computer games, coding, and videos offer amazing fun and even learning, and that learning can be expressed in so many different ways. The Microsoft Store in Chinook Centre offers all kinds of events, workshops, and camps for your kids! (Most events require registration.) Read more about it here.
Discounted Swimming at City of Calgary Pools
Swimming is an easy, fun activity that kids love! There are lots of public swimming times around the city, and you can find discounted or even free swimming times, too. Read more about it here. Or check out the Dive-In Movie event at Southland Leisure Centre here.
IndigoKids Spring Break
Entertain your kids with some free activities at your local Chapters or Indigo store during the CBE’s spring break. Every day from March 26 – 30, Calgary area stores will be hosting themed activities. While these sessions are free, double check to be sure they are taking place at your local store, especially in case they are asking for pre-registration. Read more about it here.
Easter Activities at Bass Pro Shops
Take part in some free Easter fun at the Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills! There will be special Easter crafts, egg hunts, and free photos with the Easter Bunny. Read more about it here.
Michaels Kids’ Club Activities for Spring Break
Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop for fun crafty stuff to take home! With 2 groups, kids ages 3 – 8 (cost: $2) or 6+ (cost: $5) can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. The cost reserves 30 minutes for your child. Sessions starting every half hour between 10 am and 11:30 am from March 26 – 30, 2018. See a store associate to join the fun! Parents must remain on premises during the event. Read more about it here. There will also be limited events during the CSSD week – see here.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre – Junior Series
Jubilations Dinner Theatre is now offering a Junior Series! With dinner and a show suited for kids, it’s perfect for a great family night out. With fun shows and funny parodies, the whole family will enjoy the Junior Series. Or, check out some of the other shows for older kids or date night. Next up – Despicable Moi will be playing Saturday mornings starting February 24 to April 7 at 11 am! Read more about it here.
Storybook Theatre
Storybook Theatre has a couple of shows over the spring break weeks. To Dream Again ends on March 24th. Invincible You, Invincible Me runs from April 5 – 8.
Read more about it here.
7-Eleven 7Rewards Members Free Slurpee
School’s out and on March 23, 7-Eleven 7Rewards members can get a free Slurpee! Enjoy a medium Slurpee and kick off spring in the sweetest way.
The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show on March 24 and 25 is Alberta’s largest showcase of outdoor gear and adventure travel experiences. Watch demonstrations in the White Water Demo Pool, participate in a travel photography workshop, discover the Best of Canada, and have fun with the whole family during a scavenger hunt for Jr. Outdoor Adventurers. Read more about it here.
Calgary Golf Show
The PGA of Alberta’s Calgary Golf Show on March 24 & 25 will have all golf fanatics itching to hit the links. Whether you’re new to the sport, a longtime golfer or are getting your kids involved, there’s something here you’ll enjoy. Junior clinics will take place both days at 1 pm. Read more about it here.
Earth Hour: Calgary Unplugged
On March 24th you and your family can take a stand by sitting in the dark. Spend a fun off-the-grid evening with lots of other Calgarians. Calgary Unplugged is a free community event at Confluence Plaza on St. Patrick’s Island. This fun and FREE evening event will feature free hot chocolate, bike-powered music and lights, kids’ nature games and lots more. Event-goers can bring a light, drum, costume, lantern or decorate their bike and take part in a procession to signal the beginning of Earth Hour. Read more about it here.
Spring Break at Mastermind Toys
Mastermind Toys locations in Alberta are hosting FREE make-and-take events every day between March 26th and 30th, 2018. You must pre-register in-store, space is limited and kids must be accompanied by an adult. Signage will be up in-store 2 weeks before the break; the sign up for the events will also begin in-store at that time. Each day will have 3 times available for sign-up: 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Read more about it here.
Easter at the Calgary Farmers Market
Put a little spring in your step and join in the Easter festivities at the Calgary Farmers Market on Friday, March 30th and Saturday, March 31st from 10 am – 2 pm on the stage! Hop on over to the main stage and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and decorate an Easter cookie, too (while supplies last).
Read more about it here.
Calgary Zoo Easter Eggstravaganza
Hop your little bunnies down to the zoo for the 2018 Easter Eggstravaganza! There will be various zones set up to get you excited about Easter and celebrating spring fun of all kinds. Kids of all ages will love the face painting, sweet treats, bunny races, cookie decorating and more; all activities have a covered backup option, so the event is not weather dependent. Plus, all activities are included with regular zoo admission! Read more about it here.
Taste Of Jamaica
Enjoy a showcase of Jamaican culture on March 31 . . . food, music, dance, poetry, language and more! This festival has been going for more than 20 years as the Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta shares the rich, warm Jamaican culture with Albertans. Entry to the event for all adults includes a sample of real Jamaican cuisine – Jamaican dumplings, jerk chicken, patties and the Jamaican national dish of ackee and saltfish. Families are welcome, as kids can enjoy a special Kidz Zone. Read more about it here.
Music with Mandy
Mandy and her band arrange jazz music to make it approachable for children and they make kids’ music approachable for jazz cats! Their interactive performance always features talented local children and is a blast for all ages. Her high-energy stage presence and audience interaction help children and their families share a genuine connection with her and the swing music she presents. Read more about it here.
Repsol Sport Centre Floatables
The only thing more fun than a day in the pool is a day in the pool climbing, playing and bouncing on these fantastic inflatable floating play structures! They are coming back to Repsol Centre on April 1. Although there are floatables for all ages, some do require participants to complete a 25m swim test. Swimmers under age 9 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Read more about it here.
The Olate Dog Show
Come see the Olate Dogs! This amazing show is at the Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie on April 2, 2018, and will bring amazement, humour, and good old fun. The Olate Dogs are the winning participants from Season 7 of America’s Got Talent. Led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas, the Olate Dogs are a high-energy, fast-paced canine theatrical act filled with amazing dog tricks, human acrobatics and humour. Read more about it here.
Free Thursday Night at Glenbow Museum
Thanks to support from the Servus Credit Union, the first Thursday night of each month now offers free access to the Glenbow. This coincides with a spring break week (April 5) and is a great opportunity to take the whole family to one of Calgary’s finest cultural institutions. Or you could arrange for a sitter and have a date night with your sweetheart! Read more about it here.
Calgary Baby and Tot Show
The Calgary Baby and Tot Show is a fun and interactive event specifically designed to put everything you need all under one roof! There will be local and national exhibitors present, interactive workshops and seminars, parented play areas, arts and crafts, and ongoing entertainment for the whole family! Read more about it here.
Calgary Philharmonic Presents My Favourite Things! A Julie Andrews Celebration
On April 6 & 7, this enchanting concert celebrates the most beloved musical moments of the film and Broadway career of Julie Andrews, with songs from timeless productions including The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Cinderella. Read more about it here.
Vaisakhi Mela 2018
Come enjoy colourful dances and lively music at the Vaisakhi Mela 2018 celebration. For many 1000’s of years, April has been the time when farmers have put their sickles to harvest and collected the precious life-saving crops and you’re invited to come celebrate at this multicultural event. Read more about it here.
The Ultimate Guide to Family Skiing/Snowboarding In and Around Calgary
Snow sports like skiing and snowboarding are a big part of winter life in the Calgary area. The ski hills and resorts in Southern Alberta are happy to accommodate families and offer learning areas, lessons for youngsters and/or quality childcare so that older family members can enjoy a day of skiing. Read more about it here.
Best Places to Toboggan, Sled and Tube In & Around Calgary
Tobogganing, sledding and snow tubing are fun and active outdoor winter pursuits that many families love to partake in. If you haven’t tried them, you really should! Here’s where to satisfy your need for speed on the snow in and around Calgary. Read more about it here.
Anyone with an interest in educating children knows about the importance of S.T.E.A.M. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math pervade our lives and drive the world we live in. Of course, the more interest we have in learning something, and the more fun it is, the more willing we are to learn it. TELUS Spark has embraced this concept and created spaces for learners of all ages to let go and discover the wonders of our world. With interactive displays, hands-on activities, and lively demonstrations, the S.T.E.A.M. concepts can be explored and discovered. Learn about yourself in Being Human or about the world in Earth and Sky. Create something amazing in Open Studio and explore the capabilities of energy in Energy and Innovation. Or you can head to the Creative Kids Museum before actively training your brain outside at the Brainasium. From the littlest explorers to those of us who never want to stop learning, TELUS Spark offers the whole world to investigate and discover. Plus, hydrogen-filled balloons and liquid nitrogen are always a good time!
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Family Fun Calgary
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