We fully support what teachers are doing during the strike, and we know families are looking for ways to make the most of their time at home with the kids. Luckily, Edmonton and area is full of awesome activities that check most — or all — of the boxes:

✅ FREE or Cheap
✅ FUN
✅ Educational

Here’s a roundup of our favorite ways to keep kids learning, active, and smiling while schools are closed!

🏛️ History & Hands-On Fun

  • Go Down the Rabbit Hole at Strathcona County Museum
    🆓 Wednesday-Saturday |     This October, the Strathcona County Museum & Archives is transformed into a whimsical, spooky wonderland inspired by Alice in Wonderland! Go Down the Rabbit Holewith spooky surprises, glowing lights, and scavenger hunt fun — all by donation during regular museum hours! See it out on our Instagram Reel.
  • LAST Chance to see ORCAS at Royal Alberta Museum
    🆓 Daily | School’s out, and kids under 18 enter free! Take advantage of the expanded daily opening to dive into interactive exhibits, explore local history, and make it a memorable family outing. Plus, catch the Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibit before it closes on October 19, 2025.
  • Road Trip! Reynolds Alberta Museum
    🆓 Daily | Take a 45-minute drive to Wetaskiwin and dive into the world of planes, tractors, and automobiles at the Reynolds Museum! Kids 18 and under get in free, and there’s plenty to explore with hands-on exhibits and fascinating displays like the current Making Tracks feature exhibit.
  • The Wall at Stanley A. Milner Library
    🆓 Daily | Discover the two-storey interactive Wall at Stanley A. Milner Library, where kids can explore dinosaurs, the Great Barrier Reef, and hands-on STEM challenges. This massive, touch-interactive digital installation sparks imagination and makes learning fun and immersive for the whole family! See the upcoming schedule here.

🍳 Fun in the Kitchen

  • Dinner with Julie
    🆓 Daily during the Strike | Calgary food guru Julie Van Rosendaal is offering FREE Zoom cooking classes every school day at 4:00 pm. (Kids don’t need to be on camera.)  Classes are for kids of all ages and will cover everything from cooking to baking. Julie will post the ingredient list or recipe the day before, and you can find the Zoom link through the main link in her Instagram bio – no registration required!
  • Cook with Meg
    🆓 Wednesday, October 15 | Cook with Meg has partnered with Egg Farmers of Canada to offer a FREE online kids cooking class! Register here to whip up a Pizzeria Shakshuka alongside the Masterchef at 6:00 PM.

🐱 Purr-fect Playtime

  • Cheery Cat Co
    🆓 Monday to Friday | This posh cat café is offering free admission for kids and teachers during the school closure! Book an hour with adorable adoptable cats in a cozy, luxurious space — purr-fect for some cuddle time!
  • Edmonton Humane Society
    🆓 Daily | Get your dose of cuteness at the Edmonton Humane Society! See friendly cats, dogs, and other adorable animals ready for adoption — perfect for a fun and heartwarming family outing.

🎨 Art & Imagination

  • The Art Gallery of Alberta
    🆓 Wednesday-Sunday | Kids 17 and under always get in free, making it a perfect place for families to explore the latest exhibits, get hands-on with art activities, and let creativity run wild around every corner.
  • Leduc Arts Foundry Youth Drop-In
    🆓 Tuesdays |     Did you know you can enjoy FREE community programming at the Arts Foundry in Leduc? The YDIP Youth Drop-in program runs Tuesdays from 4-7 PM for artists (6-19 years) to explore different artistic media with guest instructors and all materials provided. Donations encouraged.
  • Boo a Friend or Neighbour for Halloween!
    Anytime |     Bring some sneaky Halloween fun to friends or neighbours with Booing! Kids can help assemble a small basket of treats or Halloween goodies, leave it on a porch with our FREE printable “You’ve Been Booed” sign, and enjoy the thrill of giving (and maybe getting) surprises.

🔬 Curious Minds Welcome

  • Alberta Legislature Tours
    🆓 Wednesday-Sunday |     Discover Alberta’s government with FREE guided tours of the Legislature Building, perfect for kids and families! Explore the spectacular architecture, learn about the province’s history, and stop by the interactive Visitor Centre to enjoy hands-on exhibits, 360° films, and fun activities for all ages.

  • FREE Friday Night Trivia at TELUS World of Science – Edmonton
    🆓 Fridays | Grab your tweens and teens and head to FREE Friday night trivia at TELUS World of Science! We went a few weeks ago and had a blast, especially during the music trivia rounds. Teams of up to 8 can tackle 6 rounds of family-friendly questions on science, nature, pop culture, sports, and music — plus there are fun prizes like Science Centre passes and gift shop goodies.

🎬 Big Screen Adventures

  • Leduc Cinemas Mystery Movie Matinees
    October 13 & 14 | Visit Leduc Cinemas and roll the dice on a Mystery Movie Matinee! Tickets are just $2 to watch a surprise family-friendly flick on the big screen screen. Movies start at 3:15 PM.

🕵️‍♂️ Hunt & Explore

  • IKEA Edmonton
    🆓 Daily |     Go on a fun in-store scavenger hunt to earn a FREE frozen yogurt cone from the Swedish Bistro! Grab a tiny pencil and hunt sheet from the display on the wall to the left of Småland, then have fun together making your way through the IKEA maze on the hunt for clues. If you are an IKEA Family Member, Kids also eat FREE in the Swedish Restaurant on Wednesdays – one free kids meal per adult meal purchased!
  • Salisbury Greenhouse
    🆓 Daily |     Don’t miss the monthly Scavenger Hunt for the kids! Grab the hunt sheet and search for the autumn-inspired clues throughout the greenhouse to earn a sweet prize at the end.

📅 Mark Your Calendar (Looking Ahead)

  • Ford x Oilers Dealer Days 
    🆓 October 18-26 | Super Fans are invited to the ultimate Oilers Celebration during Dealer Days with Edmonton Ford dealers on October 18-26, 2025! Register with your nearest dealership to join in the festivities, including photobooth fun, temporary tattoos, games, exclusive test drives, Oilers ticket and merch giveaways, and the opportunity to meet Oilers alumni and mascot Hunter.
  • LEGO Store Pumpkin Hunt
    🆓 October 24-31 | Visit a LEGO® Store any time during store hours October 24–31 for a pumpkin scavenger hunt! Hunt for hidden pumpkins around the store and grab a sweet treat when you find them (while supplies last).

This list is an original creation, fully sourced and curated by Family Fun Edmonton. If you come across this content on other Edmonton family sites, please note it has been copied without permission. We actively monitor unauthorized use and reserve the right to protect our work.