Sponsored by Lacombe Regional Tourism

Ahhh summer! Everything is green and lush, the days are longer and brighter, and the warm sun makes you want to let loose and have some fun. The summer months always pass way quicker then we want, so Family Fun Edmonton is here to help you make the best of them with our Summer Fun Bucket List! Whether you are planning a roadtrip or looking for adventures in and around the city, there is something fun and exciting for everyone to discover.

Help make the best of your family time together this June through September by reading all the great summer fun suggestions below.

What’s on Our Summer Fun Bucket List?

1. Plan a summer road trip with Lacombe Regional Tourism! Just a short drive south of Edmonton you can find sandy beaches, an amazing water park, delicious eats, farm fun, and more. Head out spur of the moment to take advantage of a sunny day, or plan your adventures around one of the exciting events happening this summer and fall. Either way, you’ll have fun making new memories and discoveries in central Alberta!

2. Create your immersive adventure! From stories that matter to midway fun to riding the rails on a streetcar, Fort Edmonton Park has it all. Create memories that will last a lifetime with an unforgettable day out with your favourite people.

3. Soar into TELUS World of Science to experience the all new IMAX movie Wings Over Water. This breathtaking 45 minute film narrated by Michael Keaton follows the three amazing bird families as they make the epic journey across the connected rivers, lakes and wetlands in the heartland of America. Enjoy extraordinary footage of their triumphs and challenges as they soar across mountains, deserts, cities and forests to find their way home to raise their young.

4. Discover fun activities at your local park with our guide to Drop-In Summer Park Programs. Pack a snack and head out to take advantage of this fantastic FREE programming in Edmonton and Area playgrounds. The enthusiastic program staff are ready to lead your kids through playground games, sports, craft activities, live shows and more – all you need to do is show up and let them join in the fun!

5. Join the TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival for Jazz on the Hill at Snow Valley Ski Hill for two family fun-filled days of music, food, drinks, and more. 10 musicians and bands from across Canada will entertain with varying styles of Jazz from the familiar to the new. Find your jazz at Jazz on the Hill July 2 and 3.

6. Splash into the City of Edmonton outdoor pools! Queen Elizabeth Pool officially opens June 22 and all other pools will be open as of July 1, 2022. It’s a fun and inexpensive family activity with FREE admission for all kids aged 12 and under.

7. Visit the animals – living and LEGO – at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! This summer we are lucky to have 13 large-scale LEGO sculptures displayed throughout the zoo as part of the Nature Connects exhibit. It’s all included with regular admission and a fun bonus feature to see and explore on your next visit.

8. Take a FREE tour of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Learn about the rich history of the building and get a glimpse into where and how our parliamentary process works. The summer is the perfect time to visit and spend some extra time wandering through the beautifully landscaped grounds or enjoying a picnic. PLUS don’t miss the 360-degree 4D movie experience at the Pehonan Theatre in the nearby visitor centre. The movie Our People Our Province offers an immersive experience with many fun surprises to see and feel!

9. Discover a new attraction (or old favourite) at West Edmonton Mall! Whether you are wanting to escape the heat or pass the time on a rainy day, West Edmonton Mall has you covered for Summer Break fun. The hardest part will be deciding whether you splash into the always 31-degree World Waterpark, go on an undersea adventure at Sea Life Caverns, take a leisurely paddle with the Birds of Paradise, hit up the new Hasbro-inspired rides in Galaxyland, book a bowling lane at Ed’s or challenge the family to a round of minigolf!

10. Find market-fresh goodies at the Edmonton and Area Seasonal Farmers’ Markets. You can enjoy fresh produce and handmade wares from some amazing local vendors almost any day of the week. Plus check out the Kids Sprouts Program at the Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market and Little Beans at 124 Grand Market which lets kids pick out their own free produce each week!

11. Take the family to see Skooby Doob and the Haunted Race Track with Jubilations Junior! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this original musical production and delicious multi-course meal – both designed with kids in mind! Choose from several delicious food choices for adults and kids alike, then sit back and enjoy a fun Saturday afternoon filled with laughter, music, and lasting memories. Book today using our promo code SKOOBYSUMMER to receive $5 off adult and child tickets (promo code valid until August 13, 2022).

12. Edmonton is the city of festivals. Nearly all summer long you find a festival, carnival, or fair going on to suit your fancy. Look no further than our list of Summer Festivals, Carnivals and Fairs to discover them all! From music and the arts to rodeos and carnival rides to celebrations of countries and cultures, there’s so much fun (and often learning!) to be had.

13. Try a new flavour of ice cream from our list of Top Ice Cream Spots in Edmonton & Area. We have found ice cream in every form – soft-serve, hard-scooped, rolled, sundaes, and more!

14. Plan the perfect family playcation with Calaway Park! Take a short road trip south to discover tons of amusement park fun including 32 rides, fun carnival games, live shows and entertainment, a Cinemagic 3D theatre and a walk through the Haunted Hotel. This popular Calgary summer destination has been providing joy, excitement and family memories in Alberta for 40+1 exciting years.

15. Take a walk on the rural side with Alberta Open Farm Days 2022. Albertans are encouraged to head out to the country on August 13 & 14 to meet some of the farmers who grow our food. This is your opportunity to see demonstrations, meet some impressive animals, try delicious farm-fresh foods and hear stories from those in Alberta’s agriculture industry.

16. Make some BIG roadside discoveries East of Edmonton. Our family had a blast last summer stopping at some of the large-scale sculptures and attractions in the small towns East of Edmonton. It makes for some silly photo ops and fun family memories.

Experience Lacombe Tourism

17. Sign the kids up for a fun summer camp! There’s a camp for every age and interest on our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll the kids in an activity you know they already love or book a week trying something new and exciting. Our guide offers almost 50 different one-day, week-long and overnight camp options to explore.

18. Pack that picnic basket! We’ve found 5 Delightful Picnic Spots in Edmonton perfect for enjoying a meal outside in the warm summer breeze. Don’t forget the frisbee or soccer ball for extra fun in the park!

19. Hit the lanes with Kids Bowl Free! Registered kids are eligible for 2 FREE games of bowling each day all summer long. Find the program at bowling alley’s in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and St Albert.

20. Head to your nearest library branch and find reading-inspired fun all summer long during Summer Starts at EPL! Kids can take part in 9 weeks of reading challenges, contests, prizes, guest performances, events and more. Earn a button for every 6 hours of reading, plus be entered into the draw for a Nintendo Switch or Lego set! And that’s not all – there’s also a full line-up of performers, classes and events to be discovered in July & August.

21. Plan a visit to Happy Acres U-Pick to meet some friendly farm animals, enjoy delicious farm-fresh treats and bring home produce fresh picked from the field. For just $5 admission each you can see miniature Jersey cows, miniature donkey’s, miniature horses, sheep, goats, pheasants, chickens, peacocks, pigs, rabbits, a cockatoo and more! It is the perfect place to meet for a playdate.

22. Discover a new playground! What kid doesn’t love finding a new park to play at? Pack some snacks and head out to discover our list of 12 Sensational Playgrounds Worth the Drive-in and Around Edmonton.

23. Cool off at the movie theatre! There’s nowhere better to be on a really hot day than sitting back in a comfy seat in a dark and air-conditioned theatre. Enjoy super affordable older-run movies during Cineplex Family Favourites or Metro Cinema’s Reel Family Cinema, or see the latest summer blockbusters at a discount with Landmark Cinemas Kids’ Day Sundays.

24. Plan a double visit to the Edmonton Corn Maze. The new Summer Fall Flex Pass is the perfect way to take advantage of everything the farm has to offer this summer and save a bit of money on a visit to check out the sunflowers and corn maze once they are ready this Fall!

25. Visit and feed the lawn-mowing sheep in Fort Saskatchewan! Find the sheep on the Fort Heritage Precinct grounds, then take a walk over to grab some delicious Miller’s Ice Cream at the nearby train station. Plus there’s a pretty awesome playground right across the street!

26. Plan a visit to the Alberta Aviation Museum. This amazing collection of vintage planes and memorabilia is housed on Kingsway Avenue in the only double-long, double-wide hangar of its type left! I feel like this hidden local gem really doesn’t get the credit it deserves and would love to see more people pay it a visit.

27. Take part in the 9th annual Simply Supper Lemonade Stand Day on August 28, 2022. Register today to hold your own lemonade stand in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. All supplies and training is provided for junior entrepreneurs.

28. Grab your tube and go for a relaxing float on a nearby river or kid-friendly water slide park. There are several great options – both in Edmonton and within a 2 hour drive. See it all on our Summer Tubing Guide!

29. Go berry picking at a local U-Pick. Enjoy locally grown strawberries, raspberries, saskatoons, haskaps and more picked straight from the farm! Get them before they are gone.

30. Take your family out to a Riverhawks Baseball Game! Edmonton’s newest team is offering family fun all summer long at RE/MAX field in the heart of downtown. Check out the schedule for an exciting new theme every game! There’s fireworks, superheroes, dogs, Santa, mascots and more.

31. Go on a Scavenger Hunt at local trails and parks. There’s a new set of challenges each week in The River Valley Alliance Summer Scavenger Hunt to highlight the the trails in Devon, Parkland County, Edmonton, Strathcona County and Sturgeon County. Snap a selfie of you enjoying the trails and enter to win some great prizes!

32. Enjoy the sounds of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra outdoors! ESO Outdoors Summer Concerts series will be popping up in different Edmonton Parks throughout August. Pack your chair or blanket and cozy up to listen as spectacular music fills the open air!

33. Book a raft, kayak or boat trip down the North Saskatchewan River or on St Albert’s Big Lake. We have found several fun options for enjoying a day on the water including guided raft trips, light-up kayaks and the iconic Edmonton Riverboat!

34. Watch Sing 2 on the Outdoor Screen at St. Albert Centre! It is just one of many great drive-in and outdoor movie options popping up in August and September – mostly free! Check out our ongoing list and pack up some chairs, blankets and snacks to go enjoy watching some great flicks together under the stars.

35. Ride the all NEW Canyon Alpine Coaster at Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer – the first and only of it’s kind in Alberta! Riders will be able to reach speeds of 40 km per hour with plenty of twists and turns leading them down the 1300 luge meter track. The attraction is open to ages 3 and up, with younger tots joining in the fun by riding tandem with a responsible rider 16+.

36. Visit Camrose to discover 3 Terrific Train Experiences! There’s a little bit of everything for train lovers young and old – a museum at the old train station that is filled with exhibits, model trains & a playground, a fun walk to see a wooden trestle bridge, and a cheery faced engine to ride through the park!

Want to see your business or event featured in our Summer Fun Bucket List?  Please email: lindsay@familyfuncanada.com.

Lacombe Regional TourismLacombe Regional Tourism offers up a wide range of fun family activities, events, or culinary experiences just a short drive south of Edmonton!

Our top picks include splashing down the outdoor waterslides at The Abbey Centre, sunbathing in the beautiful white sand at Aspen Beach, meeting new feathered friends at Ellis Bird Farm and getting lost in the corn maze at Kraay Family Farm.

It’s all waiting for you to discover with Lacombe Regional Tourism!