Celebrate Family Day weekend with Ontario Parks. With their six winter parks planning special events geared for parents and kids, there will be loads of fun things to do.
If you’d like to try your hand at ice-fishing, this is the weekend to do it. Families will be able to fish license-free. Check out the Ontario Parks Blog for their top five spots for ice fishing.
Here are just a few of the things happening in Ontario Parks with Family Day weekend:
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Photo credit: Ontario Parks
Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville
On Family Day Monday, February 19, the Children’s Farm and Nature Centre will be open from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Meet Bronte Creek’s farm animals. Climb, jump and explore the Children’s Playbarn or make crafts in the nature centre. Most activities are free with a valid Park Vehicle Permit.
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Ski Wasaga Beach’s groomed Blueberry Trails then enjoy a hot chocolate in the park’s Nordic Ski Centre. Ski rentals are available. On Family Day Weekend, a special scavenger hunt-on-skis is planned.
Algonquin Provincial Park Photo credit: Ontario Parks
Algonquin Provincial Park
Winter in the Wild, a one-day open house takes place Saturday, February 17. Learn about winter birds and their habitats on a guided bird walk or try a snowshoe excursion. Bring your skates for Mew Lake Campground’s rink. Take in a winter camping demo then roast marshmellows around a giant bonfire before heading out on a guided evening wolf howl. Most activities are free with a park vehicle permit or camping permit. Chili lunch and BBQ supper will be available for purchase.
Killarney Provincial Park
Photo credit: Ontario Parks – photographer Oleksandra Budna
Killarney Provincial Park
The Friends of Killarney have organized two jam-packed days at Killarney (February 17 and 18). Stargaze the dark skies from Killarney’s very own observatory. Take a guided Owl Prowl or snowshoe hike and enjoy the Friends’ free Saturday barbecue lunch.
Ice skating at MacGregor Point
Photo credit: Ontario Parks
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Book a kids’ sleepover in a cozy yurt. MacGregor Point has sixteen heated yurts equipped with tables and chairs, outdoor propane barbecues, picnic tables and firepits. Nearby comfort stations provide heated washrooms with showers. Don’t forget to pack your skates. The park’s 400 metre ice oval will be open all weekend from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, weather permitting.
Pinery Provincial Park Ontario
Photo credit: Ontario Parks
Pinery and Rondeau Provincial Parks
Kids love the winter weekend programs led by park naturalists at Rondeau and Pinery Provincial Parks. During Rondeau’s Family Day celebrations (February 17-19), families can join a park naturalist on an owl prowl, make a suet feeder to take home, or try their luck with a park photo scavenger hunt. On Family Day Monday at the Pinery, learn winter survival techniques or join a park naturalist on guided owl prowl or to feed the chickadees then warm up in the Pinery’s visitor centre while you enjoy a special screening of ‘The Messenger’.
Visit the Parks Blog for more Family Day inspiration, www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog.
