Spring has almost sprung, and it’s time to start looking forward to the warm weather ahead! This article features all things family fun, getting handy around the house and some sweet Easter projects. Read on, and then start the fun!
Get out and about
1. Free programs at the Library. Turn your child into a bookworm with just a couple hours and a library card. The free programs at the Calgary Public Library are geared toward kids of all ages (yes, teens too!), individuals and families, and are the perfect activity for growing imaginations. For schedules and locations, visit calgarypubliclibrary.com/kids and click on the ‘Register for Free Programs’ link.
2. Get your zombie (or your ballerina, or your athlete) on. If the whole family is feeling a little cooped up and zombified after all those months of winter, this is the perfect opportunity to let loose and have some serious fun! On March 30 and 31 at TELUS Spark, The New Science Centre, the special weekend theme is Ballerinas, Quarterbacks and Zombies; it’s “all about movement and motion” - so put on some comfy clothes and shoes, and head to the Science Centre. It’s free with general admission or membership; head to the Special Events page on Spark’s website, sparkscience.ca, for more information. And make sure to check out the Calgary’s Child calendar for more family-friendly events.
3. Go bowling. It’s an age-old activity - and an especially great one for families with kids who need to burn off a little extra energy. While it can be expensive, most bowling alleys offer discount nights (like two toonie Tuesdays at Mountain View Bowl in the southwest), or have printable coupons on their websites (Let’s Bowl, in the northeast, has a $5 off coupon when you spend $20). Before booking a bowling afternoon or evening with your family, be sure to check the bowling alley’s site ahead of time to see how you can save a few bucks.
Around the house
4. Spring cleaning for the kids. Clutter in your house is no good for anyone; especially your kids! Get the whole family involved in spring cleaning by writing down individual tasks on pieces of paper (save anything involving chemical cleansers for the grownups), and place a number beside each task, depending on how tough it is (dusting, for example, would be a 1, where organizing a closet would be a 3). Have some rewards ready that correspond with the numbers - treats, movie pick for the night, activity choice for the next day - so there is a little more incentive to get things done. Place the papers in a jar, shake it up and have each family member pick a task!
5. Egg carton garden. Spring is on its way, so it’s the perfect time to get started on your gardening. Get your kids involved by starting a small garden indoors (while it’s still too cold to do so outside). First, cut the top off of a cardboard egg carton. Fill each cup two-thirds full with soil, and sprinkle a few seeds of your choice on top. Scoop a little bit of soil over the seeds, water well and insert a popsicle stick with the name of each plant into the back edge of each cup; place the carton near a sunny window. Your kids will love watching the little pots of dirt shoot up little sprouts. And when it’s warm enough outside, they can bury the carton in the garden or in a large pot and watch the plants mature over the spring and summer.
6. Wall art. Maybe your little one is a little Da Vinci just waiting for their moment! Maybe not. Either way, creating a magical piece of wall art is just the thing to get his or her creative juices flowing. Start with a large sheet of paper, big enough to cover a large portion of your child’s bedroom wall. Next, in a large, open area of your home (such as the kitchen), lay down some newspaper or garbage bags, and place the paper over top. Set out some paints, brushes, markers, glue, glitter and whatever else you have around the house (Buttons! Sprinkles or candy! Confetti!), and then just let your child create. When the masterpiece is complete, hang it up in his or her bedroom for all to admire.
7. Upcycling. Go one step beyond recycling and start upcycling your children’s old things! Does your daughter have a pink, princessy piece of furniture that she’s grown out of? Why not sand it down and paint it a color that is more age-appropriate? Let her get creative and paint patterns or images on it as well. Do you have an old coffee table that you were thinking of getting rid of? Why not paint it a bright color, paint the top surface with chalkboard paint and put it in your child’s room or playroom? Put some comfy pillows around it for sitting on, a container of chalk on top and you’ve got an activity table! Repurposing items around your house, or upcycling, is a fun, creative way to make old things new again without spending a bundle of money.
Easter fun
8. Bunny ears. Transform your little one into the Easter Bunny with this simple craft. Begin by cutting out two bunny ear-shaped pieces of felt in one color, and then cutting out two more pieces in another color in the same shape, but about three-quarters of the size of the first ones. Using a hot glue gun (parents only!), glue the smaller felt pieces on top of the larger ones so you have two bunny ears. Next, fold one ear slightly at the bottom so it is curved inward like a bunny ear; this will also help it stay up. Place your finger on the middle of the top of a child-sized headband with a fabric top, and then glue the ear to the headband, with one side touching your finger. Repeat with the other ear, gluing it to the headband on the other side of your finger.
9. Bird’s nests. Your kids will love making these little nests as much as they’ll love eating them! First, melt four ounces of milk or dark chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each increment. In a large bowl, break up two biscuits of Shredded Wheat; stir in one cup desiccated coconut and add the melted chocolate; stir well. Now, scoop up the mixture, one spoonful at a time, and place on a wax or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Press gently in the middle of each mound to make an indent, and shape into a nest. Place a few jelly beans or mini eggs in each nest, and refrigerate for a couple of hours, or until set.
10. Egghead place settings. If you’re hosting Easter brunch or dinner at your house, get artsy with the table décor by having your children help out with the place settings. Boil one egg for each person who will be attending the meal. Next, dye the eggs as you usually would for Easter, but also have your children draw the guest’s faces and write their names on each egg using pencil crayons. Place an egg on each plate, foregoing a traditional placeholder, for a fun alternative.
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit stephaniearsenault.ca.
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