Finally! The grass is green, the flowers are blooming and school is almost out - it’s time to get outdoors, make the most of the season and have a ton of fun without spending an arm and a leg. Here are 10 budget-friendly family fun tips to help you and your family this May and June:
1. Mountain biking at the Nordic Centre. Just 45 minutes west of Calgary, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers over 100 kilometres of trails fit for any skill level. There are wide dirt roads, exceptional single-track, as well as a skills park for those who are interested in learning new techniques and tricks. If mountain biking isn’t something you and your kids have done before, you don’t have to rush into buying any bikes just yet - rentals are available at the Trail Sports shop at the Nordic Centre, and the use of the park is free.
2. Check out MEC Bikefest. Speaking of biking… on June 1 from 10am to 4pm is the Mountain Equipment Co-op Bikefest: a “celebration of all things bikes.” This event is perfect for bike enthusiasts of all ages, has clinics and group rides, a gear swap, market place, a pump track (free to try and bikes are provided!) and free tune-ups. For more information, visit www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Community/Bikefest.jsp.
3. Go gadget-free for a weekend. Admit it - we’re all hooked on technology, and that includes the kids. Whether it’s a tablet, smart phone, computer, television or video game (or a combination of them), too much time is spent being connected. The solution: ditch the technology for a weekend, head outdoors - Hiking! Camping! Picnics in the park! - and spend some much-needed quality time with the family.
4. Make a playhouse out of household items. Allow your child’s imagination to come to life by building a playhouse out of things that you find around the house. Use cardboard as a base, and then cut out squares for windows, wrapping paper as wallpaper and old linens for curtains. Your child’s homemade art can also decorate the walls of their playhouse, along with a paper ‘lampshade’ on a flashlight for a lamp, and a bundle of pillows for a cozy couch.
5. Throw a cupcake party. Everybody loves cupcakes, and the only thing better than simply eating those decadent little cakes is decorating them! Have a few of your child’s friends over for an afternoon and set up a cupcake decorating station. Make a ton of plain chocolate and vanilla cupcakes (so the kids can bring some home) - boxed cake works perfectly - and set out bowls of icing, candies, sprinkles and fruit, for good measure. Grab some little boxes or containers from the dollar store for the kids to take their cupcakes home in.
6. Get pinning. As the long, lazy days of summer approach, you’re going to be looking for things to do with your kids. Pinterest is such a great resource for crafts, activities, games, DIY projects and much more. Sit down with your kids for an hour or so, sign up for a Pinterest account (if you don’t already have one) and create a few boards with categories that you’re interested in such as: Summer Crafts, DIY Summer Projects and Summer Games for Kids. Letting the kids pin to the board gets them involved in what they have to look forward to this summer, and helps you see what they’re most interested in. Plus, these boards will be a great resource for you on rainy days, or simply days that the kids can’t seem to beat their boredom. New to Pinterest? See what it’s all about at www.pinterest.com.
7. Grow a garden. Growing a garden - in the ground if you have the space, in containers if you don’t - is a fantastic way of getting your kids involved in the whole process of gardening. Allow them to choose the plants they want, soak the seeds (if necessary), plant them and watch them grow. Have the kids water the plants, trim them, and tend to them and then reap the rewards of their hard work.
8. Bring out your child’s inner artist. Head to Banff between June 14 and August 24, and enjoy dozens of free events, indoor and outdoor cultural performances and so much more. The event kicks off with a Performance in the Park (live outdoor concert!), and continues on with all sorts of fun for over two months. For a full schedule and more information, visit www.banffcentre.ca.
9. Take time to smell the lilacs. The 25th Annual 4th Street Lilac Festival takes place on Sunday, May 25 from 10am to 6pm, and it looks like it’s going to be a great one! With over 500 vendors, artists, musicians and much more, there is something for each member of your family. The best part? It’s free! So dress in layers (it is Calgary after all), bring plenty of sunscreen and water, and enjoy the unofficial kickoff to summer in the city. For more information, visit www.4streetcalgary.com.
10. Go back in time at Heritage Park. Opening weekend at Heritage Park is on the Victoria Day long weekend (Saturday, May 17 to Monday, May 19), and it’s guaranteed to be a good time! Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, go for afternoon tea or take a ride on the steam train. As a bonus, the first 500 guests on Monday, May 19, who arrive between 9:30 and 10am, will be treated to a complimentary pancake breakfast. Get more information at www.heritagepark.ca. For more family-friendly events happening in May and June, visit this website and click on the ‘events calendar.’
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit www.stephaniearsenault.ca.
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