Are your kids bored? Do you need to get out of the house now! We can help!

Written by Ellen Percival

Here are some quick, simple suggestions for family fun in Calgary.

1. Free Park n’ Play Program offered by The City of Calgary. During the summer months, The City offers an outdoor program for children six to 12. Games, crafts and tons of fun! For more information, contact 3-1-1 or visit www.calgary.ca/cns for dates and locations in your community.

2. Take the whole family to Kayben Farms Sunshine Adventure Park! Kayben Farms offers 12+ acres of nature and farm for your kids to discover, learn and to have fun. For more information, visit www.kayben.com.

3. Get lost in a Maze - The Bowden Sunmaze, that is! It's Canada’s only sunflower maze! Farm animals, U-pick vegetables and U-pick flowers. Located one hour north of Calgary. For more information, visit www.sunmaze.ca or www.eaglecreekfarms.ca.

4. Explore Canada's History at Fort Calgary. Check out their special exhibit, The Canoe: A Canadian Cultural Icon. This exhibit shows the importance of canoeing in Canadian history and culture. Visitors can attempt to load a canoe with trade items to prepare for its journey. For more information, visit www.fortcalgary.com.

5. Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:00am. It's Storytime at the Calgary Zoo! Free with admission; a voluntary fee of $2 per child is welcome and will assist in purchasing more books for the Zoo's storytime program.

6. Have an adventure - downtown. Hop the C-train and visit the fish at the Devonian Gardens or visit the Glenbow Museum, Chinese Cultural Museum, or the Calgary Police Interpretive Centres. How about a plus 15 tour, a walk through China Town, Prince's Island, or ride up the Calgary Tower?

7. Splash around outdoors. Take advantage of one of the Calgary’s outdoor swimming pools. Visit www.calgaryoutdoorpools.ca for a list of locations. Or, head to one of the City’s splash pads or wading pools for an exciting, free way to cool down. Visit www.calgary.ca and search for ‘Wading Pools and Spray Parks’ for locations.

8. Volunteer. Get the whole family involved in activities by signing up for a great volunteer opportunity. Head to propellus.org and check out their current volunteer opportunities.

9. It's Summertime and food is a plenty. Grab your kids, a great big picnic basket and check out a farmer's market! There are plenty to choose from. Visit www.albertamarkets.com for a market near you.

10. Just.... relax! When all else fails, find a nice patio, favorite restaurant, or favorite coffee shop and take a breather.


Ellen is the Publisher of Calgary's Child Magazine.