Summer is here, and you know what that means, right? Long, unstructured days punctuated by “I'm bored” and “There’s nothing to do,” which really means kids are tired of doing all of the same things and they crave new activities they can feel excited about. This is the perfect opportunity for messy fun to swoop in for the emotional rescue this summer. After all, what could be more festive than a little bit of parent-approved pandemonium? So never fear, because the key to milking the most fun out of any summer is including more messy fun in the mix.
According to The City of Calgary’s website, Calgary has the most extensive urban pathway network in North America, with 984 kilometres of regional pathways and 96 kilometres of trails that connect communities, parks, and natural areas across the city. Whether you want to take your toddler for their first tricycle ride, cruise a safe pathway with your six- to 10-year-old, or rack up the kilometres with your experienced teen, there’s a path out there for you.
Make the most of summer by discovering the best of Calgary! With this curated collection of parks, playgrounds, picnic spots, and nature walks, summer in the city has never looked so good! Don’t forget the water, snacks, and sunscreen so you can stay a while.
Hiking with a young family can be a challenge, and we’ve all found ourselves in that place where one of the children refuses to walk another step and a parent has to carry them a kilometre back to the car. Here are some of my family’s first hikes that we tried way back in the day using our trusty Chariot. Some of the paths are paved, but the others are all wide gravel or dirt trails. Expect roots, rocks, and the occasional steep hill, depending on the hike. You’ll need a big-wheel stroller for anything that is not paved (think jogging stroller or Chariot). All the trails that I’ve included can be done with either a single or a double stroller and some can be done with a bike.
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