Winter recreation doesn’t have to be expensive, and you don’t have to invest in skis or snowshoes to get out for an easy family-friendly hike. Many trails are well packed down and straightforward to follow all winter long. Bring a sled along (and bring the helmets), stop to build a snowman and don’t forget to make at least a few snow angels along the way. You might find the kids actually prefer hiking during the winter!
Let me be the first to confess that when I sit down to think about winter holidays, I do not type ‘north’ into my search engine or choose ‘all destinations north’ when I visit travel sites. My love for beaches aside, though, Jasper has won my heart as a winter vacation destination, and there is paradise to be found if you choose to venture beyond Kananaskis or Banff for your mountain getaway.
School’s back in but the kids still get two days off each week and there’s no better place to spend that free time than at a campground. Autumn is a great time to take that final camping trip of the season and you’ll find it much easier to get spots in the popular campgrounds than it was in July or August. Many weekends in September are warm enough for a final beach day, and there’s no better time to go hiking or biking with golden colors surrounding you, cooler temperatures and quiet trails.
For parents motivated by a desire to maintain or rekindle connections with family across the country or around the globe, having children can lead to more travel than ever. But maybe you’ve put off visiting relatives or given up on your dream vacation, daunted by the uncertainties of coordinating life with children away from home. Preschoolers thrive on routine, but travel throws families into new situations and different time zones and requires a certain level of compromise. Travel-savvy parents know that routines tempered with flexibility are the key to keeping everyone happy on the road.
Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2020 Calgary’s Child
