Family
Free things to do during March break across Canada
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Family
Free things to do during March break across Canada
We've rounded up some of the best free events, both by retailer and by province.
Ikea
The retailer will be hosting kid-friendly activities each day of the break at select stores. Restricted to kids 12 and under. Check ikea.ca (click on events and community) for participating locations in your area.
Indigo
Indigo and Chapters are hosting a number of in-store activities during the break. Monday: Dr. Seuss Storytime (hoopla and silly stories); Tuesday: Wimpy Kid (jokes and read aloud); Wednesday: Build With Lego (Minifigures swap session and make-and-take activity, while supplies last); Thursday: Disney Cinderella (have a ball activities); Friday: Klutz (art and crafts activities and laughs). Visit indigo.ca for more information.
The dates are:
Nova Scotia: March 16-20
Ontario: March 16-20
P.E.I.: March 30-April 3
British Columbia: March 16-20
Manitoba: March 21-April 4
Alberta: March 23-27
Alberta (St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Red Deer): March 30-April 3
Alberta (Lethbridge, Rocky View): April 06-10
Newfoundland: April 03-12
Saskatchewan: April 6-10
Lowe’s Canada
Check out the Build and Grow Clinics at a location near you during the break. Recommended for kids in Grades 2 to 5, clinics are held every other Saturday at 10.a.m. Kids take home the toy/craft they make, a merit certificate, name tag, apron and safety goggles. Space is limited, so it’s best to register in advance in-store at the customer service booth. For more information, visit lowes.ca
Home Depot
Register your child (ages four to 12) for Home Depot’s two-hour toy-building workshop. Find dates and register online at homedepot.ca
Tim Hortons
Look for complimentary skating or swimming events across the country. To see if your community is included, visit timhortons.com and click on community programs.
Other best bets:
Don’t forget to check your local library branch for great free activities during the break. Most host movie screenings, puppet shows and story times.
Another great spot to find free activities? Your local mall. Check their websites for listings.
Here are some other top picks for spring break fun, from coast to coast:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Easter Games
Makkovik
From April 5 and 6, Makkovik will hold its annual Easter Games. From snowmobile races and three-legged soccer games to barefoot running races and piggyback rides, this Labrador North event is packed with fun for the entire family.
Nova Scotia
Public skate at the Emera Oval
Halifax
Hit the ice at the Emera Oval before it closes for the season.
Ontario
March Break at the Ontario Legislature
Toronto
During this 2-hour program (running from March 16 to March 20, 10 a.m. until noon), families with children aged 6 to 10 can explore the historic building via scavenger hunt, dress up in traditional black robes, and participate in craft activities. Pre-registration is required. Call (416) 325-0061 to register, or e-mail tourbookings@ontla.ola.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Manitoba
Festival of Fools
Winnipeg
Your kids can enjoy circus-style artists—jugglers, magicians, clowns, face painters—and interactive circus workshops at this popular event, which runs from March 28 to April 13.
Saskatchewan
Government House Museum
Regina
Open from 9 to 4, Tue-Sun, the museum offers a list of 120 things to do there, including a number of kids' activities.
Alberta
Farmers’ markets
Edmonton
Take the kids to one of the city’s lively markets to have breakfast and buy food for dinner. The Old Strathcona and City Market Downtown are both open Saturdays during the break.
British Columbia
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Vancouver
Celebrate the 11th anniversary of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15 at 11 a.m. The event will feature stilt walkers, dancers, pipe and drum bands, Celtic musicians and more.
Northwest Territories
Long John Jamboree Celebration
Yellowknife
Between March 27 and 29, come out to Great Slave Lake for the Long John Jamboree Celebration which includes face painting, carnival games and an arts and crafts contest.
Yukon
Burn Away the Winter Blues
Whitehorse
Say goodbye to winter and celebrate the spring equinox with the annual Burn Away the Winter Blues parade and bonfire on March 21, starting at 9 p.m.
No need to bored during the break! Check out more of our amazing March Break ideas.
Ikea
The retailer will be hosting kid-friendly activities each day of the break at select stores. Restricted to kids 12 and under. Check ikea.ca (click on events and community) for participating locations in your area.
Indigo
Indigo and Chapters are hosting a number of in-store activities during the break. Monday: Dr. Seuss Storytime (hoopla and silly stories); Tuesday: Wimpy Kid (jokes and read aloud); Wednesday: Build With Lego (Minifigures swap session and make-and-take activity, while supplies last); Thursday: Disney Cinderella (have a ball activities); Friday: Klutz (art and crafts activities and laughs). Visit indigo.ca for more information.
The dates are:
Nova Scotia: March 16-20
Ontario: March 16-20
P.E.I.: March 30-April 3
British Columbia: March 16-20
Manitoba: March 21-April 4
Alberta: March 23-27
Alberta (St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Red Deer): March 30-April 3
Alberta (Lethbridge, Rocky View): April 06-10
Newfoundland: April 03-12
Saskatchewan: April 6-10
Lowe’s Canada
Check out the Build and Grow Clinics at a location near you during the break. Recommended for kids in Grades 2 to 5, clinics are held every other Saturday at 10.a.m. Kids take home the toy/craft they make, a merit certificate, name tag, apron and safety goggles. Space is limited, so it’s best to register in advance in-store at the customer service booth. For more information, visit lowes.ca
Home Depot
Register your child (ages four to 12) for Home Depot’s two-hour toy-building workshop. Find dates and register online at homedepot.ca
Tim Hortons
Look for complimentary skating or swimming events across the country. To see if your community is included, visit timhortons.com and click on community programs.
Other best bets:
Don’t forget to check your local library branch for great free activities during the break. Most host movie screenings, puppet shows and story times.
Another great spot to find free activities? Your local mall. Check their websites for listings.
Here are some other top picks for spring break fun, from coast to coast:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Easter Games
Makkovik
From April 5 and 6, Makkovik will hold its annual Easter Games. From snowmobile races and three-legged soccer games to barefoot running races and piggyback rides, this Labrador North event is packed with fun for the entire family.
Nova Scotia
Public skate at the Emera Oval
Halifax
Hit the ice at the Emera Oval before it closes for the season.
Ontario
March Break at the Ontario Legislature
Toronto
During this 2-hour program (running from March 16 to March 20, 10 a.m. until noon), families with children aged 6 to 10 can explore the historic building via scavenger hunt, dress up in traditional black robes, and participate in craft activities. Pre-registration is required. Call (416) 325-0061 to register, or e-mail tourbookings@ontla.ola.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Manitoba
Festival of Fools
Winnipeg
Your kids can enjoy circus-style artists—jugglers, magicians, clowns, face painters—and interactive circus workshops at this popular event, which runs from March 28 to April 13.
Saskatchewan
Government House Museum
Regina
Open from 9 to 4, Tue-Sun, the museum offers a list of 120 things to do there, including a number of kids' activities.
Alberta
Farmers’ markets
Edmonton
Take the kids to one of the city’s lively markets to have breakfast and buy food for dinner. The Old Strathcona and City Market Downtown are both open Saturdays during the break.
British Columbia
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Vancouver
Celebrate the 11th anniversary of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15 at 11 a.m. The event will feature stilt walkers, dancers, pipe and drum bands, Celtic musicians and more.
Northwest Territories
Long John Jamboree Celebration
Yellowknife
Between March 27 and 29, come out to Great Slave Lake for the Long John Jamboree Celebration which includes face painting, carnival games and an arts and crafts contest.
Yukon
Burn Away the Winter Blues
Whitehorse
Say goodbye to winter and celebrate the spring equinox with the annual Burn Away the Winter Blues parade and bonfire on March 21, starting at 9 p.m.
No need to bored during the break! Check out more of our amazing March Break ideas.
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