It’s March break and time to chill with the kids. If you’re looking for some extra-fun ways to enjoy the week with them, here are a few suggestions, from special activities to tried and true favourites.
There’s lots to choose from daily at Heritage Place Shopping Centre, the Owen Sound Library, Grey Roots Museum, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, and the YMCA. You can also head to The Bowling Alley or check out the spring melt at Inglis Falls or Jones Falls. Looking for a great place to simply let loose, feed the birds, play basketball and enjoy this early spring weather? Head to Harrison Park.
Special family-friendly events this coming weekend include the Polar Bear Dip and Freez’n at the Roxy Theatre. Enjoy the break and read on for details!
March Break Meltdown @ Heritage Place
"Elephant Thoughts" will be at Heritage Place Shopping Centre all week from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. offering FREE hands-on activities that appeal to kids' curiosity about nature and science. No need to head to Toronto or Sudbury for a fun science adventure! Call 519-371-5340 for more info.
Monday: Science Show
Tuesday: Electricity Demo
Wednesday: Plasma Cars & EZ roller races
Thursday: Marble Run activity station
Friday: Activity Stations
Saturday & Sunday: Dino Madness
Owen Sound Library
The library is offering free programs for kids in Grades 1-5 this week. Call 519-376-6623 to register ahead. All programs 2-3 pm except Tuesday's which is 2-4 pm.
Monday: Minion Mayhem. Minion-inspired games and crafts
Tuesday: Art Adventures
Wednesday: Newspaper Forts. Can you create a fort out of recycled newspaper? Accept our engineering challenge!
Thursday: Guatemalan Worry Dolls. Don't worry, be happy. Create your very own worry doll.
Friday: Colossal Colouring. Finished work will be displayed in the library throughout April.
Grey Roots Museum & Archives (link is external)
The museum offers daily activities and crafts from noon to 1 pm and a full-length, family friendly movie at 2 pm., plus scavenger hunts. Regular admission rates apply.
Monday: Deepest Darkest Africa. Make a lion mask and sample some chapatti (East African bread)
Tuesday: Canada's Frozen North. Watercolour painting and listen to traditional throat singing
Wednesday: Hola, it's Mexco. Make a mini piñata.
Thursday: The Luck of the Irish. Paint a leprechaun and enjoy an Irish photo booth.
Friday: Ancient Egypt. Decorate a death mask and build a pyramid
Saturday: The Fearless Vikings: Make a Viking broach and watch a weaving demo.
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Visit the TOM for these free March Break programs:
Tuesday: Secret Decoders. Throughout history there have been secret societies, secret agents, and secret codes. We'll create our own secret decoder with pins, clips and papers.
Wednesday: Tidy Tie Die. It's tie-dye with a twist! "Tie-dye" a pair of our socks to keep (or bring your own plain shirt, bag or banner) using everyone's favourite marker – the Sharpie.
Thursday: Shillelagh Shenanigans. Celebrate St. Paddy's Day and spring with hand-made Irish walking sticks.
Friday: Spinning Spirals. Love shapes and patterns? Using recycled plastic lids and hole punches, we'll make a retro spirograph.
Skating
If you're still in the mood for skating, the City of Owen Sound is offering March Break skates at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre from 1-2:20 pm Monday to Friday. Cost is $3 per person or $6 per family. The Good Cheer ice rink in Harrison Park is closed for the season and has been converted to a basketball court for the summer!
Bowling (link is external)
The Bowling Alley offers 5 and 10 pin bowling in a family-friendly atmosphere. Special March Break hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11 am - 9 pm
Friday: 11 am – 11 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 11 pm
Sunday: Noon to 9 pm.
YMCA (link is external)
The Family YMCA in Owen Sound has special March Break activities for kids, including:
Recreational Swim: 2:30-4 pm and 7-8 pm, Monday-Friday
Family fun Swim (leisure pool only): 10:30 am to noon, Monday – Friday
Family Fun in the Gym: 10-11 am, Monday – Friday
Additional activities: Net Sports, Monday 4:15 – 5:15 pm (ages 8-12); Tuesday Youth Zumba 5:30 – 6:15 (ages 8-12); Wednesday Pickelball 2-3:30 pm (13-plus); Thursday Surf & Turf (ages 3-5) 3:30-4 pm and Mix Fit (ages 7-12) 4:15-5 pm.
Regular admission rates apply. Free for Y members.
Special Events
The Polar Bear Dip takes place Saturday, March 19th at 1 pm at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Cheer on your favourite team during this annual fundraiser.
On Sunday, head to the Roxy Theatre for Freez'n, a theatrical tribute to the movie Frozen. Two shows, 10:30 am and 2 pm. Sing-A-Long with Anna, Elsa, Sven and Olaf. Dance with a Snowman and learn to cast icy spells. Tickets $27 or $37 for VIP seating, which offers preferred seating near the stage and an autographed poster and a meet and greet with the show cast after the performance.