Occupying the kids during the summer is cheap. You grab some snacks and head to your favorite spray deck or park to spend the afternoon. During the winter months, that becomes a bit more expensive as you head inside to places that are usually riddled with admission charges, snacks and drinks when you get there and additional fees inside. To get you through the winter, I’ve created a list of ideas for entertaining those little kids on the days when it’s too cold to go outside.
Michaels Weekend Kids Club
Cost: free to $2
The weekend art classes at Michaels are a fun way to get in some art during the winter months, without having to clean up the mess at-home. The classes are drop in, and kids can come and create an art project for a half hour, between 10-12 on Saturday mornings. The classes range from things like photo frames and craft foam to seasonal projects perfect for the holidays. You can’t leave the store, but you can browse while the kids are crafting, or help. Costs range for the classes, from free, to a minimal charge of $2/class. (almost free)
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Cost: free
On one Saturday a month, there are kids workshops at the Home Depot. You can register ahead of time and visit the store to build that month’s theme projects. Older kids can do it alone, but we’ve been bringing Olivia since she turned three and now she’s beginning to tackle the projects on her own. You can sign up online, or in-store if it’s close to the date of the workshop.
Williams Sonoma Junior Chef Classes
Cost: free
Are you looking for something for your older child? For kids aged 9+, there are fun cooking lessons at Williams Sonoma through their Junior Chef program. It looks like a fun activity, and some of the food is things that I want to learn about too, like fresh pasta, and the perfect waffles. Contact your local store to sign up. Hint: They’ve also got some cool adult classes.
Kids Play at Kingsway Mall
Cost: free
Every month there’s a fun activity at Kingsway Mall where kids and parents can come together on a weekday morning to take part in a fun playdate – and every month has a different theme.
Lego Mini Build Night
Cost: free (first 250 people)
On the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, if you’re one of the first 250 people at the Lego store in Southgate, you can get the chance to get that month’s Lego kit, a small kit that’s free for kids to build there, or take-home. Sign up ahead of time (the 15th on the month before) is required, but you can get free Lego for kids.
Drop In Classes at Ivivva Stores
Cost: free
Check out your local Ivivva store on Sunday mornings. Before the store opens, there’s a fun drop in dance class that teaches, dance, yoga and other movement to children aged 5+ that are interested in taking part. The hour long class is free, and parents can either stay in-store with the kid, or wander around the outside, grabbing a cup of coffee and chatting while they’re waiting for the class to finish. Contact your local store for details, as there are some Sundays where the kids are required to pre-register.
Chapters Indigo Storytime
Cost: free
Check with your local store to see if they participate in story time. At the storytime, the kids are going to experience a new story, and there’s usually a small craft when the story is finished (Saturday afternoons in Sherwood Park). As a bonus for coming, kids will receive a stamp card and after five stamps, they get a $5 gift certificate to spend in-store.
Drop In Mall Playtime
Cost: free
Drop in mall playtime is one of those great playtime activities to do in Edmonton. Held at various malls throughout the city (and in Sherwood Park and St. Albert), monthly, there’s a new theme with each playdate. You can find more information on these playdates on Raising Edmonton’s calendar for kids events in Edmonton.
Storytime at the Library
Cost: free
Storytime at the Library is one of our favorite parts of the week. Since Violet isn’t in preschool, we use this unparented free, registered program at Strathcona County Library to get some unparented experience during classes. They read a story, sing a song, and play a game during the half hour session. You can find programs like this at Strathcona County Library or Edmonton Public Library.
Drop in Playgroups
Cost: free
There are five to ten different playgrounds around the city that you can drop in to and play for free, every week. Taking advantage of these groups you can meet other Moms in the area, get to know your neighbours in the community and have free fun and entertainment.