Family Day Activities in Alberta
Each year, on the third Monday in February we celebrate what family means to us Canadians. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the significance of spending quality time with our families, and feeling gratitude for the deep bonds, love and connections we share with one another.
For some Canadians, such as Albertans, Family Day is a day off from work or school. This year, Family Day falls on February 19th. Many Albertans will take advantage of the three-day weekend to spend precious time with loved ones. Whether you choose a road trip, ice skating at any number of outdoor ice rinks, like Calgary’s Olympic Plaza and Edmonton’s Hawrelak Lake, or you invite your extended family for dinner, it is about remembering how truly lucky we are to have family.
There are many ways to have fun without spending a lot of money, such as playing boardgames, reading together, snuggling up with a movie and popcorn, baking or cooking, getting crafty, going for a walk in the woods, or hosting a family dinner.
But if you are looking for other ideas on the best things to do in Calgary or Edmonton with kids, Excel Homes has you covered. We went on the Travel Alberta website for some inspiration. Travel Alberta is a great source for what to do all month long in February. The organization post a monthly calendar of events happening around Alberta. Here are a couple of events happening in both Calgary and Edmonton.
Who doesn’t LOVE hot chocolate? The hugely popular YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is where the family can partake in a number of yummy hot cocoas. The Bonus? You are also supporting a wonderful cause, Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Another Family Day favourite activity in Calgary is the Kingsland Community Association’s FREE Family Day Winter Festival. Activities will include ice skating on both rinks, tobogganing, minute-to-win-it games and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. Don’t forget to dress or the weather and bring your own skates and sleds.
Edmonton skaters here’s one for you. The Silver Skate Festival is a family-friendly festival that happens along Edmonton's scenic river valley. Rooted in Dutch winter traditions, the festival offers a plethora of activities to take part in. This year, the festival is happening at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park, which will morph into a winter wonderland with magnificent snow sculptures, winter sports, and horse-drawn sleighs carrying families through the park. Sit in a Cree Winter Camp and cook Bannock over an open fire or take part in live music and theatrical performances.
Celebrate Family Day at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! Imagine how fun it will be to cozy up next to a campfire while learning all about the animals who live here and how they communicate, take home some arts and crafts, play some games, and much more.
Although Family Day is about cherishing and celebrating with our immediate families, there are your friends, your colleagues, and your neighbours, who might not have any family close by, that you can include. Because ultimately, family is about love, respect, and mutual support. From everyone at Excel Homes, have a wonderful Family Day.