TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary is world class! The first purpose-built science centre in Canada in 25 years, the new location opened in 2011 and is a massive upgrade from the building I grew up visiting.
The snow is here and maybe here to stay. There’s always fun to be had outside – snowman making, tobogganing, and fort making. Sometimes having someplace to go and play inside can prevent full-on hibernation mode and expend some energy in a warm and cozy environment.
Here’s our list of places to take your kids for some indoor fun in and around Red Deer.
Red Deer Museum offers great programming for kids and the chance to have fantastic art & cultural experiences.
Red Deer Public Library. Have you looked at their calendar? With 3 branches there is something going on all the time. And if not, there’s always the books to take your kid away on a ride through their imagination!
Check out the Red Deer Recreation and Culture activity guide! The Collicutt Centre offers registered programs, drop-ins, a climbing wall and of course – the water park!
Jump 360 Red Deer offers lots of trampoline fun!
Treehouse Indoor Playground Red Deer has events, daily specials and lots of indoor fun – 11,000 square feet of it to be precise.
If you’ve got an artist on your hands, Color Me Mine has creative outlet options for your kids. They could even make some Christmas gifts for grandma and grandpa. Two birds, one stone there!
Lazerforce offers indoor laser tag for all ages.
Outside the City
You can find all kinds of fun inside Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Museum including interactive mulit-sport games.
In Blackfalds, the Red Deer Kinsmen Indoor Playspace, located in the Abbey Centre, has 6 levels and over 2600 square feet of fun for your child 12 years and under.
The Sylvan Lake NexSource Centre features a children’s playspace & programming for the whole family.
Also in Sylvan Lake, much like the RDPL, Sylvan Library has programming for kids and of course – books!
In Penhold, the Multiplex Area offers drop in programming and special events.
There’s also the Penhold Library!
Central Parkland Parentlink runs programs and playgroups in the smaller towns and rural areas too!
Did we miss anything? Where do you take your little one to play in and around Red Deer?
By Gabriela
I have been a mom of two, under two, for 6 months. My children are 18 months apart, and I enjoy having them close in age. Their needs, however, are quite different. While my youngest was happy to eat and sleep anywhere – and most of the time- for the first couple of months of his life, my toddler was going through a very different stage. She needs to run, jump and play – a lot – to burn off that toddler energy.
As a stay at home mom, daily outings are something I am usually doing by myself. In the beginning, it seemed like quite the undertaking to leave the house with both of the kids by myself. Successfully getting them ready and out of the door was one small part. Where would we go? Would they behave? Is it baby/toddler-friendly? Will my toddler not run in the opposite direction while I feed her sibling? If you’re a parent of two under two (or close), I can guarantee you’v e asked yourself all these questions before leaving the house, and sometimes, the idea of staying at home starts to seem like a good one, ha! In reality, though, cabin fever drives everybody crazy, which meant I had to find easy places to go to with two young kids, while flying solo.
By Chantal Aird (Updated June 30, 2023)
One of the most amazing things you can experience with your family is discovering your own neighbourhood and building a sense of community.
My family and I moved to Leduc last year and one of my goals was to really explore this new city and build connections. I wanted the transition to a new home to be a positive encounter for my children and an opportunity for them to engage in their surroundings and think about what makes our new city a good place to live.
Over the last year, we have discovered many hidden gems in our city, and do truly believe Leduc is a great place to live. We are also a great road trip destination for families!
We are 15 minutes away from Edmonton and you can encounter a community where the pace is slower, the adventures are enriching and the people are welcoming!
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Leduc with the kids.