FunSplash Sports Park is open at Binbrook Conservation Area. Exhilarating fun for everyone. Open Daily until Labour Day: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (weather permitting). 5050 Harrison Rd., Binbrook. FunSplash
Thomas the Train will be at St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Centre, 80 Wilson Ave. in St. Thomas from July 12 – 14. Tickets: ecrm5700.org
Farm Crawl on July 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Drive in the countryside, talk to farmers, and visit animals. Facebook
Camp Indigo - Tie Dye Magic on Sat. July 13 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Indigo Stoney Creek, 1783 Stone Church Rd. E. in Stoney Creek. Tickets, click here.
Ball's Falls Heritage Day on Sun. July 14 from 10 a.m. Explore the rich history at Ball's Falls Conservation Area, 3292 Sixth Ave. Lincoln. Tour original buildings from the 1800s, cooking, and blacksmithing demonstrations, traditional ice cream making, pioneer crafts. Facebook
Vacation Bible School at Binbrook Baptist Church will be July 22-26 from 9:30-11:30am. Ages: going into SK to Grade 5. Reptile Rob from Safari Science will be joining us on Friday to present some amazing animals! No cost. Register online: www.binbrookbaptist.org
Babysitting Course runs from Mon. July 22 – Fri. July 26 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at the Glanbrook Municipal Building. Students must be 11 years and up. $65. Call 905-692-3464 or email: Carole@GlanbrookCommunity
Services.ca
Canal Days Festival is Aug. 2 – 5 in Port Colborne. Gates open at 6 p.m. with David Wilcox, Honeymoon Suite, and Revive the Rose. https://www.facebook.com/canaldays/
Storytelling and craft. Join Author Barbara Fanson on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. as she reads her newest picture book Robin Sees a Monster and does eggs-periments and crafts with children. Activity sheets will be available to take home. West Lincoln Public Library, 177 West St. in Smithville. Free.
Dundas Cactus Festival is Friday, Aug. 16 from 6 – 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. –10:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Featuring Teenage Head. The parade is Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6:45 p.m. dundascactusfestival.ca/
Oakville Children's Festival is Sat. Aug. 17 in Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. Grounds open at 9 a.m. Rain or shine. Oakville.ca
Butter Tart Festival starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Spencer Smith Park, Burlington.
Farm Crawl on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Drive in the countryside, talk to farmers, and visit animals. Facebook
11th Annual Telling Tales is Sun. Sept. 15 at Westfield Heritage Village. Park at Rockton Fairgrounds and take the free shuttle bus. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See authors, illustrators, and performers such as Eric Walters, Kevin Sylvester, Jess Keating, Jay Odjick, Britt Wilson, Nicola Winstanley, and will also feature the launch of Sharon, Lois and Bram’s book Skinnamarink. TellingTales.org
Nature Tales is Sun. Sept. 22 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington. Targeted to ages 3 to 10. See authors and illustrators like Barbara Reid and Helaine Becker, and Andrew Larsen. Includes free access to RBG. TellingTales.org
Celebrating Graphic Novels at Hamilton Public Library, Central Branch on Sat. Sept. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. This interactive afternoon session is geared to youth aged 8-12. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about how a graphic novel is written and illustrated from two of Canada’s finest YA graphic novelists. This free event provides a great opportunity for tweens to learn the skills needed to start their own graphic story. Featuring Tory Woolcott and Britt Wilson. TellingTales.org
Family Show organized by City Parent on Oct. 27 at Royal Botanical Gardens.
Free Museum Access with a Hamilton Library card! Show your library card to gain free entry into these museums. Be sure that all family members (including children) have a library card when you visit. Visit Hamilton's Civic Museums for info.
- Dundurn National Historic Site
- Hamilton Military Museum
- Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum
- Griffin House Museum
- Whitehern Historic House and Garden
- Hamilton Children's Museum
- Battlefield House Museum and Park
- Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology
Kids Bowl Free with a paying adult this summer if they register with Splitsville. Ages 2 – 16. Splitsville
Archery Lessons, Classes and Leagues for ages 8 yrs to 99 yrs! Archery is a great family activity and is a great sport for building confidence quickly. The feeling of shooting a bow and accomplishing your goal helps you build self-esteem and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Archery iimproves focus, patience and even math skills. Come on out and try something new!
Hamilton Archery Centre, 905-979-4811
www.hamiltonarcherycentre.com
hamiltonarcherycentre@gmail.com
We email the Kidfo eNewseltter every 2 weeks with upcoming events. View a recent newsletter: July 12, 2019 and subscribe.
Summer Camps, click here.
Vacation Bible School, click here.
Books are great teacher gifts
Books are gifts that teachers can share with the class. Get a picture book like “Robin Sees a Monster” for primary teachers. Other teachers, bus drivers, and childcare personnel might prefer “Preserving Dundas,” a guide to Dundas’ older buildings or “Tragedy on the Twenty,” a historical fiction book that takes place in the Hamilton area. Available at Dundas Museum & Archives, 139 Park St. W. or Natural Abilities, 197 Griffin St. in Smithville.
Free Chinese Class by HWCDSB for grades JK – Grade 8 students, any level, any background. Tuesdays, 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Annunciation of Our Lord School, 250 Limeridge Rd. W near West 5th, Hamilton. Or Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon at St. Peter and Paul School, 49 Fennell Ave. near Upper James. Or summer school Mon. – Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon at Annunciation of Our Lord. Phone Susan 905-575-9306 or email: Christmas18h@yahoo.com
TD Summer Reading Club has started. Pick up your badges for children and teens at your local branch to join the hottest club in town. Borrow books, take part in programs, watch movies, and earn prizes! HPL
Places to Play or Socialize
Playville Hamilton encourages creative play with small rooms that look like stores. They fill up quickly, so watch their Facebook page. Facebook
Early Learning Centres in Hamilton has several locations. We welcome families with children ages birth to age 6 to drop in and play with the great toys and resources available from the OEYC.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to 6 years of age to participate in play and inquiry-based programs, and support parents and caregivers in their roles. These centres offer safe and welcoming environments open to all families across Hamilton, with qualified professionals and quality programs. 6 locations in East Hamilton. Boys and Girls Club
Library Storytime. Almost all branches of the Hamilton Public Library have storytime. Check their Calendar for daily activities. HPL.ca
Several bookstores have storytime or activities for toddlers and preschoolers. Epic Books, 226 Locke St. has Books Aloud on Friday mornings at 10:30 a.m. EpicBooks.ca
Zoom Zoom’s is an indoor playground that provides great family entertainment for great value. Our facility is clean, safe, comfortable and most of all fun! Our playground structure is designed so parents can play with their kids or sit in a comfortable chair. ZoomZooms.ca
Jungle Jam Indoor Playground. Kids and families are sure to have a WILD time at Hamilton’s best family tourist attraction. 680 Tradewind Dr. Ancaster. JungleJam.ca
Hamilton Children’s Museum invites young visitors to stretch their imagination as they touch, build and experiment in a friendly, child-focused setting. Home to interactive, hands-on galleries, the museum encourages learning through self-directed play. Hamilton.ca
Wesley, 1900 Main St W. They're open only on weekdays, but very welcoming! They have an EarlyON Child and Family Centre and camps. 52 Catharine St. N. Hamilton. Wesley.ca
Mathnasium of Hamilton Mountain - Math Learning Centre for grades 2 – 12. 365-366-MATH (6284), 1808 Rymal Road East, Unit 3
https://www.mathnasium.ca/Hamilton
Hamilton Public Library will be open for elementary school shared PA days, except Carlisle, Greensville, and Mount Hope. These are the shared PA days for this school year: Jan. 25, March 1, June 7, and June 29.
No Excuse Fitness & Boxing, Burlington
P.A. DAY CAMPs will include BOXING technique, games, recreation activities and great FUN! Ages 5-14. Contact Ryan Rannelli for dates. just_results@hotmail.com. PA day Cost $35/ day.
Ongoing Events
Prenatal classes starting soon. The City of Hamilton offers online and in person group prenatal classes for residents of Hamilton including Ancaster, Binbrook, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Stoney Creek and Waterdown. https://www.hamilton.ca
Character Visits for Birthdays & Events $100. They can create some affordable excitement and a whole lot of smiles at your next event. 289-929-4995 or PartyPerfectNiagara
Toastmasters Teens meet on Mondays at 6 p.m. at Terryberry Library, 100 Mohawk Rd. W. For ages 12 – 18. Develop communication, learn to organize speeches, give impromptu talks, control voice, gestures, and provide constructive feedback.
Sit, Stay, Read on Mondays at 6 pm at Turner Park Library. For ages 8 – 12 years. Registration required: 905-546-4790.
The Hamilton Toy Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 3 pm at 1231 Main St. E. in Hamilton. Adults $5, children $3. ToyMuseum
PA Days at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre. Want to provide your child with some unique learning experiences that connect the arts with the culture and history of working people? Camps are facilitated by professional artists and include a wholesome lunch and snacks. Jan 27 and Jun 9. www.wahc-museum.ca
Scoop McCoy Birthday Party Magician, 905-964-3496
www.ScoopMcCoyMagic.com
Wednesday Wigglers on Wednesdays at Hamilton Children's Museum. The Wednesday Wiggler program provides preschool aged children (2 to 4 years) an opportunity to explore the environment through a balance of adult facilitated and child directed activities. There's a different them every Wed. Children learn best through play, Wigglers offers a theme based drop in program with story time, songs, discovery and creation centres. 1072 Main St. E., Hamilton Hamilton
Ontario Early Year Centres (OEYC) provide a place for parents and their children to access free programs, activities and learning opportunities for all children 0-6 years and their parent/caregiver. Check out 5 locations in East Hamilton! http://www.kboysandgirlsclub.com
IndigoKids Story Time is back. Visit Indigos each Friday at 10:30am for a story time in the IndigoKids department!
Fencing Classes and Camps for all ages. No experience required. All equipment provided. www.FencingNiagara.com
Tips for Tots to Teens
and everything inbetween
- Store elastic pontytail ties on a carabiner or other closing loop so they don't get scattered everywhere.
- Store Lego bricks, small animals, or other small toys in hanging shoe organizers.
- Use a hot-glue gun to seal the holes of bath toys so mold doesn't form.
- Use an empty egg carton and squeeze paint into each little bowl.
- Place Press'n Seal wrap over your children's shirt before starting a messy craft—or sloppy dinner—so it doesn't get dirty.
- Put a chip clip on the end of a burrito, fajita, or wrap to keep the contents from falling out.
- Put a cell phone, purse, or your lunch on the floor of the backseat of your car so you see your child in their car seat. If they're sleeping, you could forget them in a hot car.
- Fill a kiddie pool with ice for outdoor potluck salads and meals. It may also help contain spills and drips.
- Wrap a facecloth around the bathtub tap with an elastic band to keep bumps to a minimum.
- Avoid wearing a winter coat in a car seat because you won't be buckled in as tightly.
- Use monster spray—or any spray air freshener—to ward off monsters. Apparently, monsters don’t like the smell of the monster.
- Read aloud to your children to help them thrive at school later. Read aloud with unique voice and expressive eyes. Make the books come alive as if you’re the author reading the book.
- Change a pair of socks into leg warmers for baby. If you have a hole in your sock, cut off the foot and they become leg warmers for a baby.
- Stand Mr. Freezies up in the freezer to freeze them so they're easier to open. The air will be at the top so it's easier to cut the top off to eat.
- Add a cooler wrap to your child's water bottle so it stays cold and it's easier to spot. When my daughter plays a sport, there are several water bottles on the bench, but she can identify hers easier because of the wrap.
Host a Mystery Birthday Party
for your child.