Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls starts Nov. 16.
Downtown Dundas BIA Tree Lighting on Fri. Nov. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Dundas Memorial Squire. Dundas
Waterdown BIA Annual Community Tree Lighting is Sat. Dec. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Waterdown Memorial Park, 266 Main St. N. Waterdown
STEAM Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon for children 7 to 12 years. Dec. 14 is The Shape of Sound. Jan. 18 is Magic with Static. $25 per person and pre-registration rquired. Museum
Stuffed! on Fri. Nov. 22 from 7 – 10 p.m. and Sat. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Westinghouse HQ, 286 Sanford Ave. N. in Hamilton. Admission: $5 per person (children under 12 are FREE) Purchase tickets with cash at door or ONLINE: Universe.com Facebook
Christmas in Ancaster Craft Show on Sat. Nov. 23 and Sun. Nov. 24 at The Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Rd. S. Professional juried artisans. Facebook
Christmas in the City Market on Sat. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at McMaster Innovation Park 175 Longwood Rd. S. in Hamilton. Tickets $4 online or at the door. First 100 people receive a free gift bag. Christmas
Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Wed. Nov. 27 from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. at the West Lincoln Community Centre in Smithville. Free hotdogs and hot chocolate, and entertainment. Facebook
Holiday Train will be in Hamilton's Gage Park on Thurs. Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. Facebook
Natural Abilities Christmas Open House on Sat. Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Unique gifts and books for everyone under $15. 197 Griffin St. Smithville. Facebook
Flamborough Santa Claus Parade on Sat. Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waterdown Memorial Park, 266 Main St. N. Waterdown
Binbrook Chistmas Village & Tree Lighting on Sun. Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Binbrook Fairgrounds. Christmas Village opens at 4 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Facebook
Waterfront Festival of Lights runs from Sun. Dec. 1 to Sat. Feb. 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Pier 8, 47 Discovery Drive in Hamilton.
Holiday Party for children under 4 years on Fri. Dec. 6 at Playville. You must register: Playville
Made in Dundas Christmas is returning on December 7 from 11am to 3pm! FREE pictures with Santa Claus, scavenger hunts, craft-making, and much more will be featured at this year’s event! Facebook
SPS Stop and Shop Fundraiser is Sat. Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Smithville Public School. Facebook
Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade on Sat. Dec. 7 from 2 – 4 p.m. on King St. in Stoney Creek. The parade route begins at Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School on Grays Rd. and travels west on King St. E. to Battlefield Dr. Parade
Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at RHLI Veterans Club, 1353 Barton St. E. in Hamilton. You must buy tickets before the event. 905-545-4611.
Zacada Circus presents "You Better Watch Out" on Dec. 12 to 15. Adults $28, kids under 12 are $23. Tickets: ZacadaCircus.com
P.A. Day Camps for 2019-20 for kids JK to grade 6. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an early drop-off or late pick-up available. Games, crafts, singing, and more. $25 per day or $100 for all 6 P.A. day camps. Includes 2 nutritious snacks and a hot lunch. www.boomerangdaycamp.ca
P.A. Day Camps on Sept. 20, Nov. 8, and Nov. 29 for ages 5 to 15. This is a structured program designed to build strong skills in riding, horsemanship and stable management. MJM Riding School
MonsterJam in Hamilton on April 18 & 19.
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.
Mom 2 Mom Sale on Dec. 14 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at 1353 Barton St. E. in Hamilton. Facebook
Books are great gifts anytime
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.
Santa Claus Parades
Hamilton Santa Claus Parade is Sat. Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Facebook
Smithville Santa Claus Parade on Sat. Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. downtown.
Binbrook Santa Claus Parade is Sun. Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. Facebook
Grimsby Santa Claus Parade on Sat. Dec. 7 starting at 5:15 p.m. Grimsby
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.
Register Now:
Gems Fun night and registration is Sept. 30 for grades 1 to 8. Gems
The 58th Hamilton Scout Group has spots available for the 2019/2020 Scouting year for girls and boys ages 5 to 26. The program starts in September. (905) 923-4416 or www.58hamiltonscoutgroup.com
Glanbrook Skating Club has online registrations starting Sept. 1. www.glanbrookskating.com/registration
Zacada Circus School registration for circus or ninja warrior now open. Zacada
Blossom Music starts a new session on Sept. 23 at Playville. Mixed ages 0 – 4 at 10:30 a.m. and Babies at 11:30 a.m. Kindermusik
Coding Made Easy. Coding Classes starting Sat. Sep 21 at Mohawk College. Ages 7 & up. codifyzone@gmail.com
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.