This Family Day weekend, last minute planners are in luck with five great ways to get the most out of the holiday. These activities don’t require a long drive, are easily doable in a day, and only a few require advance reservations or booking. From the educational to the energetic, and from the purposeful to the purely fun, head to Hamilton Halton Brant for February family time.
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Take Flight
Try a Free Fall
What: Defy the law of gravity in the first recirculating indoor free fall simulator in Canada. Families can enjoy the thrill of indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel in a safe and supervised environment. There is no experience necessary and kids need to be 4 years of age and older.
Where: iFly Toronto, Oakville
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 9 pm
Become a Flying Ace
What: This winter the Ace Academy Flight Experience – an exciting interactive exhibit from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum – lets kids experience piloting a First World War biplane using motion-sensing technology in an immersive environment. Authentic aircraft imagery takes centre stage as players fly a realistic rendering of the Sopwith Camel biplane. Moving their arms up and down and tilting their bodies, participant’s manoeuver an airplane onscreen while dodging enemy aircraft and fire. Regular admission rates apply.
Where: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton
When: Through March 17, 2019, 9 am – 5 pm daily
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Get Active
Go Downhill
What: It’s highly likely the snow will be flying come February, and you don’t need to head too far north to hit the slopes for downhill skiing or snowboarding.
Where: Glen Eden in Milton, with its 17 runs and three terrain parks right on the Niagara Escarpment.
When: Regardless of the forecast, the hill’s new snowmaking equipment should cover the slopes with snow, even in mild temperatures. In season, it is open daily 7 days a week from 8:30 am – 9:30 pm.
Abandon the Arena
What: Time is running out to enjoy that most Canuck of past times, outdoor skating. There are plenty of venues in Hamilton Halton Brant where you can combine fresh air and a family favourite activity.
Where: Pier 8 Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink, Burlington’s Discovery Landing, Harmony Square in downtown Brantford, and Terra Cotta Conservation Area.
When: Most rinks are open daily, but be sure to check holiday weekend hours before setting out.
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Step Back in Time
Explore Hamilton History
What: Experience Family Day at Dundurn. On a guided tour of over 40 rooms in Dundurn Castle, discover what it was like to live and play above stairs and work and live below stairs. Enjoy hands-on activities, sample a variety of historic goodies made in the kitchen, and visit the neighbouring Hamilton Military Museum for some dress-up fun. Admission is $12 for adults, $6.50 for children and $32 for families.
Where: Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton
When: February 18, 2019, 12 pm – 4 pm
Visit a 200 Year Old Home
What: Visit the 200 year-old Gage home on Family Day and experience the work and play of an early Upper Canadian family. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children and $20 for families.
Where: Battlefield House and Museum, Hamilton
When: February 18, 2019, 12pm – 4 pm
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Learn About...
…Our Eight Legged Friends
What: With its Spiders Alive! Exhibit, Royal Botanical Gardens has invited spiders and their arthropod friends to crawl on over for a visit this winter. You’ll learn about amazing adaptations and behaviours of spiders and other many-legged creatures in two interactive exhibits and daily programs for all ages. Explore spider anatomy and evolutionary history, learn about their signature traits — venom and silk making, and be surprised by little-known defense mechanisms such as mimicry and noise making. You’ll even see 17 live arachnid species and a rare 100-million-year-old fossil of a spider in limestone.
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington
When: Through April 14, 2019, 10 am – 5 pm
…Trains, Trains and More Trains
What: Visit educational activity stations where kids can build and experiment on Family Day at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site. Children can make a sundial to take home or gather alongside the model railroad train track where the model steam trains will be running. Activities are suitable for children 5 years and up and adult supervision is required. Free with regular museum admission.
Where: Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site
When: February 18, 2019, 12pm – 4 pm
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See a Show
Take in a Beloved Classic
What: DuffleBag Theatre presents three performances of Peter Pan. As Peter Pan battles his arch-nemesis Captain Hook in this fun version of J.M. Barrie’s children’s classic, even grown ups will feel like kids again. DuffleBag creates theatrical magic by inviting audience members as the stars of the show, and the result is an exciting and interactive experience for all.
Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville
When: February 18, 2019, 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm
Groove with Pete
What: Pete the Cat is a musical where kids can rock out with their favourite feline. This groovy show is purr-fect for ages 3-8 and is based on the wildly popular Pete The Cat series of books.
Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
When: February 16, 2019, 2 pm
Laugh Out Loud
What: Tour the McQuesten home as it was in 1939 and then head to the renovated Stable to enjoy short comedy classic films such as The Little Rascals, The Three Stooges, and Laurel and Hardy. Share the fun of classic family entertainment of the 1930s. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for children and $22 for families.
Where: Whitehern Historic House & Garden, Hamilton
When: February 18, 2019, 12pm – 4 pm
If you’re looking to escape the winter chill during family time in Hamilton Halton Brant, we have plenty of indoor activities that will have you scraping the ice from your windshield and setting off on a fun winter adventure! For a full list of what’s on this Family Day weekend, be sure to check out our event calendar.