Arts & Culture
Photo by Jennifer Linford
1. Get arts & crafty at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Tours for Tots runs every Wednesday from 10-11 am and is suitable for kids ages 3-5. It’s free with gallery admission and includes art-making and storytelling that features a weekly theme related to the current exhibits!
2. Take a stroll down the St. Albert ArtWalk on August 3. Enjoy free admission to the outdoor art studio and gallery which features local artists! Refreshments are also provided by many of the different venues.
3. Celebrate Ukrainian history and culture at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Don’t miss Ukrainian Day August 13, which includes Ukrainian music and dance, activities, and a food festival!
4. Create your own masterpiece at Artventures! The Art Gallery of St. Albert hosts an art-making class August 19. The class teaches kids 6-12 art skills and techniques, and the theme varies with each class.
The Great Outdoors
Photo courtesy of DesignPics.com
5. Explore the trails at the John Janzen Nature Centre. The kids drop-in program runs 10:30 am – 2 pm (schedule on their Facebook page) and includes meeting the animals of the River Valley, exploring the trails, and guided tours.
6. Float down the Pembina River! Pembina River Tubing is an hour west of Edmonton. On location, you get everything you need for a 2 1/2 hour float down the scenic gorge: a tube, lifejacket, and a shuttle back to your vehicle. Make it a full weekend with a visit to the Pembina Provincial Park!
7. Prepare pemmican at Elk Island National Park! 35 minutes east of the city, Elk Island National Park offers weekend programs like making pemmican (a traditional Indigenous food with meat, fat, and berries) and guided hikes. Check out the Dark Sky campfires on Friday nights, which features stories of the night sky and s’mores!
8. Meet exotic new friends at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! See over 350 exotic, endangered, and native animals!
Hands-On Learning
Photo courtesy of TELUS World of Science
9. Walk with the dinosaurs at Jurassic Forest! JThis educational and entertainment facility teaches kids about the forest and the dinosaurs of the past. Kids 2 and under get in free!
10. Discover how your favourite Pixar characters come to life at the TELUS World of Science! The Science Behind Pixar exhibition includes interactive games and activities that demonstrate how Pixar creates the beloved animated characters and films.
11. Build your own project at Kids Workshop at Home Depot! Every second Saturday of each month, Home Depot stores host a FREE hands-on workshop project for kids and parents. Check your area’s Home Depot website to preregister!
12. Build and brunch at Craft Beer Market! Check out the Parent + Kid LEGO Brunch on August 20. Tickets include a buffet brunch and a cabin LEGO set to build, and there will also be guest appearances, games, prizes, and oodles of fun.
For Little Green Thumbs
Photo By Adrien Guyot
13. Explore the University of Alberta Botanic Garden! Take advantage of Half-Price Admission Day on August 1 and register for the Kids in the Garden Camps, which run all through July and August! Camps include environmental activities, hike trails, and different themes.
14. Make farm animal friends at Happy Acres U-Pick! Located in Spruce Grove, Happy Acres has a pick-it-yourself garden filled with berries and vegetables. The kids will enjoy the playground and trampoline, along with the roaming farm animals, including mini horses, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and more.
15. Stop and smell the flowers at the Muttart Conservatory! The conservatory, along with showcasing beautiful and exotic flora, offers summer day camps for ages 4-13 and courses in plant care for pre-schoolers!
Movies and Shows
Photo by Jennifer Linford
16. Catch a movie at the Garneau Theatre! Reel Family Cinema begins at 2 pm, and kids 12 and under are FREE!
July 29: The Gold Rush.
August 5: The Iron Giant.
August 12: Space Jam.
17. Get “KURIOS” at Cirque Du Soleil! See impressive stunts, dazzling sets, and elaborate costumes at Cirque Du Soleil: KURIOS, the newest performance coming to Edmonton July 20-August 13.
18. Watch movies under the stars! Head to Sir Winston Churchill Square for Movies on the Square August 8, 15, 22, and 29. Enjoy a FREE outdoor movie starting at dusk! Pre-movie entertainment starts at 7.
19. See the sea lions at West Edmonton Mall! Make your way to the Sea Lions’ Rock to get an up-close look at the slippery creatures and their amazing act.
For Adventure-Seekers
Photo by Jennifer Linford
20. Test your aim at Laser City! In celebration of Canada 150, laser tag games are only $5 a game! Open Thursday through Sunday, Laser City is fun and exciting for the whole family.
21. Ride the rollercoasters at Galaxyland! The indoor amusement park features rides, attractions, and play areas for all ages.
22. Learn to paddleboard with River Valley Adventure Co.! Become a pro at the hottest summer activity, stand-up paddleboarding, with a trip down the scenic river valley.
23. Jump to new heights at Launch Pad! The trampoline park features a foam pit, dodgeball courts, and Neon Nights every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm!
24. Take to the slides at the West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark! Enjoy over 21 waterslides and the world’s largest indoor wave pool—and learn to surf—all in one place.
Get Active
Photo by Jennifer Linford
25. Beat the heat at Woodlands Water Play Park in St. Albert! Admission is free and the park includes a water spray park and beach volleyball courts.
26. Get 50% off admission on Wednesdays at All-Stars Indoor Playland! Check out Toddler Time 9-10:30 am on weekday mornings for half-price admission.
27. Don’t miss your morning coffee at Cafe O Play! The coffeehouse features a bakery with delicious snacks and an indoor playground for those energetic kids.
28. Enjoy free admission at the city’s swimming pools all summer! All summer, admission is free for all ages at Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool & Kinsmen Spray Park, Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool, Mill Creek Outdoor Pool, and Oliver Outdoor Pool.
29. Scale the walls at Vertically Inclined Rock Gym! Suitable for climbers of all ages, the rock climbing gym features 4,000 handholds, 100 different routes, and lots of family fun.
Family Fests & Events
Photo by Pedro Escobar
30. Learn about healthy eating habits at Taste 4 Kids July 20-29! Created by Taste of Edmonton, this program features demonstrations about healthy eating and nutritious food, magic shows, and juggling workshops.
31. Hit the rides at K-Days! From July 21-30 enjoy the rides, live entertainment, delicious food, and more. Head over to Kids’ Town for children’s games and onstage entertainment.
32. Take a pony ride at the Farm and Heritage Carnival in Spruce Grove! On August 19, don’t miss the carnival games, petting zoo, face-painting, and farmer’s market.
33. Catch the CP Canada 150 Train! The heritage train that illustrates Canada’s past makes its stop in Edmonton on July 31 and includes live performances by Dallas Arcand and Dean Brody. Children are also encouraged to write their hopes for Canada on a commemorative card, which will be fixed to the “Spirit of Tomorrow” railcar!
34. Stroll through the St. Albert Farmer’s Market! Every Saturday during the summer months, the farmer’s market features over 250 vendors, live music, food trucks, and family activities.
Family-Friendly Museums & Historical Sites
Photo by Pedro Escobar
35. Celebrate Canada’s multiculturalism and history at the Edmonton Heritage Festival! Held at Hawrelak Park August 5-7, the festival features over 85 cultures. Discover amazing cultural food, performances, artwork, and more!
36. Go on an adventure at Fort Edmonton Park! Take a ride on the historic steam train, enjoy live music, and learn about the evolving history of the city.
37. Hop on the High Level Bridge Streetcar! Enjoy a scenic view of the North Saskatchewan River from the window of a refurbished 1912 street car. Children 5 and under are free and families (maximum of 2 over 18 years) are $20.
38. Let the learning take flight at the Alberta Aviation Museum! Explore Edmonton’s aviation history with audio-visual exhibits, computer learning centre, flight simulators, and more.
39. Discover “The Spirit of the Machine” at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum! Take a journey through Canada’s largest collection of vintage cars, tractors, airplanes, and industrial machines.
40. Learn about the success of Alberta’s early oil patch at Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre! Experience a hands-on learning lab, a virtual ride in the world’s largest drill bit, exhibits and more.
