alberta

Fun Family Activities To Try on a 2-Day Vacation to Banff National Park

April 17, 2018 by Kathryn 17 Comments

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the picturesque town of Banff. Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, it’s like a secret passageway into the wild world beyond. As a child, I stopped there with my parents on the way to visit family in B.C. As a teenager, I set out to explore the town with a car full of friends. And now, as an adult, I have the chance to introduce my boys to the spot that holds so many memories for me.

And if there’s a great spot for a family vacation, it’s Banff National Park! That’s why my husband and I recently decided to spend a few days exploring the town and surrounding area. And if you’re planning a trip of your own, these activities are perfect for families:

1) Climb to the Top of Tunnel Mountain

A trip to Banff National Park wouldn’t be complete without climbing to the top of a mountain! This climb is on the outskirts of Banff and while there are some tough stretches, it’s easily done with children. Just make sure to bring plenty of water and a few snacks! At the top, climbers are rewarded with a picturesque view of the town of Banff and the nearby mountains. [Read more…]

Sharing the Best of Edmonton on the Trivago Weekend Travelogue

December 14, 2017 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Living on the Prairies may seem a little limiting when it comes to looking for an exciting weekend road trip excursion, but there are actually quite a few action-packed cities to explore. And since moving to Saskatoon, one of our family’s favourite destinations is a weekend in Edmonton.

The city is bustling with exciting things to do and see, so finding the best of the best can be a challenge. That’s why I partnered with Trivago to showcase my perfect weekend itinerary for families that will let you see the most appealing attractions that Edmonton has to offer. Find the best places to stay, the most mouth-watering spots to eat and so much more! [Read more…]

The Star Trek Experience at Calgary’s TELUS Spark is Must-Visit Fun for Families and Series Fans

May 4, 2017 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the best things about living in Canada is having so many amazing attractions and destinations that are just a short drive away. I’ve had the chance to explore quite a bit of Saskatchewan and its surrounding provinces in my lifetime, yet I’m always amazed to learn about new family-friendly spots just next door. That’s why I was so excited to be able to take the boys on a road trip to Calgary, Alberta this past weekend to check out the TELUS Spark Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience!

This special exhibit is at the TELUS Spark building until June 4, 2017, and as a huge science fiction fan, I couldn’t wait to check it out. My boys, on the other hand, weren’t familiar with the Star Trek franchise, so I have to admit that I was almost as curious to see their reaction as I was to visit myself! Our tickets included admission to Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience and admission to the TELUS Spark building itself, so I knew we’d all be in for one fun and educational day! [Read more…]

Join the Nature Valley #RediscoverNature Day on September 20 and You Could Win a Trip to Banff National Park-Giveaway

September 10, 2015 by Kathryn 139 Comments

Growing up in the lush Qu’Appelle Valley on the Saskatchewan prairies has meant that nature has always been very important to me. The unique flora and fauna of the area is fascinating to me, whether I’m throwing seeds from ash trees into the air and watching them spin like helicopters to the ground or picking tiny, tart buffalo berries for a snack while hiking.

I’ve tried to share as much of my love of nature with my boys as possible, but there’s no question that doing so is harder with today’s generation. Zackary and Benjamin are more interested in watching cartoons and video games than squirrels and birds. And between school, work and extra-curricular activities, none of us have as much free time to spend outdoors as I’d like either.

That’s why I’m so excited about the upcoming Rediscover Nature Day created by Nature Valley and the non-profit organization Take Me Outside, on September 20, 2015. Nature Valley is a company that understands the importance of exploring nature, and created an informative and emotional 3 Generations video showing just how much we’re losing touch with nature as the generations pass. Rediscover Nature Day is a chance to get outside with the family and see how many fabulous activities and learning opportunities the great outdoors has to offer! [Read more…]

Check Out These 4 Must-Visit Family Attractions in Calgary, Alberta

November 20, 2014 by Kathryn 35 Comments

Calgary, Alberta is a fun-filled city with plenty of entertainment. And it’s also one of the top family destinations in Canada. There are all kinds of family-friendly activities available in the city but if you’re looking for some sure-to-please activities, these four Calgary attractions are ones that you have to experience.

Calgary Zoo

School-aged children will love seeing so many animals up close and the Calgary Zoo is home to many different species of animals ranging from elephants to penguins to bison. One of the best things about the zoo is that in addition to the animal exhibits, visitors can explore botanical gardens and a prehistoric park that is currently being upgraded with animatronic dinosaurs. There’s even a large playground for kids to burn off their energy while parents relax and recharge! [Read more…]

Don’t Miss These 3 Quick Family-Friendly Activities at the West Edmonton Mall

September 23, 2014 by Kathryn 51 Comments

One of the best Canadian cities for family fun is Edmonton, Alberta, and that’s partly because of all the great attractions at the West Edmonton Mall. From the Galaxyland Amusement Park to the World Waterpark to the Ice Palace indoor skating rink, there’s so much to do for parents and kids alike! And of course, the West Edmonton Mall is always innovating so there’s always something new to see.

Visiting the large main attractions does tend to take up most of the day though, so when you just want to spend an hour or so doing something together as a family, the West Edmonton Mall has plenty of activities to choose from. These were our top three picks for quick and entertaining family fun:

Sea Lion’s Rock Performances

While many mall-goers watch this show for free by looking down from the second floor of the mall, it is well worth the price of admission to get up close to these amazing and talented sea lions. My boys are big animal fans, so they loved watching the sea lions jumping, sliding and playing throughout the show. And I appreciated that the commentary included plenty of educational content to help my boys learn more about the animals as they watched! The mall features daily shows at 2pm and 4pm. [Read more…]

Encouraging Safety and Positivity Through the Chevrolet Canada Safe and Fun Hockey Program

January 7, 2014 by Kathryn 77 Comments

I was always a bit of a tomboy as a child, so playing different sports was a big part of my childhood. Swimming lessons, gymnastics, baseball…if I was moving around, I was a happy girl. Now that my boys are getting older, I know that sports are going to become an even bigger part of their lives simply because there are so many different organized sports for kids available today.

While some of the kids that are in Zackary’s class have been in skates since they were old enough to walk and swinging hockey sticks as soon as they could hold them, Zackary doesn’t play hockey. He has taken a few skating lessons but still isn’t especially strong on the ice. And I wasn’t overly concerned about having him play hockey on a team if he’d rather do something else instead. Not only is hockey a huge commitment of time and money, but often there also seems to be far too much pressure on the children playing to win.

[Read more…]

Attractions, Entertainment and Retail Therapy Await at the West Edmonton Mall

August 27, 2013 by Kathryn 7 Comments

Edmonton is a vibrant city with a rich history and plenty of amazing attractions, but one of the largest and best known has to be the famed West Edmonton Mall. So much more than a place to shop, the mall features a variety of family-friendly attractions that make it a top destination spot for tourists from all over the world.

west edmonton mall

The last time I was in the West Edmonton Mall, I was just a child and so I couldn’t resist returning and experiencing it once more after so many years. And the mall has changed a lot and added even more fabulous attractions since my last visit. Of course, family-friendly fun is always on the agenda!

Get Active with Hit Attractions

Part of what makes the West Edmonton Mall such a great family destination is the large number of activities and attractions available. The World Waterpark features seventeen waterslides, a toddler water playground and the world’s largest indoor wave pool. Older children and teens will love sliding down the thrill slides including the Cyclone and the Tornado, while younger children will happily jump in the waves for hours.

world waterpark west edmonton mall

For those that prefer to stay out of the water, the Galaxyland Amusement Park contains twenty-four fun-filled rides and play areas for hours of amusement park fun in a colourful indoor setting. Take a spin on one of the four unique roller coasters!

west edmonton mall galaxyland [Read more…]