Go Beyond the Amusement Park! 3 Must-Visit Orlando Areas for Families

June 22, 2016 by Kathryn 29 Comments

If there’s one city that’s really perfected the art of family fun, it’s Orlando, Florida. From its many amusement parks to its top-notch attractions and entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re visiting this sunny Florida metropolis.

But because its amusement parks are such a big part of its appeal, some of Orlando’s other areas tend to get overlooked. And that’s a shame, because there are so many places in the city worthy of a visit! Wondering what areas you should check out? These three locations are my top picks for must-visit Orlando hotspots!

ICON Orlando 360

This brand new complex on International Drive is home to a ton of fun-filled attractions, including the hugely popular ICON Orlando, a 400 ft. observation wheel that opened just last year. In addition to ICON Orlando, the indoor complex also holds Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. A ticket for any one of the attractions is $25, while tickets for all three are $49, making this a great bargain choice.

I have to admit that I was impressed by just how much fun the wax museum was. In large part, Madam Tussauds is a place for photos, and I loved the fact that it included props and costumes so that visitors could pose in style as they snapped their pictures. But many of the displays also included fun facts about the famous figures and entertaining mini games to keep even the youngest visitors entertained.

Whether I was shooting hoops with Shaquille O’Neal, busting a move with Michael Jackson or taking an intelligence quiz beside Einstein, I was constantly entertained during my experience. And of course, getting a few pictures with my favourite wax celebrities was tons of fun too! [Read more…]

Kids Can Watch, Learn and Play this Spring Break with These 3 New Must-See Netflix Series #StreamTeam

March 15, 2016 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Unlike kids in Ontario, my boys don’t have their spring break until the Easter holidays arrive next week. But even though I still have time before Zackary and Benjamin are home for ten days of fun, that doesn’t mean I’m not already planning ways to keep them entertained! Luckily, Netflix Canada helped to prepare me with a Spring Break surprise pack filled with crafts, toys, treats and more…along with some fun Netflix streaming suggestions, of course! Looking for ways to keep your little ones entertained over Spring Break? These three shows, with some related additional activities, are sure to be a hit!

The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show

Season Two of this fun-filled cartoon is available on March 18, 2016, and one of the things that I love most about it is the fact that it combines education with entertainment. Learning about famous historical figures isn’t something that’s usually so enjoyable, but the lovable genius dog and his adopted son are experts at combining learning and laughter! After watching an episode, take some time to let kids research the real historical figure in an equally entertaining way. Whether you decide to play one of Mozart’s most famous pieces or let kids build their own flying machine like the Wright Brothers, there’s all kinds of ways to explore historical heroes even more! [Read more…]

Don’t Miss These 3 Must-Experience Family Attractions in Toronto, Ontario

March 4, 2016 by Kathryn 30 Comments

Canada has many popular cities when it comes to family vacations, but Toronto is easily one of the top choices for travel…and with good reason! From museums and art galleries to theatres and shopping malls, the city has something to please everyone.

But there are some Toronto experiences that absolutely cannot be missed, especially for families visiting the city for the first time. If you have a trip to Toronto in your future, these are three attractions that you’ll want to make sure you fit into your schedule!

The CN Tower

The tower that helped make the Toronto skyline (and the city itself) stand out among other world capitals is a place that everyone should visit when in the city. While it may seem like the CN Tower doesn’t have a whole lot to impress children, the speedy ride in the elevator is something kids of all ages will love, and the glass floor that lets visitors look down and see just how high above the ground they are is sure to thrill…and maybe even terrify a little! [Read more…]

Take Advantage of February 29th for the First Time in Four Years!

February 10, 2016 by Kathryn 23 Comments

If there’s a common theme for our modern lives, it’s being busy. Rushing to and from work, to different activities with kids and to various social commitments can leave so many of us feeling like we don’t have a spare minute in the day. But this year we’re all gaining the gift of not just a minute, but of a full 24 hours! That’s right; with the leap year here, it’s a great time to claim the extra day as your own and use it any way you want.

Looking for ideas on ways to spend February 29th? Why not try something you’ve never done before as a family and enjoy your time together by embracing the great Canadian winter! These three ideas are a great place to start:

Go Snowshoeing

Chances are, you’re not too far from a national park or scenic trail that is optimal for snowshoeing. Snowshoes have come a long way from the tennis racket-esque versions you’re probably expecting and are often available to rent from national parks or adventure stores. It’s a unique way to take in the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery – not to mention it’s great exercise and your kids will love the novelty of floating on top of the snow! [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…]

Explore Regina, Saskatchewan! Visit These 4 Top Family-Friendly Attractions

August 8, 2015 by Kathryn 46 Comments

Disclaimer: The hotel stay and meals on this trip were provided by IHG. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are not influenced in any way. View full Terms and Policies for further information.

The Saskatchewan prairies often get overlooked as a vacation destination, and even though I’ve lived in Saskatchewan my entire life, I’m guilty of sometimes forgetting just how much our capital city of Regina has to offer. Luckily for me, I recently had the chance to rediscover the beauty of Regina when InterContinental Hotels Group offered me the chance to enjoy a staycation getaway. If you’re considering a trip to Regina in the future, these four family-friendly attractions are ones you should check out.

Royal Saskatchewan Museum

Always a favourite, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum features a variety of fun and educational exhibits showcasing the natural wildlife, history and First Nations culture of the province. [Read more…]

Try One of These 6 Must-Experience Canadian May Long Weekend Adventures

May 13, 2015 by Kathryn 7 Comments

There’s nothing I love more than exploring the great outdoors, and May Long Weekend is one of the best times to do that! With the snow finally gone and spring in full swing, getting outside for some fun and adventure is always a must for our family. This May Long Weekend, why not throw caution to the wind and see what this beautiful country has to offer? These six attractions across Canada are ones the whole family will enjoy!

Watch whales instead of Netflix—The Vancouver Whale Watch, now in its 15th year, provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the majestic creatures in action.
Check out the Wildlife Discovery Tour in Jasper, Alberta—the best place in the Canadian Rockies to see wildlife. Follow along knowledgeable guides in search of moose, elk, bear, mountain sheep, wolves, and even loons, eagles and osprey.
Visit the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village outside Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. This 40-acre museum contains a pioneer village, antique grain elevator, farmyard and the Sukanen ship itself. With plenty of antiques and room to explore, it gives visitors a glimpse into life on the prairies in the past.
Venture over to The Forks, Winnipeg’s meeting place where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers join. Whether it’s beautiful scenery, dining, shopping or entertainment, it’s a great place to check out with the family over the long weekend.
Give white water rafting a go at the River Run Rafting and Wilderness Resort in the Ottawa Valley. This family style raft trip is fun for adults as well as children of all ages.
Hike the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. From hiking to kayaking to whale watching, the Cabot Trail provides the recipe for a perfect May Long Weekend.

[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…]