What To Do With Your Kids In Canmore During A Pandemic

Canmore offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages, and many organizations and businesses are taking steps to ensure that these activities can continue with enhanced safety precautions or in virtual format. There are also many outdoor adventures for the whole family to safely enjoy this season. Whether you're looking for a virtual activity for your toddler or tween, or an outdoor adventure for the whole family to participate in, read on to find out what you can do with your kids during the pandemic this winter. Read our blog: COVID-Crazy in Canmore to see what we were up to with our families in 2020!

All Ages Activities

There are tons of great activities that kids of all ages - and their parents! - can take advantage of during COVID-19. Getting outside and going for a hike is a great way for the whole family to enjoy some fresh air. Our favourite trails are Grassi Lakes, Larch Islands Interpretative trail, and Heart Creek Trail because of the beautiful scenery and adventure they offer, year-round. If you want to upgrade your hike into a more exciting adventure, you can try downloading the Geocaching app. Geocaching is known as the "world's largest treasure-hunt." Here's how it works: use the app to navigate to a "geocache" nearby. When you find it, sign and date the log book, and put it back for the next person to find! Remember to bring your hand sanitizer and your own pen when searching for a geocache.

Another exciting activity for all ages is tobogganing! The Canmore Nordic Centre has many hill options suitable for all ages. There's also plenty of parking available. Another option is Cemetery Hill or Eagle Terrace. These locations are close by each other with varying lengths and jumps, making it perfect for kids all ages!

Ages 2-5

On the days that it's simply too cold to take your little one outdoors, artsPlace in Canmore has free virtual activities for younger kids. Check out Family Sundays at artsPlay! The visual arts activities are family-friendly, so you can enjoy the time together with your little one. Another virutal program offered by artsPlace is Mini Melodies, for ages 0-5. You can "enjoy a music moment as a family and encourage your child’s musical literacy skills such as rhythm, pitch-matching and beat awareness. Storytelling, instrument playing, movement and puppet play make each week a new adventure while empowering children to enjoy music in a safe, playful and interactive online environment." (artsplacecanmore.com/)

Ages 5+

What's a great activity that you don't even need to leave your property to do? Building a snow fort or snowman! In Canmore, there's more than enough snow to go around - and since you don't even have to leave home to do it, you can head inside for a cup of hot cocoa when it gets too chilly! You can also head to one of neighbourhood parks in Canmore to play in the snow.

Kids love exploring nature - why not become a junior birdwatcher? There are approximately 130 species of birds located in Canmore & Kananaskis, just waiting to be discovered by your child! Remember to bring your binoculars to get good views of our feathered friends!  

There are a number of outdoor skating rinks in Canmore to take your kids! With COVID-19 guidelines in place and restrictions on the number of people that can be on the ice, this is a fun and safe activity for the family. Remember to stay 2 metres away from others, and stay with the members of your household.

Ages 10+

There is no shortage of things to do for older kids, either! Fishing is one activity that older kids can begin to learn under supervision. In the winter - ice fishing! Kids under 16 years old do not need to have an Alberta fishing license. If you are not an experienced fisher, you can check out Canmore FIshing Adventures. They will provide all the fishing gear required for a day on the ice: huts, heaters, rods, reels, lures, snacks and hot drinks!

Looking for an indoor or virtual activity? Try out Canmore's newest pottery shop, Crock A Doodle. Enjoy the fun of pottery painting in the bright and cheerful studio located at the Shops of Canmore.  Their studio welcomes people of every age and ability, all day long. Reservations are recommended, but drop-ins are always welcome.

It wouldn't be a Canmore winter without skiing!  The Canmore Nordic Centre offers skiing for kids of all ages, and with new guidelines in place, you can stay safe and still have a wonderful skiing adventure. Please remember that all indoor spaces will require you to wear a mask at all times, and there is no bag storage at this time. Stay safe, have fun, and let's go adventuring!