We’re about halfway through summer vacation — have you run out of ideas to entertain your kids yet?
We know it can be a struggle to keep those young ones occupied all day, every day, so we’ve put together a list of amazing summer activities and programs going on in and around The Forks site you may not have heard about yet, as well as a few ideas you can do at any time!
Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum is fun all year round, but during the summer, they have a few extra surprises. Every day for the rest of the summer, the TapeScape exhibit will be open; TapeScape is an interactive indoor landscape made entirely out of plastic wrap and packing tape stretched over a metal frame. Honestly, we’re a little jealous only the kids get to play on this one!
The Children’s Museum also has week-long day camps; some weeks are sold out already, but there are a few in August with spaces still available. All of this year’s camps also have to do with tape, as a kind of parter to the TapeScape exhibit. More information can be found at childrensmuseum.com.
MTYP
If your kids have big imaginations and love storytelling, a day camp at MTYP might be the right fit for them. Every week in August, MTYP runs five-day day camps that focus on different topics: musicals, puppetry, trickster tales, stuffed-animal character parties, mythic heroes and, for teens more serious about the craft, an acting intensive and sketch comedy development. More information about registration, age requirements and fees can be found at mtyp.ca.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
A trip to the CMHR is always a great way to spend a day, but if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, head over there on Aug. 18 to see Karakoro live at the Museum. Karakoro is a 68-member troupe that performs traditional Japanese drumming, singing and Eisa dancing. Tickets are available humanrights.ca.
Fort Parka
It’s been such a hot summer, so if you’re in the market for some quality splash-pad time, head to the Parks Canada Fort Parka playground. The park — which is tucked away kind of behind the Children’s Museum, closer to the bank of the Red River — is open June through Labour Day and has lots of fun play zones, structures, swings and slides to play on and the best part, of course, is water park! (The playground is open 24/7, but the water park hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.) There’s also a small shop that sells outdoor necessities such as bottled water, sunscreen and snacks, as well as some cute Parks Canada-branded merch.
Inside the market
Sometimes, being outside just isn’t an option; either it’s too hot or it’s raining or you just need a bit of a break from bugs. But have no fear! There are lots of fun things to do in The Forks Market that your kids will love. Did you know we have a little arcade on the main floor? We might be biased, but we think The Phantom Amusement Arcade is an absolute blast — there are vintage and brand-new pinball games, an assortment of other arcade games and, if you feel like busting a move, a Dance Dance Revolution game as well. Most games take loonies and quarters, and there is a change machine on site!
One of the best things to do at the market is just to wander through the shops; there have been a lot of additions and changes, so go take a look around! Smell some of Coal and Canary Candle Company’s newest summery scents (they are so good, we promise!), head over to McNally Robinson and pick up a book to entertain you and your kiddies through these last few weeks of vacation; pop into the Loving Barbers and get everyone booked in for a back-to-school haircut; visit Jenna Rae Cakes for a little treat as you walk around. The options are endless!
We hope to see you and your families around The Forks as you enjoy the back-half of summer!
If you liked this post, you may also like: