“A family that plays together, stays together.” Perhaps that was the idea behind the creation of Family Day, a holiday that acts as a fun respite from the February blahs. Since its inception in 2007, Family Day has been a time for families to get together, and enjoy some all too scarce but precious quality time.
Wondering what’s happening in Waterloo Region this Family Day? As 2020 is a Leap Year, it seems only fitting that we present a list of 29 Things to Do with your family all weekend long (or all Long Weekend!).
Have fun – and here’s to Families!!
29 Ways to Enjoy Family Day in Waterloo Region
1. Chicopee Ski
All Family Day Weekend (Weather Permitting)
Waterloo Region is home to one of Ontario’s most popular ski and snowboard family centres. Grab your gear (or rent it there): Family Day is the perfect time to Discover Chicopee!
2. Tapestry Hall Family Day Events
All Family Day Weekend
Tapestry Hall is installing an indoor (yes – indoor!) skating rink for the 3 Family Day events it’s hosting! For Adults, there’s Love Bites on Saturday night (which includes food stations, beverages and an 80’s cover band). Sunday the entire family can be part of Tapestry Hall’s Funky Brunch, and Monday it’s Free Family Skating with movies on the big screen. There will be great food available too!
3. McDougall Cottage Family Day
Monday, Feb. 17th
Family games, crafts and tours from 10 am to 5 pm: and, the Café will be open for some traditional Scottish treats too!
4. Chicopee Tube Park
All Family Day Weekend (Weather Permitting)
Why not get out and enjoy our Canadian winter with a day of snow tubing? All day passes are available, and then grab a bite to eat at the Chalet Café
5. Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
All Family Day Weekend
In appreciation of Black History Month, explore their newest exhibit Mandela- Struggle for Freedom. Sunday is Reto Games Day, and Monday explore STEAM – discover science, technology and engage with engineering!
6. Schneider Haus Family Day Fun
Monday, Feb. 18th
Outdoor activities, crafts and more! Join Wild Ontario for a nose-to-beak encounter with some of Ontario’s incredible birds-of-prey!
7. Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Family Days
All Family Day Weekend
Ever been up close with a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach or a Tailed Whip Scorpion? This is your chance during the the Hug-a-Bug INSECT PETTING ZOO! ! And, don’t forget to check out the thousands of butterflies in the conservatory too!
8. North Dumfries Community Centre Family Fun Day
Monday, Feb. 17th
Where can you skate, participate in a yoga class, be part of storytime, play pickleball and enjoy lunch all under one roof? At the North Dumfries Community Centre this Family Day!
9. St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway
Saturday, Feb. 15th – Monday, Feb. 17th
This amazing “O” Scale model railway layout in St. Jacobs is generally closed during the winter; however, it does open for families to enjoy during the Family Day weekend!
10. Cambridge Family Day Events
All Family Day Weekend
Have your calendar ready? There’s a lot happening in Cambridge all Family Day weekend! Check out the activities going on at local city centres and the Cambridge Centre for the Arts.
11. Winter Sleigh Ride
How about a family sleigh ride this Family Day? St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours offers large and small sleighs and rides are by reservation only. As powerful horses pull the sleigh, you can sit back and enjoy a scenic ride through open fields and a sugar bush!
12. Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery Family Day
Monday, Feb. 18th
KWAG celebrates families with creative activities for the young, and the young at heart!
13. Idea Exchange Family Day Magic
Monday, Feb. 17th
Magician Scott Boyd at 2:00pm. There’s also a variety of activities for the whole family including making stations, virtual reality, fun math games – it’s sure to be magic!
14. KW Titans vs. London Lightning
Monday Feb. 17th at 7 p.m.
Take in professional basketball action as our hometown KW Titans play host to the London Lightning at The Aud. Cheer loud and help #TurnItUp!
15. Annual Valens Lake Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday, Feb. 15th
This is a catch and release derby. No license required to try ice fishing in Cambridge this Family Day weekend!
16. THEMUSEUM Family Day Hack Jam
Monday, Feb. 18th
Join makers from various makerspaces as they showcase their creativity through hands-on activities that the whole family can take part in. On top of it all, enjoy half-priced admission to THEMUSEUM!
17. Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery Family Day Drop In
Monday, Feb. 17th
Explore the world of clay in this fun and engaging beginner pottery session! This is an all-ages event; come dressed for mess!
18. Cambridge Centre for the Arts Family Day Drop In
Monday, Feb. 17th
Lots of free, drop-in activities for kids and adults are happening at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts throughout the afternoon on Family Day.
19. The Old Post Office Family Day Events
Sunday, Feb. 17th
Head to the Old Post Office to explore new sounds, create a musical craft, and make rockin’ tunes of your own at Family Music Mania! Or, engrave your family photo onto wood in their Maker Space; it’s a great Family Day keepsake!
20. Bring on the Sunshine Festival
Sunday, Feb. 16th
It’s the 10th anniversary for Bring On the Sunshine! This Family day festival celebrates Africa, culture, community and Family during Black History Month. Share in the riches of African cultures with Canadians of every origin!
21. Kingpin Cambridge
All Family Day Weekend
Your family can Eat – Tag – Bowl – Play at Kingpin Cambridge! There are lots of great ways to have fun here, and at Kingpin’s Kitchener location.
22. Max’s Sports World
All Family Day Weekend
You’ll be amazed at all the fun you’ll find Under the Dome at Max’s! There’s everything from indoor mini golf to axe throwing, batting cages, golf simulators, and even bubble soccer!
23. Toy Building Zone
All Family Day Weekend
Remember the hours of fun you had building with LEGO® when you were a kid? At Toy Building Zone in St. Jacobs, that creative fun happens daily in their well-stocked Play area. Build a vehicle, and challenge family members to a race on their specially designed track! And, check out the amazing full scale LEGO® models too!
24. Airborne Trampoline
All Family Day Weekend
Your family will be jumping for joy (literally!) at this trampoline facility. Check out their Cosmic Public Jump – featuring special glow / cosmic lighting!
25. Free Skating in Kitchener
Enjoy free Public Skating at a number of Kitchener arenas this Family Day!
26. Broadway Showstopperswith the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra
Friday, Feb. 14th and Sat. Feb. 15th at the Hamilton Family Theatre
Celebrate Family Day weekend and Valentine’s Day with a concert full of Broadway’s best love songs performed by sensational singers and the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra.
27. Family Day at Descendants
Monday February 17th
Get the family together and come on out to Descendants! Crumby Cookie Dough will be giving samples from 1-4pm, and there’s 1-4pm
28. Castle Kilbride Ghost Walk
Saturday, Feb. 15th
Take a walk on the Castle’s creepy side. The tour features frescoes from an artist who should have been dead, Castle Kilbride’s resident spirit and haunted antiques that have found their way back to the Castle.
29. Splash and Boots Family Day Concert
At a Splash and Boots concert, big and small are all engaged and entertained! Tickets are free, but are limited so it’s a good idea to get yours ASAP. This concert is part of Downtown Kitchener’s FEBFEST 2020 events which also include events like CrokiCurling and Cafe Shows – you can find out more here
Happy Family Day!