UPDATED January 2024
“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 break from the February blahs. Since its inception in 2007, Family Day has been a time for families to get together, and enjoy a little quality time and have some fun!
The Family Day long weekend is also the perfect time to plan a road trip to Waterloo Region! Check out the list of Things to Do below and start planning all the fun things you can do together as you explore Waterloo Region!
20 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. Chicopee Tube Park
All Family Day Weekend (Weather Permitting)
Why not get out and enjoy our Canadian winter with a day of snow tubing? Timed passes can be booked online: and if you work up an appetite, there are outdoor options available for BBQ food, as well as take & go food/beverage items.
3. Visit the Winter House at Langdon Hall
All Family Day Weekend
The Winter House is Langdon Hall’s outdoor, heated dining space with warm cocktails, tapas-style plates and more. Winter House is an outdoor experience so make sure to dress for the weather (there are heaters to enhance your visit). Walk-ins are welcome: you can also book in advance.
4. Follow the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Chocolate Trail
Saturday, Feb. 18
For the month of February the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (Canada’s largest year-round farmers’ market) is highlighting CHOCOLATE! Follow the chocolate trail to find vendors selling chocolate and chocolate pastries. Pick up a Chocolate Trail Map at the main entrances to each of the Farmers’ Market buildings.
5. DTK Travelers Tour
Begins on Monday, Feb. 19th
A family has to eat, so get ready to embark on a culinary journey around the world with Downtown Kitchener’s DTK Traveler’s Tour! From February 19th to March 17th, participating restaurants will showcase their unique cultural heritage and traditional dishes, highlighting the diversity and richness of our community.
6. Critter Corner at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
All Family Day Weekend
Warm up in Cambridge Butterfly’s tropical garden and experience up-close encounters with live insects at their Critter Corner. Regular admission required.
7. Family Day at the Kitchener Market
Monday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join in the Family Day fun at the Market this year! Bring your family and enjoy a day full of activities, both inside and out, including a board game café, hosted trivia sessions, artisans, delicious food, and s’more roasting on the Piazza! There will also be a special session of Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) Open House – pre-register and drop-ins accepted.
8. Fire & Ice Family Day Weekend in St. Jacobs
All Family Day Weekend
Warm up with a beverage at the Hot Chocolate Bar, be part of Fat Sparrow’s Outdoor Porch Party, enjoy free skating at the St. Jacobs Arena and take advantage of special deals at shops throughout the village: there’s lots happening in St. Jacobs this Family Day weekend!
9. KWAG Family Day Activities
Monday, Feb. 19 from 1-4 p.m
Explore the exhibitions and create dynamic art projects. From a classic drop-in Family Sunday experience where you will make weaved collages, found object sculptures, and paint and stitch hanging art inspired by Erratic Behaviour, to a Sensory Tour of the exhibitions and a lesson in creating self-portraits using rocks instead of paint, KWAG has something for everyone.
10. Go Fishing with your Family!
All Family Day Weekend
Ontario Family Fishing Events is a province-wide opportunity for residents to fish Ontario waters for free. Locally, you can try your hand at ice fishing at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge (weather permitting: check here for the daily ice fishing status).
11. Family Day Winter Carnival Weekend at Schneider Haus
All Family Day Weekend
Enjoy outdoor games, an obstacle course, a winter scavenger hunt, snow painting, snow science and snow sculpting! Once you’ve chilled with your family, come on inside to warm up at the hot chocolate bar and explore the historic house that housed six generations of the Schneider family.
On Monday afternoon only enjoy live music in the historic house with the Tea for Three Trio, who play traditional folk music from England, Scotland and Canada.
12. Kingpin Cambridge
All Family Day Weekend
Your family can Eat – Tag – Bowl – Play at Kingpin Cambridge! With 10-pin bowling, laser tag, and a huge variety of state-of-the-art arcade games, Kingpin Cambridge provides lots of great ways to have fun. And, don’t forget to check out Kingpin’s Kitchener location too.
13. Airborne Trampoline
All Family Day Weekend
Your family will be jumping for joy (literally!) at this trampoline facility. Please note that reservations must be made and booking is only available one week in advance.
14. St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours Winter Sleigh Ride
How about a sleigh ride this Family Day? St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours offers large and small sleighs rides 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! Rides must be booked in advance.
15. Cambridge Family Day Events
All Family Day Weekend
Free drop in activities are happening throughout Cambridge including swimming, skating, family fitness, sports, and art!
16. Dog Friendly KW ‘SNIFFSCAPE’
All Family Day Weekend
Bringing your 4-legged family member along on your Family Day Road Trip? Then check our SNIFFSCAPE for some enrichment fun with your pup!
SNIFFSCAPE will take you through a collection of 10+ themed rooms, each offering your dog a different opportunity for enrichment, mental and/or physical stimulation (and of course, loads of cute photo opportunities). Choose from the type of experience that’s best suited for your dog. Appointments can be booked in advance through the website.
17. Claytime at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery
Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Discover the art of working with clay! Their instructor will demonstrate basic hand building techniques and will show you examples of what you can make using clay. Then you will make a small project of your choice!
Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult who also has a ticket.
18. Adventure Rooms Kitchener
Looking for a thrilling adventure your family can do as a team? Choose from 4 exciting escape rooms at Adventure Rooms! Work together to see if you can make your escape in 60 minutes or less. For some at home fun, check out their Virtual Escape Games where you can play LIVE on Zoom with friends, family, or co-workers in different households, cities, or countries!
19. Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum Candy Making Party
Saturday, Feb. 17 10AM to 12PM
Step back in time and experience the warmth and charm of a heritage kitchen with this Family Candy Making Party. Enjoy time with your family around the fire and join in an old fashioned candy making party. Learn to make sweet treats like marshmallows, maple cream fudge, and participate in an old-fashioned taffy candy pull. Take home a box of your treats and end the experience around the open fire making popcorn and drinking hot cocoa. Registration required.
20. North Dumfries Community Centre Family Day Fun
Monday, Feb. 19th 9AM to 12PM
Fun activities for the whole family, both on and off the ice from 9a.m. until noon. Off-ice activities include yoga, games and crafts, try your hand at self-defense, or enjoy an indoor walk on the walking track. The Breakaway Café will be open all day for your snacking and lunch needs!
21. Catch Footloose (The High School Project) at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the St. Jacobs stage, starring students from Waterloo Region in the sophomore Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production. Anchored by memorable ’80s anthems “Holding Out For A Hero,” “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” and the self-titled track, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with warm hearts and open minds.
BONUS: Outdoor Skating Rinks
Lace up your skates and check out any number of outdoor rinks in the City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge.
Happy Family Day!