Family Day arrives like a bright spot in the heart of winter, inviting families to press pause and play together.
In Waterloo Region, the long weekend is your cue for snowy outdoor adventures, cozy indoor fun, and delicious stops in between. Whether you’re bundling up or heading indoors, we’ve rounded up experiences that keep every age smiling, energized, and asking, “What’s next?”
Turn Family Day into a full weekend getaway with great places to stay and plenty of memory-making moments along the way!
Bundle Up & Go: Outdoor adventures
Chicopee Ski | Kitchener
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). And, check out Chicopee’s newest ski run – Freedom!
Chicopee Tube Park | Kitchener
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.
Movies Outdoors on the Big Screen | Gaslight District, Cambridge
Monday, February 16
It’s a special outdoor screening of The Angry Birds Movie on the Big Screen in Cambridge’s Gaslight District. Bring your own chairs, blankets, etc! And, if you’re hungry after the movie, head over to Foundry Tavern for lunch with the whole family!
Family Fishing Weekend
All Family Day Weekend
Ontario Family Fishing Events is a province-wide opportunity for families 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).
Find the #WiseOldOak on the Health Valley Trail | Woolwich Township
The Health Valley Trail runs along the Conestoga River from The Village of St. Jacobs east towards University Ave. E. in Waterloo. Make sure to get a picture with the trail’s most-visited resident, the Wise Old Oak tree (here’s how to find it).
There are lots of other trails in Waterloo Region that you can explore by hiking, cross country skiing or even snow shoeing: check them out here!
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.
Stay Warm & Cozy: Indoor fun
Critter Corner at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory | Cambridge
All Family Day Weekend
Warm up inside Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory’s tropical conservatory (where it’s always a balmy 24-28″C !), and experience up-close encounters with thousands of free-flying butterflies. On Family Day Weekend, they open up Critter Corner – a fun and educational experience where kids and families can explore live insects up close!
Family Day Pet Fest | THEMUSEUM, Kitchener
Monday, February 16
This special day is devoted to all members of the family – including the 4-legged ones! Family Day Pet Fest brings together pet lovers of all ages for a celebration packed with shopping, entertainment, education and unforgettable animal performances. Four Paws Flying will take the stage with two high-energy dog performances, showcasing incredible agility and jaw-dropping tricks. Plus, Incredibirds will entertain with a fun and educational presentation followed by a one-of-a-kind bird fashion show and photo ops!
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Chocolate Trail | Woolwich Township
Saturday, Feb. 14
For the month of February the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (Canada’s largest year-round farmers’ market) is highlighting CHOCOLATE! Follow their Chocolate Trail to find vendors selling all kinds of chocolate treats. Pick up a Chocolate Trail Map at the main entrances to each of the Farmers’ Market buildings.
Bingemans Grand Experiences | Kitchener and Cambridge
All Family Day Weekend
Bingemans offers fun for the entire family! Step into the future of bowling with SPARK®—an immersive, interactive augmented reality experience at Kingpin Bowlounge. Experience the thrill of indoor go-kart racing at K1 Speed Canada while Putt Social offers a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere where cutting-edge technology meets classic mini-golf fun. You can also try your hand at axe throwing, see if you’re up for the challenge of the 3 different escape rooms at EscapeworX, or head to FunworX – the region’s largest indoor playground!
Earth Sciences Museum, University of Waterloo | Waterloo
Monday, February 16
Join the Earth Sciences Museum for a day of discovery, fun, and hands-on activities for all ages! Explore the wonders of our planet through interactive exhibits, fascinating fossils, and dazzling minerals. Bring your curiosity and spend the day exploring Earth’s secrets with your family.
Family Day Carnival at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum | Kitchener
Monday, February 16
Looking for a fun, affordable, and engaging experience this Family Day? Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum invites you to their Family Day Carnival. There will be food, games, puppet-themed crafts, and learning for all to enjoy.
Family Day Rides at Waterloo Central Railway | Woolwich Township
February 15 & 16
Experience a scenic winter heritage train ride with the whole family! Passengers of all ages will be captivated by the wide-open views of the countryside and nearby Mennonite farms as they travel through Woolwich Township. Extra-special activities will be available on board the train for children! This round-trip journey begins at either the Waterloo Northfield Station or Farmers Market Station.
Cambridge Family Day Events | Cambridge
All Family Day Weekend
Free drop in activities are happening throughout the long weekend in Cambridge including swimming, skating, family fitness, sports, and art!
KWAG Family Day Activities | Kitchener
February 16
The Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery’s talented Art Instructors will be leading a guided tour of the diverse art exhibitions on display at the Gallery. Once you’ve been inspired by the art, join them in the Community Access Space to make some of your own! Design and emboss a lucky coin to take home, or exchange it with a loved one. Don’t forget to make a wish!
Family Day Fun At The NDCC | North Dumfries Township
February 16
Celebrate Family Day Fun at the North Dumfries Community Complex (NDCC). Bring the whole family for a day of fun, music, and skating! All are welcome to attend this free event.
Fuel Up Between Adventures
Check out these fun ideas for when the family needs a food pick up!
- Four All Ice Cream: Anytime season is ice cream season! Four All features natural, locally-made premium ice creams, vegan ice creams and sorbets.
- Sweet Lou’s Cookies: Their decadent cookies make Lou’s the local’s go-to spot for anytime cookie cravings!
- Crumby Cookie Dough Company: It’s edible cookie dough that’s safe to eat (you can take it home and bake it too, but who wants to wait to enjoy it??)
- Stone Crock Bakery: Stone Crock Bakery has filled the Village of St. Jacobs with the intoxicating aromas of fresh baked pies, breads, cookies and more since 1975!
- Graffiti Market: It’s a one of a kind dining experience. The food is great: even the tables are fun – and interactive!
- Those Pizza Guys: Wood-fired pizza at it’s finest, along with calzones, hand-crafted sandwiches and take home items:, located in the Village of St. Jacobs.
- Stockyards Brew Hall & Restaurant: Located right across from the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, Stockyards takes pride is supporting local farms and producers to create a menu the entire family will love!
- Moose Winooski’s: The home of legendary ribs and wings, at The Moose you’ll always receive Northern hospitality and all-about-you service!
Happy Family Day!