The game nights, block parties and pop-up playgrounds that will keep you and your kids entertained this weekend.
The Hangar Games at The Hangar Flight Museum
Thursday, September 14, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The aviation museum is holding its first family-friendly board game night. Myth Games and Hobbies is supplying all the games (or you can bring your own). The event goes from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 or free if you are a museum member. Tickets are available at the door or on Eventbrite.
The Hangar Flight Museum, 4629 McCall Way N.E., 403-250-3752, thehangarmuseum.ca
Extreme Weather at Telus Spark
Weekdays at 2:10 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 1:10 p.m.
Telus Spark has a new Dome Theatre show and it is very timely. Get out of the rainy weather to learn a little more about weather. This show features scientists who will help explain intense and complex weather as it becomes even more common. The show is 40 minutes and comes from National Geographic so you know the visuals will be stunning and the information engaging.
220 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-817-6800, sparkscience.ca
Beakerhead Snakes and Ladders
September 13 to 17
The massive five day event has something for Calgarians of all ages. For kids, participating in Snakes and Ladders is the best way to take it all in. Beakerhead turned the city into a board game and plotted 14 of its installations on it. It starts with a visit to a giant paint brush on the side of a building near SAIT and ACAD, meanders to a giant claw game in Eau Claire Market, a space station at the Calgary Tower and the always popular illuminated bunnies in Enoch Park. Each stop has options for how to navigate to the next stop.
Various venues, beakerhead.com
Monstrous Adventure Playground
Saturday, September 16, noon to 4 p.m.
The 2017 International Play Association Triennial World Conference is in Calgary. That means there are a lot of people from around the world sitting in on sessions that discuss how to promote healthy, high quality play. It also means that Shaw Millennium Park is being turned into a loose parts playground run entirely by children. Anyone under 18 is invited to spend Saturday afternoon building, demolishing and assembling the boards, tires, cardboard and tools that make up the playground. This event is free.
Shaw Millennium Park, 1220 9 Ave. S.W., calgary.ca
Block Solid Community Day
Saturday, September 16, 2 to 5 p.m.
The Block Kitchen & Lounge in Mount Pleasant is celebrating its third anniversary with a family-friendly afternoon party. There will be a bouncy castle and live music along with snacks from the kid’s menu and ice cream floats. There will also be beer tastings for the adults.
2411 4 St. N.W., 403-282-1339, eatdrinkblock.com
Legacy Neighbourhood Market
Saturday, September 16, 1 to 4 p.m.
Adults can tour the 10 new showhomes in the southeast Calgary community and kids can enjoy the street party. There will be food trucks, dancing, face painters and balloon artists, along with 40 vendors from the area. The event is free.
Legacy View S.E., eventbrite.ca
Halloweekends at Calaway Park
Saturdays and Sundays (and Thanksgiving Monday) until October 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Calaway Park goes all out with its Halloween decorations. Dress-up, ride the rides and participate in the Halloween activities. On September 16 and 17, it’s also the Boo Crew Costume Party with scary-o-kee and a dance party. Admission is $39.95 for adults and $33 for kids ages 3 to 6. Or, Halloweekends is included with your season pass.
245033 Range Road 33, 403-240-3822, calawaypark.com
Re/Max Family Fun Day
Sunday, September 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This is the sixth year for this fundraiser that supports the Children’s Miracle Network. The parking lot of Cardel Rec South will be filled with activities that include obstacle courses, laser tag, a haunted house and foam archery. There’s also a car show, marketplace, barbecue, face painting and a magician. The event is free but there is a fee for all activities (it is a fundraiser after all). Or, you can purchase an all access wristband for $15.
Cardel Rec South, 333 Shawville Blvd. S.E., remaxfamilyfunday.com
Get your tickets for these upcoming events
Family Slumber Party at Glenbow
Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22
This one is for kids ages seven to 12 and their accompanying adults. For the 10th anniversary of Glenbow’s exhibition Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, the museum is throwing a slumber party so you can spend a night at the museum. You’ll set up your sleeping bag right in the Mavericks exhibit and spend the evening enjoying a pizza dinner, after hours tours of the museum and various activities. At 10:15 p.m., it’s movie time with a screening of An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Tickets are $95 per person or $85 if you are a museum member.
130 9 Ave. S.E., 403-268-4110, glenbow.org
Ghoul’s Night Out at Heritage Park
October 26, 27, 28 and 29
These nights always sell out so it is a good idea to get tickets early. Heritage Park is decorated with pumpkin patches, scarecrows and other Halloween things. There is storytelling, crafts, dancing, cookie decorating and carnival games. The Opera House is transformed into a Mexican Village. It’s all low level scary and perfect for kids ages three to nine. Tickets are $6.95 for kids ages three to 12 and $10.95 for adults.
1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca