Things to Do With Kids in Calgary

Calgary Zoo

Visiting the second largest zoo in Canada is always a fun experience, whether you are 6 or 60. See the Pandas from China, Visit the penguins at the Penguin Plunge, meet Canada’s impressive animals at the Canadian Wilds, explore the tropical rainforest pathways, see the gorillas, snakes and crocodiles at Destination Africa and take a trip back to the prehistoric times in the prehistoric park.

Cost: General Admission: $34.95; Senior (60+): $32.95; Child (3 – 15): $24.95; Infant (2 & under): Free. $5 off online

Chinook Honey Company

Learn about honey bees, their social structure, and the honey making process. Go an apiary tour, try honey based products, and participate in the fun festivals held at the Chinook Honey Company.

Cost: Admission is free. Apiary Tour – Adults : $10 & Children & Seniors : $7.50 (Children under 2 free)

Butterfield Acres Calgary

Have a fun day at the farm, visit the animals in their pens, go on tractor rides and pony rides, try goat milking, and join for annual Harvest Pumpkin Hunt and Easter Egg Hunt.

Cost: Children – $13.49 +GST(able-to-walk to 17 yrs); Adults – $15.49 +GST(18 yrs and older); Seniors – $14.49 +GST (over 65)

Kayben’s Sunshine Adventure Park

Discover, learn and have a delightful day at Sunshine Adventure Park. Pick black currants or pumpkins, go down the 4 lane slides, visit farm animals, play cowboy croquet and more at farm!

Cost: $15 for Adults & Children 2 +, $7.50 for tot’s (1 year old’s), $10 for Seniors (65+), $40 Family Rate (max 2 adults and THEIR children of the same household).

Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm

Navigate the corn maze that is 10+ acres in size, delight in farm activities like Hop-a-long Horse Races, Lost Treasures Mining Tower, and Jumping Pillows, and visit the petting zoo at Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm.

Cost: Adults (ages 18 to 64): $15.95+gst; Youth (ages 3 to 17): $14.95+gst
Seniors (ages 65+): $14.95+gst

Cobb’s Corn Maze & Family Fun Farm

From corn maze to puzzle mazes, Cobb’s Corn Maze has a variety of fun mazes to tantalize your little one’s direction sense. Enjoy tractor rides, giant board games, pedal carts, tire playground, giant slide, archery tag, Euro Bungy and much more!

Cost: $14.00 (includes GST) for all ages

Horsin Around

Celebrate old fashioned fun and enjoy pony rides, petting zoo, bouncy castles, and horse-drawn wagon rides (sleigh rides in winter) at Horsin Around.

Cost: Adults: $12.00; Children: $10.00; Family (4): $39.99

Calgary Tower

Stand on top of the glass floor of the 191 m tall tower and ask your child why every thing looks small when you are way up above the ground. Get them to spot Calgary landmarks as you revel in the spectacular view of the Rockies. Calgary Tower.

Cost: Adults (13-64) $18.00; Seniors (65+) $16.00; Children (4-12) $9.00; Children (3 -) Free

The Hangar Flight Museum (formerly Aerospace Museum)

Enrich your kid’s understanding of aviation history and evolution of flight while browsing through a display of civilian and military air crafts that span the entire century of Canadian flight.

Cost: Adults – $12.00; Senior(60+)/ Student (12 – 17): $8.00; Children (3-11 years) – $6.00; Children (2 and under) – FREE

Fort Calgary

Dress up as a mountie, and learn about the life of Natives, early pioneers, and the North West Mounted Police at Fort Calgary, the northernmost link of the western branch of the Old Forts Trail.

Cost: Adults $12.00; Seniors (+65)/ Students (post secondary): $11.00; Youth (7-17) $ 7.00; Children (3-6): $ 5.00

Gasoline Alley Museum

Have fun in the interactive vintage car museum that features a good collection of one-of-a-kind vintage vehicles and oil & gas related artifacts. Climb into vintage cars, and enjoy story time at the museum during winter.

Cost: During winter – General (15 – 64) : $10.95; Child (3 – 6) : $5.65; Youth (7 – 14) : $6.95; Senior (65+) : $8.75

During summer – part of Heritage Village admission.

Glenbow Museum

Join for hands-on activities and explore art works, sculptures and other artifacts providing insight into the life in Western Canada from the late 19th century to the present day at Glenbow museum.

Cost: Adult (18+) : $16.00, Senior (65+) :$11.00, Student (with valid ID) : $11.00, Youth (ages 7-17) : $10.00; Family (2+4) :$40.00; Child (Ages 6 -) : Free

Heritage Park

Experience Western Canada’s rural history as it comes to life in front of your eyes. Delight in old fashioned midway rides, wagon rides, cruise on a paddle streamer, and immerse yourself in taste and sights of late 19th and early 20th century Alberta.

Cost: General (15 – 64): $26.50; Child (3 – 6): $13.65; Youth (7 – 14): $18.95; Senior (65+): $20.70

Grain Academy Museum

Learn how food gets transported from farms to supermarkets! Learn how grain elevators of the past worked, gain an overall understanding of the grain handling system, storage and food transportation industries at this educational grain museum.

Cost: Free

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Visit Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and learn about Canadians’ achievements in the world of sports showcased in the 40,000 square foot facility. See the full-scale model of Canada’s famous Bluenose sailing ship, be an F1 Racer and take a turn at the wheel in a simulated auto race and more at the museum!

Cost: General: $12; Seniors (65 yrs +): $10; Youth (4-18 yrs): $8; Children (3 yrs and under): Free; Family (2 adults & 2 youth): $35

Lougheed House

Explore the house and gardens built for James and Isabella Lougheed in 1891. Step back in time at this National and Provincial Historic Site and learn Alberta’s political history. Do not forget to meander along the formal Beaulieu Gardens, situated on the 2.8 acre Lougheed estate.

Cost: Adults$8.50; Seniors & Students: $6.50; Child (Ages 6 – 12)$5.00
Family: $25.00; Under 6: Free

The Military Museums Calgary

Take your kids to one of the best military museums in Canada and let them learn about victories, tragedies, and sacrifices of the Canadian Forces. Children can have fun climbing into fighter air crafts, and tanks, while gaining a significant understanding about the role of the military in today’s world.

Cost: Adults: $15, Seniors: $5, Youth: (7 – 17) $ 5, Family: $30, Children (Under 7) Free

Rothney Astrophysical Observatory

Let your curious little astronomer learn about the diamonds in the sky at Rothney Astrophysical Observatory. See Baker-Nunn Telescope, the ONLY telescope in the world capable of performing important survey work near the North Celestial Pole that surveys the sky on a nightly basis and searches for asteroids that might one day hit the Earth. Join for monthly open house events and enrich your knowledge about the night sky.

Cost: Admission free. Milky way nights: by donation. Open house – $30.00 per car.

National Music Centre – Studio Bell

Soak up the history of music in Canada, explore the sounds, learn how your voice works as an instrument and experience some of the incredible acoustic instruments from NMC’s collection.

Cost: Adult $18.00; Seniors / Students $14.00; Youth (3-12) $11.00 $13.50; Children (under 3) Free

Telus Spark

A visit to Telus Spark is a fun way to kindle the love of science in your child. Immerse yourself in a live planetarium show, celebrate science through creative play, art, and exploration at Creative Kids Museum. Explore sound, physics and simple machines at the outdoor Brainasium playground.

Cost: Adult (18-64) $26.00; Senior (65+) $24.00; Youth (13-17) $22.00
Child (3-12) $19.00; Admission for children under 3 is free

Nose Creek Valley Museum

Learn about the historical aspects of Airdrie and surrounding area, explore displays of wildlife, First Nation’s life, antique cars and farm machinery and explore one of the largest arrowhead collections in Canada.

Cost: $5.00 for adults, children under 12 are free.

Chinese Cultural Centre

Visit Chinese Cultural Centre and see the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall ceiling modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Do not miss the Chinese Artifacts Museum that showcases rare replicas of different kinds of Chinese artifacts. While here, do not forget to explore china town.

Cost: Cultural centre – free, Museum: Adults: $5, Children( 6+)/ Seniors: $3; Children(5-): Free

Okotoks Museum and Archives

Hear the stories of Okotoks’ past and learn about Town of Okotoks and the Foothills region’s history through many exhibits that bring the town’s history to life.

Cost: Free /Donation

Museum of Highwood

See over 17,000 photographs that span over 125 years of High River and the surrounding area. Children can have fun at the ‘Imagination Station’ that features fun and educational activities.

Cost: Free /Donation

Art Galleries

Introduce your child to contemporary art by visiting contemporary art galleries and set the spark for creative imagination.

1. Contemporary Calgary

2. Esker Foundation Contemporary Art Gallery

3. Nickle Galleries

Cost: Free /Donation

Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Discover the ranching history in Western Canada at Bar U Ranch. Climb aboard the wagon and step back in time as you journey through the site’s 35 historic buildings that date back to the early 1900’s. Stop at Roundup Camp for a cup of cowboy coffee and immerse yourself in stories of ranching pioneers, fortunes made and lost, cattle-killing winters and massive roundups.

Cost: Adult $ 7.80, Senior $ 6.55, Youth free

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre tells the story of the Frank Slide (April 29 in 1903, 82 million tonnes of rock from Turtle Mountain buried part of the coal-mining town of Frank.). Explore the rich history of the Crowsnest Pass and the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies through interpretive walking trails.

Cost: Adult (18 to 64): $13.00; Senior (65+): $11.00, Youth (7 to 17 ): $9.00, Child (6 -): Free; Family ( 2 + children): $35.00

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, which is the oldest, largest and best-preserved buffalo jump site known.
Learn about the daily life and special ceremonies of the bison-hunting culture of the Blackfoot peoples. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Historic Site and Provincial Historic Site.

Cost: Adult (18 to 64): $15.00; Senior (65+): $13.00, Youth (7 to 17 ): $10.00, Child (6 -): Free; Family ( 2 + children): $40.00

Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site

Walk among the ruins of one of the largest and most ambitious coal mines in the Crowsnest Pass that was active from 1907 to 1915. Go on guided tours and learn about the life of miners.

Cost: by donation.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

See more than 35 skeletons of real dinosaurs like Albertosaurus, and T. rex. Learn about how fossils are recovered and preserved. Excavate in a realistic quarry, make your own fossil replica or take a guided hike through the badlands.

Cost: Adult (18-64):$19.00, Senior (65+): $14.00, Youth (7-17): $10, Children (6 and under): Free
Family (2 + 6 ) : $48.00

Atlas Coal Mine

Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site was once a working mine established in early 1900s,and was part of the erstwhile booming coal industry that covered the region of Drumheller. Explore original mine buildings, go on interpretive talks, a ride on Linda the Mantrip Locomotive, take a look inside the Tipple, a ride on a wooden coal car pulled by ponies, and a meet and greet with historic characters.

Cost: $10 per person; $30 per family

Cave & Basin National Historic Site

Explore the birthplace of Canada’s national park system. Stroll the boardwalk and enjoy nature. Spot the Banff Springs Snail, an endangered species, in its natural habitat. Explore the cave, tour the interactive displays andgo on lantern tours.

Cost: Adult (17 – 64) : $ 3.90, Child/Youth (6 – 16) : free, Senior (17 – 64) : $ 3.40

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site of Canada

Visit the museum built in 1903, that showcases more than 5,000 natural history specimens of mammals, birds, insects and fish found in the Canadian Rockies.

Cost: Adult (17 – 64) : $ 3.90, Child/Youth (6-16) : free , Senior (17 – 64) : $ 3.40, Family (upto 7; two adults max) : $9.80

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada

Revel in the breathtaking scenery of Bow Valley as you travel up the Banff Gondola, walk the board walk on top of the Sulphur mountain and see the site of high altitude geophysical laboratory and learn about its significance.

Cost: Adult: $58; Ages 6-15: $29
Under 5: Free; Alberta locals after 5: $49; Admission Before 10 AM– Child Free with paying adult

Okotoks Erratic – “The Big Rock”

Visit the largest glacial erratic near Okotoks, 16,500-tonne quartzite boulder is the world’s largest known glacial erratic. Enjoy a geography lesson and tell your child the Blackfoot story about the reason for the large split down the middle.

Full wheelchair accessibility. Parking lot and washrooms closed from mid-October to mid-May.

Cost: Free

Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site

Explore Alberta’s Icelandic heritage and the life of pioneer and poet, Stephan G. Stephansson. Step back in time as costumed interpreters recreate daily chores of this 1920s household, such as spinning wool and baking combined with leisurely poetry readings.

Cost: Adult (18 -64): $5.00; Senior (65+): $4.00, Youth (7 to 17 ): $2.00, Child (6 -): Free; Family (2+children): $14.00

Calaway Park

Visit western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park. Go on exhilarating family rides, savor mouth-watering treats, and entertainment and have an adventurous day out at Calaway Park.

Cost: Regular (7-49 years) $39.95+GST; Junior (3-6 years) $33.00+GST; Fifty Plus (50 years & up) $31.00+GST; Children 2 and under FREE! Online offers for a family of four available online.

Canada Olympic Park

Visit COP, a super thrill destination whatever the season! Whether you want to go skiing, snow boarding bobsleighing, mountain biking, or ziplining, COP is the place to be. Young children can test their skills at climbing wall, euro bunjy, spider web and other activities at the children’s area.

Cost: Admission free. Fees according to activity.

Skyline Luge Calgary

Navigate the twists, turns and bumps as you go downhill on a gravity controlled ride along a 1800 metres track that is the longest track of the same kind in the world. Once you reach the bottom, hop back on the chairlift to do it all over again.

Cost: One Luge ride: $16.00; Three Luge rides: $24.00; Pee Wee Luge rides: $3.00 ( Under 6 years or under the minimum height of 110cm children can ride the Luge in tandem with a full paying adult aged 20 + years.)

Shakers Fun Centre

Let kids laugh, slide, jump at the indoor playground, test your strength at climbing tower, play mini golf, and laser tag, and race on the go-carts at Shakers Fun Centre.

Cost: Value pass:$34.99 for anyone over the age of 2.. Individual activity tickets also available.

SpacePort

Visit this unique educational and entertainment facility focusing on space and aeronautics that is located on 6,000 square feet of space in Calgary international airport pre-security area. Explore hands-on exhibits and displays, authentic and Canadian Space Agency artifacts, try fighter jet simulators, Morphis -a moving eight-person scenario simulator in a space-age capsule, and more at SpacePort.

Cost: Admission is free, simulators, ticketed.

Speeders Indoor Pro-Karts

Feel the adrenaline pumping, while you race with your child at Speeders. Restriction: Minimum 12 years old, and 5’1” tall.

Cost: $19.00 for 1 lap.

Shaw Millennium Park

Test your skating skills at North America’s largest outdoor skatepark. This skate park has something for every ability level of the skater, from beginner to expert. The park consists of a street course with ledges, flatbars, stairs and trannies, an intermediate course with rails down stairs and banks, and an advanced course with cloverleaf bowl, street course and a large fullpipe.

Cost: Free

Other Skate Parks: Mobile park locations in Calgary

Chestermere Skate Park – Here

Iron Horse Park

Take the 1.6km interpretive journey aboard one of the 1/8th scale diesel or steam locomotives at the park and get a feeling of what the railway was like in Western Canada during the pioneer days. The miniature trains, track and landscape at Iron Horse Park represent the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) from the prairies to the coast.

Cost: Admission free, ride: $3.00.

Chuck E. Cheese’s

From kiddie rides for the little ones to the coolest video games and high-tech simulator rides, skill games & arcades, Chuck E. Cheese’s have something for every child.

Cost: free admission. games ticketed.

Trampoline Parks

Jump in and have fun in Trampoline parks. Calgary has a number of trampoline parks to choose from and to have bouncy family fun!

1. Extreme Air Park (Canada’s largest trampoline park) – Details

2. I-Bounce – Details

3. Flying Squirrel – Details

Laser Quest

Enjoy a game of laser tag game at Laser quest.

Cost: Regular game: $9.50

ROAR Play Park

Built in partnership with the Calgary Zoo, ROAR Play Park features all types of interactive games and activities for kids ages 1 to 11.

Cost: Free

Archery

Test your aim and have a ‘Hunger Games’ style family fun! Enjoy archery or shooting at the following locations.

1. Calgary Archery Centre

2. The Shooting Edge

3. Calgary Shooting Centre

Battlefield Live

Enjoy thrilling, interactive combat themed games using infra-red light guns. For ages 8+. Details

Cost: First Time Players: $27.00 for 1 hour.
Returning players: $20 per hour

Tree House Calgary

Let kids have fun at 12,000 square feet indoor play space that includes play structures, games & prizes, air inflatable, rock climbing, game floor and more while you have a pleasant time with a cup of coffee.

Cost: 1 year to 3 years old: $7.95; 4 years +: $11.95
Adults & Under 12 month: Free

Joso’s Play and Learn Centre

Geared towards little kids, Joso’s Indoor Playground has lots of fun activities for children. They also host special shows like magic shows, reptile presentations to keep little ones engaged. Details

Cost: varies depending on day of the week.

TommyKPlay

Have family fun at the indoor playground and family entertainment center that features play structures, Toddler Area, roller racer track, Laser Tag, Climbing Wall and more!

Cost: Depends on location: $6.95 – $9.95

Rec Room Calgary

This is an adult playground where kids can also have fun. Details

Cost: Free Admission

Other Indoor Playgrounds

Relax and enjoy coffee while kids have a rollicking time at the indoor play ground.

1. Hop, Sip & Jump Play Cafe – Details

2. Play a Latte – Details

Climbing Wall

Drive your kids up the climbing wall! Enjoy rock climbing at any of the following locations.

1. Crux Climbing and Bouldering – Details

2. Southland Leisure Centre – Climbing Wall

3. Beltline Aquatic & Fitness Centre – Details

4. YMCA Climbing Walls at Shawnessy, Saddletowne and South Health Campus locations. – Details

5. Calgary Climbing Centre – Details

Paintball

Take your teens and tweens and play a round of paintball. Multiple options available in Calgary.

1. Bragg Creek Paintball – Details

2. Rampage City Paintball – Details

3. Capture the Flag – Details

Bowling

Have a family fun day out enjoying the most popular game after soccer! There are multiple locations in Calgary, few are listed below.

1. Mountain View Bowl – Details

2. Bowling Depot – Details

3. Chinook Bowladrome – Details

4. Paradise Lanes – Details

5. Let’s Bowl – Details

6. Century Casino All ages Bowling – Details

7. Toppler Bowl – Details

Drop in Programs – City of Calgary Recreation & Calgary Public Library

Participate in the many fun programs and activities held by City of Calgary Recreation. Go for indoor swimming, skating, or shinney hockey. Details

Calgary Public library offers plenty of free activities to choose from for all ages including toddler story times. Plan ahead to attend some of the free activities: Details.

Wading pools, spray parks and outdoor pools

Beat the heat and enjoy the summer by visiting one of our many wading pools, spray parks and outdoor pools around the city.

Okotoks Spray Park – Here

Cost: Free

Workshops and Other Fun Activities

1. Have fun every Friday night during Kids Friday Fun Night at Colour On Fire Art Studio, a paint your own pottery, canvas and glass fusion art studio.

2. Join 4 Cats for artistic fun.

3. See what you can make with paper during Puppet Pop-Up Studio.

4. Introduce your kids to a new hobby at Clay for Kids.

5.Let your child build a new sleep buddy at Build a Bear Workshop.

6. Build, learn and play with Lego® at Bricks 4 Kidz.

Spruce Meadows

Watch the world-class premier show jumping tournaments, tour the stables, visit the ground any day of the year and watch the trainers exercise the horses, enjoy picnicking on the Meadows’ grounds, fish in the pond and play in the playground.

Cost: Free

Aspen Crossing

Take an Aspen Crossing Train Tour and be a part of the circus fun. Be entertained by the circus troupe and create a magical memory. Learn about the the culture and history of the railways as you explore the majestic grain elevators left standing as icons of the prairie horizon.

Cost: Start at Child $39.99 – Adult $75.99 for 3 hour tours. 1 hour trips also available

Sikome Lake

Grab your beach umbrellas, and have a fun day with your family at this 0.44 sq km lake with sandy shores.

Cost: Family: $10

Chestermere Lake

Enjoy the beautiful sand beach (at Anniversary Park), swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, skating, lakeside promenades, rolling grass hills, picnic spaces and more at Chestermere Lake, located half an hour from downtown Calgary.

Cost: Free

Fish Creek Provincial Park

Explore Canada’s largest urban provincial park: enjoy nature, hike, fish, visit Artisan Gardens where Alberta’s history, nature and art is honoured in a very unique and culturally significant fashion, join for educational programs held at Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre & Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre and join for Friends of Fish Creek programs.

Nature Kids

Learn about nature and have fun at the same time through Nature Kids program: a nature-focused program that aims to teach children (aged 5-13) and their families about nature.

Cost: free and ticketed events.

Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area

Enjoy unspoiled wilderness with kids and spot Acmon Blue butterflies, Sora and other native wildlife as you hike self-guided interpretive trails at Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

Cost: Free

Birding & Nature Expeditions

Join fellow nature enthusiasts and observe birds, critters and all aspects of nature across Calgary area.

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

Explore scenic landscapes, explore the expansive trail system, or take part in public programs that offer a range of educational and recreational opportunities, including family programs and golf cart tours at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park located on the northwest corner of the city (Haskayne Park) and stretching 14 km along the Bow River to Cochrane.

Cost: Free

Bow Habitat Station

Learn about Alberta’s natural environment, feed the fish on a guided fish hatchery tour and go fishing in the trout pond at the Bow Habitat Station.

Cost: for both tour& Visitor Centre: Adult (18-64): $14.00; Senior (65+) /Student (with ID): $14.00
Youth (5-17): $8.00; Children(4-): Free; Family (2+2): $45.00.

Devonian Gardens

Enjoy a visit to this indoor oasis filled with exotic tropical plants, take part in special children’s programmes held by Calgary recreation and have fun in the kids playground.

Cost: Free

Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs

Stroll this garden that showcases elegant plants, a spectacular Wall Garden and The Shakespeare Herb and Flower Garden. Visit this 1350 square meters garden maintained by volunteers and appreciate the beauty of volunteering.

Cost: Free

Pierce Estate Park

Amble along the scenic pathways, and take Pierce Estate Park interpretive wetland tour to learn about boreal peatlands and prairie marshes.

Cost: Free

Frank Lake

Visit Frank Lake, a productive wetland home to hundreds of bird species. See native plant species, mammals and birds in their natural environment at this Lake situated in High River.

Cost: Free

Carburn Park

Enjoy fishing, watch wildlife and waterfowl, and have a fun day strolling along the Bow River pathways at Carburn Park.

Elliston Regional Park

Enjoy the rose gardens, Interactive sundial, explore the park through a family bike ride and watch Global Fest fireworks at the park.

Edworthy Park

Experience Calgary’s nature as you stroll the many pathways and have a picnic at this great family park. Delight in Lawrey Gardens, and explore Douglas Fir Trail.

Glenmore Reservoir & Glenmore Parks

Paths around Glenmore reservoir and South/North Glenmore Parks provide another wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature and to have a fun time outdoors.

Cost: Free, Global Fest – Ticketed.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Visit Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre and learn about local wildlife. Take a guided tour through open grasslands and forests and see how floods affected the sanctuary’s trails.

Cost: Free

Bowness Park

A great park to visit, whatever the season. Enjoy paddling in the lagoon, have a go at newly built children’s play ground, picnicking, skating and cross-country skiing in winter and long leisurely walks by the river.

Cost: Free

Canoeing, Rafting or Sailing

Enjoy summer and explore Calgary’s waterways through Sailing, canoeing or rafting. If you are new to this, see Calgary Rowing Club, Calgary Canoe Club, and Glenmore Sailing School to get started.

Rafting down Elbow/Bow River – See here for safety tips.

Elbow river for families with small children & Bow River for those who want a bit more adventure. Call Lazy Day Raft Rentals (403-258-0575) for guidance and maps.

Paddle Station Calgary: With two starting locations at Shouldice Park and Princes Island Park, Calgarians can now simply show up to one of the locations, rent the vessel with the help of the paddle crew and get out on the water. Prices starting at $15 per person for kayak rental and $10 per person for raft rentals.

Olds College Botanic Gardens and Treatment Wetlands

See flowering trees and shrubs, fabulous displays of annuals, Herb Garden and AAS Selection Display Gardens, swaths of spring bulbs and more as you tour the exquisite gardens created by Old College ground staff.

Cost: Free

Prince’s Island Park and River Walk

Meander the scenic path ways of Prince’s Island Park appreciating the lush green park. Learn about wildlife, habitats, and how a wetland works, through interpretative boards in the Chevron Learning Pathway. Bike along your favourite section of the Riverwalk or from Fort Calgary to Prince’s Island Park.

Cost: Free

Golf

Enjoy golf with your little one at Calgary’s eight Municipal golf courses. City of Calgary provides affordable golfing with junior free days and other special offers.

Cheer Calgary Home Teams

(These are not exactly outdoor activities). Cheer Calgary Home teams as they battle it out for the next champions title.

Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Flames

Calgary Roughnecks

Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Foot Hills FC PDL

Cost: Varies.

Biking with Kids

Biking is a great way to explore Calgary. Calgary has extensive biking paths along Bow river and natural areas.

Some great pathways include Bow River Pathway, Carburn Park Loop, Pearce Estate to Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Loop, Glenmore Reservoir, Nosehill park, Edworthy Park and Fish creek Provincial Park.

Cost: Free.

Visit Farmer Markets

Teach kids about sustainable farming, seasonal produce, get them to spot exotic vegetables, and the importance of supporting local farms by visiting the many farmers markets in and around Calgary.

Cost: Free

Art Walks

Go for a downtown Calgary tour, explore Calgary’s extensive outdoor public art collection.

1. Out Door Art Works.

2. +15 Art Circuit Tour

Explore Unique Calgary & Heritage Walking Tours

Join for a guided walking tour and listen to the stories of Calgary’s past.

1. Calgary Walks

2. Ghost Tour

Chinook Country Historical Society holds 11 days of walks, talks and tours celebrating the history of Calgary and region. Join the tour with your older children. Join for free guided tours of historic downtown Okotoks by Okotoks and District Historical Society.

Cost: Free

Fishing

Fish with your little ones in the Spruce Meadows pond or in the ponds at Carburn Park.Trout pond at Bow Habitat Station is the best to introduce kids to fishing. For ice fishing, see here.

Explore Provincial Parks near Calgary

Enjoy a free day trip or go camping, and explore glorious nature and outdoor activities at these provincial parks located within 1 hour of Calgary.

1. Spray Valley Provincial Park

2. Sheep River Provincial Park

3. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

4. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park

5. Bow Valley Provincial Park

Provincial Recreation Areas near Calgary

Pack a picnic, go on a day trip and enjoy Kananaskis country.

1. Elbow Falls

2. Little Elbow

3. Sibbald Lake

Winter Activities

Welcome Jack Frost with glee and have fun in snow blanketed Calgary. See winter activities for all things fun that can be enjoyed in Calgary.

Trip to Banff National Park

Choose between multiple day trips, or an extended stay and be amazed by some of the world’s magnificent scenery. Revel in snowcapped peaks of Rocky Mountains that form a spectacular backdrop for ethereal alpine lakes and unspoiled wilderness. There are plenty to see and do for all ages in Banff National Park that is on all the travel bucket lists.

CPO for Kids

Symphony Sundays concerts by Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra introduce kids to classical music concerts. With pre-concert entertainment and Instrument Discovery Zoo, CPO concerts are a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Calgary.

Children’s Choirs

Listen to the children’s concerts heralding joy and inspiration!

1. The Calgary Girls Choir

2. Calgary Children’s Choir

3. Calgary Boys’ Choir

4. Cantare Children’s Choir

5. Youth Singers of Calgary

Storybook Theatre

Enjoy one act plays by one of Canada’s largest theatres for young audiences. Storybook Theatre produces true entertainment that delights the whole family round the year.

Loose Moose Theatre

Experience unique theatre productions of classic children’s fairytales that makes going to theatre an experience that is truly magical for children 4 – 10 years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents.

Ballet & Broadway – 2018 – 2019

Revel in the lavish costumes and wondrous musical productions like Nutcracker (December 14 – 24) and Sleeping Beauty (Oct 24-27) by Alberta Ballet, The Illusionists – Live From Broadway (January 8 to 13, 2019, on sale Nov 12)

Other Live Theatre Events

Do not miss

1. The Christmas Story by Theatre Calgary.

3. Theatre events for tots by Soul Centric Performing Arts,

4. Stage west Dinner Theatre for Kids.

Weekend Events

There is always something fun going on for the whole family, any given week. See Family weekend activities article for more details.

Festivals

Calgary is home to some of best family fun festivals. From the thrilling midway rides during Calgary Stampede to fantastic science spectacle during Beakerhead, you will never be short on family entertainment in Calgary.