Maple Syrup Festivals in Burlington

It is almost March and that means that we are only a few days away from the start of Maple Syrup festivals here in Burlington!  When I say that I "love" maple syrup, it's not really an exaggeration - I wait patiently through the winter with the sweet memories of maple serving as my light at the end of the tunnel. I remember visiting these festivals as a child and now I have the opportunity to bring my own children out to experience this delicious fun.

We are so lucky to have three unique maple experiences all in our own backyard.  My family tries to rotate yearly between each festival or sometimes we squeeze two visits in.  Conservation Halton offers Maple Town at Mountsberg and Sweet Water Season at Crawford Lake.  Bronte Creek Provincial Park has their annual Maple Syrup Festival.

Visitors to Bronte Creek will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour led by costumed interpreters.  Along the way you will learn how the trees are tapped, how syrup and candy are made, you can view artifacts in the maple museum and tour the historical Spruce Lane Farmhouse.  By the time you are done touring, you will have probably worked up an appetite.  Fear not, you can hop on a wagon ride and head to the pancake house where you guessed it pancakes, maple syrup and sausage are on the menu!  But the fun doesn't end there. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a hike through the trails at Bronte Creek and if you have kids be sure to visit the children's farm where you can get up close and personal with cows, pigs, turkeys and more.  If the kids still have excess energy head over to the playbarn and let them run, jump and play.  As a previous visitor to this festival, I recommend giving yourself at least a couple of hours to see and do everything and dress for the weather as most activities are outdoors.  Entry into the festival is $16.00 and includes parking, but you will need extra cash if you want to purchase food and souvenirs.  The festival runs weekends in March and daily during March break.

At Mountsberg the folks of Conservation Halton transform the park into Maple Town.  You can stroll through the sugar bush and see the tapped trees or you can jump on the wagon ride for a guided tour.  I know that the horse drawn wagon ride is always a highlight for my girls (and me!) One of the great things about this event is that you can experience everything in one spot.  There are several out buildings where you can see maple syrup being made, see how maple sugar is made (try a sample), and of course there is the pavilion serving up pancakes, syrup and sausage.  Outdoors the trees in the area are tapped and you can watch the sap drip into the buckets, there is a vintage cooking demonstration with a big cast iron pot over an open fire and kids and adults can try the shoulder harness for carrying the buckets. You will need to walk into the area of the park that is dedicated to the event so dress warm and wear good footwear especially if it's muddy (which in my experience it usually is) due to melting.  Once you've had your fill of maple be sure to visit the Raptor Centre for the "birds of prey" demonstrations, hike along the wildlife walkway and bring the kids to the playbarn to visit the animals.   On March 3rd, visitors to Maple Town will get an added bonus with the Flapjack Olympics running 11am-3pm.  

Crawford Lake in keeping with their aboriginal roots has Native Style Sweet Water Presentations where you can learn how maple sugar would have been made in an Iroquoian Village more than 600 years ago.  While your there be sure to sample the cornbread dripping with pure maple syrup or maple taffy on snow (available from 1 until 4 pm).  All of the maple activities are in the 15th century reconstructed Iroquoian Village which you can spend some time exploring including the longhouse.  Kids will love the craft-making and discovery hunt and everyone can get active with a walk/hike on their 19km of trails.  Did you know that Crawford Lake is also home to a rare meromictic lake (where layers of water do not intermix).  This location does not have food services on-site so be sure to bring something along to snack on if you are planning an extended visit.


Admission to maple events at Conservation Halton are Adults: $7.50, Children (ages 5-14): $5.25, Seniors (65+): $6.50 and Children 4 & under No Charge.  You will need extra cash for food, souvenirs and the wagon ride.  Both festivals run March 2-April 7 Weekends, Holidays and Daily during March Break (March 11 -15).  

We hope you have a sweet time at the maple syrups events and if you need any assistance planning your visit to Burlington be sure to visit our website or give us a call at 905-634-5594 or toll-free at 1-877-499-9989. 

Camping in Burlington/Halton - affordable, fun and close to home!

As summer draws to a close many are thinking of how to squeeze the last bits of fun out of this season.  One great way to enjoy late summer and early fall is camping.  No need to fight traffic to get that "up-north" experience. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to go far to sleep under the stars with excellent locations for both tent and trailer camping within minutes of Burlington.   If you are tent camping you will probably not need water and hydro hook-ups and depending on where you go, you can expect to pay from approximately $50 and up per night for your lot.  

For me, camping is just a way of life.  From the time I was three years old, my parents packed up me and my brother (and later just me) and set off to enjoy Provincial Parks across Ontario.  As a young adult, my friends and I would camp in bigger groups and tended to more commercial parks that offered amenities like a snack shop as we were more often than not inadequately prepared.  My husband started later but was more adventerous doing some outback camping in addition to the standard campground type.  Now with a family of my own I looked forward to bringing my girls camping so they could have the same great memories as I have of campfires, the smell of the morning air and running around meeting new “campground friends”.  At two and five years this may not all be possible the first time out, but no time like the present to start. 

When choosing a camp ground it is always good to do some research and find out what style of camping best suits your needs.  The age and experience of the campers and what amenities and activities you are looking for can help in determining where you want to stay.

We are lucky to have a Provincial Park located right on the border of Burlington/Oakville. Bronte Creek Provincial Park offers both tent, trailer and yurt camping until October 22nd which means you still have plenty of time to plan your trip.  But remember, there are two entrances:  one is for camping, at Bronte Road and Upper Middle (exit 111) off QEW; to get to the day-use area you must use Burloak Drive (exit 109) off the QEW.  

The park offers 144 electric service sites, full comfort stations with showers and laundry, two play equipment areas, family programming and kids' programs.  Choose from open, treed and well shaded sites.  Reservations are highly recommended if arriving or staying through Friday / Saturday during the peak season.  It is incredible that such a place exists so close to home.  Within minutes of packing, you can be sitting beside a campfire enjoying the peaceful sounds of the frogs and birds.  Staying at Bronte Creek campground can feel like a “real” vacation … without the long drive, cranky kids, etc.  It is a great place to try out your camping equipment or introduce family members to camping.  They even offer Learn to Camp programs at the beginning of the season (note for 2013).  Reservations can be made by phone or online.

Conservation Halton also offers camping at two of their six parks. Both parks offer group and individual; tent or tent-trailer camping but do not have hook-ups for RV's.  At Kelso you can camp into late fall and Rattlesnake Point offers year round camping (5 upper sites available for winter camping).  At Kelso telling a scary story beside a roaring campfire and then trying to sleep in a tent with all the sounds of the outdoors is a right of passage for many youngsters.  It is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.  Indulge in a swim at a sandy beach, hike along the rugged Bruce Trail, explore the trails while mountain biking and so much more.  Visitors to the park can also rent kayaks, paddleboats and canoes, which means you can try these water sports without having to invest in equipment up front and no hauling!  You can also take in a movie in the park on Friday night the next 2 weekends at sunset as part of Family Outdoor Movie Nights.  This park is great for families and you are assured that no one will be bored.


Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area has some of the most inspiring natural vantage points in Halton Region.  There are five breathtaking lookouts dotting the edge of the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment.  Excellent hiking trails perfect for experiencing the areas diverse forest complex with its rich diversity of plant and animal habitats.  Soak up this relaxed atmosphere with an overnight stay at one of the 18 campsites at the park (washrooms and showers are available).  For the more adventureous, this park also offers some of the best rock-climbing in Ontario.  At the end of the day relax by a campfire and listen to the sounds of nature as you settle in for the night.

Kelso and Rattlesnake offer pristine campsites located throughout the parks which are available by reservation.  All campsites are non-serviced and some are large enough to accommodate group camping.  To book a reservation visit the website.

So here begins my camping adventure and some ideas if you are planning to camp with kids.  After much searching, I found the camping gear that we had accumulated over the years and wondered how much was salvageable for a family trip, luckily Burlington is home to Mountain Equipment Co-op and I headed there to meet up with Camping Product Specialist – Annika or the Camping Goddess as I like to call her who set me up with some camping gear for our first family trip.  Whether you are a first time camper or a seasoned pro, you will be able to find most items that you need to make your experience great.  I think what I like best about the approach at MEC is that Annika truly was interested in helping me and my family have a great experience, she took the time to ask questions about our previous experience, where we were going, the kids and what they would be doing, etc. and then she made recommendations on what we needed, what is good to have and what is a “luxury” item.  She also made suggestions about others items we might need, even if they were not sold at her store. 

First and foremost on the list was a tent and in the end we went with a Funhouse 4, because it offered enough room to stand up and as anyone will attest to that has hunched over in a tent trying to change, that is a big plus.  This tent is so quick and easy to set up, I was amazed, so much better than the tents of old.  I have to add that one of the best things about this tent was that they include a tent peg mallet – it’s the little things for me. The take-down only took about 10 minutes and I was able to do it myself while I send my husband off with the girls.  It also has a ‘vestibule’ that gives some extra rooms for bags and removing your shoes. If you have a family of four or more, I would suggest moving up to the Funhouse 6 as it gives the adults more space especially if you are using air mattresses under your sleeping bags. 

We had heard people suggest we bring a second tent or a dining tent as a play area for the girls.  It seemed like a great idea.  When we arrived at the camp we left them in their car seats and worked on setting up one of our old two man tents for them to play in, we struggled to remember how it set up and were egged on by the chanting of “let us out” from the van but we did manage to get it set up and piled with toys only to find out that our two-year old had zero interest in being confined.  She screeched for the 10-15 minutes it took to set up the main tent and in hindsight, we should have just left them in the car and set up that tent as they were more than content to play in the bigger space with some dolls and books.

One item that was a real hit was the hammock we brought from home that we strung among the trees.  The girls loved swinging and by the second day had mastered sharing which allowed us to do other things while they amused themselves swaying through the air.  Most of the time we were so busy exploring that they didn’t have the time or interest in toys but if you need downtime or worse yet if it rains, you will want to have something to keep everyone busy and amused.

Once you are past your twenties, an air mattress is a must unless you are outback camping where space and weight needs to be optimized.   We opted to use our old sleeping bags for us and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with the kids – who knew they made child sized sleeping bags.  Back in the day, my parents just put me in an adult one and hoped for the best.  Mind you in those days we didn’t have car seats and I am pretty sure seat beats were optional.  Annika suggested the Lil’ dipper sleeping bag, it comes in two sizes which was perfect for both girls and as an added bonus they have them in purple which ensured they were a hit.  As it is getting later in the camping season, the nights are cooler and while I woke up shivering and searching for my fleece in the middle of the night, the girls were warm and cozy in their bags – I think I will be investing in a new sleeping bag for our next trip.

If you are camping with kids or are looking to make meals quick and easy then you will want to bring a cook stove.  While cooking over a campfire is fun it’s not always quick and practical.  We chose the Primus FireHole 200 Stove with a double burner (perfect for those that need coffee and food at the same time) is a really worthwhile investment.  In the words of my husband “this stove is awesome!” when coupled with a Glacier stainless steel percolator that brews six cups of really good coffee, waking up at 6:30am with the kids wasn’t so bad.  Annika helped me choose a cookware set and plastic mugs (in fun colours) as our old stuff was probably not fit to cook with but she recommends if you are just starting out to bring stuff from your kitchen, you don’t need special gear for cooking but keep in mind if you are cooking over an open fire that it might not look as good when it returns.  We brought along two coolers one vintage and a new and much improved MEC Chilli Cooler.  One cooler held the frequently and quickly used items like milk, juice boxes and produce and the other was for longer term storage and kept our items cold and food-safe as it wasn't opened as frequently.

The girls had a great time exploring the nature trails, hitting the beach and fishing for the first time.  My two-year old didn’t last long at fishing and we hit the trails for a relaxing (read: sleeping) walk but my five-year old had a great time learning how to bait a hook, cast a reel and on the second day out, catching (and releasing) two fish!

The highlight of the trip of course was the campfire; we had hotdogs and all the supplies for s ‘mores at the request of Lily and from the time we arrived she was anxious to start the fun.  We roasted hotdogs over the fire, and the majority of the marshmallows were consumed “raw”, we did cook them over the fire for mom and dad.

As night descends it is always important to have some good lighting equipment.  Gone are the days of propane lanterns, you can now get the same effect from battery operated lamps which are much safer with kids (and clumsy adults).  I was on the hunt for flashlights but Annika turned me on to headlamps which are a great alternative that provide lots of light for nighttime trips and leaves your hands free for carrying or child-wrangling.  They have adult and child-sizes and my girls wore them around happily (at some points even during the day!)

The one item I did forget was a broom, a kids sized broom and dust pan is perfect for sweeping out the bottom of your tent before packing it away and for dusting away the outdoors (twigs, leaves, dirt) from your other gear – no need to bring nature home with you.

The overall cost of our equipment came to approximately $800 not including what we already had at home which may seem like a lot but when you think of the cost of a weekend at a hotel with your kids it’s not much to invest.  Most of the items have a minimum life of five years but with proper care can last up to ten or fifteen years.  It is recommended you pack items such as tents and sleeping bags clean and dry and loosely if possible to extend their life.  Start small investing in a few key items and if you decide that camping is part of your family’s lifestyle then add to your gear yearly.

If you are looking for a great way to spend time outdoors, enjoy a vacation and not spend too much or travel too far then camping in Burlington/Halton is for you.  We had a great time and hope to go again this year if time permits.  If not, next year we will venture out again and add to what we hope will be a lifetime of memories for our family.  

Safe and happy travels to you and your family and don't forget the marshmallows!

More Family Fun Events in Burlington, ON

Well we are already half-way through the summer which means you are probably looking for some new activities to keep everyone entertained.  The good news is that there are lots of great options for family fun including enjoying feature films in the great outdoors.  Both the City of Burlington and Kelso Conservation Area are running a series of outdoor movie nights.  Just pack your chair or blanket, some snacks and drinks and get ready for a fun-filled evening.

City of Burlington – Movies under the Stars

from BurlEventGurl

You know, I have to say that I absolutely love summer...the hot sunny days, the warm balmy nights; it’s great! But for those of you that may be trying to entertain kids on a budget, sometimes it can be challenging to fend off another course of the “I’m BOOOORRRREEED” blues!

Well, get ready for some relief! Every Thursday night from July 12 through August 16, Tim Hortons presents Movies Under the Stars. This outdoor movie series is open to everyone and the best part? It’s free!

Thursday, July 12 – Puss in Boots at Nelson Park

If you love Antonio Banderas’ interpretation of Puss in Boots in the 4 Shrek movies, you will love his starring role in Puss in Boots. In the same style of Shrek, traditional fairy tales and characters are given a unique spin for an adventure the whole family will love. And to prove you’re never too old for cartoons or fairy tales, this is one of my husband’s favourite movies.

Thursday, July 19 – Big Miracle at Kiwanis Park

While I haven’t seen this movie myself, I am looking forward to taking my family to see Big Miracle. Based on a true story from 1988, a reporter (played by John Krasinski, who you may know from The Office) and an environmental volunteer (played by Drew Barrymore), band together to free 3 whales trapped beneath the ice in the Arctic Circle. This has been touted to be a feel good movie, that’s great family entertainment, especially for older kids.

Thursday, July 26 – The Muppets at Optimist Park

The Muppets are back on the big screen after a 12 year hiatus. A star studded cast (Jason Segel, who you may know from How I Met Your Mother), Amy Adams, and Jack Black, try to help Kermit the Frog reunite with his Muppets friends. They must raise $10 million to save their old theatre from Tex Richman (played by Chris Cooper) who wants to demolish the theatre to drill for oil. A great family movie, this is one to see if you loved the Muppets as a child or are a newer Muppet fan. True to the tradition of the Muppets, be sure to watch for tons of cameos with stars playing themselves!

Thursday, August 2 – Toy Story 3 at Emerson Park

In my opinion, Toy Story 3 is definitely an example of 3 times’s a charm. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the Toy Story movies (and can probably quote more lines from each one than a grown up should be able to...) but Toy Story 3 is one of my favourites. In fact, it’s a favourite with everyone at our house! All your favourite characters, Woody, Buzz, and the gang are back for another adventure. This time, Andy is all grown up and getting ready to go to college. His toys are supposed to be stored in the attic, but instead end up at Sunnyside Daycare for an adventure they’ll never forget. This is a great movie for all ages with adventure, excitement and the voice talents of Michael Keaton and Timothy Dalton joining Tim Allen and another favourite of mine, Tom Hanks.

Thursday, August 9 – The Lorax at Lowville Park

I plan to make the drive up to Lowville Park to catch The Lorax, again. I took my kids to see this over the winter holidays when it was in theatres and absolutely loved it. True to Dr. Seuss, it has fun, original characters, and a lesson to be learned. Even though the movie is based on the 1972 book, the environmental message still rings true today. Great voice talent (Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny Devito, and Betty White to name only a few) make this a fun movie for all!

Thursday, August 16 – We Bought A Zoo at Burloak Park

We Bought A Zoo is the holiday smash brought to life by director/writer/producer Cameron Crowe (Jerry McGuire). Inspired by a true story, Matt Damon plays a recently widowed dad, Benjamin Mee, who buys a rundown zoo in an attempt to make a fresh start with his family. Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church round out the cast as the head zoo keeper and Mee’s brother respectively. This is a great story that both adults and older children will love. Some say that the animal ‘actors’ outshine the human talent in this comedy-drama file. Because this movie deals with grief, and how it affects Mee’s children as well (aged 7 & 14), it is best suited to children aged 7 and up.

Be sure to grab a chair and a blanket and check the web site or call the Burlington Events hotline at 905-335-7766 for information before heading out to any of these movies. They are weather dependant so will be cancelled in case of rain. A rain date is planned for August 23^rd at Mohawk Park to show the movie that got rained out.

See you at the Movies Under the Stars!

Kelso Conservation – Family Outdoor Movie Nights*

Family Outdoor Movie Nights at Kelso Conservation Area are back starting Friday August 10th.  Join friends and family under the stars to watch an all-time favourite. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, relax and enjoy. Movies start at dusk.   With all there is to do at Kelso consider spending the day enjoying the biking, trails, beach (you can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboats), and picnic areas

*regular park admission rates apply

Friday August 10 - The Muppets

When an evil oil man discovers black gold beneath Muppet Theater, Kermit recruits a Muppet super-fan and his two best friends to help gather up the gang for a telethon that will save the venue from being razed and replaced with a giant oil pump.

Friday August 17 -  Rio

Join these rare birds as they embark on an adventure of a lifetime, where they learn about friendship, love, courage, and being open to life's many wonders. Rio brings together a menagerie of vivid characters, a heart-warming story, colorful backdrops, energizing Latin and contemporary music, and family-friendly song and dance.

Friday August 24 – Big Miracle

In small town Alaska, a news reporter recruits his ex-girlfriend - a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

Friday August 31 – The Lorax

A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.

Some other great evening events to consider are:

City of Burlington Concerts in the Park – Wednesday & Sunday at Central Park Bandshell plus selected Sundays at Spencer Smith Park – FREE

Bronte Creek Provincial Park Ghost Walks – Sunday nights in August.  Regular Park admission rates apply.

Royal Botanical Gardens Tranquil Tuesdays (to July 31) and Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues Wednesdays (to Sept. 5).  Regular admission fees apply.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and if you are looking for more ideas on what to see and do in Burlington please drop by our Visitor Centre at 414 Locust (open 8a-6p daily), visit our website or give us a call at 905-634-5594.  We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook 

March Break Activities in Burlington

If you want to ensure you won’t hear “I’m bored” or “are we there yet?” from your children this March break then plan to spend some time exploring all there is to see and do in Burlington.  March Break is a great time for families to get out and enjoy activities and events together.  Whether you are looking for a day trip, planning a “stay-cation” or visiting from afar there is something for everyone here in our beautiful city.

Your kids will be thrilled to head to one of the many maple syrup festivals in Burlington/Halton where they can experience first-hand the process of tapping maple trees to the creation of maple syrup (educational and delicious!) 

Maple @ Bronte Creek

Fresh Ontario maple syrup begins flowing at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on March 3^rd, when the park’s annual Maple Syrup Festival gets under way.  The maple syrup festivities are open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every weekend in March and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily through March Break (March 12-16th). Enjoy a guided tour of the Maple Lane, where 1890s costumed interpreters demonstrate how to tap maple trees, make maple syrup and maple sugar.  View artifacts in the maple museum or tour the 100-year-old Spruce Lane Farmhouse.   Be sure to browse through the maple products and souvenirs available in the Maple Gift Shoppe and pick up a bottle of syrup to take home. Hop on a wagon that will take you to a heated pancake house where you can enjoy fresh, hot pancakes with pure maple syrup and sausages ($), served up throughout the festival hours.  They even make their own Fresh Maple Sugar and Maple Taffy! Visit their website for more information. 

Maple Festival @ Mountsberg

Conservation Halton’s Mountsberg and Crawford Lake both feature Maple Syrup Festivals weekends, holidays and March Break. At Crawford Lake you can view Native style sweet water presentations and taste complimentary samples of cornbread dripping with pure maple syrup. While you are there explore the 15th century Iroquoian Village and reconstructed Longhouses, 19km of hiking trails and the beautiful and rare Crawford Lake. Kids will enjoy free craft making and a discovery hunt with prizes.  Maple Products are for sale in the Gift Shop and snowshoe rentals are available (weather permitting).   In March, Mountsberg transforms into Maple Town.  Visitors can see how sap is magically transformed into sweet, sticky syrup and smell the fragrant steam rising from simmering kettles. You can learn the secrets of maple candy making and taste FREE candy samples (my personal favourite!). Enjoy piping hot pancakes smothered in fresh maple syrup ($) then stay to enjoy a guided horse drawn wagon ride through the sugar bush ($). Kids will love the chance to slide, climb, jump and run in the Play Barn or visit Mountsberg's resident raptors in live demonstrations (12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm).  If you need to burn off the calories from your pancake breakfast, take a walk along the wildlife walkway and view bison, eagles, hawks and owls.  Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to visit both these parks as there is lots to do.

Skiing @ Glen Eden

With 14 runs, it’s easy to go on a ski getaway right here at home! Glen Eden is a great place to ski, snowboard and they for those that don’t want to hit the slopes, there is a tube park with 4 chutes.  For a deal consider the “March Madness” ski or snowboard packages, including a beginner’s lift ticket, equipment rental, and lesson; starting at  $29.99. Check out Glen Eden’s website for park conditions and more details.

If you are headed to Glen Eden make sure you keep your eyes open for the Mapleview Centre on the slopes. The Mapleview Style patrol will be patrolling the slopes at Glen Eden to kick off March Break.  Put your style to work for a chance to win 1 of 10, $100 Mapleview Gift Cards.  Show them what Mapleview store best represents your style and have your photo snapped by their Style Patrol paparazzi on March 10th or 11th from 11AM-6PM to enter.   For full details visit www.mapleviewcentre.com

@RBG Chocolate: The Exhibition

If you have a sweet tooth, Chocolate: The Exhibition at the Royal Botanical Gardens can teach you everything there is to know about Chocolate!  You can see chocolate start as cacao and watch it become your favourite treats, while you learn about its history and mythology in this family-friendly interactive exhibit.  While the exhibition runs 7-days a week until April 15th, there are also specialty chocolate events covering everything from DIY chocolate spa treatments to dessert-making.  And if that still isn’t enough for the chocoholics out there, you can take some time to explore the 18 locations on the Burlington Chocolate Trail.

Ireland House @ Oakridge Farm

Museums of Burlington are a great place to visit and take in some local history.  Ireland House at Oakridge Farm interprets the lives of the Ireland family, the historic farmstead, buildings, gardens and contents as they were acquired and used by the Ireland family c1830 to the 1900s. The Joseph Brant Museum will be offering admission, a heritage craft, and refreshment for the inclusive price of $15 at their “Workshop Wonders”, scheduled twice daily on March 13th and 14th. You can also explore the museums exhibitions, interactive displays, a hands-on discovery gallery and visible storage. Burlington’s Joseph Brant Museum, tells the important story of the historical founding settlement and development of the Burlington area.  If you can’t make it to the museums drop by our Tourism Burlington visitor centre and pick up a copy of “Joe Jr.” a heritage newspaper for kids full of interesting stories and fun activities.

The Burlington Art Centre is a great place to visit as part of a family outing to downtown Burlington or Spencer Smith Park, with ongoing exhibitions, the lush Conservatory, the Art Etc Gallery Shop and the Shoreline Cafe for snacks or a light lunch.  The best part is admission is always FREE!

The library is a great place to spend some time with your kids whether it’s choosing a great book to read or finding a DVD to watch, it’s free and fun! This March Break Burlington Public Libraries are hosting events with something for everyone. Drop by to listen to stories, create art from an old book, tie-dye a pillow case, make your own gummy sushi, or even see a magic show!  Event times are listed at the BPL website. 

Burlington Mall is inviting kids to join them in centre court from March 12-18th to play at our play centre. Kids can get creative; making Play-doh® characters and playing games on-line.  The play centre is open Mon – Sat 10am to 4pm and Sun noon to 4pm.  When you are done playing spend some time checking out the new spring arrivals in stores throughout the mall or relax and enjoy a coffee or lunch at their food court.

If you are one of the many parents that have to work during the March Break there are lots of day camps available from sports to creative arts and some have programming for children as young as 3 years old.

The City of Burlington offers full week and day camps with a wide variety of activities, from fun to fitness, including everything from Playdium visits to drop-in basketball.  The popular Babysitter Training program, certified by the Canada Safety Council, is also offered March 14th and 15th.  Registration may be completed online via RecExpress.

@Burlington Art Centre

Give your children an artistic March Break. The Burlington Art Centre has half-day morning and afternoon art classes running all week! Whether they go to Art Camp for Kinders (from 4 to 6 years), the Mixed Bag for kids (from 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 year) or drawing, photography or pottery for the 11+ set, it will be a great week for them and for you! Go to thebac.ca/classes for more information or call 905-632-7796, ext. 307. Register by age group, for either a morning or afternoon session. (There is no supervised lunch period).

Museums of Burlington- Ireland House Museum is proud to offer the “String in Spring” camp this March Break.  Kids up to age 12 will engage in games and activities all about string, yarn, and rope, all on the historic grounds of Ireland House at Oakridge Farm! Registration is available on a day-to-day or weekly basis. Supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Joseph Brant Museum is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee with “Camp Jubilee”, a two-day camp featuring royal history, fun, games, and of course, tea! Camp Jubilee runs March 15th and 16th, free of charge, so contact Museums of Burlington

before all the spots are gone!

If you’re looking for something different this March break, the Royal Botanical Gardens offers several week long Discovery Camps for children ages 4-13.  These programs combine outdoor adventures, lessons about nature and the environment, and fun kid-friendly activities like crafts and games.  These programs require pre-registration, so be sure to visit the RBG website for details. To tie into their chocolate exhibit, the RBG offers day-long camps on March 13th and 15th focused on chocolate, with an environmental and historical twist.

Cedar Spring Health & Racquet Club – ideal for juniors and tiny tots looking for fun and fitness.

Burlington Gymnastics Club – offers full and half day programs with gymnastics training and more

Prestige Circus & Gymnastics School – are perfect way for new or interested children to try circus and gymnastics. 

Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a lot of fun.  Remember we are open 9am-4pm daily at the Tourism Burlington Visitor Centre to assist you and you can find us on twitter and facebook.

Family Day Activities in Burlington 2012

It’s almost here – the second statutory holiday of the year and a day meant to share with your loved ones – Family Day 2012!  Burlington is a great place to celebrate Family Day, with a wide variety of events and activities you are sure to find something to please. 

For families looking to spend the day outdoors you need look no further than our local parks.  If the snow flies before the 20^th you can partake in tobogganing, snowshoeing and

cross-country skiing but rest assured that even without the white stuff there is plenty to see and do!

Baby goats at Mountsberg

Conservation Halton parks are a great place to walk, hike, birdwatch and enjoy nature.  At Mountsberg you can enjoy all things cute and cuddly with the arrival of baby goats and lambs to the Cameron barnyard! Moms and babies are all doing fine and are looking forward to visitors. Why not spend the day with the babies, play in the play barn and take a horse-drawn wagon ride ($) through the fields and forests. Then visit the Raptor Centre and take in the Birds of Prey show, this year you can also visit the Royal Ontario Museum’s spectacular Northern Owls exhibit being hosted at the park until February 23rd. Crawford Lake is home to a re-constructed 15^th century Iroquoian Village which you can explore or as part of their Season of the Snowsnake join the staff for a guided tours of the at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, try a guided winter survival hike at 2pm and create a craft or enjoy a discovery hunt from 10am to 4pm.  While the ground may be bare here, if you head to Glen Eden there is plenty of snow for you to ski, snowboard and tube on.  Look for special family day activities at the snow park to be announced soon.  Check out the video of our guest blogger Victoria Hughes and her daughter enjoying a private kinderski lesson.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is another amazing location for enjoying the outdoors.  You can hike the trails, skate on the outdoor rink (weather permitting), visit the farm animals and explore the children’s play barn.  If you bring along your four legged friend they can run themselves out in the designated leash free areas.  There will also be special family day tours of the 1900’s farmhouse from 11am-3pm.
 
Lace up and head down to the Waterfront at Downtown Burlington.  Rotary Centennial Pond is open daily for skating from 10am-10pm (weather permitting) and the best part – it’s FREE!  While you are there you can also stroll the waterfront and the kids will love the playground in any weather.  Post skate, consider heading to one of the many downtown eateries for a hot chocolate or bite to eat.

Prefer your activities indoors?  The City of Burlington parks and recreation have some great family day activities planned.  Visit Tansley Woods and purchase a Family Day pass that allows you to participate in 3 activities at the Centre.  Activities run from 9:30am-4:30pm (see the website for schedule and activities).  Other drop-in programs will also be available including skating at Appleby Ice Centre and swimming at Aldershot  & Angela Coughlan pools.  Times and locations on the website.  Ever thought of joining the circus? Prestige Circus & Gymnastics School is having a family day free event.  Bring the kids and try out age appropriate circus skills and gymnastics.  Details online.


Facepainting at Kids Day


Looking for a family fun event?  The Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore presents Burlington’s Kids Day.  This family friendly event runs from 9am-5pm at Corpus Christie Secondary School with a pancake breakfast at 8:30am. Purchase a play all day wristband($15/child, $5/toddler under 2) and let the kids enjoy a wide variety of fun activities including professional entertainers, arts and crafts, sporting activities, inflatables and more!  Note: some additional activities are available at a nominal cost.  See the website for a complete listing.  There is food on-site so you don’t have to leave when the “hungrys” start.  I have visited this event in the past and it is very busy so be sure to pack some patience as the more popular activities may have line-ups.  It is a great way to spend the day and I highly recommend it – just be sure to visit the website for all the details on things like parking, strollers, changing areas, etc. before you go.

Checking out the Chocolate Exhibition at the RBG


A sweet way to spend family day is to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens for Chocolate: The Exhibition (running to April 15).  In addition to the amazing interactive exhibit from the Museum of Chicago there are numerous activities for kids of all ages.  Start with the chocolate chase, a self-guided scavenger hunt that can be traded in for a reward at the marketplace.  Visit the interpretive programs full of stories, activities, chocolate making and more.  Be sure to include a stop at the Gardens Café for a sweet lunch or snack while visiting.  Inside you can also explore the year round gardens and take in the Glass under Glass exhibits.  When you are done there are loads of great hiking/walking trails to explore and the birds at The Gardens are famously friendly (we hear they like sunflower seeds in the shell best).

For those looking for a culinary delight consider the self-guided Burlington Chocolate Trail, a decadent day of all things chocolate in Burlington.  Check out the video of our day on the trail.  Or consider prix fixe dining with a Taste of Burlington (Feb. 20-Mar.11) at twenty-five of Burlington’s finest restaurants.  You are sure to find something to please your palate.

Tourism Burlington will be closed on Family Day but we are always available on the web, via Facebook or Twitter.

Whatever you do, we hope you enjoy the day.  Have fun, play hard, eat well & enjoy!

The Kids are bored, now what?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Then you realize the kids are off school for 2 weeks and you are out of ideas on what to do with them. We have put together a blog full of activities to keep everyone entertained.  For more detailed information on events (times, cost, etc) please visit the individual websites.  Now, get out there and have fun!

Ring in 2012 with any one of the exciting events happening in Burlington this New Year’s. For a family-friendly event, go to Central Park for the City of Burlington’s Family New Year’s Eve. Celebrate from 6pm-10pm and see how the park is transformed into Seussville for the evening! With performances of “Seussical the Musical” by Student Theatre, free skating, crafts and games, and fireworks at 10pm, your family will have a fabulous night! Bronte Creek will keep you partying until midnight with their New Year’s Eve Family Skate and Coyote Howl. Starting at 5pm and continuing through until 12:30am, you and your family can skate, snack, hike, and howl your way into 2012.  At Glen Eden you can enjoy free hot chocolate, a bonfire and music at the tube park and skiing and snowboarding until 8pm.

On January 1st you can continue celebrations with a New Years Day Party from 12–4pm at Tansley Woods Community Centre. This Suessville family fun is a free event with entertainment, free swimming, open gym, and activities. Enjoy a performance of Suessical the Musical and more.

Skating at Rotary Centennial Pond

Lace up your skates this holiday season.  Many local arenas are part of the Tim Hortons Free Skate, check the website for dates, times and locations.  For those that prefer an outdoor rink consider heading to Rotary Centennial Pond on the waterfront for free skating daily from 10am to 10pm.  Be sure to phone ahead and check the ice conditions 905 634 7263.  Bronte Creek Provincial Park is home to a huge outdoor rink that is can be in good condition even with a mild spell. It's a good idea to call ahead to listen to the automated recording of current rink conditions. 905-827-6911. If the recording is a few days old it means the rink conditions have not changed. The rink is open daily 9:00am - 9:30pm. (weather permitting) and on New Years Eve the rink stays open until 12:30am.

Mountsberg

For more outdoor fun, consider Conservation Halton parks.  All the parks have amazing hiking trails and some offer snowshoeing and/or cross-country skiing (weather permitting).  Crawford Lake also has moonlight snowshoe hikes (suitable for ages 8 and up) every Friday and Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm. Each hike begins with basic instruction and some historical background on the sport of snowshoeing. Next, you will strap on a pair of snowshoes, and take a guided trek through the Crawford Lake woodlands. Your guide will point out some of the natural features of the area, and motivate you along the way. At the end of the evening relax by a fire with a steaming hot chocolate. Pre-registration is required and if there is no snow a guided hike is substituted. On Jan. 6 from 6:30-9:00pm participate in a Guided Moonlight Ski at Hilton Falls (suitable for ages 5yrs and up). Enjoy the magic of a winter's evening with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows over an open fire by the falls after a guided moonlight ski. Pre-registration is recommended and limited ski equipment rental packages are available, be sure to reserve yours early.

 At Mountsberg, you can enjoy a wagon or sleigh ride through the fields and forests of the park. The jingle of the harness and the sound of the horses tromping along the trail will make for an enjoyable trip. Wagon Rides are offered daily along with birds of prey presentations from Dec. 26-Jan. 7 and weekends until Feb. 20.

Glen Eden

No need to head north, Glen Eden is officially opening on Dec. 26 for skiing and snowboarding.  Hit the slopes for a day of fun on one of their 14 runs.  Private lessons can be arranged for first-timers or those wanting some expert training.  The week of Dec. 27-31 there will also be camps running but you need to book early as these fill up quick. 

Doorways to the Holidays

For indoor and outdoor fun look no further than, The Royal Botanical Gardens. The RBG is open 10am-4pm daily with beautiful gardens and lots of great outdoor trails you can spend a day exploring.  Doorways to the holidays featuring cleverly decorated holiday themed doors throughout the Centre is still on display and you can join RBG interpreters for a variety of family activities this holiday season. Go for a walk in the woods with the birds; explore winter traditions and the plants that have influenced them over time; or make a bird-friendly or holiday craft to take home. If you have to work you can always sign the kids up for a week of discovery and adventure at RBG’s discovery camps running Jan. 2-6.

Visiting the BAC

For those of an artistic nature the Burlington Art Centre is a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the exhibits and collections and best of all it’s free!  Currently there are 2 exhibitions to enjoy. “Black + White = Grey” , a collection of works by a number of artists, including Kayo O’Young, Diane Nasr, Jane Hill, and Sadashi Inuzuka, showcases the relationship between ceramics and technology through the use of glazes, colour, and clay and “Gino Lorcini: Significant Forms” offers visitors a unique look at the range of three-dimensional works and wall reliefs by the artist. The BAC will be closed until January 2nd and then open daily. 

If you are feeling crafty, consider Art Glazed Over a paint your own ceramics studio, offering drop in fun or pre-registered workshops for the winter break.  Or you could head to Art Felt  for art based day camps for children 5-12 years the week of Jan. 2-7.   

Joseph Brant Museum

Step back in time and learn about local history at the Museums of Burlington. If you love fashion you will want to visit the exhibit The Gilded Age: In Pursuit of Pleasure - Fashion in Edwardian Times currently housed at Joseph Brant Museum or head to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm and tour the historic house that housed three generations of the Ireland family.  With admission rates under $5.00 per person you can’t find a better deal.  Museums of Burlington are closed until January 2nd when regular museum hours resume.

We have highlighted some of the great things to see and do over the break here in Burlington, be sure to visit our website for more ideas and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for other updates.