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Things to Do in Ottawa in May - SavvyMom

Family Friendly Activities in and Around Ottawa in May

The snow has finally gone and it’s time to welcome Spring with open arms for family fun in Ottawa in May. Whether you are looking to enjoy a sports game, go on an adventure, eat some great food, or dive into the world of theatre, there is something for all families. Welcome in the season of festivals, outdoor eats, sports, and warmth. There is no shortage of family events throughout the month of May.

Family Friendly Activities & Events in Ottawa in May

Ottawa Children’s Festival

Canadian War Museum, 294 Albert Street
Thursday May 11 – Sunday May 14

The Ottawa Children’s Festival is back and this 5-day event is full of life, excitement, and magical adventures! Enjoy theatre, dance, and music geared towards preschoolers and school-aged children with enriching performances and engaging acts. Held yearly at the Canadian War Museum at Lebreton Flats you will find activities both indoors and outdoors to explore and experience.

Ottawa Titan’s Baseball

Catch the opening game on Tuesday May 9th at the Ottawa stadium as your home team plays the Trois Rivieres Aigles. Tickets start at only $11 which makes this sporting event a reasonably priced experience. Don’t forget the ball park hot dogs and if you choose seats close to the home team dugout your little baseball player may even go home with a ball of his own.  Watch some great baseball right here in Ottawa for some family fun.

Canadian Tulip Festival

You know Spring has officially arrived in the Nation’s Capital when the Canadian Tulip Festival is in full swing. Did you know that this is the worlds largest tulip festival?! Spanning over 11 days from May 12-22nd enjoy the walk along Dows Lake all the way through to the downtown core along the Rideau Canal. This event also hosts arts and crafts, local artists, workshops for kids, and special guided tours.

 

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Camp Fortune

Check out the brand new “Peak to Peak” zipline that opens May long weekend at Camp Fortune! Zipline over Camp Fortune and the Gatineau Park with 3 ziplines that span over 4500 square feet with absolutely amazing views. Looking for an extra thrill? End your 1.5 hour adventure with a 50 foot free fall jump (or take the stairs).  While the ziplines will be attractive to your teenagers you will want to also check out the mountain coaster which takes you along a 1km monorail track with speeds up to 40km/hr  (you can control the speed) and is fun for the whole family (young and old!).

Ottawa Black Jacks

Did you know that Ottawa has their very own Canadian basketball team?! The Ottawa Black Jacks are back and ready to hit the court on Wednesday May 24th at TD Place against the Brampton Badgers. This is great quality ball that will WOW your kids without the NBA price tag. Why not make a day of it and enjoy all that Lansdowne has to offer? Head to the park for a play, enjoy a meal out at one of the many local restaurants, and then head to the game.

Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street

Mmmmmmm, if your family is up for some delicious eats then Ribfest is an event you won’t want to miss out on with some of the best BBQ chicken and ribs! This event runs from May 31st through to June 4th (we won’t tell if you go back twice!) and will not only leave you full but happy after family fun in the downtown core. Couple it with a visit to one of the local museums and you can check off two Ottawa bucket list items in one day.
recipegeek-entertain-mother039s_day_foodie_gift_guide

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Foodie Mom

We love moms. They are the backbones of our families, our role models, our biggest cheerleaders, our booboo healers and really, our best friends. So, we think you should treat your mom this Mother’s Day with something ultra-special. Sure, moms love brunch and flowers, but if you’re looking for something a little extra but you’re feeling a little stuck on what to get, we’re sharing these Mother’s Day gift ideas for your foodie mom or any mom who loves to cook, the tech-savvy mom, and even the coffee, tea or wine enthusiast.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Foodie Mom

Foodie Mom Gifts: For the Avid Baker

Silicone Utensils

If your mom is the type who likes to whip up a batch of pancakes or chocolate chip cookies any chance she gets, this Silicone Utensil set is the perfect gift. Pairing natural beech wood with reinforced silicone rubber for a cooking set that’s both pretty and practical, mom will feel like a super-star each time she bakes.

Available at Indigo | $50/set

For The Mom Who Loves to Cook:

Brown Eggs & Jam Jars Cookbook

Brown Eggs and Jam Jars is the much beloved cookbook from Aimée Wimbush-Bourque (of the blog Simple Bites).  This is a family-friendly cookbook with a focus on urban homesteading, though it’s relevant even for those of us who don’t raise our own chickens or grow all our own produce. We love this book for any mom who is looking to get back to basics in the kitchen and who wants to focus on whole eating with their families.

Available at Amazon | from $33

For The Tech-Savvy Foodie Mom

Cutting Board Cookbook Tablet Holder - SavvyMom

Olivewood Cookbook & Tablet Stand

We all love techy things, but if moms kitchen is cozy rather than ultra-modern, a metallic or stark white piece may stick out like a sore thumb. Which is why we love this tablet holder from Crate & Barrel. Resembling a vintage breadboard, with a raised lip to hold your tablet or your cookbook, this sturdy kitchen helper keeps recipes and other helpful cooking information at your fingertips.

Available at Crate & Barrel | $100

For The Coffee Enthusiast

Nespresso Inissia

As huge coffee lovers, we are obsessed with Nespresso products and the Inissia has recently catches our eye due to its tiny footprint and high performance. Bonus? The small size and weight are ideal for smaller kitchens. So, for those looking for the perfect gift for your mom who loves her morning (and afternoon) latte, americano, or espresso, this is the real deal.

Available at Walmart | $209

For the Mom Who Loves a Sweet Treat

NADÈGE Macarons

For the mom who loves her sweets, these almond meringue wonders from NADÈGE are skillfully crafted to deliver a delicate crunch. Filled with billowing layers of flavoured buttercream, ganache or jam, they are ultra-posh and indulgent. So, whether you choose to give them in a pretty box wrapped with a bow or present them as an extra special apres dinner treat, you can’t go wrong with giving mom a box of these colourfully delicious treats.

Available at NADÈGE | From $38.00

For The Mom Who Likes to Look Stylish While Staying Hydrated

S’well Water Bottle

We’re all trying to look cool while staying hydrated and really there are endless bottles to choose from. But S’wells are different. Since S’well has re-imagined the water bottle as a sleek, chic, and portable hydration vessel, no other bottles come close. Made from the highest quality stainless steel with a lightweight, double-walled design that keeps beverages hot or cold for hours (and we really mean hours) these are the perfect gift for mom.

Available at Indigo or S’well.com | $39.50

For The Wine Lover

Coravin 1000 Wine Access System

If your mother is into wine, Coravin is the ultimate accessory. Used by top sommeliers all over the world, this unique system allows you to enjoy a glass of fine wine without uncorking the entire bottle. Pure genius.

Available at Coravin.com | from $299.99

4 Foods to Boost Mindfulness - SavvyMom

4 Foods to Boost Mindfulness

Let’s face it, meditation can be tough. Eliminate all stray thoughts? Focus only on your breath? Sit still for (a minimum) of 10 minutes at a time? But, we are learning more and more that practicing daily meditation has so many amazing benefits; from helping us become more compassionate to enabling us to be more patient, loving, joyful, forgiving, and generous. Thankfully, there are some foods that we can start to incorporate into our diets, that can help us gain that laser focus we are looking to experience when we sit down to meditate. Here are 4 foods to help boost mindfulness…

4 Foods to Boost Mindfulness

4 foods to boost mindfulness, ancient grains

Whole Grains

If you’re looking to do your mind and body good, try to incorporate more whole (think, ancient) grains into your diet. And by grains, we are not talking about white bread, rice or pasta. Whole-wheat pasta, whole-grain bread, and brown rice are better choices than the traditional white varieties, but even better than those are the variety of whole grains many now refer to as ancient grains, which include steel cut oats, quinoa, brown rice, millet, amarynth, and wheatberries, just to name a few. What is the benefit of these types of grains? They take longer to digest and they reduce the spike in blood sugar levels that is often associated with a diet that is high in carbohydrates. An added bonus? Ancient grains are rich in B vitamins which means they work to promote proper brain function, reduce stress, and ultimately they will help you feel more zen which will help boost mindfulness when practicing your daily meditation.

4 foods to boost mindfulness, lemon and cucumber water

Lemon Water

If you’re looking for the perfect start to your day, and a boost in your meditation practice, look no further than lemon water. Lemons are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system, protects against cardiovascular disease and helps ward off cancer. Lemons also stimulate energy and can help enhance your mood. How? Both lemons and limes are one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions than positive ones, which provides your body with a boost of energy when it enters your digestive tract. The refreshing scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. Its fresh and citrusy smell can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Being high in potassium (an important mineral that works alongside sodium for smooth electrical transmission in the brain and nervous system), lemons also help reduce depression, anxiety, fogginess, and forgetfulness. Our advice? First thing when you wake up and before you sit down to meditate, sip on a glass of lemon water.

4 foods to boost mindfulness, raw fruits and vegetables

Whole Fruits & Veggies

Yes, eating a diet rich in whole fruits and veggies is one of the best things you can do for your body. But did you know they are equally powerful for your mind? Root vegetables including sweet potatoes, squash and carrots, are packed with all kinds of vitamins and minerals. But, the beta-carotene in these particular veggies has been shown to support your immune system to help keep you healthy and keep your mind sharp. They’re also chock-full of fiber, which means they’re slow to digest and you will feel fuller longer. Other whole fruits and veggies that we love right now include cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, eggplant, kale, raspberries, grapefruit, strawberries, avocado, blueberries and pomegranate seeds. An easy way to ensure that you are getting your daily fix of fresh fruits and veggies?  Make a large super salad or bowl for lunch or dinner by combining your favourite grain (we like quinoa or wheatberries) with baby kale or spinach, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and some delicious roasted brocolli or cauliflower. Drizzle with your favourite dressing (a tahini based one is super fresh!) and eat immediately. We promise you’ll be on your way to a perfectly zen state in no time!

4 foods to boost mindfulness, nuts and seeds

Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a very rice source of magnesium (along with whole grains and green vegetables.) Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in our bodies and is crucially important to our health, however despite this, deficiency is increasing. It’s actually estimated that 60% of us don’t get enough magnesium from the foods we eat and therefore manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, heart arrhythmias, insulin resistance, muscle spasms and sleep disruptions. It’s obvious then, that if we eat more magnesium-rich foods, it will help reduce anxiety and calm our minds. If you’re not a fan of raw nuts like cashews, almonds or hazelnuts, why not try to spread some healthy omega-rich nut butters on your morning toast.

Foods to avoid before meditating

If you’re really trying to follow the rules, it’s best to avoid all ‘tamasic’ or ‘rajasic’ foods before you begin meditating. What are these you ask? Well, tamasic foods include such things as eggs, vinegar, mushrooms, meat, poultry, fish, and alcohol. These foods are thought to create impure and angry thoughts. Rajasic foods include garlic, onions, spicy foods, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and any highly processed convenience foods with either refined sugar or heavy amounts of salt.

But, really, if you’re like us and you’re just trying to reduce your daily anxiety and stress a little bit, boost mindfulness, and create a little more zen in your hectic life, our best advice is to eat a healthy diet filled with as many whole (read: unprocessed) foods as possible. Limit sugar, processed foods, caffeine, and drink in moderation (although we now know that both caffeine and alcohol have many health benefits).

Our daily mantra to keep us calm and zen? Everything in moderation.

Picnic Foods for Kids - SavvyMom

Top 6 Picnic Foods for Kids

It’s just impractical to bring a four-course meal on a picnic, especially with children in tow. But that’s what they used to be—extravagant Victorian affairs in the remote countryside with furniture and wicker baskets full of food. So we say, keep the elegance and lose the fuss this summer with delicious food ideas catered to your kids. Picnic foods don’t only have to be sandwiches — even though they’re awesome.

Picnic Foods for Kids

Picnic foods for kids, mason jar rice salad

Mason Jar Salad

If you’re tired of taking wilted salads out of the picnic basket, start building them inside a mason jar. Put all the wet and messy ingredients on the bottom and pile up from there, finally adding the lettuce on top. Separate your greens from your dressing with carrots or blocks of cheese so that your salad doesn’t get soggy before your ready. Then just before you open it, shake the jar to get a nice mixture. You can do the same with pasta salad, spooning in a little pesto on the bottom, which you can cover with tomato and cheese cubes so your penne doesn’t get soaked before you’re ready.

picnic foods for kids, celery tarragon salad

Grilled Celery Salad with Tarragon Dressing

You can grill a salad? Yes, yes you can and it’s perfect for picnic foods. Wash a stalk of celery, brush it with olive oil, and pop it on the grill for about 12 minutes. That’s the perfect amount of time to soften the vegetable while still getting good grill marks. Let it stand before chopping it up and seasoning with olive oil, tarragon, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Cool in the refrigerator and you’ll get a salad that’s the perfect blend of fresh and crunchy.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pinwheel sandwiches are definitely cool enough for summer, and can easily turn any sammy into pretty picnic fare. Use a wrap instead of bread as a healthier option. Add in your toppings, which can be just about anything. Try tuna, egg salad, cucumber and cream cheese, or prosciutto, mozzarella and arugula. Roll up your wrap and make sure the edge sticks down. Then cut into one-inch slices evenly for consistency or on an angle for sophistication.

best picnic foods for kids, cucumber tea sandwiches

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Who wouldn’t love chilled finger sandwiches at an afternoon garden picnic? Plus, yummy two-bite sandwiches are the perfect size for little hands. For savoury cream cheese, mix together with chives or dill depending on your taste, and season with salt and pepper. Then roll out your bread with a pin and build in layers: bread, cream cheese, bread, cucumber slices, bread, cream cheese, bread. If you want, you can add baby spinach, watercress or arugula for an extra crunch.

top picnic foods for kids, rosemary potato chips

Crispy Rosemary Potato Chips

Bored of the classic picnic potato salad? I can’t see how that’s possible but you could try homemade potato chips instead. Fill a straight-sided saucepan with a couple inches of oil and heat. Cut russet potatoes into paper thin slices and place batches into the saucepan, making sure not to overcrowd the chips. Leave them in the oil for 1–2 minutes before scooping them on with a slotted spoon. Place evenly on cookie sheets lined with paper towel to soak up the excess oil. Finally sprinkle the chips with rosemary and sea salt to taste.

best picnic foods for kids, cupcake in a jar

Cupcake in a Jar

The best picnic foods include dessert! Pick out some small mason jars that are tall enough to fit in a large muffin with an extra inch or two of space left over. Make a batch of your favourite cupcakes in a muffin tin and cut them in half once they’ve cooled down. Place the bottom half in the jar and cover with your best homemade icing. Top the jar up with the other muffin half and more icing or fresh whipped cream and fruit. Close the jar and tie it up with a decorative ribbon. You can even attach a colourful plastic spork for an easy picnic dessert that we guarantee your kids will love.

Find Your Mom Uniform and Feel Put Together Everyday - SavvyMom

Mom Uniform: The Easiest Way to Feel Put Together Every Day

Matilda Kahl was a media focus for her version of a work uniform she’d been sporting for years. She wears the same style white blouse everyday with a pair of black pants and a bow tied around her neck. Her work uniform is simple, stylish and versatile.

Matilda spoke about the benefits of her uniform for the work environment that translated oh so well into life as a mom.

Imagine: waking up, feeding the kids breakfast and not having to think about what you’re going to wear to take them to school. Imagine needing zero thought for getting yourself ready each morning.

Especially if you’re struggling with what to wear if you’re going back to the office, this is liberation.

But how do you decide on the right uniform for you?

Mom Uniform Ideas to Feel Put Together Every Day

What’s your favourite thing to wear?

I urge you to move past the coziest of cozy clothes and into clothes that make you feel put together as well as comfortable. If you were to go out for brunch with friends you haven’t seen in a year to a casual restaurant, what would you pull from closet. Maybe you have one pair of jeans that looks amazing and are oh-so-comfortable. Or a t-shirt dress that feels feminine and relaxed. This is the first step — being truthful with yourself about your absolute favourite pieces to wear.

Are you saying to yourself, ‘But I don’t own anything I love to wear?’ That’s cool. Try creating a mood board or turn to Pinterest and start pinning outfits that really truly speak to you. Once you’ve pinned thirty or more outfit ideas take a peak at the board as a whole and write down the patterns you see. Did you pin a lot of outfits with A-line skirts? Or skinny pants? Leggings? Boots? Use these patterns to direct your outfit choices.

  1. Figure out if you need one or two uniforms. Do you need a different mom uniform depending on the season? If the climate you live in has a drastic weather difference it might make more sense two have a hot weather uniform and a cold weather uniform.
  2. How much choice do you need? A uniform can be really strict like Matilda’s (the exact same white blouse and black pants) or it can have more variety (any colour/pattern collared shirt and any colour skinny jeans, for example). Does the idea of wearing the exact same thing everyday feel liberating for you? If yes, then go with a strict uniform. If you prefer a little more variety, choose clothing that allows for a little choice. For example, someone who’s into a strict uniform style may choose dark skinny jeans and buy three pairs of the exact same pair of dark skinny jeans they know they love. Whereas someone who’s looking for more choice might by one pair of dark blue skinny jeans, one pair of light skinny jeans and one pair of distressed skinny jeans. It’s still a uniform of ‘skinny jeans’ but one person will have more variety and choice than the other.
  3. Is your uniform choice versatile? Write down a list of five things you do regularly with your kids. Does your uniform choice work easily in all of these arenas? If not, make tweaks so it does. The idea is that your uniform makes life easier for you, so if you have to think about what your wearing at all, the concept won’t quite work for you.
  4. Don’t be afraid to tweak. Take the pressure off yourself and give one uniform idea a go. See if it works for you or not. If it does, awesome! If not, what can you add or take away to make your mom uniform perfect for you?

To get your mind going, here are some great ideas for a spring/summer mom uniform:

And some inspired ideas for a fall/winter mom uniform:

Remember, if you keep your mom uniform simple, versatile, comfortable, and stylish, you’ll liberate yourself from the everyday decision of what to wear.

Tips to Teach Kids to Share - SavvyMom

Can You Really Teach Kids to Share?

Sharing doesn’t usually happen naturally, at least at the beginning. Until our kids are around ages 4 or 5, they are in an egocentric stage of development; they only see their own point of view. Your son can’t possibly understand that his sister wants the toy because he knows that he wants it and he thinks that everyone wants him to have the toy as well. At this developmental stage, it is unlikely that any child is going to suddenly think to himself, “Maybe Fred would like this truck? Fred, old boy, come on over and try it!” That means we have to take time to teach kids to share…

Tips to Teach Kids to Share:

1. Play turn-taking games: Have everyone roll a ball to each other and talk about the turns. “It’s Sally’s turn with the ball. Sally, please roll it to John. Now it’s John’s turn. John, please roll it to mommy. Now it’s mommy’s turn. Mommy will roll it back to Sally. Look Sally, it’s your turn again.”

This teaches kids that turns come around again and again. This is important because a child will learn that when she lets someone else have a turn, it will soon be her turn again.

Use ‘turn-taking language’ when pushing kids on the swing or passing food at dinner, basically wherever you can.

2. Practice sharing: Pick up four cookies at the bakery to ‘share’ with the members of your family. Have your child pass the food out to each person (herself included). She will learn that sharing means that everyone gets something and that it feels good to share. You can eventually buy fewer items and have her split them in half — you get the idea.

3. Prep for sharing: When it comes time for real sharing, do your best to warn kids ahead of time, then have a child ask, “May I have a turn when you’re done please?” Decide what ‘done’ looks like (three more pushes on the swing), count it down for the children and then make the exchange happen. Support any sad feelings (it’s ok to feel sad) and if you possibly can, have the turns come around again.

Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Vancouver - SavvyMom

Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Vancouver & the Lower Mainland

As the weather starts to get warmer in Vancouver, a whole new range of birthday party venues become available. From water parks to amusement parks and more, the options are endless and the fun is guaranteed. Check out this list for some great ideas for outdoor birthday parties in Vancouver. Don’t forget the cake!

Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Vancouver & the Lower Mainland

Big Splash Water Slide Park

Get ready to make a splash with a birthday party at Big Splash Water Slide Park in Tsawwassen. The seasonal seven-acre outdoor park features countless water slides and rides, including the thrilling BOOMERANGO – a near vertical wall that reaches 40 feet up in the air! Birthday party packages include admission for 10 guests, one fully furnished cabana, three pizzas and 10 fountain drinks, but you’re also welcome to bring a cooler with outside food and drinks. Big Splash reopens in early summer 2023.

Burnaby Central Railway

All aboard! The Burnaby Central Railway is the perfect party destination for any train-loving kids and makes for great outdoor birthday parties in Vancouver! The facility offers both an interpretative museum and an outdoor recreational, miniature, passenger-carrying railway with more than two miles of track complete with tunnels, bridges, and crossovers. Birthday parties are available for booking each day at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and covered picnic tables can be reserved for up to 50 people (includes 20 ride tokens). There’s also a concession stand on site serving hot dogs and snack – perfect for the party.

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Discover the wonder of a temperate rainforest with a birthday party amongst the trees at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre. Joined by a naturalist, guests will enjoy a guided nature walk while using a special magnifier to take a closer look at insects, plants, and more! Birthday themes include Insectimania!, Rainforest Ramble, and Can You Dig It? (featuring a hunt for dinosaur fossils!). Guests will also have use of the outdoor covered picnic table. Recommended for kids 4-9 years old.

Maplewood Farm

Maplewood Farm offers a birthday party experience that encourages guests to horse around. Located along the Seymour River in North Vancouver, the Farm is home to more than 200 animals and birds – from pigs and cattle to goats and horses, and more. For the price of admission, guests have access to picnic tables (some are under cover) on a first come first served basis. There’s also an indoor multi-purpose room that can be booked with four options for party packages – plus, you can pre-book pony rides as an add-on! Guests are welcome to bring in their own food – just make sure it doesn’t go to the birds… literally.

Pirate Adventures

Sail the seven seas with a birthday party with Pirate Adventures. This unique experience will create lasting memories as guests are treated to an interactive performance of singing, dancing, fighting an evil pirate named Pete, and searching for sunken treasure. There are four party packages to choose from and each includes a 75-minute sailing adventure complete with face painting and pirate fashions – plus, there’s several add-ons to consider (pirate-themed pinata? Yes, please!). Gather your mates and get ready to parrrty!

Playland

What could be more fun than outdoor birthday parties in Vancouver when they’re at Playland? From June to August, Playland offers birthday party packages to celebrate your special day at Vancouver’s favourite amusement park. The classic birthday party package includes admission for 10 guests (including unlimited access to rides and attractions!), and kids’ choice of Triple O’s hamburger or hotdog, small fries, pop, and a cookie. Just make sure everyone eats before revving it up on the roller coaster.

The Shipyards Splash Park

The Shipyards in North Vancouver is always a popular spot to gather with friends, but when the splash park opens in late-May, it makes for a great kids’ birthday party destination – especially if you’re looking for a more economical option. The Splash Park is part of Shipyard Commons – a 20,000 square foot public event space. As it’s open to the public, be sure to arrive early to stake your claim on a picnic table. Follow-up the water park fun with food from a nearby restaurant or splurge on the delicious ice cream from Welcome Parlour.

WildPlay

There’s nothing quite like celebrating your birthday by soaring on a zipline and navigating a series of high ropes courses. At WildPlay in Maple Ridge, the Kids Adventure Course promises a thrilling adventure with log bridges, tightropes, cargo nets and buoy ziplines – reaching up to 15 feet high. The birthday party package includes a free 40-foot What’s to Fear Jump for the birthday kid and fun gifts like a WildPlay bandana. Recommended for kids 5-12 years old. For those families who like to live on the edge and host their own outdoor birthday parties at home, there’s lots of fun options to explore. One idea that’s sure to be a hit is a visit from Rabbitats Rescue Society. Their “Meet & Treat” experiences bring the rabbits to you and allow party guests to interact with the friendly rescued rabbits and offer them healthy treats (note that this is not a petting zoo). Support an important cause while celebrating with furry (and human) friends.

Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Calgary - SavvyMom

Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Calgary

An outdoor party may be one of the greatest benefits of having a birthday that falls in the warmer months of the year. Whether you want to head out to one of Calgary’s fun outdoor destinations or prefer to bring the party to you, there are lots of great ways to celebrate with outdoor birthday parties in Calgary…

Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Calgary

If You Want to Hang Out at Home, Check Out…

Tubby’s Party Rentals | tubbys.ca

Cost, Ages, Length of Time and Number of Guests is dependent on rental type

If you’ve got a yard with a bit of space and want to bring the party to you, Tubby’s Party Rentals has just about every activity you can think of to make your party the talk of the town. They’ve got classic party rentals like bounce houses, inflatable slides and obstacle courses, dunk tanks, and they have a range of other fun favourites like mini golf, human whack-a-mole, hot tubs, carnival and lawn games, and more! The options are almost endless when it comes to creating the perfect party theme and activities to go along with them!

Butterfield Acres | butterfieldacres.com

Cost: $289 + GST (an additional $39.99 for the unicorn package)
Ages: All ages!
Length of time: 1 hour
Number of guests: 10-12

Butterfield Acres offers different party packages depending on the kind of cozy critter you’d like to spend your day snuggling with. Whether your guest of honour loves goats, lambs, bunnies, ponies, or even unicorns, Butterfield Acres has you covered. Parties can be booked year-round and set up anywhere from a garage to a deck or backyard – this is the perfect option if you want to bring the cuteness to you.

For an Outdoor Party Destination, Try…

Granary Road | granaryroad.com

Cost: $159.95 + GST  or $229.95 + GST (depending on package)
Ages: All ages!
Length of time: Your party includes a 90 minute picnic table reservation, but you can stay and play as long as you’d like!
Number of guests: 10 (extra guests can be added for the price of general admission)

A popular spot for outdoor birthday parties in Calgary, Granary Road is the perfect place to enjoy a day filled with jumping, climbing, sliding, zip-lining, and more in 11 super fun themed exhibits. Once your guests have had their fill of play, take a break to visit the adorable animals and even feed the Granary Road goats with a bag of food for each partygoer! When the fun wraps up, a mini candy bag will be waiting for each kiddo who attended. For a little extra excitement, check out the Play All Day Supreme package, which also gives your birthday kid and their friends access to mini golf and a ride on the Granary Road Rover Wagon.


Calgary Farmyard | calgaryfarmyard.com

Cost: $18.95 per person (Super Party Package, minimum 10 people); $229.50+ GST (Ultimate Party Package, up to 10 kids or adults); $329.50+ GST (Fully Loaded Party Package, up to 10 kids or adults). Additional guests can be added for a fee. Kids 2 and under are free.
Ages: All ages!
Length of time: As long as you’d like!
Number of guests: As many as you’d like!

Birthday parties at Calgary Farmyard are available for booking June 1 through September 11. There are three different party packages available, each with fantastic options for a fun-filled party on the farm! The Super Party Package includes access to all farm attractions and mazes, as well as a gift for the birthday kid. The Ultimate Party Package adds on 1 cup of animal feed, 25 shots at the paintball shooting gallery and a 2 oz gem stone mining bag for each child,. Finally, the Ultimate Party Package includes everything listed above, as well as a 3 hour tent rental and pizza and drinks for the kids!


Butterfield Acres | butterfieldacres.com

Cost: Regular admission for each guest. Special activities can be added for a fee. Admission is $15.99 + GST for kids able to walk to 17 years, $17.99 + GST for adults 18 and over and $16.99 + GST for seniors
Ages: All ages!
Length of time: As long as you’d like!
Number of guests: As many as you’d like!

Butterfield Acres is a great place to spend an afternoon, and extra special when you’re celebrating your birthday! Bring your own birthday snacks and treats to the picnic area and head around the farm to visit the adorable animals. Add on special birthday extras like a private birthday barn ($39.99 per hour), private pony/unicorn rides for $79.99, a private tractor ride for $39.99, or animal feed cones for $1. It’s a special place to visit for any occasion but wonderful for outdoor birthday parties in Calgary.

Calgary Zoo | calgaryzoo.com

Cost: $30 per person (children and adults)
Ages: All ages!
Length of time: 1.5 hours
Number of guests: For parties for kiddos between 3-5, one adult chaperone is required for every 3 children. For parties for kids 6+, one chaperone is required for every 4 children.

A birthday party at the Calgary Zoo is guaranteed to be a roaring good time! Each guest receives a full day admission, a choice of one of three indoor or outdoor party locations, and a birthday meal for each guest (includes meal, side, juice box, cookie and a small toy). For an additional fee, add ons such as loot bags, a face painter, carousel rides and special sweets, treats and drinks are available. Parties start at 11 am, 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm.


Calaway Park | calawaypark.com

Cost: Starting at $245 or $409 + GST (depending on package)
Ages: All ages
Length of time: All day!
Number of guests: Minimum 8 for “Come As You Are” package, 10 guests for “Calaway’s Birthday Club House package

Who doesn’t love Calaway Park? With two different party packages to choose from, Calaway Park makes it easy to plan the perfect outdoor birthday parties in Calgary. The Come As You Are Package covers admission for 8 guests over 3 years of age (kids under 3 are free), a birthday button for the guest of honour and a birthday prize for all guests. In this package, guests are invited to enjoy their party at one of the first-come, first-served pic-nic areas at the park. For the Birthday Club House Package, admission for 10 guests is included, as well as two large pizzas and 10 cans of pop to enjoy at the Birthday Clubhouse for one hour (in addition to everything listed in the Come As You Are Package). Add-ons including extra admission, food and drinks can be purchased at an extra charge.


Nature Parties At Inglewood Bird Sanctuary or Ralph Klein Park | calgary.ca

Cost: $200 on weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm and $250.00 after hours and on weekends
Ages: 5+
Length of time: 2 hours
Number of guests: Maximum 20 children

If you’ve got a kiddo who’s curious about the world around them, check out the birthday experiences offered through the City of Calgary. Parties take place in a private area of either park and include self-led nature activities like discovering feathered friends, solving marsh mysteries, and identifying wetland wonders.

An Outdoor Splash Pad or Wading Pool | savvymom.ca

Calgarians are pretty fortunate to have an abundance of fantastic splash pads and wading pools spread across the city. For a lower-cost option for outdoor birthday parties in Calgary, grab some snacks, round up a cake, and set up a spot to celebrate at one of the best places to cool down on a hot summer day. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

What are your favorite places or ways to celebrate a birthday party outdoors in Calgary? Let us know in the comments!

Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Toronto and the GTA - SavvyMom

Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Toronto & the GTA

If your kid has a summer (or late spring or early fall) birthday, this list is for you because you can take advantage of something that we parents of winter babies can’t enjoy: The outdoor birthday party. While parties at play centres or in your home are perfectly fine options, there’s a lot that is appealing about outdoor birthday parties in Toronto. For one thing, an outside location makes clean up so much easier!

Below we round up multiple ideas and locations that can host outdoor birthday parties in Toronto and the GTA. So grab the sunscreen, cross your fingers for good weather, and read on to find the perfect idea for your little one’s alfresco celebrations.

Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Toronto & the GTA

City of Toronto Parks
Across the city

Hosting your kid’s party at a city park is a classic option that can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. Hire outside entertainment (grab some ideas from here, play games such as tag or a scavenger hunt, or opt to have the kids entertain themselves with the help of a playground or splash pad.

But whatever activities you decide on, make sure to officially book your party spot. Yes, it is possible to send someone down early to “claim” your desired picnic tables but why go through that hassle when you can easily secure the party spot in advance? To do that, head over to the City of Toronto’s website and use its online booking form.

For picnic spaces, you’ll need to pay a fee of just over $100 (that will cover you up to 200 guests). Some of the better parks for kids’ birthday parties include Corktown Common (it has a fantastic splash pad and playground), Withrow Park (its amenities include rentable indoor space, including a real kitchen) and the June Rowlands Park (home to the Sharon, Lois and Bram playground that features musical playground equipment). All of these locations have picnic tables and real washrooms.

Fire Pit Party
Various City Parks

If the birthday child wants a party that includes smores (or another treat) made over an open fire, book one of the City of Toronto’s fire pits. While there are a few city parks that offer fire pits, including Taylor Creek Park and Christie Pits Park, one spot that is particularly ideal for outdoor birthday parties in Toronto is Dufferin Grove Park. There you’ll find a top-notch playground, a wading pool and lots of shade and seating. It’s also conveniently located across from Dufferin Mall. There are washroom facilities on site, but you may prefer to run across the street to the mall. Other amenities include outdoor ovens and a clubhouse however, construction in 2023 may mean those features aren’t always available for rent. All fire pits must be booked in advance through the City of Toronto’s booking system. The cost to secure a fire pit permit for an event featuring 25 or fewer guests is around $70 including the insurance fee, while bigger parties will cost just over $180.

Kidstown Water Park
3159 Birchmount Rd., Toronto

This City of Toronto-run facility is an amazing and cost-effective location for a summer birthday party. Open from mid-June until the Sunday before Labour Day, this site has a wading pool, a splash pad, all kinds of spray features and even one of those big tipping buckets. There’s also a lovely grassy area nearby that’s a perfect spot to have some cake, especially if you book one of the picnic areas (and it’s highly recommended that you book your spot as Kidstown is a popular birthday party
location). Access to Kidstown is free but booking a picnic spot costs just over $100.

Outdoor Movie Nights
Across the City (or Maybe Your Home)

School-age kids will love the “grown up” feel of an outdoor movie night-themed party. And if you have a good size backyard and access to all the needed equipment (projector, screen, more than a couple flashlights) this is something you can organize at home (and if you’re really crafty, you can take this idea up a notch or two.

But if you don’t have access to suitable outdoor space at home, you can always take advantage of one of the many outdoor movie nights that take place around Toronto. Locations that often offer family-friendly films including Sorauren Park, Regent Park, and Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Outdoor films are usually free to attend (though some ask for donations) and while some venues sell snacks, it’s best to bring all the sustenance your party will need.

Outdoor Pool Party at City of Toronto Pools
Across the city

The City of Toronto has a whopping 58 outdoor pools spread across its lands. Many of these pools are adjacent to birthday party-friendly spaces that include playgrounds, picnic tables and shady trees. One of the more scenic spots is the Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, which offers great views of the lake as well as quick access to a dinosaur-themed playground. Another great spot? The Monarch Park Outdoor Pool, where you’ll find a tall, twisting slide, a shallower/stepped area that’s great for less confident swimmers and a separate wading pool, ideal for toddlers and babies. And of course we have to mention the High Park Outdoor Pool, home to a slide, a kiddie area and immediate access to one of Toronto’s best parks. While you’ll want to book your picnic space, there’s no need to reserve access to the pool, just show up with your party and enjoy the water. And don’t forget, leisure swim at City-run pools is completely free.

Outdoor Pool Parties at Swimply
Across the city

Here’s a fun, and more private, spin on an outdoor pool party: Book someone’s backyard pool through the Swimply website. Think of Swimply as like Airbnb but for private pools. Just pop in a few search terms, as well as your desired date, and you’ll see a list of available spaces. Some of the options come with such amenities as a BBQ, a hot tub and/or private restroom, and most pools feature fun floaties or other pool toys as well as tables and chairs. Rates are charged hourly and vary by location and date.

Pirate Life
585 Queen’s Quay, Toronto

If your kid is celebrating their birthday between May and October, they can take to the seas (well, Lake Ontario) for a pirate-themed birthday. Each adventure starts off with face paint tattoos and the doling out of new pirate names. Then your party will set sail on a journey to find hidden treasure while engaging in some singing and dancing. In between been pirating, your party can enjoy whatever food (including cake) that you’ve brought on board. Packages start as low as $370 for 10 guests (two of which must be adults). While the lowest priced package will have your party sharing the boat with others, you can rent the whole ship out if you want. You can also pay extra for pirate-themed loot bags.

Toronto Zoo
2000 Meadowvale Rd., Toronto

This isn’t a cheap option but it’s definitely a memorable one. The zoo is home to over 5,000 animals and one great splash pad. While it doesn’t host birthday parties in the same way that say, Ripley’s Aquarium does, you can certainly bring in a pack of kids and organize your own fun. Non-peak time pricing for kids is $15.50 a ticket but the zoo offers a 15% off discount when you’re buying 20 or more tickets. You can also book out one of the zoo’s venues if you really want to throw an impressive event. Alternatively, the zoo has plenty of outdoor seating areas that your party can grab once it’s ready to sit down and take a break. You are allowed to bring your own drinks and food (including cake) into the zoo, but leave the party decorations at home.

Treetop Trekking
3291 Stouffville Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Climb, balance, and zip your way to birthday fun with a party at the Stouffville location of Treetop Trekking. Several packages are available, with the cheapest one offering the birthday kid free admission, so long as they are accompanied by at least five other paying children (admission to the Treewalk Village starts at $22 for kids). The next level up includes admission for 12 guests (extra guests can be added on), access to a reserved outdoor eating area (you supply the food and drinks) and a t-shirt for the birthday kid. This package costs $300.

How to Recover from Parenting Meltdowns

Most of the time I am a good parent. I do all the things a good parent does. I am loving and patient and kind. I listen to my kids’ stories, laugh at their jokes and smile sweetly while they spend ten minutes zipping up their own coats because, “Mommy, I can do it myself!”

But I admit it. There have been moments. Moments that I wish I could rewind and do over. Moments when no amount of deep belly breathing, closing my eyes and visualizing myself sipping a margarita on a beach in paradise, or swigging down Ashwagandha tea have stopped me from slipping over the edge into temporary insanity. Parenting meltdowns can rival a toddler’s best tantrum.

Who Has Parenting Meltdowns?

Unless you are a Zen-infused master guru who has discovered the path to enlightenment and everlasting peace, a day will come when you, too, will lose your cool in front of your kids. It’s probably already come. Maybe when you were trying to homeschool, the dog threw up all over the carpet and your normally sweet, loving angels turned into raving lunatics hell-bent on taking each other down… It’s impossible not to. And how you deal with your foray into the dark depths of  parenting meltdowns may have more of an impact on your kids than how you act during the good times.

After you scrape yourself up off the floor, emerge from hiding in the closet where you have been scarfing down chocolate chips, or uncurl yourself from the fetal position you adopted while rocking back and forth in the corner, here are some tips I’ve learned for post-meltdown recovery…

Tips to Recover from Parenting Meltdowns:

Acknowledge what happened

Unless you are Yoda and are capable of Jedi mind tricks, your kids are well aware that you just lost your marbles. Talk about what led up to your meltdown. If the kids played a part, which let’s face it, they most likely did, enlighten them on how their actions have an impact on the world around them, and you. I know, they’ll likely be shocked to learn that the world was not created specifically for their own pleasure, but it won’t damage them permanently. Avoid playing the blame game. That doesn’t benefit anyone.

Apologize for your reaction

While anger and frustration are normal human emotions, yelling is not okay. When you behave badly, you say you’re sorry. Take responsibility for your actions and admit that you should have handled the situation differently. Work together to come up with strategies on how you can all avoid this from happening again in the future. Like, perhaps instead of threatening to drown your little brother’s favourite teddy bear in the toilet, you should just ask him to pass you the Cheerios. Just saying.

Hug it out

Smother them in kisses. Touch soothes the soul. Reinforce that you love them. Actions speak louder than words but words matter, too. Say, “I love you.”

Accept that you are human and make mistakes

Forgive yourself. One of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is showing them how to love themselves. How? By loving yourself. By giving yourself a break and accepting the fact that you are, gasp, human. So as much as you may want to call yourself an idiot or the worst parent in the world, resist the urge for negative self-talk.

Learn from your actions

It is moments like these that push you to grow. To seek better coping mechanisms and to be better parents. A large part of parenting is modelling behaviour that you want your kids to have, like always hanging the toilet paper roll in the ‘over’ position. If you can learn how to deal with your emotions without completely losing it, they can, too.

Move on

Guilt can be a catalyst for change but it can be destructive if you grab it by the horns and hold it tight. Take a page out of Frozen and let it go. Have that glass of wine, eat that double chocolate tub of ice cream you have hidden away in the deep freeze and know that tomorrow is a new day.

There will always be moments when your superhero cape slips off and your cool facade falters. Moments you are not proud of. Moments that you hope will not live in your children’s memories forever. Moments when your kids will witness you as a mere mortal who doesn’t always have it together. That’s okay. It’s normal.

So the next time you are drowning in parenting meltdowns madness and wondering how you will pay for the years of therapy you fear you just inflicted on your children, remember: what matters most is not that you lost it but how you deal with the aftermath.

This article was originally published on sammichespsychmeds.com