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Books About Puberty for Boys - SavvyMom

Books About Puberty for Boys

Recently I had to admit to myself that my oldest son has reached a certain age. One where we’d need to have the puberty talk. An ever-expanding list of questions about bodies – both his and others’ – along with some noticeable (read: stinky) changes to his own body were clear signs that it was time. It’s time to learn about puberty for boys.

Our family has never shied away from talking about bodies – their processes are natural, after all! But, I only know about puberty from my experience as someone assigned female at birth, not male. And my partner, like me, has never had this type of conversation before, and so much has changed in terms of language and inclusivity since we came of age, we wanted to get it right. We needed reinforcements.

I started researching books about puberty for boys in the hopes that someone out there wiser than myself had a sort of handbook that would not only answer any questions our boys might have, but keep the doors of communication open between them and us. I was pleasantly surprised to find there were actually a good many books that tackled everything from the science behind puberty changes to other body-related topics like consent and gender identity. Here are a few of the best options.

Books About Puberty for Boys:

Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys - SavvyMom

Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys

This was the first book we decided upon, based on the recommendation of our local independent kids’ bookstore. It is easy to read and contains clear yet fun illustrations of different features of puberty. I also liked that it covered other aspects of personal health including hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and mental health. It’s basically a book about caring for one’s whole body. The language is really approachable – my oldest is 10 and could read the book without assistance. It now sits on our bookshelf for easy access, and I’ve caught both boys flipping through on their own on several occasions.
Buy it here

Puberty Is Gross But Also Really Awesome - SavvyMom

Puberty Is Gross but Also Really Awesome

Puberty is gross, there’s no denying that. I liked that this book didn’t shy away from the reality of many of our body’s more yucky changes. As any parent of boys surely knows, boys are drawn to gross things, so I think it also made it more appealing to my sons. It uses jokes and fun facts to help educate youngsters while also keeping the topic lighthearted. Parents will also appreciate that it covers topics such as bullying, gender identity, and “taboo” topics such as masturbation.
Buy it here

Books About Puberty for Boys: The Boys' Body Book - SavvyMom

The Boys Body Book

Revised and updated, this book about puberty for boys is another comprehensive guide for a healthy and happy self. Written by a nurse, it covers everything from body changes to planning for college, giving pre-teen boys the answers they need to prepare for puberty and beyond. It also covers internet safety, emotional well-being, personal boundaries, stress management, and how to build healthy relationships. The author is also a stand-up comic, and writes to appeal to the humour of growing boys.
Buy it here

Books About Puberty for Boys: Guy Talk - SavvyMom

Guy Talk: The Ultimate Boy’s Body Book with Stuff Guys Need to Know while Growing Up Great!

This advice-packed book for boys helps pre-teens navigate all things puberty and growing up. It features plenty of up-to-date information and contains thoughtful illustrations that showcase bodies of all shapes, abilities, and sizes. The book focuses on various aspects of both physical and mental health, and covers everything from body changes, personal hygiene, and healthy eating, to tips for having conversations about sensitive topics.
Buy it here

The Boys Guide to Growing Up - SavvyMom

The Boys Guide to Growing Up

For young boys approaching puberty, this book provides a friendly and positive guide as to what types of changes their body is about to undergo. It covers everything about puberty for boys, from body hair and vocal changes, to mood swings and self-esteem with candor and reassurance. If your son is curious about the changes that girls experience during puberty, this book has a section on that, too.
Buy it here

When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty - SavvyMom

When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty

This book is more of a guide for parents than kids, but I think it’s incredibly important to include in this list. The topic of health, sexuality, and relationships is often neglected for kids with disabilities and neurodivergence, and it shouldn’t be. While I haven’t personally dug into this book (yet!), several parents in one of my support groups recommended this one. This book is centred around issues related to puberty and emerging sexuality in children with disabilities and/or autism. It covers physical changes, mood swings, and sexual behaviour. Case studies are presented alongside practical guidance on how to overcome problems that commonly arise in kids with differences.
Buy it here

Ottawa Toboggan Hills - SavvyMom

Here Are the Best Ottawa Toboggan Hills

As the snow falls in the Ottawa area, the kids may be excited to grab their sleds, throw on their snow pants and head to a hill. Maybe you have a small hill near your house to enjoy, or maybe you’re looking for a new adventure to try. It’s the season for sledding and there are a few great Ottawa toboggan hills and spots in the surrounding areas that you can check out.

Safety Is a Priority on Ottawa Toboggan Hills

Before we share those with you, we did want to mention sledding safety. The City of Ottawa has information and disclaimers on its website that you should check out before you go. It’s important to note that the hills aren’t frequently maintained and that certain conditions (like ice) may make your sledding trip more hazardous than fun. Luckily, there are hills of all sizes for your family to check out all winter long because the family that sleds together… has a lot of fun together!

The Best Ottawa Toboggan Hills

Apollo Crater Park

This man-made location is popular for those living in Orleans (it’s officially listed as Cumberland on the City of Ottawa website). It’s a storm pond drain area with a gradual dip that will still provide plenty of thrills. There’s no direct parking, so you’ll need to find something along the street.

Green’s Creek

This one is a popular hill is in the NCC land off of Bearbrook Road. It features a nice tall hill with wide-open runs for good speed, but it’s also safely protected from the river with a high embankment. It’s lit at night so early sunsets are not a problem, and there’s both parking and outhouses in the parking lot nearby. Find other NCC hills on their website.

Carlington Park

If big thrills are what you’re after, we recommend Carlington Park…if you dare. A retired ski hill, Carlington has the steepest, fastest runs in town, plus a cool old chairlift to explore. Local sledders often carve out jumps and twists and turns for extra fun. Park at the nearby Dulude Arena on Clyde and prepare for a (well rewarded) hike up.

Walter Baker Park

If you’re located in the west end, the big hill in Walter Baker Park rules the sledding world and should not be missed. It’s a big man-made hill with one of the longest runs in town, and if you’re skilled on the sled, you can take your toboggan halfway across the park before stopping. We especially love the steep start that makes it a perfect launching place for multi-passenger sleds—so don’t just wait at the bottom, climb on up and hop in the back. Parking is plentiful at the Kanata Rec Centre next door, and the hill is lit so you can keep sledding until long past dinnertime.

Craig Henry Park

Located in the heart of Nepean, Craig Henry Park offers a smaller hill that’s a great choice for young families that don’t want to trek out to the ‘burbs. The hill isn’t too hard to climb for little legs but still offers a fairly long and nicely open run to the west. Parking is available onsite at the high school but there’s no evening lighting.

Queenswood Heights Centennial Park and Community Centre

Families with younger children may want to check out the hill at Queenswood Heights Centennial Park and Community Centre (near the ball diamond). There’s a gradual slope with quite a bit of space at this smaller man-made hill in Ottawa’s East End.

Mooney’s Bay

Tobogganing was officially banned at Mooney’s Bay and a young girl tragically died there on December 27. However, this has been a popular toboggan hill in Ottawa probably because it’s one of the tallest hills around. Watch for further updates with the city.

For more info on toboggan hills in Ottawa (including an interactive map) visit the City of Ottawa Website.

The Truth About Being an Older Mom - SavvyMom

The Truth About Being an Older Mom

“Who’s your favourite boy band singer?”

I’m asked this recently while sitting at a table with a group of moms at a nearby drop-in play center. I contemplate my answer, making sure to keep an eye on my two-year-old son who is running around, clutching a plastic farm animal, clearly enjoying our weekly visit.

Jonathan Knight from the New Kids on the Block, I decide silently.

“AJ, for sure”, one mom blurts out.

“No way,” another one pipes in. “Nick Carter, he was definitely the cutest.”

They laugh. I laugh too. I keep my answer to myself. They are talking about the Backstreet Boys and I’m about a decade beyond that.

Just the week before, I listened while a few moms reminisced about how they spent their childhood Friday nights watching ’90s classics like Full House and Family Matters. Already a teenager by then, I was too old for such family sitcoms, having moved on from boy bands, hulled up in my room contemplating life and listening to Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

I gave birth to my first child at the age of 37 and my second the day after I turned 40. I am an ‘older’ mom.

It’s not the way my husband and I planned it, but that’s the way it worked out.

The Truth About Being an Older Mom

The truth about being an older mom is that sometimes I’m out of step with my mom peer group. While friends and siblings my own age are immersed in a haze of hockey practices and dance classes, I’m busy googling potty training or packing knapsacks full of diapers, sippy-cups, and goldfish crackers. They shudder in horror when I mention that my toddler still wakes at night. “I don’t miss that!” they tell me.

Conversations with friends who are just a few years older focus on lippy teenagers and rising university costs. They complain about irregular cycles and peri-menopause while I’m researching daycares and dealing with the remnants of postpartum body changes. It’s sometimes an odd dichotomy to balance.

The other truth about being an older mom is that it has turned out to be one of my life’s biggest blessings. I spent my twenties and most of my thirties doing what I wanted; establishing my career, traveling, and spending quality time nurturing my relationship with my husband. I am, without a doubt, more patient, less selfish, and a lot wiser than I was a decade ago. The long journey to have my children, although challenging, also helped to shape my perspective on parenting. No matter how or when your children come to you, they are a gift to be cherished.

I experience moments of hearing “Do you know how old you’ll be when your kids are teenagers?” that are balanced with “You’re so patient with him. I don’t know how you do it.”

The butt-wiping, car-seat strapping, and night-time rocking I do during mid-life motherhood is also balanced by the fact that I was able to take a long hiatus from my teaching career to enjoy things like walking my four year-old son to school and volunteering on his class trips. An opportunity I may not have had when I was younger.

It makes perfect sense to have your children sooner than later, as a woman’s fertility is time-sensitive. But for some, when you have your children is not a choice. And for others, it’s exactly that — a well thought-out decision. One that may involve finishing school, establishing a career, or finding the right partner —all of which can better prepare them for one of the hardest jobs they’ll ever take on.

For me, the greatest gift of being an older mom has been the ability to let go of timelines. So often we suffocate ourselves with time restraints, cut-off points, and rules dictating at what age we should accomplish which milestones. These restrictions can lead to anxiety and feelings of failure when, in essence, each person’s path is unique.

Not too long ago, I ran into one of my former students at the grocery store. No longer a tween, she’s now a woman with a child of her own. We hugged in the middle of the baby section and she introduced me to her toddler, all smiles and legs dangling out of slots in the shopping cart.

“Is this cutie yours?” she asked, turning her attention to my cart and clasping my son’s hand.

Instead of focusing on the the fact that this woman, who was more than a decade younger than me and one who I once nurtured in some capacity, had a child the same age as mine, I simply smiled back at her. “He sure is.”

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tubing and Toboganning in Vancouver - SavvyMom

Where to Go Tubing and Tobogganing in Vancouver

The thrill of tobogganing never gets old. Careening down a snowy slope while your stomach stays at the top, only to catch you at the bottom… it’s such a fun way to get out and enjoy nature with the kids in the winter. There are some really great options at Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain for tobogganing in Vancouver (and snow tubing, for a price though) as well as some more affordable ways to enjoy the thrills of winter fun. So if you can’t decide which one to choose or where to go, we’re here to help.

Paid Options for Tobogganing in Vancouver

Mount Seymour

Mount Seymour is further east of Cypress Mountain and located in North Vancouver. It’s family owned and operated, and maybe as a result, we find the staff on the friendlier side—but the parking could be better organized.

Mt. Seymour Snow Tubing

It’s $33 per person for two hours in the snow tubing area during the weekend. (Good to know: the price includes inflatable tube rental.) Hours are 10 am to 4 pm and there is a minimum 48″ height requirement. We love that at Mount Seymour there are three separate tube parks—a smaller one for beginners (ideal for smaller kids who are wannabe thrill seekers) and two intermediate parks.

Tobogganing at Mt. Seymour

Mount Seymour has a designated toboggan area (no age restrictions) with several different lanes—which helps reduce wait times. Weekdays are $10 per person, weekend rates are $60 for a family of five or $15 per person, children under the age of 3 are free with an adult, and sliding mats are available for purchase for $10.


Photo credit: cypressmountain.com

Snow Tubing and Tobogganing at Cypress Mountain

Cypress Mountain is West of Mount Seymour in West Vancouver. The snow tubing and tobogganing areas are located past the cross-country kiosk, so turn right into the cross-country area once at the top of the mountain. Cypress doesn’t vary pricing for weekends or weekdays. Rates are $34 per person over the age of six. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on weekends, but they occasionally have extended hours on select dates. Kids must be at least six years of age and those under ten must be accompanied by an adult. Youthful staff will spin tubes, and kids can link tubes and slide as one big unit.

The sliding area is less intense and is $16 per person for all ages. For both tubing and sliding, pre-book tickets online.

Free Options for Tobogganing in Vancouver

The joy of the snowy season is available at all sorts of price points, including free so you can get out and enjoy the white stuff while it’s still around. We canvassed a couple of local parenting writers to find their favourite choices.

Tamara from Discovering Parenthood had some fun suggestions to try out with your family. Bundle up and check these out:

Tairalyn Ciulla of Little Miss Mama had some good ideas of her own. Grab your sled and head off to these hills:

  • Coquitlam Crunch (2665 Runnel Drive)
  • Whistler – AWESOME and FREE tobogganing hill right in the village as well as an ice rink right beside it for free (bring your own skates).

Feel like driving just a little bit further? Our family loves the hill at Manning Park – it’s free and our little guy had a blast. Looking a little closer to home, there is good sledding to be done near Rotary Stadium (on Discovery Trail in Abbotsford.)

Now you know where to get some fun sledding time in with your family. There’s no greater excitement than the rush of flying down a hill and feeling the cold air on your face (and doing it for free is even better!)

Let us know which spot is your favourite!

With files from Deanna Regan

Sugars 101: Everything You Need to Know About Sugar - SavvyMom

Sugars 101: Everything You Need to Know About Sugar

You need sugar to survive! So sugar is not an enemy but not all sugars are created equal. Depending on what you’re making, your recipe might call for any number of sugars and not all are interchangeable. We’re delving into some of the most common and not-so-common varieties of sugars to help you decipher which sugars are best for what. Welcome to Sugars 101!

Everything You Need to Know About Sugar


Sugars 101, white granulated sugar

White sugar

White sugar is the most common type of sugar and the kind you’ll find in most homes and sugar bowls. The refined sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beet, and it’s also the sugar called for in most recipes. White sugar is also referred to as granulated sugar and comes in various crystal sizes.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar is simply white sugar combined with molasses. It has a lighter, softer texture than white sugar and there are both lighter and darker varieties. You can substitute brown sugar for white sugar in a recipe, but make sure to pack it down when measuring so the sweetness is equal. Lighter brown sugar has a milder taste, where dark brown sugar will taste more of molasses.

sugars 101, icing sugar

Icing sugar

Icing sugar, sometimes called powdered sugar, is simply granulated sugar that’s been ground to a powder and then sifted. It’s most often used in icings, whipping cream, and as a garnish for cakes and other baking.

Muscovado sugar

Muscovado sugar is unrefined cane sugar with the molasses left in it (molasses gets removed when sugar is refined). Because of this, it has a strong molasses flavour and comes in lighter and darker varieties. The darker the sugar, the more molasses flavour you’ll get. The texture of muscovado sugar is similar to that of wet sand.

sugars 101, demerara sugar

Demerara sugar

Demerara sugar is a partially refined sugar with large crystals and contains some natural molasses (unlike brown sugar where all of the molasses is refined out and then added back in). There is a hint of toffee in the flavour and a nice crunch to the crystals. You can use Demerara sugar in place of brown sugar.

Liquid sugar

When you want a sweet taste without having to add granulated sugar, you can turn to liquid sugar, which is simply granulated white sugar dissolved in water. Liquid sugar (sometime referred to as simple syrup) is a great way to sweeten cocktails and iced coffee beverages.

What Parents Need to Know About Sex Trafficking - SavvyMom

What Parents Need to Know About Sex Trafficking

Human trafficking is on the rise worldwide. What was once thought of as an offense involving smuggling persons across a border is now known to be a complex, hard-to-detect crime involving the recruiting, harboring, and/or controlling of a person’s movements and freedom by various means. The most common types of trafficking include forced labour and involuntary sex work. To be clear, sex trafficking is different from consensual, adult sex work. Sex trafficking is a crime, and no one can consent to being trafficked.

Much of what we know about human trafficking might have come from the movies; films like Eastern Promises and Taken are stories that take place on the other side of the world and depict rings of young women and girls forced into sexual slavery to pay off an immigration debt.

But human trafficking also exists closer to home, so here’s what parents need to know.

Facts and Statistics About Sex Trafficking:

Here’s what the most recent data from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) tells us about trafficking:

In 2019, there were 511 cases in Canada reported to the police. More than 96% of identified trafficking cases in Canada since 2005 were domestic, not international. Between 2009 and 2016:

  • two thirds (66%) of cases in Canada were reported in Ontario
  • Almost half of all trafficking cases were reported in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal
  • The majority (95%) of victims/survivors in cases reported to police were female and over a quarter (27%) of victims/survivors in cases reported to police were under the age of 18

As with many crimes of a similar nature, human trafficking is thought to be widely under-reported.

Who’s Affected by Sex Trafficking:

The government of Ontario states that women and children from Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities are at increased risk of being trafficked, along with:

  • women and girls (though boys, men, and people who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+ are also targeted)
  • homeless and/or marginalized youth
  • youth who struggle with self-esteem, and/or are experiencing bullying, discrimination, poverty, abuse, isolation, and other social or family issues
  • people with addiction, mental illness, or developmental disabilities

The average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13.

Cynthia Bland, executive director of Voice Found, a survivor-led organization and resource for victims of sexual abuse, told cbc.ca that most of the individuals she encounters are girls and young women — many between the ages 12 and 19—with victims coming from our local communities and high schools. As for what makes someone vulnerable to being trafficked? “The largest vulnerability is ignorance to the issue, not really understanding what it is,” said Bland.

It’s important to note that sex trafficking does not always involve abduction. Victims often sleep in their own homes making it even more difficult for friends and loved ones to detect a problem.

What Parents Need to Watch Out For:

Sex traffickers purposely develop a bond with the person they are trafficking. The trafficker may engage in ‘grooming’ by making the victim feel special and showering them with gifts. They may also try to get the victim to look older or sexier and push them to experiment with drugs or alcohol and other risky behaviours like missing school and taking sexually explicit photos.

The sex trafficker can be a stranger or someone the victim knows through social media or even personally. Traffickers may leverage a relationship of trust or authority for the purposes of exploitation. He or she may try to isolate the victim from friends and family as a way to assert influence and control.

At some point the trafficker will ask the victim to do sexual things with them or others as “repayment” for what’s been spent on them. The trafficker may try to coerce the victim into sex by threatening to expose the things they’ve done, like take and/or share explicit photographs. (Read more about sextortion in Canada here.) They may also threaten to hurt the victim or someone they care about.

When someone is being trafficked, their traffickers often control every aspect of their life, including when they eat and sleep, what they wear, and who they talk to.

Changes in behaviour, physical appearance, new belongings and relationships with family and friends can be signs that someone might be a victim of human trafficking. Warning signs include:

  • frequent absences from home, sometimes resulting in being reported missing
  • being secretive about their activities
  • staying out later and more often
  • absent from school or decline in academic performance
  • using new or increased methods of transportation, such as taxies or Uber
  • seem fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous or paranoid
  • withdrawing or isolating from family and friends
  • have a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend they won’t introduce to friends and family
  • suddenly spend time with an older person or people
  • begin wearing more sexualized clothing
  • have new clothing and jewelry without a way to pay for it
  • show signs of physical abuse or tattooing or branding symbols, particularly names
  • suddenly have a new or second cell phone with a secret number
  • don’t control their own passport or other documents

The Bottom Line:

Sex trafficking, though statistically rare, can and does happen in our own communities and to victims who might have previously been thought of as low risk for trafficking victimization.

Traffickers recruit victims in all of the physical places teens hang out, including malls, bus stops, even in middle and high schools. A primary hunting ground is online, making it even more imperative to know what apps our kids are using and who they’re corresponding with. Keeping electronics in a central location that is visible and easily monitored may help minimize inappropriate online interactions. Children and teens should be reminded to always listen to their inner voice and to never trust anyone who asks them to keep a secret from their parents. Know your kid’s friends and pay attention when new people enter their lives.

Resources for Help and to Learn More:

If you are in immediate danger or suspect someone is being trafficked, call 911 or your local police service.

If you or someone you know needs support or wants to report a potential case of human trafficking, call Canada’s dedicated, confidential, 24/7 human trafficking hotline: (Toll-free: 1-833-900-1010). The hotline connects victims and survivors to law enforcement, emergency shelters, transition housing, long-term supports, counselors, and a range of other trauma-informed services.

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline website offers a national directory of social services, education/awareness materials, as well as reports and research products.

To learn more about the human side of sex trafficking, watch the story of one 15-year old’s escape from a sex trafficker here, and check out I Am Jane Doe, a documentary film about the epic battle several US mothers waged on behalf of their daughters who were victims of sex trafficking.

Best Photobook Canada Options - SavvyMom

Best Photobook Sites for Canadians

We love photo books – and the great news is, there are photobook creation options for everyone, depending on your budget, how much time you want to spend on the project, how much customization you require, and how polished you want the finished product to be.

The bad news is, not all sites work for Canadian shoppers, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite Canuck-friendly options to help you get started. We’ve also included a few US options at the bottom because they’re big-time fan favourites, but keep in mind you’ll likely get dinged for extra shipping and custom/import duties upon delivery.

Best Photobook Sites for Canadians

Blacks Best Photobooks Canada

Black’s

Blacks makes photobook creation pretty straightforward, which is great for those who are intimidated by the book-making process or who don’t want too many options. With Blacks you can choose from a few different themes, colours, and sizes and build your book from there. Nice and easy.

Black’s Photobook Highlights:

  • Starting price: $12.99 for 20-page, softcover book
  • Delivery within Ontario between five and nine business days depending on shipping method
  • Photo wallets, magnets, calendars, and ornaments are also available

Costco

Update Jan. 2023: Costco’s photo service is transitioning to Shutterfly’s new Canadian site. On January 28, 2023, products and services previously available from Costco Photo Centre will no longer be available. Projects saved on CostcoPhotoCentre.ca will not be available on the new Canadian Shutterfly site. If you’ve started a project at CostcoPhotoCentre.ca or would like extra copies of earlier projects, your order must be placed prior to this January 28th, 2023.

Costco’s online photo centre offers a wide range of products including photo books. Select a cover style and add your own photo(s) and text to be featured on the front. With each option you can choose from a variety of layouts and templates, conveniently drag and drop your photos, and easily add captions.

Costco’s Photobook Highlights:

  • Starting price: $25.99
  • Delivery in five to 12 business days
  • Books start at 30 pages and you can add up to 30 more for a total of 60.

Photoinpress Best Photobooks Canada

Photoinpress

This site offers Canadian-made, affordable, traditional photobook looks. There’s nothing fancy here, but they have some nice, classic options and offer five different book size and cover design options.

Photoinpress Photobook Highlights:

  • Available in traditional or square formats with the option to customize the cover and spine of your book
  • 20-page softcover books start at $12.99, hard cover at $29.99. Additional pages are extra.
  • Free delivery across Canada

Pikto best photobooks Canada

Pikto

This Canadian company designs and manufactures premium photo books in Toronto and offers a design service option for extra cost, which might be worth it if you’d like a team of designers to create your book for you (with your input, of course!)

Pikto Photobook Highlights:

  • 10 size options (starting at $9.95), and seven printing material options.
  • Design-conscious upgrades include Imagewrap Hardcover (from $30),  Textile Hardcover (from $50) and Slipcase (from $95)
  • Newsletter sign up gets you a 15% discount on your first order

Vista Print Best Photobooks Canada

Vistaprint

Photo books are not Vistaprint’s core business so the design options are minimal, but the site is still a good option for those seeking good quality and value for the money. Vista Print also offers fast shipping and has many additional custom photo gifts and ideas to choose from.

Highlights:

  • Photo Books starting at $13.
  • Seven size options in portrait, square and landscape formats.
  • Finishing touches include personalized covers, glossy photo finish, and additional pages (up to 120) for extra cost.

Henry's Best Photbooks Canada

Henry’s

Henry’s is well-known in the Canadian photography industry and they have some decent, but not overly sophisticated, services for photo book creation. They also offer many other services, including prints, cards, calendars, canvas and more, if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for custom photo ideas.

Henry’s Photobook Highlights:

  • Books start at 20-pages and come in a variety of sizes along with hardcover, softcover and hardcover leather options, as well as horizontal, square, and vertical orientations.
  • 4×4 in softcover books start at $13.99
  • Production time is nine-13 business days

Staples

It’s no surprise that the makers of the Easy button take a pretty no frills approach to photo books. Staples offers few creative flourishes but a variety of sizes and finishes means you can still create a lovely and customized finished product without breaking the bank.

Staples Photobook Highlights:

  • Prices start at $22.49 for a 6×8 in book with a linen or leatherette cover.
  • Variety of templates and cover options
  • Free shipping on orders of $45 or more.

Walmart Photo Centre

Cheap and cheerful, Walmart Canada’s photo books include soft and hard-cover options, along with an Express Book that can be ready in as little as 2-4 business days. Prices start at less than $10 for 4×4 in soft cover book and go up to $28.97 for a 9×12 in hardcover book.

Walmart’s Photobook Highlights:

  • 20 page with more at additional charge
  • Room for up to 300 photos in hardcover books and 150 in softcover books
  • Available for free in-store pick up or ship to home
  • Express Books have room for 20 photos, are printed on Kodak Professional Photo Paper and come in 3 sizes.

U.S. Photobook Options
That Offer Great Quality

We couldn’t pass up including a few of these fan favourites. These photobook companies offer great quality as well as more options and variety—but you’ll have to pay the shipping and might get dinged with custom and import duties upon delivery.

Blurb

Blurb

Blurb is well known in the photobook scene and has some really sleek, polished, high-quality books. The creation process is user-friendly and Adobe plug-ins are available. Blurb is great for anyone who doesn’t mind paying a little extra for a plethora of options and creative flexibility.

Blurb Photobook Highlights:

  • Save 35% on your first book purchase with email sign-up.
  • Five book sizes available.
  • In addition to photo books, find templates for e-books, cookbooks, children’s books, graphic novels and more.
  • Price for a small square, 7×7  in 20-page book starts at $32.99 CAD for 20 pages. Each additional page is $0.35 CAD.

Chatbooks

Chatbooks

Chatbooks has gorgeous options for covers that are as stylish as they are unique. Chatbooks are affordable and simple to create, and the “Series” option allows you to automatically create a new book with the upload of 60 photos.

Chatbooks Photobook Highlights:

  • 6×6 in or 8×8 in sizes
  • 6×6 in softcover photo books start at $10 USD
  • Add photos from multiple sources including Facebook, Instagram, Flckr, Dropbox or computer.

Forever

Forever’s main point of difference is how quickly books can be made. The “just enough” approach to customization options will help you customize to your satisfaction without getting overwhelmed, and the layflat binding option (premium add-on) makes for perfect presentation.

Forever Photobook Highlights:

  • 21-page books start at $19.99 USD
  • Available in two sizes and styles: 8×8 in and 12×12 in, hard and softcover. (Leather cover is a premium add on).
  • Archival-quality materials ensures the life and quality of your book for future generations

Mixbook

Mixbook

Mixbook has plenty of beautiful options for customization including templates and fonts. Users can choose from 359 photo book themes.

Mixbook Photobook Highlights:

  • Rated #1 in 2014 by Top Consumer Reports in the U.S.
  • Landscape photo books start at $21.99 CAD
  • The “Get Inspired” tab will help kickstart your creativity for all photo projects, including books.

Shutterfly

*** coming soon to Canada in 2023

With no shortage of size, customization, and embellishment options, Shutterfly is a pioneer in the photo book space. And they offer three different ways to make your book: have their designers make it for you; make it yourself using Simple Path (automatic photo arrangement on the template of your choice), or Custom Path (layouts are professional and predesigned, or designed by you).

Shutterfly Photobook Highlights:

  • Excellent image and overall book quality
  • Popular design templates include Disney, Sesame Street, and Star Wars
  • Square, 8×8 in books start at $19.99 USD

Snapfish

Snapfish users love the easy-to-use photo editor and step-by-step instructions, not to mention the number of customizable options including more than 120 themes, backgrounds and templates. But Canadians beware, you’ll wait a lot longer for delivery!

Snapfish Photobook Highlights:

  • 20-page 8×8 in hardcover books start at $29.99 USD.
  • Square, portrait, and landscape options.
  • Delivery estimates to Canada are between eight and 30 business days

5 Pro Tips for Creating Your
Photobook Masterpiece:

  1. If you’re making multiple books for different people, start by creating one master version that can be tweaked for others using dates and images that are meaningful to them.
  2. If you do photo books annually, create a file on your phone or computer every January that you can transfer your favourite photos into throughout the year. And if you’re including photos from other family members, be sure to give them plenty of time to share their favourite images with you.
  3. Consider attaching a theme to your creation, like “Our Summer Vacation,” “Favourite Family Moments,” or “Being Silly in 2021.” This helps create a more structured and cohesive finished product, and you can change the theme year to year.
  4. Pay attention to how your photos are organized and ordered. A great photobook is like any story, so consider how you want yours to flow and unfold.
  5. Before you buy or decide on a service, search online for sales. It’s not uncommon to find a promo code for 40%, 50% event 60% off especially around the May and December holidays, as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Related Reading:

Best Subscription Boxes for Moms That Ship to Canada

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How to Build Resilience in Kids - SavvyMom

How to Build Resilience in Kids

Have you ever heard of “bulldozer parenting”? Also known as “lawnmower parenting” or “snowplow parenting” – these terms all signify a parenting style where parents are overly involved and go out of their way to remove any obstacles or challenges that may occur in their child’s life. It’s difficult to build resilience in kids when they don’t face problems.

While few parents set out to adopt a bulldozer parenting style, it can result from our natural instincts as parents. Of course, as parents, we want to protect our children and provide them with a childhood that is fun, enjoyable and positive. But adopting this type of parenting style and removing all challenges could do our children a disservice.

It may be counterintuitive to some parents, but by providing your child with a supportive environment where they can experience and work through challenges on their own helps children develop the skills that they need to develop resiliency. Resiliency is having the ability to overcome adversity or failure and manage and cope with stress. This is not something that children are born with, it is a skill that they learn and develop over time.

It’s important to expose children to a variety of different experiences that will help them learn this skill as they grow and develop throughout childhood. The skill of resilience helps children take risks, show confidence, try new things and establish effective coping strategies and problem-solving tools to help them become successful adults.

Some tips on how parents can build resilience in kids

Promote Emotional Security

Children who know they are loved, valued, cared for and supported have high levels of emotional security and feeling safe and secure helps children practise resiliency. There are many activities that we can do in our child’s day to help promote emotional security:

Provide a home environment that has consistency. This allows children to know what is expected in their day which encourages predictability and promotes success. Having a well established morning, afterschool and bedtime routine that is communicated in an age-appropriate way (picture maps or checklists) can help create this consistency for your child.

Connect with your child. It’s important for children to have one-on-one, child-directed time with their parents. This time should be simple so it occurs on a regular basis – it could be getting down on the floor and playing cars, colouring a picture together, sharing a joke of the day on your walk to school or working together to make the morning smoothie. Not only is this time enjoyable for your child it also helps them feel secure and create a connection with their parent. This helps children see their parents as a support system that they can rely on and come to when they need support.

Make your child aware of their support system. Knowing that many people care about you helps encourage positive emotions, self-esteem, optimism and resilience. Make your kids aware of all the people in their world who are cheering them on – grandparents, teachers, coaches, babysitters, neighbours etc. A great way for kids to recognize this support is to have them call someone in their support system to share their successes – hearing grandma share how proud she is that they were brave at the dentist will ensure your child is aware of the support from their fan club!

Encourage Safe Risk-Taking

Encourage your child to take safe, age-appropriate risks. This will help your child learn what their limits are and encourage them to think about their decisions. Risk-taking shows your child that it is okay to try things and not be successful– this experience helps your child learn how to cope when things go wrong and manage the feelings associated with this.

Young children often see things very black and white – there are only two outcomes – do it or don’t do it. Helping your child learn, with your support, that there is a third option – try to overcome the challenge, helps them recognize that they can try new things, risk failing, but can try and try again. And, when you encourage your child to try new things or overcome their fears it is important to break down the challenge into small steps. This is referred to as the step ladder approach. It helps make challenges more approachable and helps children build on their incremental successes on the road to overcoming a challenge that when viewed as a whole seemed insurmountable.

Model Resiliency

Parents are a child’s most valuable teacher. Children imitate the people around them – they want to be just like you and are watching everything you do. Share your challenges and struggles – when age-appropriate – with your child. It will be beneficial for them to hear that you have difficulties in your world and to learn how you deal with these challenges. Not only will this experience teach your child the different skills that you use to cope, but it will also help normalize disappointment and challenge.

How to model resiliency:

Use personal storytelling to model your resiliency with your child. This could be sharing stories for your past and present. For example, sharing your worst day in grade one and how you dealt with the experience or how you managed a difficult experience at work or during your day.

Share books, television shows or movies where a character overcomes a challenge. This a very meaningful way to show resiliency. By reading or watching the show with your child you can discuss the challenge that was overcome and the strategies, steps or tools that the character used to overcome the challenge, using the experience as a lesson or teachable moment.

Related Articles:

How To Help Your Child Break a Habit

Vancouver Museums & Galleries - SavvyMom

Family-Friendly Vancouver Museums and Galleries

Most of us think of visiting museums or historic sites or art galleries when we’re travelling; it’s a good way to explore local history and culture of whatever city or country we find ourselves in. But Vancouver is blessed with a huge variety of local facilities that are not just family-friendly but full of incredible opportunities for learning. Be a tourist in your own town, and check out some of these Vancouver museums and galleries in the coming months. Most of them have activities specifically for children, or feature exhibitions that are fascinating to all ages (who isn’t amazed by the skeleton of a giant blue whale, for example!) Bonus: many of them offer group events or birthday party gatherings for the little ones so if you enjoy your visit, keep it mind the next time you’re preparing for a celebration.

Family-Friendly Vancouver Museums & Galleries in Vancouver

Vanouver Maritime Museum  – Vancouver

Tucked away in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum has been helping local residents explore the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic for more than 60 years. Their most popular exhibition is the St. Roch, a former RCMP vessel that is also a National Historic Site housed in an A-frame shelter.  With a variety of exhibitions and programs, many aimed at children, the facility is an ideal place for a unique family outing. For more information, see vanmaritime.com.

Britannia Mine – Britannia Beach

The Britannia Mine opened its doors in 1904 and operated for more than 70 years, at points being the largest copper mine in the British Empire. More than 60,000 people lived and worked there over those seven decades. Their stories, and information about mining and the history of mining in BC and Canada, are all part of the fun at this facility. With mine cart rides inside dark tunnels, gold panning and much more, this is one of the coolest Vancouver museums for kids of all ages. For more information, see: www.britanniaminemuseum.ca.

Beaty Biodiversity Museum  – UBC – Vancouver campus

Let your kids dive into the “diversity of life” at Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC. With more than 500 exhibits (including one that features the massive jaw bone of a blue whale) over 20,000 square feet of museum space. With more two million specimens, including dinosaur tracks from the early Cretaceous period, fossils of mammals, reptiles, and plants, there are displays here sure to capture the imagination of any child. Check out the hands-on Allan Yap Discovery Lab and Theatre for interesting activities and shows. For more information, see beatymuseum.ubc.ca.

Britannia Shipyards  – Richmond

This Canadian National Historic Site is an authentic recreation of a thriving seaside community of canneries, boat yards, stores and homes. Many of the buildings date back to the late 1800s and the exhibits tell the stories of the many people who lived and worked here in years past. Hours and exhibit availability changes from season to season, so check current information before going. For more details, see britanniashipyards.ca.

Fraser River Discovery Centre  – New Westminster

On the shores of the Fraser River, adjacent to the popular New Westminster Quay and Market, this hands-on family-focused facility is aimed at helping people learn more about the Mighty Fraser. From its unique history to the people who have lived alongside it, to the businesses and industry that have built up around it, this facility has a rotating series of exhibits and programs. Ideal for a family outing or for groups of children from local schools. For more information, see fraserriverdiscovery.org.

HR McMillan Space Centre – Vancouver

Known locally as the Planetarium, this facility in Vanier Park first opened in 1968 and has been teaching Vancouver residents about the sun, moon, stars, and beyond ever since. With a theatre, an exhibit gallery, and a demonstration theatre, there is always something new – and something familiar – on display to learn about. Hosting various lectures and events throughout the year, the facility continues to draw thousands each year, including many school field trips. For more information, see www.spacecentre.ca.

Museum of Anthropology  – UBC, Vancouver

Located at the Point Grey campus of UBC, the MOA is one of the country’s largest teaching museums with a variety of courses being held on site in museum studies, museum education and conservation, as well as Indigenous and world art. Nearly 50,000 works from all corners of the world are held on site, with thousands more in the Laboratory of Archaeology. The facility is known for its lare collection of Northwest Coast art, including works by Bill Reid and other Indigenous artists, along with collections from Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and Europe. For more information, see  https://moa.ubc.ca/.

Vancouver Art Gallery   – Vancouver

Known as one of Canada’s largest and most respected visual art institutions, the Vancouver Art Gallery has a variety of rotating exhibitions and extensive public programming for all ages, including programs focused on offering art education and resources for local families. There are also programs aimed specifically at teens and young adults. For more information, see www.vanartgallery.bc.ca.

Museum of Vancouver – Vancouver

One of the best Vancouver museums to focus on home, you can explore the unique history and people of Vancouver at the Museum of Vancouver. Learn about local Indigenous history, and the later development and growth of the city itself. Exhibits feature a variety of interesting objects from the city – old neon business signs, replicas of particular sites, and more. The MOV has a stated mission to be a gathering space that fosters connection and learning. For more information, see  museumofvancouver.ca/.

BC Sports Hall of Fame – Vancouver

No list of Vancouver museums would be complete without including one for the sports fans in the family. The BC Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements of great athletes and moments in BC sport history. With more than 27,000 artifacts representing 150 years of sporting accomplishments, there’s countless stories to explore and discover here. For more information, see bcsportshall.com.

Burnaby Village Museum  – Burnaby

Step back in time to the Burnaby of the last century. Intended to be a recreation of the places, people, and life of the 1920s, this facility includes a variety of original buildings and artifacts moved to the museum site for preservation, and has been set up like a “village” complete with blacksmith, one room schoolhouse, post office, bank and much more. For more information, see www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/.

Anvil Centre – New Westminster

The Anvil Centre in the Royal City provides some one-stop shop for history and culture. Under its roof is the New Westminster Museum and Archives, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Community Art Gallery, the New Media Art Gallery, and a community theatre. With a variety of exhibitions, events, celebrations and more, there’s always something happening at the Anvil. For more information, see anvilcentre.com/

Surrey Art Gallery  – Surrey

Don’t want to head all the way downtown for some art and culture? Did you know that the second largest public art museum in the Metro Vancouver region is located in Surrey? Exhibitions and programs change quarterly and admission is free. The gallery focuses on all forms of contemporary art by local artists as well as national and international artists. With visiting artist talks, lectures, and hands-on art programs, there’s a variety to see and do here. For more information, see  www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/surrey-art-gallery

A Look at Calgary Museums & Galleries with Kids - SavvyMom

The Best Calgary Museums and Galleries for Kids

Visiting a museum or gallery with your family is a great way to get some quality time together while learning a thing or two along the way. If the word “museum” conjures up images of a stuffy space where you’d be nervous to take a busy kid, we’ve got great news. An awesome assortment of Calgary museums and galleries await, where kids (and grownups!) are encouraged to engage their curiosity and all of their senses while exploring the incredible worlds of art, science, and culture. Here’s a roundup of our favourite Calgary museums and galleries to check out with kids…

Calgary Museums & Galleries for Families

If you want to explore the world around you in a hands-on way, visit…


YouthLink Police Interpretive Centre | youthlinkcalgary.com

When to visit: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free ($5 donation is recommended). See website to book your time slot.

The YouthLink Police Interpretive Centre’s mission is to research, educate, and deliver crime prevention education to families and youth. There are a variety of interactive, informative, and hands-on exhibits to visit and learn from including Calgary Police Service history, CPS Specialty Unit Highlights like the Canine Unit and the Forensic Crime Scene Team, and the Safe For Life Zone, where visitors learn how to make safe decisions around social challenges surrounding drugs, healthy relationships, digital citizenship, and gangs.


Telus Spark | sparkscience.ca

When to visit: Open daily; see calendar for operating hours
Admission: Children 3-17 $19, Students $22, Seniors 65+ $24, Adults $26, Family (6 people mx, up to 2 adults) $90

There’s always something new to see, do, build, create, explore, or play with at Telus Spark! Kids and adults alike will have a blast in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) themed galleries including the outdoor Brainasium, the Creative Kids Museum, and the Open Studio space. Lay on a bed of nails in the Being Human gallery, recreate the sounds of a thunderstorm in the Earth and Sky Gallery and catch a planetarium show in the infinity dome. Don’t forget to see what Featured Events are on display during your visit!


Studio Bell | studiobell.ca

When to visit: Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Admission is pay-what-you-can (courtesy of ATB). Suggested rate is $15 per entry.

Budding songbirds and fans of music in all its forms won’t want to miss a visit to Studio Bell! The 22 Permanent Exhibitions include Canada Music Square, Music Mosaic, Power of Music, Making Music, Best of Canada, and The Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio. Throughout your visit, you’ll see memorabilia from classic Canadian artists, build and test instruments made from everyday objects, sing your heart out in a vocal booth, and explore the Canadian music scene. Be sure to visit the Canadian Music Halls of Fame and Feature Exhibitions while you’re there!


Bow Habitat Station and Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery | bowhabitat.alberta.ca

When to visit: Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm (last admission at 3 pm)
Admission: Adults 18-64 $10, Seniors 65+ and Students (18+ with ID) $8, Youth 4-17 $6, Children 0-3 Free, Family (up to 2 adults and 4 youth) $30. Admission to the Fish Hatchery is $2.00 (children under 3 free), and tickets to the guided tour are $5.

The Bow Habitat Station Discovery Centre is filled with tactile, hands-on displays, sensory sounds and lighting, and dynamic visual elements that’ll give you a look Alberta’s flora, fauna, and fishes like you’ve never seen before. The aquarium is home to over 20 species of Alberta’s fish, and the Fish Hatchery is one of North America’s largest! During your visit to the hatchery, you’ll get to feed the fish and head out on a 30 minute guided tour through the life cycle of a trout in the hatchery.

If you want to get up close with some pieces of history, check out…


The Military Museums | themilitarymuseums.ca

When to visit: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm; Cold War Hangar is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults 18+ $15, Seniors 65+ $5 and Free on Tuesdays, Students and Youth 7-17 $5, Families (2 adults and up to 5 children) $30, Veterans, Serving Military Personnel, Members of TMM Free

If you’ve driven down Crowchild Trail and noticed a CF-5 Freedom Fighter on display, you’ve driven past The Military Museums of Calgary – the second largest military museum in the country. If you decide to stop inside for a visit, you’ll see eight separate Calgary museums including the Naval, Army, and Air Force Museums of Alberta, the Air Force Cold War Museums and more. A highlight is definitely the two new hangars on the ground which house a CF-18 Hornet, a CF-104 Starfighter, and a F-86 Sabre Jet fighter. New collections are installed on a regular basis as well!


The Hangar Flight Museum | thehangarmuseum.ca

When to visit: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $15, Seniors 65+ $11, Students 12-17 or with valid ID $10, Children 3-11 $8, Family (includes 2 adults and up to 4 children) $40

Calling all aviation aficionados! The Hangar Flight Museum gives fans of all things aerodynamic an opportunity to learn about western Canada’s aviation history. The museum is located in a drill hall that was built as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War. There’s no better place to get an up close view of planes of all shapes and sizes as well as other artifacts like helicopters, hot air balloon baskets, parachute wedding dresses and more!


Gasoline Alley Museum | heritagepark.ca

When to visit: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: General Admission (Gasoline Alley Only) 16+ $10, Youth 3-15 $5

Heritage Park is a historical gem in and of itself, but did you know that you can visit the Gasoline Alley Museum along with your admission in the summer months? If you want to visit in the off-season, you can purchase tickets just to see one of the world’s largest public collections of antique vehicles and oil and gas-related artifacts. You’ll love the immersive feel of the street scene, the vintage drive-in movie display and Canada’s largest collection of restored gas pumps. Head to the Family Gallery for some family fun and crafts as part of your visit! Please note that The Rules of the Road portion of the Family Gallery is closed for renovations as of November 2022.


Chinese Cultural Centre Museum | calgarychinesemuseum.com

When to visit: Monday – Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm; weekends available for bookings
Admission: Free; guided tours are $5 per person

Visit the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum to learn about the history of the Chinese community in Calgary and Canada. The museum collection includes art and artefacts in exhibitions such as “The History of Chinese Canadians in Canada” and “The Evolution of the Chinese Community in Calgary”. Look out for special artefacts like replicas of horses and life sized terra-cotta soldiers, a model of the earliest seismograph, invented by Zhang Heng in China in 1322 A.D. and the beautiful art piece made entirely by bird’s feathers called The Roaring Tigers. Although the museum is small, there is plenty to see, learn and explore – especially if you join a guided tour!


Tsuu T’ina Culture Museum | tsuutinamuseum.com

When to visit: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm; Call 403-238-2677 to book a tour
Admission: Adults $12, Youth and Seniors $6, Kids 0-3 Free

The Tsuut’ina Culture Museum opened in 2018 and is filled with genuine artifacts, photographs, and living culture just waiting to be explored! Learn about the rich cultural history of the nation and observe Chief Bullhead’s original homestead, built in 1902 and located next to the museum. A guided tour lead by the museum’s director, Jeanette Starlight, is highly recommended, although you will still learn a ton if you choose to check out the museum on your own. Before you leave, stop in at the gift shop where you’ll find authentically handmade indigenous goods!


Glenbow Museum | glenbow.org

The Glenbow is on our list because it’s been a staple of Calgary museums since it was founded in 1966. However, the museum will remain closed to the public until 2024 as it undergoes major renovations, but will have a temporary location – Glenbow at the Edison, which will open in January 2023.

If you want to feast your eyes on some amazing artwork, head to…


The Esker Foundation | eskerfoundation.com

When to visit: Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm
Admission: Free. Complimentary tours can be booked 2 weeks in advance.

For an opportunity to take in contemporary art through relevant, accessible and educational exhibitions, programs and publications, head down to Inglewood to stop in at the Esker Foundation. This museum is totally free to visit, and even has free parking (and anyone who visits downtown knows this is a bonus!) In addition to their stunning permanent and featured exhibitions, The Esker Foundation hosts Family Programs that you can take part in both in person and online. Try out Creative Mindfulness Drawing from the comfort of your living room, or register to attend in person workshops and baby-friendly tours complete with tummy time!


Contemporary Calgary | contemporarycalgary.com

When to visit: Wednesday to Saturday from 12 pm to 7 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm
Admission: Single entry $10, Individual Membership $20, Dual Membership $40, Family Membership $50, Children 12 and Under Free. Visit on the first Thursday of every month for free admission from 5-9 pm.

Contemporary Calgary is bringing Calgarians and visitors to YYC a visual arts destination dedicated to modern and contemporary art. This world-class gallery brings local, national, and international contemporary art programming to you! Each exhibition, whether permanent or on temporary display, will prompt you to stop, stare and think. Be sure to visit their website to explore upcoming events and public programs for a hands-on way to explore the world of contemporary art. Free programs that get kids and teens in touch with their creative side are on all the time – all you need to do is register!

What are your favourite Calgary museums and galleries to visit? Which ones are you looking forward to exploring in the future? Let us know in the comments!