1.Join a Community Garden
Community Gardens are a great way to introduce your budding gardeners to nature, they teach your child about growing your own produce, and they are a way to get involved with your community as a family. For affordable gardening supplies Dollarama has gardening tools and gloves for little hands.
Follow the link to find the community garden closest to you:
2.Check out a Festival
Did you know that Edmonton is known as Festival City; hosting about “50 unique festivals a year”.
Check out websites like Explore Edmonton, todoCanda.ca, Familyfuncanada.ca or Edmonton.ca to explore upcoming festivals.
3.Picnic, Parks, Spray parks and pools
Pack a Summer Go Bag
Some parks have a Green Shack Program
Check out the times that pool and spray parks are open
Look up the weather but also be prepared, it’s Edmonton the saying goes "Wait 15 minutes and the weather might change"
If there is anything at the park that is broken or not supposed to be there call 311, you have the right to take your child to a clean and safe park
Park Hop
https://edmontonplaygrounds.net/ (great website for finding new parks to explore)
4.Going for walks around your neighborhood
Scavenger hunts can keep children involved during walks an, a simple scavenger hunt is a Colour Hunt looking for varying items of different colours
I spy or variations of I Spy such as I smell, or I hear
Mixing walking with running
Looking for Nature treasures such as neat rocks or pinecones, etc.
Play games like Red Light Green Light
5.Check out your local Community Association
Did you know with community league membership you can perks, deals and discounts to local businesses, such as reduce rates for the City of Edmonton Recreation Centres through the Community League Wellness Program
Each Community League runs a variety of different activities and programs.
Can connect your children to various sports leagues
Check out this link to learn about your local community association https://efcl.org/for-the-public/
6.Edmonton Public Library
Tips for the library: Sign up for a Library Card.
When you sign up a child 36 months and younger along with their library card, they receive a book and an illustrated songs and rhymes booklet. (The library also has a electronic versions in 5 different languages)
Check out the schedule or calendar for your local Libraries and Recreation Centre
No library in your area? Check out the EPL website for their online Sing Laugh and Learn groups and the schedule for the epl2go Pop-Up.
epl2go Pop-up Library will not just have books but will have fun free activities
-here are also fun to be had at the different library locations check out https://www.epl.ca/ to learn more
7.Edmonton Recreation Centres
There are registered and drop-in programs for all ages
Check out the schedule before going
Some locations have indoor playgrounds for those rainy day
Apply for the Low-Income Leisure access pass for free access or check out your workplace benefits for discounted rates for passes
Pack a summer Go bag and adapted it for the activities (such as socks for the indoor play park)
8.Check out you closest Family Resource Centre
Check out their schedules or drop-in to a location to find out more
At Norwood Centre our team of qualified Early Childhood Development Subject Matter Experts work to provide tools that caregivers can use to support early childhood development. We hear you! If you have a question or concern, please ask us. We have a variety of Child Development Activities available on our website, find them at norwoodcentre.com/child-development-activities. For short-term one-on-one coaching, please call us at 780-471-3737.
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