Family Day is one of my favourite days of the winter. I love that there is a day devoted to just spending time with your family.
When the holiday was new we really didn’t know what to do on that day. Most places are closed because it’s a holiday and you can’t count on there being snow in Niagara so we were left wondering how to spend this day with our kids.
Each year there seems to be more events and activities geared toward families to get people out and having a good time.
Here are the top fun Family Day Activities that are free or almost free across Niagara.
Heartland Forest’s Winterfest – 8215 Heartland Forest Rd, Niagara Falls
Free Admission from 11-3
Heartland Forest is a great everyday but Family Day they will have lots of fun for the whole family. You can get a photo with a lynx and other animals, see the dinosaur exhibit with Club Rex, see reptiles, practice your wilderness skills, or hang out by the huge campfire and roast a spider dog.
Food and drinks are available for purchase
Seymour Hannah Arena Public Skate 240 Saint Paul Street West, St. Catharines
Free Admission From 11:15-2
Spend the afternoon on the ice with your family for some free open ice time. Don’t forget to stay for a hot chocolate! There will be other activities at the arena throughout the day for a small fee
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre – 425 Carlton Street, St. Catharines
Free Family Day Fun Zone | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
A free family event that includes various crafts, face painting, temporary tattoos, colouring sheets, games and activities.
Free Leisure Swims | various times below
Leisure swims are open to everyone, whether an advanced swimmer or still in arm floats. This is an ideal time for people of all ages to play in an aquatic setting. Our water features and toys will be available to use during these times:
Leisure Pool:
8 – 10 a.m.; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 2 – 3 p.m.; 4 – 7 p.m.
Lane Pool:
9 – 11 a.m.; 1 – 2 p.m.; 3 – 5:30 p.m.; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Regular admittance and supervision requirements apply. To see these requirements please click here.
Niagara IceDogs Skills Competition – Meridian Centre in St. Catharines
Free Admission from 1-4 with a donation of spaghetti and pasta sauce to benefit Community Care
Activities include Puck Control Relay, Fastest Skater, Trick Shot Challenge, Shooting Accuracy, Hardest Shot, Elimination Shootout, and the 3-on-3 Game
BallHockey.com Haig Bowl Arena – 17 Beech St, St. Catharines
Roller Skating
From 12-4 Admission is $3 for kids under 12. 12 and up is $5. BallHockey.com is also accepting food donations for Community Care
*No rentals available for quads or inlines. You must bring your own
BallHockey.ca and Niagara Inflatables – Ball Hockey Athletic Centre 16 Melbourne Avenue, St. Catharines
Bounce N’ Ball Family Day Event
Admission $5 from 10-2 All money collected will be donated to Community Care
You can have unlimited fun in the bouncers, get your face painted, get a twisted balloon or play some fun games. Something fun for all ages!
The added bonus this year is we have snow! A good old fashioned day of tobaganning and hot chocolate sounds just perfect to me!
