Keeping the Kids Happy
All around this great province are inspiring, engaging activities for families to enjoy with one another. Here are a few from our list of the Top 10 Best Kid Bets page.
Churchill Expedition
Churchill Expedition: Drive the seven hours from Winnipeg to Thompson, then take the 10-hour train ride, or fly two hours from Winnipeg to Churchill to see the Polar Bear Capital of the World. The bears are gone, but you’ll see whales, birds and seals.
Winnipeg Museum Day
Start at the Manitoba Children’s Museum near The Forks and move on to the awesome Manitoba Museum, Manitoba Planetarium and Touch the Universe Science Centre.
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, just north of Winnipeg: Stroll the boardwalk over the marsh, view the animals on display inside or laugh at the antics of the Richardson’s ground squirrels outside. Paddle a canoe through prime birding territory.
Prairie Dog Central
Prairie Dog Central, Winnipeg: All aboard a turn-of-the-century steam train for its Saturday or Sunday excursions to Grosse Isle and back. Two hour round trip.
Assiniboine Park
Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg: The major city park, co-designed by New York’s Central Park designer, offering a sculpture garden, cycling paths, a miniature passenger train, the Assiniboine Zoo, a duck pond and a statue of Winnie-the-Pooh (named after Winnipeg).
Friends of Riding Mountain National Park
Friends of Riding Mountain National Park: At the Visitor Centre in the Wasagaming townsite, kids can sign up for the Junior Naturalist’s program to sample Aboriginal foods, take a hike or visit bears at night. Stop at the KeeSee Sharing Lodge to learn about First Nations culture and heritage in Riding Mountain. Take the circle drive to see the bison herd near Lake Audy.
Spirit Sands
Spirit Sands, Spruce Woods Provincial Park: Look for pincushion cacti or slide down the dunes while on a horse-drawn wagon tour or hike through Spirit Sands, the fragile desert-like area of shifting sand at Spruce Woods.
Narcisse Snake Dens
Narcisse Snake Dens: The world’s largest concentration of snakes-tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes-mate in a writhing mass of snake flesh in the limestone rock dens about two hours north of Winnipeg. A wonderful Mother’s Day excursion. Family hikes and interpretive programs offered.
Mennonite Heritage Village
Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach: Tour the outdoor heritage village and get up close to the huge blades of the famous windmill. Eat lunch in the village’s Livery Barn Restaurant.
Pine Point Trail
Pine Point Trail, Whiteshell Provincial Park: Pack a picnic for the family and hike the gentle trail to the Pine Point Rapids on the Whiteshell River. If energy levels are high, add a second loop to view Viburnum and Acorn Falls.
