The colder weather sure arrived quickly, and with that, many families transition their activities indoors. Though there is plenty to do outdoors (and we’ll highlight those), we wanted to share some of our favourite free activities. Those indoor playground trips can really add up quickly when you’re paying $20 for admission for a gaggle of kids, and then you grab a fancy coffee while you’re there.
Here are 50 free fall activities in Edmonton
Explore the Alberta Aviation Museum – it’s free admission on the last Thursday of the month, registration is required (starting on September 28, 2016)
Swim for free three times a week during the parent + baby/toddler swim at Emerald Hills (parents + children under two)
Check out the brand new playground in Griesbach – there’s a fantastic, fun, new climbing structure that your adventurous kids are going to love.
While you’re there, check out the week of family fun in Griesbach, between September 30 – October 8th.
Low cost // Stop by the Etsy in Canada Edmonton Market (September 23/24) and find your favourite new local maker – it’s $5, but is a great way to spend some time browsing (with or without kids!)
Stop by your local Chapters Indigo store where there are free activities every Saturday morning for children between 11-12 – activities include storytime and a craft, check your local store for details
Explore the trails at Elk Island Park with the free Park pass for 2016
Get inside and airplane and explore during Open Cockpit Days, where you can get in and get a good look of what’s going on in side.
Experience the Impulse and Loops light and energy playground during Edmonton Design Week
Pop by the Family enrollment party at the Little Gym – it’s free fun on Friday night (September 22)
Find something to explore on Free admission day in Edmonton
Pop by one of our favourite places where kids eat for free in Edmonton (you have to pay for the adult meal, but it makes bringing the kids out to restaurants just a little bit less expensive!)
Explore Alberta Culture Days and the many activities to do as part of this
Walk through Mill Creek Ravine – though the bridges are going to be closed during the winter for repair and replacement, it’s a great time to explore them before it gets too cold, and construction starts.
Sign up at your local Home Depot store to build one of the Kids-Club projects, once a month. You can either register in-store, or register online.
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Get free admission to the Art Gallery of Alberta – there are many times, every single week, where kids and families can get free admission to the art Gallery of Albert
September 24: Celebrate the grand opening of Evergreen Pond and the Circle, with food trucks, a kite activity, interpretive displays, a farmers’ market and live performers. Celebrate Canada turning 150
Drop in for a Makercade session at the Library
Bundle up and check out a screening of the Incredible, outdoors on September 30
See movies for free at Cineplex for Community Day on October 11th
Make a backyard fire and invite friends over for a marshmallow roasting party – it’s a fun way to extend the amount of days that we spend outdoors
Check out the Edmonton Garrison Halloween Carnival
Bring your blankets for Boss Baby Movie Night on November 3
Get free Access to Leduc Rec Centre on October 1st
Pop into the craft room at your local Michaels store for special, Saturday afternoon family sessions of crafting. You’ve just usually got to bring something, like a t-shirt, for a tie-dye session; the rest of the materials for the crafts are provided
Check out a Movie Night with Dad on October 13th
Park near Sheriff Robertson Park (111 Ave and 81 St) and take a walk through the Kinnaird Ravine. Look at the murals, and climb on rocks that look like ‘hoodoos’.
Register to spend the day at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Head over to the University of Alberta Observatory to learn more about the stars
Run off some of that pent up energy at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert, in the small play area for kids before a quick shopping trip or a walk through the greenhouse
Take a walk through Mactaggart Sanctuary
Stop by Millwoods Town Centre for Tot time, the once-a-month drop in play time for little kids
Head out and hit up the hiking trails on one of the fall hikes upcoming with Hike it Baby
Float Lanterns at the Mid Autumn Festival
Visit a local fire station during an open house and see where the action happens
Use our Guide to Geocaching and get out there and go on your own treasure hunt this winter, with the kids. It’s a fun way to encourage the kids to get outside
Explore the Creekwood Stock Festival
Visit the Pumpkin Giveaway
Visit a Harry Potter Festival in Edmonton
Paint a birdhouse or a mobile and hang it up in the River Valley – those are always so much fun to discover when you’re on an adventure.
Watch Cars 3 at Family Movie Night on October 14th at Mill Woods Assembly
Visit the Accidental beach and throw rocks into the water, and build a fort from sticks on the beach
Join a Minecraft Club