The Ultimate List of Free Kids Winter Activities in Edmonton

Christmas break is right around the corner, meaning that you’re likely going to have a few more days to occupy the kids. We decided that we would put a list together of the free activities for kids in Edmonton to enjoy during the winter months.

1/ Check out some of the free places to skate in Edmonton. Our favourite during the winter months are the Legislature, and of course City Hall, where there are usually events on Sunday afternoons.

2/Skate, snowshoe and check out the new pavilion opened in Victoria Park

3/ Watch the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown

4/ Snowshoe through the River Valley

5/Get outside and enjoy the Flying Canoe Festival at Mill Creek Ravine

6/ See the sights at the Silver Skate Ice Festival

7/ Take part in a city wide Snowball Fight (make sure you sign up to learn where and when the fun event is going to take place)

8/ Get outside and Take part in World Snow Day

9/ Mark your Calendars and take part in the Family Day Celebrations in February – there’s lots to choose from. We’re going to be highlighting more events closer to then!

10/ Check out one of the free cooking classes for kids as part of the Jr. Chef program at Williams Sonoma

11/ Build something, for free, at the Home Depot and Lowe’s Kids Club. Sign up ahead of time for the once a month workshop either online or in the store

12/ Spend your morning at the mall and take part in the play times organized by Box Social Event Planning with new themes every month (the dates can be found on our events calendar)

13/ Warm up inside the Art Gallery of Alberta on the last Thursday of the month for the Servus Community access night, there’s free admission after six

14/ Ski for free with Edmonton Ski Club through Servus Community Access nights – and you can even get discounted lessons (they’re only $10!)

15/ Get your skis on and ski the 40km + of trails located through Edmonton

16/ Grab your sled and come to sip n slide Sundays, a free event at Toboggan hills throughout the city where you can sip hot complimentry hot chocolate to warm up after a few rounds down the hill. Find our favourite list of tobogganing hills in Edmonton and area, here.

17/ Skate for free, with free skate rentals during Ice on Whyte and slide down the ice slide

18/ Skate for free, try some bannock and enjoy a skating party on Valentine’s Day at City Hall

19/ Visit the observatory at the U of A and view the winter skies with sessions are noon and in the evening for solar and lunar observing.

20/ Drop the kids off at Ivivva Stores on Sunday mornings for a free yoga/dance class before the store opens

21/ Plan a game of hockey on one of the community rinks with friends, or show up and join a game of players already on the ice

22/ Drop into one of the many Edmonton Public Libraries for the Lego program, where you can come and build something

23/ Sign up for the Lego Store Make and take, where on the 15th of each month you can sign up to make a small Lego creation and take it home with you on the 6/7th of the following month

24/ Bundle up and head to your favourite playground – it’s a whole new place to play during the winter months. See some of our favourites, on our outdoor playground page.

25/ Host a hot chocolate party and offer different toppings and fixings for the hot chocolate, in the backyard, fire pit and everything. Our favourite combination? White hot chocolate, sprinkles and whipped cream!

26/ Need a break? Head to Ikea and do the scavenger hunt with the kids, or drop them off in the kids area while you browse the store with coffee in hand. When you’re finished, cheap lunch is right there (and you can check out the new wall of candy at the store). If you join the Ikea FAMILY you get an extra 30 minutes in Smaland, Monday to Friday, space permitting.

Note: this list will be updated through the winter months as more opportunities and events come up. Missed something? Email us your idea: raisingedmonton@gmail.com