Winterlude has come and gone but the winter fun is not over yet. This weekend’s forecast is dealing us some warmer temperatures and it should be a great couple of days to get outside. As long as conditions hold up the Rideau Canal Skateway is still open, you can check up to date skating conditions here. It also just so happens a few of the area sugar bushes are opening for the season, so it could be a great time to get out and enjoy a walk among the maple trees and a delicious pancake breakfast! Here is the list of family friendly activities in and around Ottawa for the weekend of February 23-24.

Saturday:

• CHEO Fundraiser – Countryside Adventures, 16495 Sixth Rd 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (come out for a skate and 20% of admissions will go to CHEO)
• Elmdale Public School Bookfest 2019 – 49 Iona St, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (second hand book sale, more than 25,000 titles at very low prices and a bake sale)
• Fulton’s Winter Magic – 399 Sugar Bush Rd, Pakenham, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (pancake breakfast, walking trails, sledding hill, maple taffy, maple cotton candy)
• Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm – 2452 York’s Corners Rd, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm (opening weekend, pancake breakfast, petting farm, children’s play area, sleigh ride, taffy on the snow, additional price for some activities)
• National Aviation Day – Canadian Museum of Space and Aviation, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (included with museum admission, Dress up in period clothing, make crafts, learn about flight and space)
• Winter Carnival – Elizabeth Manley Park, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm (all welcome to this outdoor community event)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am only in FRENCH this time (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Ottawa SlimeCon – Munster Community Centre, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (event for slime lovers with 10-12 sellers of slime)
• Ralph Breaks the Internet (3D) – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (sequel to the Disney favourite ‘Wreck It Ralph’)
• Family Social Justice Workshop – Revel Academy, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm ($20 tickets, good for kids aged 8-12 plus adults, run around the N.U.T.S obstacle course, kids and adults can participate, do leadership development and team building, build a box for a child in Northern Canada)

Sunday:

• CHEO Fundraiser – Countryside Adventures, 16495 Sixth Rd 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (come out for a skate and 20% of admissions will go to CHEO)
• Fulton’s Winter Magic – 399 Sugar Bush Rd, Pakenham, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (pancake breakfast, walking trails, sledding hill, maple taffy, maple cotton candy)
• The Sugar Bush at Proulx Farm – 1865 O’Toole Rd, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (opening day for the Sugar Bush and pancake brunch, small petting zoo, hay ride, outdoor play parks and slides)
• Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm – 2452 York’s Corners Rd, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm (opening weekend, pancake breakfast, petting farm, children’s play area, sleigh ride, taffy on the snow, additional price for some activities)
• Family Sunday – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm ( kids ages 0–12 and their adults can join in the theme of ‘Tales Near and Far’, enjoy storytelling, make a puppet theatre, included with museum admission)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English only (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Unicorn Party – Boston Pizza Barrhaven, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (free family fun day celebrating unicorns, two seating from 11-1 and 2-4, reserve your spot, unicorns, face painting, crafts and colouring contests)