From tobogganing to skating, to snowmen-making contests and icy polar dips, Family Day is all about spending time in the great wintery outdoors with family and friends. Here are seven Ontario-based events worth checking out this year.
Breaking the Ice Festival in Wasaga Beach, Ont.
Over Family Day weekend in Wasaga Beach, the town is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the grand opening of a new arena, a new beachfront, and a new library. The event will include face painting, a chance to get up close and personal with birds of prey, crafts for kids, and musical performances by Burton Cummings and Blue Rodeo. More info: 50yearsofsunshine.ca
Pinery Family Day Weekend in the Pinery Provincial Park in Grand Bend, Ont.
The beach dunes of the Pinery Provincial Park look incredible in the summer, but they’re also fun to explore in the dead of winter too. Bring your cross-country skis, snowshoes, skates, and sleds to the park, or join a naturalist for a guided hike. In the Visitor Centre, learn about how the Pinery’s animal residents hibernate in the winter. Skis and snowshoes are available to rent. More info: ontarioparks.ca
Family Fun Day in Huntsville, Ont.
Family Fun Day on Monday, February 19 at Tawingo Outdoor Centre is chock-full of all types of wintery goodness. There’s snowshoeing, tubing, sledding, hiking, cross-country skiing, and a bonfire to enjoy. Admission is pay what you can, with donations going to Camp Tawingo’s Health Centre Building Initiative. More info: tawingooutdoorcentre.net
Family Frost Fest at MacGregor Point in Port Elgin, Ont.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park has planned the ultimate Family Day weekend for sporty types. On Saturday, February 17, enjoyed a guided walk with a certified forest therapy guide on Ontario Parks’ first and only forest therapy trail. Then, on Sunday, February 18, rally your family for the Amazing Race, a fun competition where teams compete against the clock to finish stations. Winning team gets a prize! More info: facebook.com
Frontenac Heritage Festival in Sharbot Lake, Ont.
Family Day is the perfect time for the youngsters in your family to learn how to ice fish. Check out the Family Fun fishing derby on Saturday, February 17. Family Day is one day where Canadian residents can fish the Ontario waters without a licence. There will also be tractor rides, bonfires, and churros. Yum!The festival is packed with events from Friday to Sunday. More info: facebook.com
Winterloo in Waterloo, Ont.
On February 17, the city of Waterloo will be transforming into a winter wonderland. The Winterloo festival hosts plenty of family activities, such as dog sled rides, pop up curling, ice sculpting, skating, kid karaoke, and outdoor snow painting. After you’ve built up an appetite from all the fun, head over to the maple taffy station or participate in the Uptown Comfort Food Crawl. More info: winterloofestival.ca
Family Day at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ont.
One of the best skiing spots in Ontario will also be offering a dizzying amount of fun, snow-filled events over the course of the weekend. Of particular interest? Start Friday off with some pancakes and a sunrise ski. There will also be live music and friendly activities each day. More info: bluemountain.ca
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