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10 kid-approved activities to do when visiting Banff

Going to Banff is a fun experience for the whole family but sometimes it can be hard occupying the kids all of the time. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with what there is to see and do. We’ve got 10 kid-approved ideas on how to keep busy with the kids while visiting Banff!

Kid-approved activities to do with kids when visiting Banff

This mix of cheap and free things to do in Banff should give you a wide range of activities in the National Park that your kids will love and talk about for years to come!

1. Kid-Friendly Hikes

Go on a kid-friendly hike at Tunnel Mountain or Fenland Trail.

2. Visit Downtown Banff

Take a walk on Banff Avenue and stop off at the iconic Banff Sweet Shoppe for some of your favourite (and even hard to find) treats.

3. Go on a Pony Ride

Kids 3-7yrs can get up close and learn the basics of horseback riding on a 15-minute Pony Lead. The cost is $20, and worth the splurge.

4. Try Bowling

Check out High Rollers Banff and bowl a couple of games! There are 6 lanes, one with bumpers, a full menu, billiards and arcade games.

5. Biking at the Banff Pump Track

Bring your bikes and check out the Banff Bike Park at Sundance Road and Cave Ave! There are elements for all skill levels! (The pump track is being renovated in 2023 and may not be available this summer.)

6. Enjoy the Hot Springs

Take some time to soak in the hot mineral water at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

7. Summit a Mountain (without hiking)

Go for a ride on the Banff Gondola and explore the top of a mountain or have lunch in their restaurant, Sky Bistro (FYI, the food is delicious).

8. Hit a playground

Burn off some energy as you explore and play at some of Banff’s Best Playgrounds.

9. Go Swimming

Visit Banff’s only Water Park at Douglas Fir Resort (for registered guests only at this time). Other options include checking out the pool at Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation or one of the mountain lakes.

10. Take a Boat Tour

Take a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka and learn about the history, geology, animals, and more.

Are there other activities that we didn’t include in this list that you like to do when you are visiting Banff with the family? Join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook and tell us what are some of the kid-approved activities that you do with your family.

Making Memories with ‘Kids Bowl Free’: A Summer Activity for the Whole Family (locations across Alberta!)

When Kim’s 4 year old son started to fall in love with bowling she signed up. Christine enrolled all three of her kids the next year. I’m excited because it’s a new activity for our family that we can all enjoy.

Have you heard about Kids Bowl Free? It started 16 years ago, so we wouldn’t be surprised if you have!

Last week we were invited to Metis Crossing which is Alberta’s first major Metis Cultural Interpretive destination. Located about 1.5 hours North East of Edmonton by the Town of Smoky Lake, it is an easy day trip through some beautiful country.

With Covid cases rising we are on the lookout for more things to do with the kids that create a sense of “normal” for them without risking being exposed. We were reassured by the Metis Crossing staff that protocols have been put into place to still get the experience you want with the safety you need. Plus, with all of this online learning from home, the trip is kind of like a field trip!

Dreaming of taking trips to incredible destinations? Dreaming of taking your children around the world to experience new cultures and take on new adventures? Having nightmares about the long flights? We have all been there!

From when my children were old enough to have a passport (so basically the first few weeks), my husband and I have been taking our children on trips around the world. Our first long haul trip was with our 6 month old daughter to Turkey. Of Course we were terrified. As new parents and never having travelled with children before we couldn’t even anticipate what it might look like. To make it worse, him and I had this image of exhausted parents not having slept for 24 hours pacing back and forth in airplane consoling a screaming baby in our minds. Our first experience wasn’t too far off from that image to be honest. On the way to Turkey, we had crying, no sleep, we had many many outfit changes and throw up. Lots of throwup! Not a great way to kick off a 2 week vacation. BUT we sat down, and we worked out a great plan for the return, taking into account everything we had experienced. It was almost perfect! We got it all worked out and we were now prepared. Fast forward 6 years and 2 kids later, we have taken many long haul flights including Egypt, Singapore, Indonesia, and The Philippines.

I want to share with you my tips for taking long haul flights so that you can get past the anxiety of flying with children and start enjoying all the amazing places this world has to offer!

BABY:

We just came home from a little trip to Red Lodge Provincial Park and I am so happy I found this place! Here’s why:

This weekend (July 6 & 7th) is Free Fishing Weekend in Alberta! This is a great opportunity to test out fishing with the kids this summer. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Each month, we play 10 questions with one of Alberta’s most interesting mamas. This month we hear from maternal support practitioner Sarah Wallace. Sarah is a mama to four kids between the ages of three and eight, and since battling postpartum depression, has become passionate about helping other moms navigate the fourth trimester. Currently, she serves the areas of Edmonton, Leduc, and surrounding communities. Connect with Sarah on instagram @sarahwallacedoula, or by visiting her website sarahwallacedoula.com

1. You’ve been very open about your own struggles with postpartum depression. What made you decide to share this experience with others?

When I was first going through postpartum depression, I felt so much shame about it. I didn’t actually realize that I had postpartum depression and just thought I was failing at being a mom. Hearing other’s stories led me to make an appointment where I got diagnosed and that was a game changer for me. I wasn’t failing as a mom – I just needed some help! I share my story in hopes that another parent who is suffering will see that they are not alone and will reach out for help. I also share it because I want to take some of that stigma away so that those struggling don’t feel so much shame for needing some help.

2. Why were you inspired to offer both birth doula support and postpartum doula support?

I have been supporting families for a long time now. Through my work with Momstown as well as my own personal experience, I saw how a positive postpartum experience can really set a family up to succeed. After I had my 2nd and 3rd sons, I found myself floundering and struggling through because I didn’t know how to ask for help and my support network wasn’t always able to help when I did. I knew that I wanted to help families get through the hard bits in the postpartum so that they could feel more confident. I love birth work and seeing folks birth their babies into this world, but there is something special about the relief a new parent feels when you come in and ease some of their burdens for a few hours.

We don’t know about you but we are SO excited for the snow to melt and the reno’s to begin! But we really don’t even have to wait do we? Lots can be done inside while it’s chilly outside!

With big names like Bryan Baeumler hosts of HGTV’s Bryan Inc., plus, with more than 225 exhibitors and a slew of exciting new features, there’s real advice and real inspiration at the Edmonton Renovation Show!

The 2019 Edmonton Renovation Show runs:

Friday, January 25th, 2019 – 12PM – 9PM
Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 10AM – 9PM
Sunday, January 27th, 2019 10AM – 6PM

Buy your tickets online here or enter to win passes below in our GIVEAWAY! Did you know, Kids 12 & under are free!

Thanks to the Renovation Show we have a four pack of tickets to giveaway! Tickets can be picked up at the show box office and the draw will be Monday, January 21st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Is Your Child Wearing Their Bike Helmet Properly?

Kids in green helmets riding their bike on grass around a small pylon.

We all know that helmets are an absolute must for bike riders, but do you actually know how it should fit? Proper helmet fit is essential! Thankfully, our friends at Pedalheads have put together some valuable information for us to share with you. Did you know that Pedalheads estimates that 50% of the kids that attend their summer camps do NOT have a properly fitted helmet and/or bike?

Have you heard of Willey West? I hadn’t before my Husband came home and asked if I wanted to take the family there for a RVing camping trip. I’m ALWAYS up for camping, especially now that the in-laws have a motorhome we can borrow. We left Friday evening last weekend, once the storm had calmed down!

Looking back at them just hanging out took me back to my childhood trips RVing with my grandparents. It made my heart so happy! But, I digress.

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