The Family Day long weekend is upon us, and it is also the final weekend of Winterlude. Hopefully we can all dig ourselves out of the snow and get out to enjoy some of the amazing events that are taking place around the city. Conditions for the Rideau Canal look good, and this is your last chance to check out the Snowflake Kingdom and the Ice Sculptures in the Byward Market – but really there are so many options! Here is your list of family friendly events for the long weekend of February 16-18.

Saturday:

• Maple Trees Tapping – Museoparc, 8:30 am – 11:00 am (Join the Museopark team in the tapping of the maple trees. You will receive a small guide to tapping and a short training session on arrival. A pancake breakfast and hot soup to all volunteers.)
• Cool Science Saturday – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Demonstrations, experiments, workshops, and the challenges of cold weather exploration are all part of the day-long family experience)
• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Fulton’s Winter Magic – Fulton’s Pancake House, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (opening day for the spring harvest, kicks off with a 2 for 1 breakfast plus sleigh rides, and learn about maple syrup)
• Winterlude Weekends – Ottawa Art Gallery, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (all ages winter art activities and explore your creativity with family and friends. Free drop-in activity)
• Trading Fur – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Learn how a beaver pelt can be used as money and more. Trapper and Métis educator Archie Martin will be there with his collection of trapping artifacts and furs. Free activity)
• Musical Winterlude Weekend – Canadian Museum of History, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Live musical performances. Try West African djembe drums and the percussion instruments, go on a musical treasure hunt through the Canadian stamp collection. Make and take home your own maracas)
• Bouncy Castle Festival 2019 – Jean Marc Lalonde Arena, Rockland, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (arena filled with inflatable bouncy castles, also face painting and food)
• Zoo Crew Stittsville Drop-In – Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1817 Richardson Side Road, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Meet and interact with furry, feathered, scaly and shelled friends. Short shows start every 30 minutes with new animals coming out between shows. Drop-In for all ages, $5 a person)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks Street, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (free, frozen fun. Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist)
• 39th Accora Village Bed Race – York Street, Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (50 teams race modified beds in heats down a 50 m course, parade to begin)
• 2019 Lunar New Year Parade – Ottawa’s Chinatown, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (meet the kings of good fortune as they give out lucky red envelopes)
• Scholar’s Choice Construction Play Day – Every Scholar’s Choice location, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (free event, no registration needed, recommended for ages 3 and up, building challenges and different activities and games)
• Mid Winter Challenge at Billings Estate – Billings Estate National Historic Site, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Team up with your friends and family to test your mental and physical skills as you explore the Estate in this self-guided challenge. Recommended for children ages 10 and up and adults)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm English (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.)
• Emily Brown and the Thing – Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, shows at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm ( Based on the much-loved book by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton, this magical, musical show takes you on the journey with Emily and Stanley as they set off to the Dark and Scary Wood)
• Racetime in 3D – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm ( Fantastic new family animated comedy from the makers of Showtime)
• Community Skating Party – Kilreen Park, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, (family skate with free refreshments and snacks)

Sunday:

• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• The Harbour Harvest Ice Fishing Derby – Nepean Sailing Club, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (no license needed and all abilities welcome, holes drilled for you, and all equipment and bait on site, $15 to $30)
• Winterlude Weekends – Ottawa Art Gallery, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (all ages winter art activities and explore your creativity with family and friends. Free drop-in activity)
• Trading Fur – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Learn how a beaver pelt can be used as money and more. Trapper and Métis educator Archie Martin will be there with his collection of trapping artifacts and furs. Free activity)
• Musical Winterlude Weekend – Canadian Museum of History, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Live musical performances. Try West African djembe drums and the percussion instruments, go on a musical treasure hunt through the Canadian stamp collection. Make and take home your own maracas)
• Bouncy Castle Festival 2019 – Jean Marc Lalonde Arena, Rockland, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (arena filled with inflatable bouncy castles, also face painting and food)
• Family Skate Day – Barbara-Ann Scott Arena, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (free family skate put on by MPP Jeremy Roberts)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm French (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.)
• 26th Annual Winter Garden Party – Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm (indoor and outdoor activities, horse drawn sleigh ride, bouncy castle, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, face painting, free games, food)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks Street, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (free, frozen fun. Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist)
• Big Bang Festival at the NAC – National Arts Centre, 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm (adventures in sound for ages 5 and up)
• Family Day Visit – Penny Lane Farm Sanctuary, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (bring your family to meet the animals, also free to bring your snowshoes, cross country skis and sleds and enjoy the trails, by donation)
• Try Speed Skating – Brewer Park Speed Skating Oval, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Come try speed skating at the Brewer Oval. Skates will be available for rentals. open to everyone)

Monday:

• 2nd Annual White Lake Ice Fishing Derby – Cedar Cove Resort, White Lake, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm (no fishing license required, competitive division from 7 am – 3 pm, Family Division from 9 am – 2 pm, all proceeds in support of Heart and Stroke)
• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (final day of these giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Family Day at the Museum – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (included with admission, exciting day of family demonstrations and activities)
• Family Day – Agriculture and Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Enjoy indoor and outdoor family fun on this special winter day, lots of demos and activities)
• Family Day at the Mint – Royal Canadian Mint, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (unique visit inspired by newly released Dinosaurs of Canada coin set. Visitors can enjoy a free guided tour to discover how coins are made, step into a photo booth and get a free personalized photo)
• Family Day at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex – Goulburn Recreation Complex, 10:00 am – 3:15 pm (Kindergym, family fitness classes, crafts, swimming and skating)
• Musical Winterlude Weekend – Canadian Museum of History, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Live musical performances. Try West African djembe drums and the percussion instruments, go on a musical treasure hunt through the Canadian stamp collection. Make and take home your own maracas)
• Family Day at the Museum – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (day of activities and demos, magic shows at 11 am and 1 pm require extra fee and reservation is recommended)
• Trading Fur – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Learn how a beaver pelt can be used as money and more. Trapper and Métis educator Archie Martin will be there with his collection of trapping artifacts and furs. Free activity)
• Animal Family Day Winter Carnival – Pushman Park, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (horse drawn sleigh rides, skating challenges, a camp fire, snow games and entertainment )
• Family Day in Barrhaven – St. Mother Theresa High School, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm ($15 per child, free for adults and kids under 2. Bouncy Castles, Lazer Tag, Bazooka Ball, Archery Tag, Face Painting, Family Photo Booth, Art Lessons, Button Making, Movie )
• Family Day Breakfast and Skate – Johnny Leroux Arena, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (put on by MP Pierre Poilievre, event is free, no skate rentals, bring your own)
• Big Bang Festival at the NAC – National Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (adventures in sound for ages 5 and up)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm French (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.)
• Family Day at the Bunker – Diefenbunker Museum, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm ( games, crafts, and scavenger hunts)
• Family Day at Rideau Hall – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (walk the snow-covered paths or to skate on the outdoor rink)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks Street, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (final day for this free, frozen fun. Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist)
• 67s Family Day Game – TD Place, 2:00 pm (pre game party for the family includes an obstacle course, bouncy castle, princesses, gaming station, face painting, and autographs with players after the game)