It’s the first weekend of April and there are a number of quality family events taking place in and around Ottawa. Also, don’t forget, Easter is coming up quickly and if you haven’t done it yet, I recommend checking out my blog post on Ottawa’s best family events for Easter! Now, here is what is happening this weekend April 6-7 around town.

Saturday:

• Maplefest Pancake Breakfast – Maple Hall, 2552 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (50th year the Cumberland Lions have put on this community breakfast, all you can eat pancakes, sausages and beverages, Adults $9, kids 10 and under $5)
• Easter Eggstravaganza Crafters Market – Navan Memorial Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (30 local vendors, photos with the Easter Bunny and face painting for kids)
• Will’s Jams Live – Shenkman Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (sing along with the Will’s Jam Live show, an interactive multimedia experience that will have the whole family on their feet, as seen on CBC kids)
• Ontario Maple Weekend – sugar bushes around Ottawa, consult operating hours (Sugar makers are inviting you to share in the centuries-old craft of maple sugaring. For my list of the best sugar bushes in the area check out this post here.)
• Vanier Sugar Festival – Museoparc, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (free family event, meet farm animals and sled dogs, enjoy a sugar season breakfast, lumberjack competition, maple taffy, and craft fair)
• Egg Hunts at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm – 2452 York’s Corners Rd (advance tickets to these popular events are already SOLD OUT, but they do offer same day tickets if you show up at the sugar bush, you can meet the Easter Bunny, take a wagon ride out to the sugar bush and search for the lost eggs, Adults are $5.25 a ticket, children are $7.50)
• The Easter Bunny at Hazeldean Mall – Hazeldean Mall Kanata , 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (come and have your portrait taken with the Easter Bunny, 4 high resolution digital photos for $20)
• The Easter Bunny at Billings Bridge Mall – Billings Bridge Mall, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (The Easter Bunny will be set up in center court for pictures and fun giveaways for the kids)
• The Wizard of Oz 3D Anniversary Show – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm – 4:35 pm (OZ comes to life in this beautifully restored 3D version of one the most beloved family classics of all time!)
• Ukrainian Easter Egg Making – Flapjacks Canadian Diner, Preston St, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm (A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. Join young entrepreneur Katia and Nataliya and discover this tradition, recommended for ages 8 years old and up)
• Ottawa Contra Community Dance – Churchill Rec Centre, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Community-oriented dance opportunity for families of all ages, always live music, great for school aged kids and parents, dances taught and guided by callers, optional community potluck starting at 5:15 pm, if you play an instrument you are also welcome to bring it and join in)

Sunday:

• Maplefest Pancake Breakfast – Maple Hall, 2552 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (second day of this community breakfast put on by the Cumberland Lions, all you can eat pancakes, sausages and beverages, Adults $9, kids 10 and under $5)
• Vanier Sugar Festival – Museoparc, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (free family event, meet farm animals and sled dogs, enjoy a sugar season breakfast, lumberjack competition, maple taffy, and craft fair)
• Family Sundays: Natural Wonders – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (included with admission, for kids 0-12 yrs, enjoy taking a tour of the Canadian landscape collection. Then build your own bird feeder and enjoy a marionette performance inspired by the fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling”)
• Egg Hunts at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm – 2452 York’s Corners Rd (advance tickets to these popular events are already SOLD OUT, but they do offer same day tickets if you show up at the sugar bush, you can meet the Easter Bunny, take a wagon ride out to the sugar bush and search for the lost eggs, Adults are $5.25 a ticket, children are $7.50)
• The Easter Bunny at Hazeldean Mall – Hazeldean Mall Kanata , 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (come and have your portrait taken with the Easter Bunny, 4 high resolution digital photos for $20)
• The Easter Bunny at Billings Bridge Mall – Billings Bridge Mall, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (The Easter Bunny will be set up in center court for pictures and fun giveaways for the kids)
• National Tartan Day – Parliament Hill, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (wear your kilts, bring your friends and take part in this Scottish celebration that includes pipes, drums, song and dance)
• Free Public Skating at Fred G. Barrett Arena – 3280 Leitrim Rd, 1:00 pm – 2:50 pm (skate for free, family skating 1-1:50 pm, public is 2-2:50 pm)