Did it start to feel like Spring to anyone else this week!? My fingers are crossed that this trend continues and we keep looking at warmer temperatures. This weekend is looking decent so it is another great chance to get out and enjoy maple tapping season at the sugar bush. If you haven’t checked it out yet, have a read through my guide to the best sugar shacks. For other ideas, here is what is going on for families for the weekend of March 7 and 8.

Saturday:

• March Break Artissimo Activities for Kids – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Play art games, make your own artworks and share art with other kids. Activities are geared for children ages 3 and older, accompanied by an adult. Participation is included with Gallery admission, which is free for kids 11 and younger.)
• Crafts for Kids: Irish Clover – Museoparc, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ( the animators of the Creativity Club will be showing children how to make a beautiful Irish clover)
• Dr.Seuss’ Cooking Party – Your Independent Grocer Stittsville, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (for ages 6-13 yrs,head to the cooking school as Dr Seuss & some of his favoutite characters take over the kitchen. On the menu: green eggs & ham breakfast sandwiches, cat in the hat fruit kebabs, one fish two fish red fish blue fish cupcakes and more. $14, register ahead of time as it could fill up fast!)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm in English (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• The Paper Bag Princess 40th Anniversary Celebrations – Indigo Innes, Indigo Pinecrest and Chapters South Keys, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (celebrate International Women’s Day and the 40th anniversary of The Paper Bag Princess with a special storytime and themed activities. Event supplies are limited. Call store for details.)
• Talk to an RCMP Expert – Bank of Canada Museum, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (activities and crafts themed around one of the oldest illegal practices in the world: counterfeiting. See the real money, see the fake money and talk to an RCMP expert on anti-counterfeiting. Free admission)
• Barbie Play Day at Toys R Us – Toys R Us Canada Stores, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (Kids can decorate their own Barbie sports pennant, help Breathe with Me Barbie™️ Doll with her meditation practice and take part in the unboxing of Barbie Colour Reveal Doll. First come first served)
• Story time with a Castle Builder – Wild Child Coffee Project, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm ( enjoy afternoon story time with the author of Pragmatic Princess, Dr. Rachel Kowert! She will be there early to meet and greet everyone before settling down for a lunch time story (or two) from her newest book, Pragmatic Princess)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• USports Final 8 Basketball Championships – TD Place, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm (the best university basketball teams play off in the semifinals for the Canadian Championship. Womens semis at 1 and 3 pm and mens semis at 6 and 8 pm)

Sunday:

• March Break Artissimo Activities for Kids – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Play art games, make your own artworks and share art with other kids. Activities are geared for children ages 3 and older, accompanied by an adult. Participation is included with Gallery admission, which is free for kids 11 and younger.)
• Animal Adventures: Meet the Crew in Carleton Place – Carambeck Community Centre, Carleton Place, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm (a fun and interactive hands on animal activity, meet all things furry, feathered, scaly and more, up close and personal, admission fee is $8)
• International Women’s Day Market – National Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm ( female and female identifying owned/co-owned artisans to showcase their goods and connect with shoppers. Free admission)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm in French (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• French Storytime – Indigo Barrhaven, 10:30 am (Join Hélène Fortin for some French story time fun! No registration required. All welcome!)
• Inclusive Recreation Camp Fair – 2185 Arch Street, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (a chance to discover local opportunities for people with special needs to participate in community recreation. Recreation staff will be available to answer any questions.)
• Sky High Magic Series – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm (enjoy a show by Majinx: Professor Wick’s Incredible Magic Factory. Seating is limited. To avoid disappointment, please reserve your tickets early. Admission is $8, or $6 for museum members)
• Capital Comic Book Convention – Delta Hotel Ottawa City Centre, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (focuses on comic books, graphic novels, and trade paperbacks while also celebrating the writers and artists who bring them all to life.)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• USports Basketball Championship Gold medal and Bronze games – TD Place, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm (womens bronze and final games followed by mens bronze and gold medal games)
• A Winter Walk in the Woods – Old Quarry Trail, meet at parking lot P5, Kanata, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (hosted by Wild Birds Unlimited, come walk the trail, feed the chickadees out of your hand, learn lots of fun facts and stories about local birds)