Calgary has lots of parks and playgrounds but it is easy to get stuck in the same routine. Here are some ideas for enjoying the parks with your kids this summer.
1. Take your buckets and shovels to play in the pea gravel
2. Put on your rain gear and go to a spray park in the rain (they only close in the summer if there is lightning)
3. Go wading in the Elbow River at Sandy Beach (check river conditions before you go)
4. Walk up to the top of the big hill at Prairie Winds Park and watch the planes fly right over your head
5. Bring a ball or frisbee to the park
6. Watch the ducks at Confederation Park
7. Walk through the wetlands interpretive trail at Pearce Estate Park
8. Visit the Nature Centre at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
9. Take a drop in program at Ralph Klein Park
10. Too miserable to play outside? Visit the Devonian Gardens downtown
11. Go on a scavenger hunt
12. Roll down a hill
13. Have a picnic
14. Look for waterbugs and minnows at one of Calgary’s wetlands (like Pearce Estate Park, Ralph Klein Park or Laycock Park.)
15. Play on the playground equipment with your kids, climb up the climber, slide down the slide, swing on the swings
16. Try out one of Calgary’s ziplines
17. Use the playground equipment to create an obstacle course
18. Throw rocks in the river
19. Admire the flowers at Senator Patrick Burns Rock Garden (at Riley Park) or Reader Rock Garden
20. Book a picnic site and host a multi-family BBQ
21. Go for a bike ride along the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway
22. Go paddle boating at Bowness Park
23. Find the rabbit statues at Edgepark Ravine
24. Look for wildlife on Nose Hill
25. Jump in puddles after the rain
26 Go for a hike
27. Take some books and read in the shade
28. See how many different kinds of leaves you can find
29. Build towers out of rocks
30. Bring a bag and some gloves and pick up trash
31. Lay down in the grass and find shapes in the clouds
32. Take some pictures – teach your kid how to use the camera
33. Have a day at the Beach at Sikome Lake (this is actually inside Fish Creek Provincial Park)
34. Play at all the playgrounds within walking distance of your house.
35. Start a game of grounders on the playground
36. Go boat watching by the Glenmore Reservoir at South Glenmore Park
37. Look at bugs in the grass
38. Look under rocks
39.Find a new playground
40. Meet up with friends
41. Blow bubbles
42. Take a dog to an off leash park
43. Leave the city behind without leaving the city limits with a walk through Carburn Park
44. Play follow the leader
45. Dress up in costumes
46. Take a walk along the River and visit Poppy Plaza
47. Walk through outdoor art at Prince’s Island Park
48. Play Pooh sticks on a bridge
49. Write up a review of your favorite playground for Calgary Playground Review
50. Call 311 if you see graffiti or broken things at a park or playground
Want to print it? Download the Printable list – 50 Ideas for fun in Calgary’s Parks
LOVE IT. I get so sick of the park come mid August. Great ideas to keep me sane too!