Things to do in Calgary on a Rainy Day

Calgary Rainy Day Fun Ideas Graphic

Don’t let the weather get you down, there are a ton of things to do on a rainy day in Calgary with the kids.

1. Walk in the Rain

You’ll probably want to bundle up – Calgary rain is rarely warm. Even just a walk around the block is entertaining when it’s raining. Taking the kids for a walk in the rain always makes me feel like an awesome mom for minimal effort.

Kids walking in the Calgary Rain -Things to do in Calgary on a Rainy Day

2. Go Swimming

From neighborhood pools to Leisure Centres, Calgary has tons of options for family friendly indoor public swimming.

Vivo Pool

3. Rec Centres and Leisure Centres

In addition to swimming, many of the Rec and Leisure Centres also have other activities included with your admission like climbing walls and gymnasiums where you can play things like badminton and basketball.

Vivo Building

4. Telus Spark – Calgary Science Centre

Your kids will love spending a day at Calgary’s science centre. Younger kids will enjoy learning through play at the Creative Kids Museum and older kids will enjoy making creations in Open Studio upstairs. Both will enjoy the hands on exhibits of Earth and Sky and Energy and Innovation.

Creative Kids Museum - Telus Spark

5. Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary is a beautiful small museum about Calgary’s early history. They have really made an effort to make the museum appeal to kids as well as adults.

Fort Calgary - Uniforms

6. The Hangar – Calgary Aero Space Museum

With many full-sized aircraft on display, The Hangar is a great place for airplane fans.

The Hangar - Airplanes

7. The Calgary Zoo

The Calgary Zoo is open no matter what the weather and is way less crowded when it’s not nice out. Many of the exhibits are indoors and if you throw on some splash pants and rain boots, the Zoo has some of the best puddles for splashing in.

Calgary Zoo - Giraffes, Hippo

8. Go to Flying Squirrel

Calgary has a trampoline park Flying Squirrel with two Calgary locations. These will be a sure hit with your active kids that would be climbing the walls inside at home.

9. Go Climbing

There are quite a number of different places in Calgary where you can go climbing. Check out our list of Calgary climbing options here.

Climbing wall - Vivo

10. Studio Bell – National Music Centre

Experience and learn about music in a whole new way in Calgary’s new National Music Centre – Studio Bell.

Studio Bell - Sound Box

11. Indoor play places

Calgary has several different indoor play places options which tend to be less busy in the Spring and Summer.

Treehouse Indoor Play Centre

12. Glenbow Museum

The Glenbow might not be the first place you think of taking the kids, but they have really put in an effort to make their exhibits engaging to kids as well as adults.

My top pick is the Mavericks exhibit which is full of dynamic exhibits and hands on experiences. You’ll also want to check out the Discovery Room which has activities designed just for kids.

Glenbow Museum - Maverick's Exhibit

13. Lougheed House

The Lougheed House is a historical site and museum. Effort has been made to restore the building back to it’s original turn of the 20th century state when the Lougheed family lived there. They also host museum exhibits.

Lougheed House Gardens

14. Bow Habitat Station

The Bow Habitat Station and Fish hatchery is a surprisingly engaging place to visit. In includes aquariums that feature fish that live in the various habitats in Alberta and a beautiful interpretive centre. You can also get a tour of the fish hatchery for an additional cost.

Bow Habitat Station Boat model

15. Devonian Gardens

The Devonian Gardens is a little indoor oasis in the city. School-aged kids will love the challenge of the playground and climbing wall and everyone will enjoy walking around and seeing the fish. If you have some extra time, you can find a map and explore the plus-15 system.

Devonian Gardens playground

16. Calgary Public Library

Library cards at the Calgary Public Library are now free for everyone. They also offer many free programs and activities. Recently, the library has also added toys to the kids areas – some are small but many have such as Fish Creek library have new early learning centres – you can even find a real fire engine inside the Central Library.

Find out more reasons to love the Calgary Public Library here and take a look at the different Early Learning Centres here

Calgary Library Early Learning Centre - puppet theatre, tables, children's book shelves

17. YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre

The Police Interpretive Centre opened at Westwinds Drive in the NE in the fall of 2015 and is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays with no admission charge. Some exhibits do have strong content – if that is a concern for your family you are asked to check with the front desk.

Youthlink Police Interpretive Museum

18. Chinese Cultural Centre Museum

On the lower level of the Chinese Cultural Centre you can find the Chinese Artifacts Museum. You can learn about the history of the Chinese community in Calgary as well as historical Chinese artifacts and replicas.

19. Go Bowling

Calgary has quite a number of different family friendly bowling options.

20. Military Museums

The Military Museums is dedicated to educating the public about Canada’s navy, army, and air force.

Tanks outside The Military Museums

21. Mall Play Areas

A number of Calgary’s malls have at least a small free play area aimed at kids 5 and under. Check the height requirements before you go if you have a 5 year old or a taller 4 year old.

Market mall kids play area

22. Monster Mini-golf

Go mini-golfing inside at Monster Mini-golf’s glow-in-the-dark 18 hole course.

23. Go to a Spray Park

Calgary’s spray parks typically open around mid-June and only close if there is lightning. If you put on some rain gear it can be a surprisingly fun thing to do in the rain and it won’t be busy.

Kid playing in Calgary's rotary park spray park in the rain

24. Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park

Gasoline Alley is open year round and is completely indoors.

Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park

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