To enjoy the Christmas break to the fullest, you need to plan some enjoyable Christmas break activities. Here is the list of some of the most exciting indoor and outdoor activities for the wintertime.
For the little ones….
Science for the Season at the Ontario Science Centre
If you have some time on your hands and the little ones are ready to climb the walls, you can turn your kitchen into a lab and learn about the winter wonderland we all live in. You can grow crystal snowflakes, make fireworks in a jar and mix up a batch of holiday-inspired play dough, bake or make a sundial with the help of the Ontario Science Centre’s online activity bank and their live Facebook events. If you are really exhausted and you would prefer some quiet time, you can always drop your little ones off for a little bit of independent fun on-site. Winter Break Camps offer more than one way to cater to your kids’ curious side.
For everybody…
Cut your own tree
If you are in the mood for some holiday cheer, you can visit a Christmas Tree Farm near Hamilton and Burlington and bring home your own Christmas tree. It will smell divine and keep your spirits high all Christmas long. Andrew’s Tree Farm, Cagene’s Christmas Trees, Clembrook Christmas Farm or Spruce Meadows Christmas Trees offer wonderful Christmas tree hunting experience.
Visit a Christmas Market
Christmas markets are a great European tradition that has been successfully adapted in Canada. Ontario offers many Christmas markets throughout the GTA. Here are just a few that you can research and explore this holiday season. Niemi Family Farm near Newmarket offers fresh-cut Christmas trees as well as crafts, decor, candles, baked goods, handmade wreaths and garlands. Christmas Market at Hanna Haus features crafts, rare toys, seasonal decorations, jewellery, German chocolates and baked goods. The German Christkindl in Kitchener brings us centuries-old holiday traditions as well as outdoor concerts and sleigh rides. At the Kinderecke Kids’ Corner, it also offers magicians, story time, puppet shows, craft workshops for the kids. Moreover, it has over hundred food and artisan vendors in the Christkindl outdoor village.
Go on a Dog Sledding Tour
Experience one of Canada’s signature winter adventures and go sledding on a toboggan run by a team of sled dogs. Feel the exhilaration of dashing along the snowy winding paths surrounded by snow-covered trees. What began as a traditional form of transportation is now a luxury for thrill-seekers of any age. Ontario boasts many places where you can enjoy this ancient pastime. North Ridge Ranch offers one-hour or half-day tours for kids and adults in wonderful Muskoka wilderness. Reservations are required, so you need to call in advance to book. Another place, Sugardogs Adventure Co. , offers dogsledding workshops, should you want to learn all about dogsledding.
Go on Horse Sleigh Rides
Horse sleighing is another marvellous option for younger and older adventure-seekers. Ontario offers a number of wonderful options where you can enjoy this more leisurely winter equine experience. It is quite refreshing to feel the cold air on your cheeks while you zoom through the frosty forest to the sound of the horses’ hooves. After the ride, you can enjoy a soul-warming hot chocolate followed by some more winter fun in the Canadian countryside.
Go Skating
Conveniently, Ontario provides many ice-skating rinks where you can partake in this waist trimming and fun winter sport. The West Mall, Celebration Square Ice Rink or High Park’s Grenadier Pond are just some of many places where you can take your family to have some physical activity after way too many Christmas goodies.
Go Snow Shoeing
Snowshoeing means hiking in the snow using snowshoes. Snowshoes are a pair of wide frames that adjust to different shoe sizes and you can strap onto your winter boots. Because of its flat, wide surface, the snowshoe distributes your weight equally throughout its surface, allowing you to walk on the snow rather than sink into it. Snowshoeing can be a great winter sport for the whole family, especially that Ontario offers many picturesque spots. Free Spirit Tours offers snowshoeing and snowshoeing with wine tasting in The Blue Mountains. If you happen to prefer the area of Tobermory, go on a guided snowshoe expedition in Bruce Peninsula National Park and visit the famous grotto on the Snowshoe the Grotto tour. Halliburton, Bracebridge, Huntsville and Orangeville are among many others that you can explore.
I hope you choose at least some of these Christmas break activities for yourself or to enjoy with your loved ones. When you do so, remember to pre-book the activities as it does get busy during the Christmas season.
Have a happy Christmas break!
