Adventures & Moments with Wems

Winter in Calgary can feel long, especially when you're trying to keep the kids busy without spending money every single weekend. 😅

Over the years, I've learned that some of our easiest winter days don't involve an elaborate plan at all. Sometimes it's skating for an hour, finding a good sledding hill, going for a snowy walk, or heading somewhere warm when we've had enough of the cold.

The trick for us is usually choosing something that works with the weather, how much energy everyone has, and how much effort I actually feel like putting into the day. 😂

So if you're looking for things to do in Calgary with kids this winter, here are some simple and budget-friendly ideas to keep in your back pocket.

Outdoor skating is one of those classic winter activities that can be as simple as you want it to be.

Instead of making it a big outing, find an outdoor rink near you, bring your skates, and spend an hour on the ice.

Community rinks can be especially handy when you don't want to travel far.

Just remember that outdoor ice conditions and opening times can change with the weather, so it's always worth checking before heading out.

Give the kids a sled and a hill, and somehow you've planned an entire afternoon. 😂

Calgary has plenty of places where families go sledding and tobogganing during the winter.

The nice thing about this one is that you can stay for as little or as long as everyone is enjoying themselves.

Bring a thermos of hot chocolate, some snacks, and an extra pair of mittens because somehow somebody's gloves always end up wet.

We don't stop going to parks just because it's winter.

Places we already enjoy during the warmer months can feel completely different once they're covered in snow.

Prince's Island Park, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and Nose Hill are a few options when you want to get outside without necessarily committing to a proper winter hike.

Keep the walk short if it's cold, let the kids set the pace, and head home when everyone has had enough.

It still counts as an adventure. ❤️

If a regular walk isn't exciting enough, give the kids something to look for.

You could see who can find:

• Animal tracks
• A pinecone
• An icicle
• A snow-covered bench
• Three different types of trees
• Something red
• A bird
• The biggest pile of snow

This is especially useful on those days when saying “Let's go for a walk” isn't getting quite the reaction you hoped for. 😂

You don't need to print anything either. Make up a few things before you leave and start searching.

Playgrounds aren't only for summer.

On a warmer winter day, hello, Chinook! 👋🏾 Going to a playground can be one of the easiest ways to get everyone out of the house.

The experience is obviously a little different when there's snow everywhere, but sometimes that's part of the fun.

Waterproof gloves and snow pants definitely help.

And then there are the days when nobody wants to be outside.

We visit our community library quite a bit, and it's one of my favourite low-effort options because we don't have to turn it into a full-day activity.

Grab some books, spend time in the children's area, or check whether there are any kids' programs happening.

If you want the library visit to feel like more of an outing, Calgary Central Library is another fun option.

🌿 Escape Winter for a little while at Devonian Gardens

If you're tired of looking at snow, Devonian Gardens gives you a little dose of greenery without actually leaving Calgary. It's indoors, warm, and easy to combine with another downtown activity. Sometimes that's enough. 😂

Winter also brings community celebrations, skating events, festivals, and other seasonal activities around Calgary.

Because these change from year to year, I wouldn't build your plans around an old event list. Instead, check current community and city event calendars when you're looking for something to do that weekend.

We've found some really fun family outings this way over the years.

Not every winter weekend needs an outing.

Some days everyone is tired, it's freezing outside, and getting multiple people into snow gear sounds like entirely too much work. 😂

Those are good days for board games, movies, baking, crafts, or simply doing nothing particularly exciting.

I've found winter much easier when I stopped feeling like every weekend needed to become a full family adventure.

This is where flexibility really helps.

If it's a reasonably nice winter day, take advantage of it and get outside.

If it's freezing, move the adventure indoors.

And if everyone only has enough energy for one small activity, do that and go home.

You don't have to spend six hours somewhere for an outing to count.

If you're specifically looking for somewhere warm to go, I have a separate guide to Indoor Things to Do in Calgary With Kids with playgrounds, attractions, museums, and free indoor options.