Family Fun

In Edmonton, the young (and young at heart) find fun around every corner. Whether you are traveling with toddlers or teens, or both, there are lots of activities to choose from.  There is a full spectrum of indoor and outdoor activities and sports involving all ages and abilities.  Edmonton offers family fun all four seasons.

Just one rule: Enjoy!

One Tiny Suitcase: Families visiting Edmonton can now rent baby equipment including strollers, car seats and cribs from One Tiny Suitcase. Originally started in Calgary, this successful baby gear rental company expanded in 2009 to provide service to families visiting the Edmonton area. With the launch of this location in Edmonton, One Tiny Suitcase’s aim is to become Alberta's premier baby equipment rental company!

Telephone: 780.929.8864
Website: www.onetinysuitcase.ca

FamilyEdmonton.com:  Bringing tips and recommendations together, FamilyEdmonton.com is a great resource for families visiting the Edmonton region.  The site includes services, activities, events and locations in Edmonton that are family-orientated.

Website: http://familyedmonton.com

MAKE A SPLASH

Take your pick of wave pools, waterslides, and water parks.  Many other swimming spots dot the region as well, some with easy-on-your-eyes salt water.

Kinsmen Sports Centre: Kinsmen Park is in the heart of the river valley off Walterdale Road on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Enjoy the outdoor wading pool, playground, picnic sites, walking trails and Sports Centre with pools.   

Telephone:  780.944.7400
Website:   www.edmonton.ca

Mill Woods Recreation Centre: Mill Woods offers one of Edmonton's best recreation and fitness experiences for all ages and abilities. Have a blast in the water park that features a wave pool, giant waterslide, diving tank, teach pool with waterfalls, sauna and large whirlpool.

Telephone: 780.496.2900
Website:  www.edmonton.ca

Millennium Place: Millennium Place is home to a child’s area, wave pool, lazy river ride, and leisure ice. Bring your children to a fun and exciting indoor play environment for children 2-12 years old!
 
Telephone: 780.416.3300
Website: www.strathcona.ab.ca

Servus Credit Union Place: Servus Credit Union Place offers two indoor field houses, a water play centre, three gymnasium courts, three ice arenas, leisure ice for family skating, a mind body studio, children’s play zone, a nutrition kitchen, and more.  

Telephone:  780.418.6088
Website:  www.playitup.org

TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre: The TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre is a dynamic space, full of energy and activity. This recreation destination includes a children’s play centre, aquatic center with waterslide and leisure ice.

Telephone: 780.960.5080
Website:   www.trileisure.com

World Waterpark, West Edmonton Mall: You won't believe it until you see this amazing five acre indoor waterpark. Enjoy the tropical 28C (82.4F) temperature, more than 24 different water activities, miles of waterslides, bungee jumping for those who dare, hot tubs, and a play area for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.

Splash, slide, climb and play at Caribbean Cove. This is the first attraction of its kind in Western Canada, covering almost 6,000 square feet. Caribbean Cove features a giant tipping bucket that dumps 1,200 litres of water at one time!

Telephone:  780.444.5300
Website:  www.westedmontonmall.com

GOING DOWNHILL

Grab your skis, because Edmonton ski runs are great.  Snowboarding is also very popular with the tweens and teens in the city.  Choose from our local areas, Edmonton Ski Club, Rabbit Hill Snow Resort, Snow Valley or Sunridge Ski Area.  Sunridge also has a snowtubing area.  All areas have ski and snowboard lessons for various levels and ages.   Several hills are prepared by the City of Edmonton for safe sliding, so grab your toboggan.  Opening dates vary between November and March.   

ATTRACTIONS

Fort Edmonton Park: It's living history at its best! Join the costumed historical interpreters and try your hand at living life as an early pioneer. Visitors experience life as it was at the 1846 fort and on the streets of 1885, 1905 and 1920. There are activities for all ages - antique vehicle rides, pioneer children's games, learning to bead, playing pool, darts and horseshoes, taking aim at the shooting gallery, and even 1920s style miniature golf. Take time to visit one of the many food service outlets and period retail shops. All-you-can-ride steam train and street car rides are included in the admission.

Learn more about Fort Edmonton Park through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca.

Telephone: 780.442.5311 (General information); 780.496.8771 (Media inquiries only)
Website:  www.fortedmontonpark.ca

John Janzen Nature Centre: Nestled in the heart of the river valley, the John Janzen Nature Centre offers programs, events, exhibits and information to encourage awareness and understanding of nature in an urban setting.  Discover the natural wonders of Edmonton with interactive displays, interpretive programs and self-guided tours.

Telephone: 780.442.5311 (General information); 780.496.8771 (Media inquiries only)
Website:  www.edmonton.ca/johnjanzen

John Walter Museum: Three houses on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River depict stages in the life of John Walter, who came in 1870 to build York boats for the Hudson’s Bay Company and became one of Edmonton’s early millionaires. Free old-fashioned fun every Sunday, noon to 5pm.

Telephone: 780.442.5311 (General information); 780.496.8771 (Media inquiries only)
Website:  www.edmonton.ca/johnwalter

Royal Alberta Museum: The Royal Alberta Museum, one of Canada’s most popular museums, offers a range of exhibitions and activities for every age level and interest. Behind the scenes, 13 curatorial programs are responsible for building and making accessible some of the finest cultural and natural history collections in the country. Enjoy the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture, examine minerals, gems and rocks in the Natural History Gallery, meet unusual insects from around the world in The Bug Room or explore Wild Alberta and learn about animals and fossils. Special feature exhibitions often include art and photography.

Telephone: 780.453.9100
Website: www.royalalbertamuseum.ca

TELUS World of Science – Edmonton: Home to Canada’s largest planetarium, the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton also has six exhibit galleries and two theatres, including an IMAX. All are part of this interactive science centre which has a mission to motivate people to learn about and contribute to science and technology. The Body Fantastic, Mystery Avenue, The Greens' House, Space Place, Explorer Gallery housing rotating exhibits, and DiscoveryLand all put a new spin on learning about the world we live in for both children young and old.

Telephone: 780.451.3344
Website:  www.edmontonscience.com

Valley Zoo: Tigers, red panda and cotton top tamarins too! Many animal interpretive presentations with opportunities to learn and experience. Come to the Zoo to observe, to learn and to make friends as you experience first-hand the variety of wild creatures that call our planet home. Travel on the zoo train or head to the Children’s Zoo.  

Telephone: 780.442.5311 (General information); 780.496.8771 (Media inquiries only)
Website: www.valleyzoo.ca

West Edmonton Mall: Galaxyland Amusement Park and Galaxy Kids Playpark - Enjoy four storeys of an interactive space-themed play area.  It’s the world’s largest indoor amusement park!   World Waterpark – Five acres of fun and the world’s largest indoor wavepool.  The Little Caribbean is an interactive play area for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.   Come see Sea Lions’ Rock, home to three California sea lions.  Other attractions at the mall geared toward the family include Dinosaur Adventure, and Deep Sea Derby.  

Telephone: 780.444.5300
Website:  www.westedmontonmall.com

EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

The International Children's Festival is an annual event that celebrates performing, literary, and visual arts for children.  It brings together artists from around the globe and across Canada with children and families in the community of central and northern Alberta.  The festival will celebrate 30 years in 2011. For more information, please visit www.childfest.com.

Learn more about the Edmonton International Children's Festival through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstoreis.ca.

VISITING EDMONTON’S COUNTRYSIDE

Enjoy country cuisine, a country soul stroll, a countryside drive, or a country Christmas!  To find family activities including the popular animal and farm experiences visit http://edmontonscountryside.com or ask a regional visitor information centre for the Visiting Edmonton’s Countryside brochure.


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Kelly Bertoncini
Travel Media Relations Manager, External Relations 
780.969.0481
kbertoncini@edmonton.com  

Bin Lau
Director of Communications, External Relations
780.969.0463
blau@edmonton.com

Jenifer Christenson
Executive Director, External Relations 
780.917.7890
jchristenson@edmonton.com