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Monday, February 23
Family Storytime/ Contes en famille (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Toddlertime (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
EarlyON Baby Playgroup (Series) at 1:30pm πOPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Cercle de Lecture (en franΓ§ais seulement) (Series) at 4pm πOPL Alta Vista
Chess club / Club d'Γ©checs (Series) at 6pm πOPL Greenboro
Homework Help / Club de devoirs (Series) at 6:30pm πOPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Starry Night Storytime (Series) at 6:30pm πOPL Nepean Centrepointe
SoulRhythms (Series) at 7pm πPeter A. Herrndorf Place
Tuesday, February 24
Babytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Toddler Tuesdays (Series) at 10am πPeter A. Herrndorf Place
Toddlertime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Activities for Teens at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Family Storytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Homeschool Hangout (Series) at 10am πOPL Greely
STEAM Storytime (Series) at 10:30am πOPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Homework Help / Aide aux devoirs (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Parenting in Ottawa (Series) at 1:00pm πOPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Chess Club D'Γ©checs (Series) at 3:30pm πOPL Blackburn Hamlet
Afternoon Storytime (Series) at 4pm πOPL Cumberland
Wednesday, February 25
Family Storytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Babytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Toddlertime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Parent and Tot Drop In (Series) at 9:30am π2 Stonehaven Drive
Stay & Play | Jouons Γ la biblio (Series) at 11:05am πElmvale Acres
Parenting in Ottawa Drop-in (Series) at 1pm πOPL Beaverbrook
Centrepointe Infant In-person Playgroup (Series) at 1:30pm πCentrepointe Child Care Services
Homeschool Happenings (Series) at 1:30pm πOPL Cumberland
Chess Club (Series) at 4pm πOPL Main
Crafternoon / Brin dβbrico (Series) at 4pm πOPL Sunnyside
Homework Help / Aide aux devoirs (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Thursday, February 26
Register for summer Camps 9pm - City of Ottawa
Family Storytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Babytime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Toddlertime at the OPL (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Centrepointe In-person Playgroup (Series) at 9:30am πCentrepointe Child Care Services
Homeschool Social Club (Series) at 2:15pm πOPL Hazeldean
Youth Chess Club (Series) at 3:30pm πOPL OrlΓ©ans
Homework Help / Aide aux devoirs (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Free Thursday Nights 5-7pmπCanadian War Museum
Friday, February 27
Bilingual Babytime and Stay & Play | BΓ©bΓ© Γ la biblio et jouons Γ la biblio (Series) at 11:15am πOPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Sensory Storytime / Contes sensoriels (Series) at 10:30am πOPL Greenboro
Lego Party/FΓͺte en blocs (Series) at 3:30pm πOPL Sunnyside
Saturday, February 28
Animal Tracking on Snowshoes (Series) at 10am and 1:30pm πGatineau Park Visitor Centre
Family Storytime/ Contes en famille (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Stay and Play/ Jouons Γ la biblio (Series) at 10am πOPL Sunnyside
Let's Play at the Library (Series) at 10am πOPL Rosemount
Lego Block Party (Series) at 2:30pm πOPL Emerald Plaza
Shop - Sip - Eat 2:30pm - 7:30pm πInside 56 Byward Market Square
Love Renaissance - Art Show 6:30pm - 9pm πAnina's Cafe
Sunday, March 1
Animal Tracking on Snowshoes (Series) at 10am and 1:30pm πGatineau Park Visitor Centre
Farmers' Winter Market 10am - 3pm πAberdeen Pavilion
Stay βnβ Play | Jouons Γ la biblio (Series) at 10:30am πOPL Main
Family Storytime/ Contes en famille (Series) Multiple Times and Locations
Join the club and get cool merch
Become a supporter and receive an exclusive Ottawa Parents T-Shirt, early access to giveaways, weekly coloring pages and special perks made just for our community.
π The Sweetest Season Has Arrived! π
Dust off your boots and get ready for some sticky fingers Sugar Bush season is officially kicking off in the Ottawa area this weekend (Feb 28 β March 1)! Thereβs nothing quite like the smell of woodsmoke and fresh maple syrup in the crisp winter air. Whether youβre looking for a tractor-drawn wagon ride, a stack of pancakes, or a peaceful hike through the maple trails, our local farms are ready to welcome you.
β οΈ Before you head out: Since every farm is unique, please visit their official website or social media pages to confirm their specific opening hours and admission prices for this weekend. Some locations may require pre-booked tickets or reservations for their pancake houses!
βΈοΈ Lace Up: Where to Skate for Free This Week
Ottawa is the skating capital of the world, and this week is the perfect time to enjoy the ice.
Location | Best For... | Public Hours | Pro-Tip |
Rideau Canal | The Full Experience | Open 24/7 (check NCC for daily status) | All 7.8km are currently open! Park at Dows Lake for easier family access. |
Rink of Dreams | Downtown Vibes | 9:00 am β 11:00 pm | Located right at City Hall. The refrigerated ice stays smooth even on "mild" days. |
Lansdowne Court | Shopping & Cocoa | 6:00 am β 11:00 pm | Great for little ones. Bring your own skates and grab a BeaverTail nearby after! |
Rideau Hall | /Heritage Magic | 5:00 pm β 8:30 pm (Weekdays) 1:00 pm β 8:30 pm (Weekends) | Enter through the Princess Gate. Itβs a refrigerated historic rink and feels like a movie set. |
February Coloring Pages
Free coloring pages by our local author Basilia Vasileios
Years from now, they won't remember the cost of the ticket; theyβll remember the cold air on their cheeks, the sticky taste of maple, and the fact that you were right there beside them. Make the most of this weekβs simple magic.
Beyond skating, Ottawa has a wealth of free activities that are perfect for saving a bit of money while keeping the kids entertained. Here are a few more "no-cost" ideas to include in your email for January 19-25:
1. The "Play Free" City Program
The City of Ottawa has a fantastic initiative called Play Free.
What it is: Free drop-in swimming, skating, and gymnasium sports every Saturday.
Who itβs for: Children and youth (17 and under) and their accompanying adults.
How to do it: Check the City of Ottawa website for specific schedules at your local community center (like Nepean Centrepointe, Richcraft, or Minto).
2. Parliament Hill & Senate Tours
While the Centre Block is under construction, you can still take the family inside the capital's most iconic buildings for free.
The Senate of Canada Building: Located in the old train station, itβs stunning and very "Harry Potter" for kids.
House of Commons (West Block): See where the laws are made.
Note: You must reserve your free tickets online in advance at visit.parl.ca.
3. Winter Trail Treasure Hunts
Ottawaβs community-maintained winter trails are free to use for walking, snowshoeing, or "fat biking."
Kichi Sibi Winter Trail: Walk along the Ottawa River. Kids love looking for the "hidden" ice formations near the water.
Britannia Winter Trail: Very flat and stroller-friendly, perfect for a short nature walk followed by a hot chocolate at home.
Animal Track Detective: Head to Stony Swamp (Old Quarry Trail). It's a great place to feed chickadees (bring birdseed!) and look for rabbit or deer tracks in the fresh snow.
4. The Bank of Canada Museum
Location: 30 Bank Street.
Why itβs great: It is always free. Itβs highly interactiveβkids can design their own digital "avatar" on a wristband and play games that teach them about money in a way that feels like a video game arcade.
