Holiday Family Bucket List!

Do you follow Sonja's Super Suggestions for YYC Families on Facebook? You should! She is a fantastic resource for new and different kids activities and we are thrilled to have her share on our blog this month.

....I am a huge flag waving fan for how amazing Calgary is as a city and especially for families. I always knew that the city had a lot to offer and oodles of hidden depth and culture. But since starting my Sonja's Super Suggestion 4 YYC Families Facebook page in September of 2012 I really found out and began uncovering many hidden gems week in and week out. This holiday season is no exception! Our family bucket list keeps growing and growing. 

Here is my HOHOHO-tastic Top 10 family outing ideas for this festive season. (I am going to begin with those that end this weekend first)

1. Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park: This is on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st and you can find half price tickets at Safeway which make it even more bargains. There is a heap of stuff to do both inside and outside plus the grounds look delightful all white and snowy. We make this a yearly tradition and always enjoy it.

2. Storybook Theatre presents 'BIG': This finishes up on Dec 22nd and is sure to be a wonderful experience. We are heading this weekend and I am excited for the kids to experience one of my favorite childhood films! Check their website for show times, as they vary by day, and ticket availability.

3. The Calgary Nativity Pageant: It is put on in the car park grounds of Heritage Park and runs from Dec 19th -24th. Check the website for show times. This is a traditional Christmas Nativity pageant with live actors, live animals, outdoor lighting and sound. This is a non profit public service event.

Made possible each year through the help of over 300 volunteers and the support of various local businesses, the Pageant combines a cast of 15-20 fully costumed adults and children, moving narration, full sound and lighting production, a staged set and live animals to create a beautiful presentation of the Christmas story. It has been going for over 30 years!

4. Bass Pro Stores, Cross Iron Mills: There is a lot of crafting fun and time to visit with Santa up at the store. Plus it is always decorated so nicely and they have a little cafe which makes for a sweet little outing!

5. City of Calgary New Years Eve Party:

Dec 31st 7pm-9pm The Municipal Building.We attended this event last year and had an absolutely rip roaring time!! A full on disco, fire breathers, living statues, games, crafts etc….It is hosted by The City of Calgary Rec Program.

Dress in neon or white or anything that glows and don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes! Kids Countdown is at 9 p.m.

6. Horsin Around:

Horsin Around has a great 10 Days of Christmas event starting December 21 to January 1, 2014 from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Offering Horsedrawn Sleigh Rides, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Toboganning, Bonfire, Christmas Music and Hot Chocolate! General Admission: - Adults $ 12.00 - Children $ 10.00 - Toddlers " free of charge "

7. Snow tubing: This is so much fun for the whole family. Last year we went up to Mt Norquay to try their tubing hill but as of last weekend a new tubing hill opened at Nakiska so we are going to give that one a try over the holidays! The added bonus of heading out Nakiska Way is that you have Kananaskis Village not too far away and there is oodles of outdoor fun going on over there too!

8. Spruce Meadows Light Show: This is a fun place to go as you can choose to just take a drive through it, a welcome choice for those particularly nippy days! Or you can get out and have a stroll around. Plus is you head there just before sunset for a mooch, the lighting is beautiful and it looks so magical. They even have a small ice rink with flood lights too for a full evening of fun and all for FREE!

9. Ice skating galore:

Keeping this short and sweet - our 2 favourite spots are without a doubt Olympic Plaza and Carburn Park. O.P is very well maintained and it is so pretty down there especially in the evening with all the twinkly lights in the trees. The kids just love it. Carburn park is massive amounts of FUN too! You can get quite an adventurous skate going around the lagoon.

10. Sledding:

There are soooooo many hills in Calgary to escape too. We have compiled our own little family list of hills to try - making us venture out around the city on a family tobogganing adventure day trip. Pack a winter picnic and flask of hot choc and off you go! St. Andrew’s Heights Toboggan Hill (2504, 13 Avenue NW) is apparently one of the best hills in the city so this is the first new hill for us to try.

And done…….Phewf!! Like I said THIS CITY ROCKS and that is just 10 of the many, many things around here to do/see and experience.

I hope this gives you all something to get your teeth into over the Christmas holidays! I can't wait for school to be out and for some fun family time to commence! 

From my family to yours have a wonderful Christmas and I hope after reading this there will be many festive frolics ahead for you and yours.

Sonja :)

Thank you Sonja for the "Holiday Bucket List". Be sure to "like" Sonja on Facebook for daily postings of Fun Family Activites around Calgary.