It seems like everyone has an extra spring in their steps these days.
As the temperature rises and the snow melts, we’re all starting to anticipate the arrival of a new season, and perhaps, new beginnings.
Leap into spring—and spring break—with these activities:
FAMILY FUN
Spend some quality time together:
1 Fill a thermos of hot cocoa and go on a hike in the city. In Calgary, trek the Douglas Fir Trail or the Weaselhead at Glenmore Park. Or brave the “Legs of Fire” stairs on the Devon River Valley Trail, southwest of Edmonton.
2 Grab your binoculars and embark on an afternoon birding expedition in the Whitemud Creek Ravine. Edmonton’s Wild Birds Unlimited store lists local birds to aid your identification efforts.
WAYS TO STARGAZE
Install an astronomy app like Stellarium, Star Walk or SkyView on your family’s phones or tablets. The augmented reality apps let you see the position of constellations, planets and even the International Space Station—no matter where you are! To scope out the real things, visit a light pollution–free Dark Sky Preserve in Jasper, Elk Island or Waterton Lakes national parks, as well as Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, or just head to any rural area where ambient light is at a minimum.
MAKE A SCENE
Shine a figurative light on your family’s creativity. Hang a white sheet safely in front of a single source of illumination, leaving some space so budding thespians can take turns making shadow art or acting out skits and movie scenes. The rapt audience on the other side can guess what they’re seeing: Is it a giraffe, a cobra or perhaps Harry Potter casting a spell?
A COOK’S TOUR
Bring the kids into the kitchen and make some multicultural fare as a family:
• Make pizza night more interactive. Take the kids to an Italian Centre Shop in Edmonton or Calgary and let them pick the toppings. The locally owned markets have all the ingredients, including fresh pizza dough.
• Chuen May Food Products in Calgary’s Chinatown has provided frozen dim sum favourites for more than 20 years. The little kitchen makes everything fresh daily, but it sells out fast. Create your own menu with selections like dumplings and sticky buns.
• Go beyond nachos for your next Mexican family fiesta. Instead, try ceviche tostados. Your local grocery store should have all you need to make some zesty, no-cook seafood nibbles. Get Alberta food writer Julie Van Rosendaal’s recipe here!