Keeping busy with toddlers in winter in Edmonton

Since it’s cooled down outside, I’m finding myself going a little stir crazy with a busy toddler running around. My daughter has lots of energy to burn, and our house is not always the place to do it. I searched out some local spots for us to visit and keep us both happy.

John Janzen Nature Centre

1
7000 143 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2G8

I love their unique spin on an indoor playground and focus on learning about nature. There are birch trees to climb, flowers to pollinate, beaver dams, toadstools and more! The Discovery Zone has successfully recreated the outdoors in a fun and creative way, perfect to play in during those long winter months. This playground is open to children aged 0 to 10.

TELUS World of Science Edmonton

2
11211 142 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 4A1

The Discoveryland gallery has an awesome assortment of activities for little ones to explore. Kids can climb aboard an airplane and pretend to be pilots in the Sky High gallery. Cloud Burst, the water play area, is equipped with a water table and plastic balls that travel down a whirlpool! At the Blue Sky section, kids can play music on a cloud piano, climb up into a treehouse and build with blocks. And, if your kids are fairly young, Tot Galaxy is specifically for infants and toddlers age three and under, and has an infant care room.

Edmonton Public Library

3
10212 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 5A3

The Edmonton Public Library is like hitting the jackpot for keeping little ones entertained. You can hang out in the kids’ section, read books and take some home to read. They also have a great program where they offer a free library card to your new babes and a cute welcome package (you get to pick out a free board book!). There are also free programs, like singing, signing and rhyming, for ages 0 to 3. This is a great way for parents to learn new songs; we seem to be stuck singing the same ones over and over again.

Strathcona County Kinsmen Leisure Centre

4
2001 Oak St, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 0W9

This indoor playground is designed from children ages six months to five years old. Admission for children two and under is free. I love the variety this indoor playground offers: There are soft climbing structures, perfect for younger toddlers who are learning to climb and explore. The pirate ship has a slide and a little cave below deck. One of my daughter’s favourite things about this playground is the trolley full of balls. The playground is usually quieter on weekday evenings, which is a perfect time for post-supper playtime. It’s a great way to tire out the munchkins before bedtime.

Cafe O'Play

5
5667 Riverbend Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5K4

Café O’Play has a coffeehouse and indoor playground for children 0 to 6 years old. The indoor playground features a faux road equipped with plastic cars to drive, an awesome train table, play sets with slides, exersaucers for the younger babies and plastic cows for kids to bounce on. On the coffeehouse side, parents can sit with their coffee along side little picnic tables for their kids. The coffeehouse offers a cozy fireplace and locally roasted fair trade organic Caps Coffee, plus fresh baked goods and breads from their in-house bakery. I also love that they have a sanitation station.

Kids Fort

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109-8741 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0M3

Tucked away in Fort Saskatchewan, Kid's Fort is a haven for parents and kids. They have more than 1,000 square feet of play space for the munchkins to run around; however, it's not just a space for the kids. Attached to the play space is a gourmet deli and coffee shop. Bring a friend along and let the kids run wild! To sweeten the deal, BodyTx Massage and Health is right next-door. Kid's Fort will watch your little ones for up to 90 minutes while you enjoy a relaxing massage! Sounds like a dream come true!

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