We all know about the Family Favourites they show at Cineplex SilverCity on Saturdays, and how awesome the CineStarz theater on Brant Street is with they’re $5 movies, but let’s watch a movie a different way this time…

Outdoors, Maybe? The City of Burlington shows FREE movies outdoors every Thursday. The location and movies are different each week, so you can check out the schedule here and plan an expensive yet entertaining evening out for you and the family.

Drive-In Anyone? Oakville’s 5 Drive In shows new releases, and even has a volleyball game before the show starts. Or zip over to Hamilton and enjoy the Starlite Drive-In where dogs are always allowed, and they even sell pet treats! With a full concession stands and always a double feature, these are great spots to make some movie memories! Check out their deals on Tuesdays and Thursdays, too.

In The Deep Dark Woods? Hamilton Conservation is hosting “Films in the Forest” all summer long. Much like the movies in the park, they’re showing a variety of family friendly films at a variety of conservation areas. See their full line up here.

In Your Own Backyard? How about you gather the neighbours and host a backyard movie screening? You can rent the projector and a speaker if you don’t have one, and you’ll be the coolest kid in your ‘hood.

Keep it Intimate? Prefer the comforts of a couch and TV? Who doesn’t! Gather up some pillows, make some theater-worthy snacks, and choose from hundreds of family-friendly movies, like these ones, or these ones. Pass the Twizzlers!

What’s your preference? Share it below, and share your fave family movie, too! We love your ideas, suggestions, and comments, so keep them coming!

The post A New Movie-Going Experience appeared first on Active Parents.

Active Parents is here to help fill your summer vacation with fun. We are putting together ideas for day trips to keep the whole family entertained. We’ll cover local and short distance jaunts, and we hope you’ll suggest some fun stops, too!This week we bring you destinations fit for the Animal Lover in your house. My 6 year old is besties with everything four-legged, so this list was a quick one to put together, it’s basically our summer bucket list!

African Lion Safari – 1,000 birds and over 100 animals that can be pet, watched, and even viewed from your own car is what you have waiting for you!

Bird Kindgom – Billed as the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary, you’ll see more bird species than you knew existed, feed bats and lorikeets, and much more! Located in Niagara Falls.

Brantford Twin Valley Zoo – This local fave is perfect for families, and we loved that it was just the right size to see in its entirety, in one day. You’ll be up close and personal with lions, tigers, and – you guessed it – bears. Oh my!

Butterfly Conservatory – Located in Niagara and featuring over 2,000 butterflies call this spot home. Take a self guided walk through the rain forest and experience the magic.

Donkey Sanctuary – Visit with over 90 donkeys and mules, and learn about the care and rehabilitation of the Guelph farm residents. Who knew, right?

Happy Rolph’s – Petting zoo, large playground, beautiful walk, and very scenic. We went last summer and loved it! Located in St. Catherines.

High Park – Toronto’s most famous park also boasts a pretty swell zoo that many people don’t know about. Take a drive, or get on the GO and spend the day with the animals, in an amazing park space.

Little Rays – There’s a good chance your kid has been to a Little Rays birthday party, but did you know they also have a reptile zoo open for visiting? Get a chance to feed the animals, while getting a little education, too. We love local family road trips!

Mountsberg – It’s super close, and perfect for your little fan of feathered friends. Watch entertaining shows (they’re educational, too!) plus, tour the site and check out all of the animals they have in addition to birds.

Oshawa Zoo – They been rescuing animals since 1993, and have over 40 in a large 22 acre farm. They even offer a mobile animal program for events and celebrations!

Puddicombe Farm – This farm has been around for over 200 years! It’s a great spot for train rides, animal watching, and picking your own fresh produce. A definite must-do for a day of fun.

Safari Niagara – Formerly knows as Zooz, this Niagara park is a family road trip hot spot of fun. There are over 1000 exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles, not to mention a water park and play ground!

Springridge Farm – A local favourite with something for everyone. Mountain goats, a petting barn, fluffy bunnies, and who doesn’t love Rocky Rooster? Psst, try their strawberry tarts, too!

Did we miss a must-see spot? Share it in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!

The post Family Road Trips: Animal Lovers appeared first on Active Parents.

ActiveParents is here to help fill your summer vacation with fun. We are putting together ideas for day trips to keep the whole family entertained. We’ll cover local and short distance jaunts, and we hope you’ll suggest some fun stops, too!

This week we bring you destinations guaranteed to tickle the old grey matter. Culture stops that are sure to entertain – and maybe even teach a few new facts!

Casa Loma – Growing up in Toronto means Casa Loma is a field trip you probably went on with your class. Toted as Canada’s Castle, and over 90 rooms to tour, your knights and princesses are sure to be enchanted.

Dundurn Castle – Not to be outdone by anyone, Dundurn Castle offers guided tours and a glimpse back to the 1800’s and a lifestyle we can only imagine.

Floral Clock – The floral design is changed twice a year, and needs over 16,000 plants to fill the clock face! Free of charge, and another great spot of a picnic!

Hamilton Children’s Museum – Bring the kids to stretch their imagination as they touch, build and experiment in a child-focused environment. Home to interactive, hands-on galleries, the museum encourages learning through self-directed play.

Grande Hermine – Did you know that the abandoned “pirate ship” along the QEW is called the Grande Hermine? (I didn’t until my kids asked me to look it up.) Pack a lunch and comfortable shoes and learn all about her colourful past! And of course, create your own stories about how she got to her current resting spot.

HMCS Haida – We visited this naval destroyer earlier this spring and the whole family loved it. It’s almost entirely accessible and very well maintained. My kids loved seeing how their grandfathers may have experienced some of their youth, and with a detailed, numbered map, you’ll learn so much and have fun while doing it!

Port Credit Buskerfest – Kids will be awestruck at jugglers, gymnasts, musicians, daredevils, and more during this three day event.

St. Jacob’s Market – Canada’s largest, year-round market is a wonderland for the scenes. Fresh produce, baked goods, and preserves are only the beginning. How about Darryl Sittler, the kissing bridge, and the Mennonite history?

Stratford Festival – One of the many shows currently running is The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – a perfect way to experience C.S. Lewis’s classic tale.

Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow and Traditional Gathering – celebrate a traditional culture with drumming, dancing, arts & crafts, food vendors, native plant garden and exhibits!

Toronto Buskerfest – Toronto boasts over 100 buskers at this year’s festival in support of epilepsy, and with the venue moved to Woodbine Beach you’re sure to have a great view no matter where your eyes look.

Were any of these stops on your radar already? Or have you been before and have some tips for future visitors? Share your feedback in the comments!

And don’t forget to check out our Day Trips for Animal Lovers post!

The post Family Road Trips: Culture Stops appeared first on Active Parents.

BurlingtonParents is here to help fill your summer vacation with fun. We are putting together ideas for day trips to keep the whole family entertained. We’ll cover local and short distance jaunts, and we hope you’ll suggest some fun stops, too!

This week we bring you fabulous locales for family fun in the great outdoors. All thrill levels are covered, and we can’t wait to see what you choose to do!

Geocache at Mount Nemo – A picturesque location, over-looking our beautiful city, surrounded by nature’s finest, all while on a hunt for secret, hidden treasures along the hiking trail. Perfect!

Spend a day at Port Dalhousie – Where to start…a beautiful beach, a play ground, wife open grassy area and volleyball courts. Bring a picnic, because once you see the antique carousel you’re not going to want to leave.

Visit the Elora Gorge – What isn’t there to do at Elora Gorge? Hiking, tubing, canoeing, fishing, and a splash pad. Plan a full day of fun, or book a campsite and extend the party to two, maybe 3 days!

Emerald Beach – Visit the newly improved water park, complete with 200 foot high water slide, 5 acre spring water quarry that is ample with water toys. Admission to the water park isn’t too pricey, and it’s free if you’re camping.

Scale a Rock Face – Choose form Rattlesnake Point, with three designated climbing areas and over 200 routes, or Mount Nemo, with 200+ routes you will never get bored! Climbers need to have helmets, proper shoes, harnesses, ropes, and a variety of safety equipment to ensure safe climbing.

Explore a Waterfall – Waterfalls are magnificent and majestic. Using this database of Hamilton waterfalls, you can choose the accessibility level of difficulty, location, height, and more. You just may see us out there!

Relax at a Lavender Farm – With two in close proximity to Burlington, you can relax in a field of tranquil lavender, and take home some of the spoils to help you remember the day! Try Weir’s Lane or Terre Blue farms.

Raft The Grand River – The Grand River is only 40 minutes away, in Brant County. The Grand River has stretches of both fast and slow current, you can enjoy a slow sightseeing canoe or kayak ride or an exciting whitewater rafting adventure on the Grand and Nith Rivers!

Take in The Children’s Festival – Burlington celebrates 25 years are family fun at this year’s Children’s Festival. Listed as one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario, there will be crafts, live entertainment, kids play zones, and inflatables.

Make a Splash at Wild Waterworks – Boasting one of can’s biggest wave pools, plus the short drive, makes this a must do for Burlington families. From the easy river, to the splash pad, to the water slides, ever level of excitement is covered – and refreshing!

Share your outdoor adventures with us in the comments! And don’t forget to share this post on social media!

Read Our Other Day Trip Suggestions Here:

Day Trips for Animal Lovers

Day Trips for Culture Buffs

The post Family Road Trips: Outdoor Fun appeared first on Active Parents.

Fall is my jam, and nothing beats an annual family trip to the apple orchard. Every year we load up on more-than-mom-can-carry apples, then we cart them home and search for delicious ways to use them all up. As a result, I fancy myself an apple sous chef, roasting, baking, sauteeing, and pureeing my way through fall!

There are lots of pick-your-own apple orchards throughout Halton and into Hamilton. Here’s our PYO apple guide with all the details you need to find an orchard and have some family fun on the farm over the next few weeks.

Andrews Scenic Acres

Location: Halton Hills

What kids love: Wagon ride to the picking fields, BBQ’s on Sundays, ‘gently’ haunted, corn field walks, and straw mountain for jumping. Pony rides on weekends and holidays.

Details: Admission $5 per person over 3 years old. The picking season can be short due to weather, so call ahead to avoid disappointment.

Click here to visit their website

Carluke

Location: Ancaster

What kids love: The general store sells old fashioned candy, take a wagon ride through the apple orchards, and the apples of course!

Details: Fresh baked goodies in the bakery, real apple cider, a variety of apples to choose from.

Click here to visit their website

Chudleighs

Location: Halton Hills

What kids love: Children’s area with animal petting, nature trail, tractor rides, and pony rides.

Details: Adults and children 4 and up – $13.00. Family of 4 – $48.00. Seniors – $9.00. Children 3 and under are free. Most varieties are pick-your-own, or buy them bagged.

Click here to visit their website

Frootogo

Location: Waterdown

What kids love: Wagon rides ($1.00), corn maze on the weekends ($5.50), play park ($), petting zoo, large sandbox,

Details: Admission is $3.25 Pick your own, or buy bagged at the market, bakery and fresh produce available as well.

Click here to visit their website

Harvest Goodies

Location: Milton

What kids love: Wagon rides and baked goods, and most of all, apples!

Details: minimum 1 bag purchase required for entry ($18).

Click here to visit their website

Puddicombe Farm

Location: Winona

What kids love: Train tour of the grounds, petting zoo, children’s village, and picking apples.

Details: Country store, winery, and Ontario pear cider. A fun-filled full day at the apple orchard.

Click here to visit their website

The Apple Orchard

Location: Hamilton

What kids love:

Details: Free admission on weekdays (not holidays and PA Days) $3.50 adults, $3.00 kids and under 2 is free. All apples/pears are $1.50/lb – wow!

Click here to visit their website

Wheelbarrow Orchards

Location: Milton

What kids love: Fresh baked treats like apple pie andbutter tarts

Details: Choose a 10 lb ($20) or 20 lb ($35) bag to fill and then get picking!

Click here to visit their website

Willis Family Fruit Farm

Location: Milton

What kids love: Wagon rides.

Details: Minimum apple purchase of $6 per person including children, therefore, a family of 4 would have to buy $24 worth on their visit to the apple orchard. There’s no minimum if you want to buy the pre-picked apples.

Click here to visit their website

These are a few apple orchards I’ve heard about, but tracking down info online wasn’t successful. Call before you head out to avoid disappointment. 

Applevale Orchards
Burlington
Tel: 905-625-9441

Bousfield’s Farm
Milton
Tel: 905-878-6355

Myer’s Apple Farm
Copetown (west of Hamilton)
Tel: 905-627-0420

Comment below if there are any apple orchards that offer pick-your-own that aren’t on our list!

The post Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards appeared first on Active Parents.

Just over a year ago I stumbled across the Little Free Library Instagram account and immediately followed it. By clicking through their website, I learned what a “little free library” was and their ultimate goal:

“To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.”

How can you not be in love with a free, grass-roots idea looking to improve the well-being of all citizens? Clearly, I’m smitten. Another click led me to their Little Free Library map, which shows over 36,000 libraries internationally! I was pleased to see our book-loving city of Burlington was home to 3 registered Little Free Libraries, although I’ve seen others that aren’t registered.

My kids loved the idea when I told them about a roadside lending library for the community, so we each picked out a few loved-but-done-with books and we headed out to meet these Little Free Libraries in person. *This info is all listed on the LFL website, so I’m not sharing addresses that aren’t wanting to be shared. After all, these lovely folks built and stocked a Little Free Library to share with our community!

Stop #1: Burlington’s First Little Free Library 343 Rankin Drive (Walkers Line and New Street)

Photo courtesy of InsideHalton

Stop #2: 2103 Salma Crescent (Walkers Live and Upper Middle)

Stop #3: 2097 Newell Crescent (Upper Middle and Appleby)

Stop #4 Corner of Elm Street and Goodram (Roseland Area) – two Little Free Libraries!

Stop #5 Tansley United Church

Stop #6 – Centennial Drive (Guelph Line and Upper Middle area) – Love this Little Free Library, and the orange tabby who greets visitors!

Stop #7 – 1327 Janina Boulevard (Brant Street and Ester Drive area)

This little free library also accepts CDs and DVDs!

This weekend, why not grab a few books you’ve read and re-read, and share them with your neighbour? And take the kids. Not only is this a great learning opportunity (sharing, community, etc.) it’s a great way to rekindle their love of reading.

Know of another Little Free Library? Share it below in the comments and we’ll sure to add it, and stop in for a visit too!

The post Burlington’s Little Free Libraries appeared first on Active Parents.

Tips from Better Homes & Gardens: How To Pick The Best Christmas Tree

• Know what you want. Each tree species is a little different, so to find the best Christmas tree for your family, you need to match it to the needs and wants of your household. For example, if you have children, you might lean toward pines or firs with soft needles instead of spruce trees, which have sharp needles that can hurt when you step on them.

• Check the tree’s freshness. Bend a needle in half with your fingers; fresh firs should snap, while fresh pines bend and should not break.

• Make sure the needles are secure. To find the best Christmas tree that will last the longest, gently grab the inside of a branch and pull your hand toward you. The needles should stay on the tree. Alternatively, gently tap the cut end of a tree on the ground; if a few needles fall off, it should be fine. If lots of needles fall off, keep searching for a different tree.

• Look for a tree with even colouration. Some types of Christmas trees will go from deep, rich green to a dull grey-green if they get too dried out.

• Freshen the trunk. Once you get the Christmas tree home, cut off about a half inch from the bottom of the tree’s trunk (or ask the Christmas tree lot to do this for you). The fresh cut will absorb more water, so your tree holds its needles and keeps its colour longer. Put the tree in water as quickly as you can after making the cut.

• Measure, measure, measure. There’s nothing worse than picking out the best Christmas tree on the lot, getting it home, and finding out it’s too tall for your room. Before you leave home, measure both your ceiling height and the height of your Christmas tree stand so you don’t have to recut the tree when you get home.

• Keep your tree cool. As tempting as it may be to place the tree next to a fireplace, know that heat sources — including a heating vent — will cause your tree to dry out faster.

• Maintain your tree’s moisture. To keep your Christmas tree looking perfect, keep the water in your tree stand filled all the time. You may need to add water two or even three times the first few days.

The post Christmas Tree Farms Near Burlington, ON appeared first on Active Parents.

Not everyone loves winter, we get it. It’s not as appealing as a day at the beach, but we’re Canadians and we are made from hearty stock! And Active Parents has ideas for family fun in frigid temperatures. Grab your toque and let’s do this!  

Some of these suggestions require snow, but many don’t!

Join the Challenge! This is the best thing I’ve seen all week: The Healthy Kids Community Challenge has created a FREE and super easy to use Winter Play Scavenger Hunt. You download an app, pop in your name, and you’re set. Challenges include making a snow angel, drinking a glass of water upside down, and visiting an outdoor art installation in Burlington. Plus, you can win prizes, and have a ton of fun at the same time. Check it out today, and get your kids moving! Only available till February 19, 2017!

Outdoor skating: How can you beat outdoor skating? It’s the quintessential family-friendly winter activity. A personal favourite is Spencer Smith Park, but for a variety of options, here are the neighbourhood rinks in Burlington, Milton, Waterdown, and Oakville.

Get In On The Loop: Mix it up a little by skating on Waterdown’s outdoor skating loop! Check out some pictures here, and remember it’s weather permitting.

Visit the Trumpeter Swans. They live at LaSalle, and have been on the brink of extinction, so stop by, take in their beauty, and enjoy a nice stroll near the waterfront.

Go Tobogganing, Of Course! The City of Burlington has this list of officially designated hills. Waterdown has one designated hill, and while Oakville doesn’t have official info available, I hear that Old Abbey Lane Park has great hills for all ages.

Snowshoeing: I’ve been waiting a few years to try snowshoeing, so you know that when it snows next, I’ll be the first one at Crawford Lake to rent some snowshoes and wander through nature. If you have your own snowshoes, visit Mountsberg for a great day of trekking.

I earned Mom of the Year points when I whipped up a batch of food colouring, water, and added it to a spray bottle. Kept my kids busy for HOURS.

Visit a Farm, really! Both Mountsberg and Bronte Park are great for families as they have lots of outdoor hiking and a playbarn providing a break from the elements.

Hike outside the city, because we can. Living in Halton means we have some of the best outdoor spaces on Earth. Visit Conservation Halton’s website and pick one of the many parks to traverse. Hilton Falls and Mount Nemo are our favourites!

Geocache! One good thing about the lack of snow this winter, is that it’s prime Geocaching weather! Read out tips here, download an app, and be on your way to exploration! And stay tuned for our Geocache Meet Up!

Have you visited your favourite hiking spot in the winter? Kerncliff Park has trails, and you can explore the clearing around the boardwalk, too. And what kid doesn’t love climbing on the big, overturned tree at Cherry Hill? Or choose a new spot from one of the Heritage Trails in Oakville.

Speaking of beaches, why not plan a day at the beach? Explore Beachway Park in Burlington, or check out the Oakville waterfront. Kids will be fascinated with how different they are in winter, and you can even visit once a month to see how the beach changes over the winter!

We gave you 12 ways to get out and enjoy your city, which one will you do first?

Cover image c/o Dare Diva

The post Things To Do With Kids: Winter Edition appeared first on Active Parents.

Birds have been singing outside our windows daily at dawn, so to thank them for their complementary wake-up calls, we’re going to create some homemade bird feeders, and hang them (away from the windows) in our yard. We took to Pinterest to find some great ideas on simply feeders that don’t require much time or an excess of materials.

1. Cheerio Bird Feeder – perfect for beginners

Let your little ones help feed their birdie pals, while working on their fine motor skills. This inexpensive homemade bird feeder is adorable for home, or an easy gift for someone you love.

2. Bird Seed Hanging Ornament – perfect for beginners

Tiny fingers will love the measuring, mixing, and poking in this method. Another great gift idea, but also so easy to make that you can deck out your favourite park trees, too! Bonus: measuring is math!

3. Upcycled Slinky Bird Feeder – perfect for all ages

This feeder makes use for that Slinky your kids don’t play with anymore. It’s industrial look is modern, and the peanuts it holds will also make the squirrel population very happy!

4. Mason Jar Homemade Bird Feeder – kids 8+ with supervision

Who doesn’t have a mason jar in their cupboard? I know I do! Add a wooden spoon, some thick ribbon – or in the case – a strip of leather, and voila! Adorable in no time flat!

5. Paper Plate Bird Feeder – perfect for all ages

This homemade bird feeder is super easy to make, and even easier to refill! Little hands will be helpful to string Cheerios, practice tying double-knots, and filling with bird seed.

6. Milk Carton Bird Feeder – school aged kids, with some adult cutting supervision

The milk carton bird feeder is a classic! We all made them in school at one point or another. Kids will love decorating them with paint, sticks, leaves, buttons, and more!

7. Tea Cup and Saucer Bird Feeder – all ages, with some adult assistance with glue

This is a perfect way to give new life to your chipped tea cup, or to display one of the many cups in your collection (or is that just me?). I think we may make this as a gift for Gramma!

8. Homemade Bird Seed Wreath – all ages

This definitely the most giftable feeder we’ve seen, and with minimal ingredients and ease of preparation, the whole family can help!

Share our suggestions on your social media accounts, and inspire a friend to create their own homemade bird feeder today!

The post Easy, Homemade Bird Feeders appeared first on Active Parents.

Halloween is my favourite time of year. I love seeing my neighbourhood filled with kids, the controlled fear of watching scary movies all weekend, and of course, mini Snickers bars. So wrapping up this list of spook-tacular Halloween events in Halton was my pleasure.

All of these events can be found on our Events Calendar, but because we’re all about ease, here’s our perpetually updated Guide to Spooky Fun in your neighbourhood. Have an event to add? Leave a comment and we’ll get it on our list for our readers to check out.

Friday, October 13

Trek or Treat Night Trail Run: Don your Halloween costume to tackle the 5K walk/run and then enjoy the Creepy Mile with the whole family.

Saturday, October 14

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

MakeBreak at Michael’s Craft Stores: Decorate T-shirts with Halloween puns! Buy a T-shirt, and the supplies to decorate it will be provided.

Camper Halloween at Bronte Creek: Trick or Treat around the campground! Ghosts and goblins will go from site to site instead of door to door. Get in the spirit and decorate your campsite.

Sunday, October 15

Harvest Festival at Springridge is sure to enchant the whole family with wagon rides to the 5-acre corn maze, the Boo Barn, and spider web climber!

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

Thursday, October 19

The Great Pumpkin Trail @ RBG: Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens for an evening on the all new Pumpkin Trail.

Friday, October 20

The Great Pumpkin Trail @ RBG: Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens for an evening on the all new Pumpkin Trail.

Saturday, October 21

Harvest Festival at Springridge is sure to enchant the whole family with wagon rides to the 5-acre corn maze, the Boo Barn, and spider web climber!

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

Michael’s craft stores invite Vampirina fans to come in and make a friendship bracelet craft

Autumn Harvest in downtown Oakville celebrates the season with hayrides, fall decorations and activities throughout the downtown.

Halloween Howl at Fifty Point Conservation area is an afternoon of Halloween family fun! Wear costumes and enjoy bouncy castles, creepy creatures, trick or treat bag decorating, bonfire, hot chocolate, and marshmallow roast and more!

Camper Halloween at Bronte Creek: Trick or Treat around the campground! Ghosts and goblins will go from site to site instead of door to door. Get in the spirit and decorate your campsite.

Halloween Spooktacular at Halton County Radial Railway lets you walk through the haunted car barn and travel in the old, creaky streetcars along the mainline and enjoy some hot apple cider & scary snacks. If you’re a Halloween fan this is definitely a spooky experience not to be missed!

Sunday, October 22

Harvest Festival at Springridge is sure to enchant the whole family with wagon rides to the 5-acre corn maze, the Boo Barn, and spider web climber!

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

Thursday, October 26

Toddler Days at Ireland House are ready to celebrate Halloween. We’ll be making Frankenworms, racing spiders, and feeding a friendly monster!

Saturday, October 28

Active Parents is hosting the biggest after party to Treats in our Streets! Join us at Wendel Clark’s on Brant Street for spooktacular family fun and fangtastic crafts, movies and more!

Enjoy entertainment and Halloween themed activities on board the decorated trains of York Durham Rail. Children 12 and under in costume ride for $1.

Get in the pool at Tansley Woods for Spooky Splash at 1:30 p.m. which includes a haunted house, swimming and games!

Treats-In-Our-Streets @ Downtown Burlington: Celebrate Halloween at the wildly popular and FREE trick-or-treating event through downtown Burlington!

Celebrate Halloween at Andrews Scenic Acres with wagon rides, BBQ and Corn Pot foods and much, much more!

Harvest Festival at Springridge is sure to enchant the whole family with wagon rides to the 5-acre corn maze, the Boo Barn, and spider web climber!

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

Get ready – the Milton Mall Haunted House is back and bigger than ever! This year’s haunt has moved to a new, expanded location in the mall, and features new frights to excite both the faint of heart and the fearless thrill seekers. There will also be Face Painting stations set-up for children who are not in costume but want to join in the fun. At 11 am, all kids are invited to join in a Mallowe’en parade.

Spooky Splash is back at Tansley Woods pool! Saturday, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m. includes swimming, haunted house, games and much more!

Sunday, October 29

Burlington Mall has a fangtastic event planned! Come as your favorite character, join in the fun and bring your camera! Candy while supplies last and a food drive, too!

Harvest Festival at Springridge is sure to enchant the whole family with wagon rides to the 5-acre corn maze, the Boo Barn, and spider web climber!

Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween: Enjoy owls, vultures and snakes, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and a Haunted Barn.

Monday, October 30

Come out, come out, whoever you are… and join the little ghosts and goblins as they trick-or-treat around the shops of Mapleview Shopping Centre!

Tuesday, October 31

Happy Halloween! 

Wednesday, November 1

Know of an upcoming Halloween event? Leave it in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!

The post Spooktacular Halloween Events appeared first on Active Parents.

Let the fun begin this winter with Power Off and Play. The Healthy Kids Community Challenge will get our kids moving!

Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington wants you to turn off your devices and get outside playing this winter. Introducing Power Off and Play – their free scavenger hunt that inspires winter play and physical activity, which will be sure to keep you and your kids busy! Participate in the scavenger hunt between Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 through to Sunday, February 18, 2018.

Participating is simple:

1. Download app at GooseChase.com and create a login as family or group.
2. Search for the Power Off and Play scavenger hunt.
3. Encourage everyone to join in and upload photos after completing a mission.
4. Earn points for every mission completed. The more missions you complete, the better your chance of winning!
5. Automatically get entered into a draw based on the number of points earned.

Complete missions by February 18, 2018 for your chance to win 1 of 9 prize packs.

Prize Pack Points Prize (3 each)

2400-6000 points earned – $150 Parks and Recreation Gift Card
6500-10000 points earned – $200 Parks and Recreation Gift Card
10,200 + points earned – $300 Parks and Recreation Gift Card

Read Power Off and Play Scavenger Hunt Contest Rules.

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It’s no wonder why Burlington was named one of the best cities for families, just look at everything we have easy access to on Family Day! How will you be spending this glorious day? 

Medium Art Studio knows that the family who creates together stays together! Drop in anytime and make a set of ice cream bowls or popcorn bowls for everyone in the family, custom mugs for everyone’s hot chocolate, or choose your own piece and paint it your way!

The Art Gallery of Burlington is open from 12 till 5 pm and is eager to show off their newest exhibits. Be sure to catch “PrimeTime”, the exhibition provides a visual chronology of Canada’s Prime Ministers through a Pop Art filter with works created by Julio Ferrer. And in “Storytellers”, the exhibition presents the work of five artists addressing the idea of storytelling.

Bring your family to Burlington Gymnastics for fitness fun. Each family will receive a passport and earn points for participating in stations like mini ninja warrior course, obstacle course, parachute games, fitness challenge, and you can win prizes!

Children bounce, slide, ride, craft, learn and laugh at Hamilton Kids Fest. Kids Fest is Canada’s largest inflatable festival, bringing a variety of fun and educational activities for all children twelve and under. The inflatables are blown-up and ready for action so that children can slide, ride and bounce.

Join MPP Eleanor McMahon for a free Family Day Fun Skate at Aldershot Arena. All are welcome! Enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate while supplies last.

Visitors will enjoy touring the Ireland family home with volunteers on hand to answer questions. There will be baking demonstrations on the open hearth and samples of fresh sugar cookies. Children will be able to decorate a cookie to take home as well as create a custom family monogram with a tin punch!

Burlington Comedy Show invites you to the Family Variety Show at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre! See street performers, circus performers, and magicians!

Experience the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing, and adaptively remarkable life forms on earth with RBG’s winter exhibit, Frogs! If you’ve never thought of frogs as beautiful, this exhibition will change your mind. Frogs! is a dynamic exhibit experience with two special exhibitions and daily, family-friendly activities where visitors of all ages can explore the wonderful world of frogs and their wetland homes.

Splitsville Entertainment offers 50% off their regular prices on Family Day bowling between 9 and 11 am!

Kids and dogs are welcome to the Dog & Puppy Parade at Terra Greenhouse on Dundas to take part in wiener dog races, dog show, and a kids craft. Come and watch the hilarious action. FREE to participate!

Be Yoga is welcoming everyone to their Fam Jam yoga session on at 10 am. Relax, enjoy, and introduce the kids to something new!

If you’re looking for something a little less structured, check out our list of 30 Things to Do This Family Day. Our family has done #3, 5, and 6, and we are working our way through the rest!

Whatever you get up to this weekend, why not share your fun with us on Instagram? Tag us using #activeparentsca

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Is there anything more Canadian than visiting a Maple Syrup Farm and eating freshly-poured-on-snow maple syrup candy? We don’t think so, either! That’s why Active Parents has rounded up these local Maple Syrup festivals for you. Bon appetite! 

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek’s Maple Syrup festival specializes in the history of maple syrup presented on a heritage farm from 1900. Their attractions include a pancake house, fresh maple candy, fresh maple taffy, guided tours of Maple Lane, gift shoppe, wagon rides, farm animals, historical tours, family activities and more. Open every weekend starting March 3rd through April 1, and daily during March Break.

Conservation Halton: Mountsberg and Crawford Lake

Stop looking to groundhogs and robins for predictions of the thaw, at Conservation Halton they look to the trees! The maple sap is about to flow and Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Areas are firing up for Maple Town and Sweet Water Season, a unique celebration of maple traditions in Ontario.

February 24 until April 2 (weekends, March Break, and holidays) Mountsberg Conservation Area welcomes visitors to the working sugar bush at Maple Town and Crawford Lake Conservation Area presents Sweet Water Season, a celebration of the Indigenous heritage of maple sugaring.

Watch this video to see Maple Town in action! Video courtesy of Conservation Halton

Westfield Heritage Village

Nothing says spring like a warm sunny day in the sugar bush at Westfield Heritage Village’s annual Maple Syrup Festival! Maple Syrup at Westfield begins on Sunday, March 4 and runs Sundays throughout March as well as Wednesday and Thursday of March Break and on Good Friday.  Come and see both traditional and modern methods for making maple syrup and sample some of the syrup that’s made right on site at Westfield!

See demonstrations of traditional techniques used in early Ontario to produce maple syrup. Then take a short, picturesque walk to Westfield’s sugar bush where you can visit the sugar shack and learn about (and taste!) some of Westfield’s very own maple syrup produced in a modern evaporator.

Maple Weekend with Sweet Ontario

The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association will be hosting the fourth Annual Maple Weekend on April 7 ~ 8, 2018 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Participants in Maple Weekend can be found across the province in a number of maple syrup producing areas. Depending on how far you’d like to travel for your syrup fix, you could find yourself at an event in St. Catharines, Halton, Niagara, or head north to Simcoe.

Burlington Lion’s Club Maple Syrup Sale

Prefer to stay warm and cosy, but refuse to give up on that delicious maple goodness? The Burlington Lion’s Club has been selling Quebec Maple Syrup as a fundraising project since 2003. The money they raise from this event is returned back to the Burlington Community. Sweet just got sweeter! Click here for more info.

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10If you’ve planned a stay-cation for March Break, fear not, Active Parents has pulled together this hefty list of March Break activities to keep the family entertained for one day, or all ten! All you need to do is get them there. 

All March Break Long

In addition to offering daily and week-long camps this week, Medium Art studio is always open for drop-in pottery painting! Their huge shipment of Easter goodies is sure to excite all of the spring lovers out there!

Take the family to the newest exhibit at the AGB, Prime Time, and witness the gallery filled with 23 portraits of Canada’s current and past Prime Ministers. Then, walk to the reception desk and ask for your copy of the newest Scavenger Hunt. Complete it and win a prize!

Rockin’ Jump is the place to be all week long! Get active and have the best time – and the fun never has to end with their Spring Break Super Pass! A week of jumping all for one low price! They have camps for kids, too!

Visit Royal Botanical Gardens and experience the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing, and adaptively remarkable life forms on earth with RBG’s winter exhibit, Frogs! If you’ve never thought of frogs as beautiful, this exhibition will change your mind.

Cineplex on Brant Street is showing 4 family screenings a day for only $2.99 each. Wonder, The Boss Baby, Ferdinand, and Despicable Me 3 – all starting at a different time each day.

Visit a local Maple Syrup Festival this week and reward yourself with some sticky sweet Canadian-made syrup.

Monday

Indigo stores invite kids to create crafty characters with Klutz® and discover your inner artist with ORB hi.def creation system – the future of colouring!

Michaels has Spring Make Camps all week, each day is a new craft.

Beale Street Bakery wants to start the March Break off with a sweet bang!  Their shamrock cookie class includes cookies, decorations, and tea for two (one for you & one for your cookie artist!)

It’s a stuffed animal sleepover at Brant Hills! Bring your stuffie best friend for storytime, and then drop Stuffie off for a night of behind-the-scenes fun at the library.

Paw Patrol and Princesses are coming to Shoeless Joe’s! Enjoy Dinner while your child meets their favourite characters!

Tuesday

Bring the whole family to Indigo and test your skills with Hasbro Games. Plus, get ready to pop the lid off your imagination with Play-Doh.

Bring your kids into Centro Garden for an hour of fun! Our staff will help your little ones create their own, kid-friendly garden.

Paw Patrol and Princesses are coming to Shoeless Joe’s! Enjoy Dinner while your child meets their favourite characters!

It’s a stuffed animal sleepover at Tansley Woods library! Bring your stuffie best friend for storytime, and then drop Stuffie off for a night of behind-the-scenes fun at the library.

The Alton branch of the BPL has a variety of STEAM activities for kids of all ages, just drop in!

Join the Alton branch of the BPL for interactive and imaginative music and movement fun. Register in person on the day of the program. Ages 1+ with an adult caregiver.

Animals and yoga meet in this special storytime with local author and yoga instructor Michelle Boomer of Mother Nature’s Heroes. Go on an animal adventure complete with songs, stories, and engaging yoga poses at Brant Hills and New Appleby libraries.

Wednesday

Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the LEGO Brick and play the Wheel of Creativity! Use your imagination to build a LEGO model & take home your very own deck of Building Cards, available only at Indigo!

Michaels has Spring Make Camps all week, today kids are crafting with the alphabet!

Burlington Mall is pleased to offer a Meet & Greet opportunity with characters from Paw Patrol! Bring your camera!

Paw Patrol and Princesses are coming to Shoeless Joe’s! Enjoy Dinner while your child meets their favourite characters!

Make your March Break musical at New Appleby library! CRASH Rhythm hosts a morning of bucket drumming, songwriting, music theory, and fun! Bucket drums provided.

Learn the basic techniques of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate (blocks, punches, kicks) at Alton library. Challenge your body in new and unique ways.

Build lateral and 3-dimensional thinking with LEGO® and Straws and Connectors. Just bring your creativity! Drop into Alton library anytime today.

Thursday

Visit your Indigo stores to create an ooniverse with the Oonies Inflator! Plus, let your imagination soar with a fold & fly activity from Usborne, the perfect take home!

Michaels has Spring Make Camps all week, today kids are crafting with Kraft Paper!

Burlington Mall is pleased to offer a Meet & Greet opportunity with characters from Paw Patrol! Bring your camera!

Bring your kids into Centro Garden for an hour of fun! Our staff will help your little ones create their own, kid-friendly garden.

Paw Patrol and Princesses are coming to Shoeless Joe’s! Enjoy Dinner while your child meets their favourite characters!

Animals and yoga meet in this special storytime with local author and yoga instructor Michelle Boomer of Mother Nature’s Heroes. Go on an animal adventure complete with songs, stories, and engaging yoga poses at Central library.

Have fun with a variety of STEAM activities on all day at Tansley Woods library. Drop in anytime. All ages.

It’s a stuffed animal sleepover at Alton library! Bring your stuffie best friend for storytime, and then drop Stuffie off for a night of behind-the-scenes fun at the library. Pick them up the next day to hear about their adventures and see photos!

Friday

Trouble is on the horizon at Indigo! Help us save the day by jumping aboard the PAW Patrol Sub Patroller! Plus make your own Sea Patrol craft!

Michaels has Spring Make Camps all week, today kids are crafting with the alphabet!

Paw Patrol and Princesses are coming to Shoeless Joe’s! Enjoy Dinner while your child meets their favourite characters!

Animals and yoga meet in this special storytime with local author and yoga instructor Michelle Boomer of Mother Nature’s Heroes. Go on an animal adventure complete with songs, stories, and engaging yoga poses at Aldershot library.

The post March Break Family Fun! appeared first on Active Parents.

In partnership with Healthy Kids Burlington, we’re bringing you 10 easy-peasy ways to get the most out of spring.

10 Ways to Spend A Spring Day in Burlington

Explore a Waterfall

Any guesses on how many gorgeous waterfalls are in and around Burlington?

Spend Time with Some Animals

Visit the animals at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Did you know they have roosters, goats, peacocks, cows and more? You can also bird watch and fish during the season.

It’s Always The Right Weather for Skating and Swimming

It’s always a treat to do something “not in season” like ice-skating in May or swimming in March! The City of Burlington has swimming and skating on almost every day at one of their arenas and community centres.

Family skate night! #Burlon #Burlont

A post shared by Active Parents (@activeparentsca) on Mar 11, 2017 at 3:56pm PST

Take Them Out to The Ball Game

Take me out to the ball game…kids are free to attend Burlington Herd baseball games all season long!

Spend an afternoon at LaSalle Park and Marina

LaSalle Park is a beautiful walk for all ages. You can watch the boats as they dock and set off from the marina, wander the water’s edge, and snap pictures of the Trumpeter Swans. Did you know they stick around all winter long?!

Take a hike! Fresh air, wildlife and more are waiting for you at Cherry Hill Gate at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Mount Nemo Conservation Area and beyond!

Read our suggestions for the best hiking spots to take your kids.

A post shared by Active Parents (@activeparentsca) on Feb 19, 2017 at 8:45am PST

Skip rocks and hunt for driftwood at Burlington Beach

Wander down to the beachfront and gather up some of the perfectly smooth and flat rocks that are just begging to be skipped along Lake Ontario. Bring a few rocks home with you and decorate them for your front garden, too!

Cook a healthy, family meal together

The team at Healthy Kids Burlington has pulled together some of the most delicious recipes for you. In fact, they’re so delicious you will forget they’re healthy!

Check out some new books from the library

With new books arriving almost daily, plus the numerous free or inexpensive workshops and drop in programs they host, the Burlington Public Library should always be a go-to for everyone in Burlington!

Visit a retirement residence and bring them some magazines or crafts

Whether you’re visiting an elder  family member, or

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Hellooooo Summer! Victoria Day is the (un)official kickoff to our Candian summer, and there are a few local Victoria Day fireworks shows you can check out to ring in the celebration! 

The City of Burlington doesn’t host a Victoria Day fireworks show, but here are some close-to-home spectacles to check out if you’re in the mood for BOOM!

Burlington

Cody’s 13th Annual Memorial Fireworks is scheduled for Saturday night. The impressive lineup includes a candy toss and the Top Hats performing. Bring some money to donate to this amazing community Victoria Day fireworks event. Sunday is the rain date, watch their Facebook page for info if the weather looks dicey.

Hamilton

The Dundas Valley Driving Park is hosting a Victoria Day fireworks display on Sunday night. Another free event, but be sure to support the Rotary Club and the good work they do. Raindate is Monday.

Milton

Kaboom Fest 2018 is at the Milton Fairgrounds and is an all day or all weekend family festival of awesome. Midway games and rides, entertainers, food and a Victoria day fireworks show on Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night (weather permitting).

Whatever you decide to get up to this weekend, we hope you have a BLAST!

See what I did there? Happy Victoria Day, Burlington!

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The City of Burlington wants everyone to Get Outside and Play! Take the new 30/60 Play Challenge – it’s an electronic scavenger hunt of active challenges sure to make your time together QUALITY time! Join in the fun by completing 30 activities in 60 days. Starting June 3, 2018.

I love when I don’t have to be the one who decides on fun things to do with the kids, don’t you? Of course you do, that’s why you visit our Calendar, right? Well, the City of Burlington has just given us 30 new #thingstodowithkids PLUS there are prizes!

You’re not dreaming. I promise.

The concept is simple. The creative minds at Burlington’s Parks and Rec department have brainstormed 30 amazing #thingstodoinBurlon and beyond, and all YOU have to do is check them off your list and you will win two-fold! Once for keeping the kids busy, outdoors and engaged, and again with the possibility of prizes!

Here’s how to get started

Visit Burlington.ca and download the app – it’s free!

Look for the “30/60 Play Challenge”

Create a personal or family account – we’re signed up as ActiveParentsAndKids

Review the outdoor fun ideas and start capturing yourselves having the best time outdoors!

Keep it up until July 31, 2018 and if you complete 30 activities, you’ll automatically get entered into a draw. The more activities you complete, the better your chance at winning the grand prize!

Grand prize:

• 1 (One) Package of 4 x Fitbit Flex
• $250 Recreation Gift Cards
• Variety of Live & Play swags

+ 30 prize packages randomly selected:

• $50 Recreation Gift Cards
• Variety of Live & Play swags

Alright, now you have 30 new ideas of how to Get Outside and Play – so off you go – and good luck to all of the folks who join us on this adventure!

30/60 Play Challenge c/o The City of Burlington

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I love a good day trip, and this summer we’ve been doing many! A few weekends ago we grabbed the kids and hopped in the car to visit Guelph – and here’s why! 

Guelph is about 45 minutes – just under 60km – from Burlington, and our main inspiration for the trip was to check out Exhibition Park, Guelph’s natural playground. A natural playground is essentially a park made almost entirely of wood. Limited plastic and metal, with loads of opportunity for exploration.

Exhibition Park

Exhibition Park was the first official natural playground we’ve visited. When we arrived, my kids were floored! These girls love climbing and jumping and exploring (don’t most kids?) so when they were set loose at Exhibition Park they were in their glory.

The Park is home to a few different play areas, each one more impressive than the last. There’s a huge section that can best be described as a “spider web of logs”. Immediate the shoes were off and the kids were scaling the logs and making their way from one end to the other. The heights range from about 2 feet at the lowest point to 7 or 8 feet at the highest. My girls are 8 and 10, and it was a challenging apparatus for them, something they don’t get to experience much at conventional parks.

My 8-year-old has yet to meet monkey bars she didn’t love, so she was in her glory with all of the climbing bars at Exhibition Park. The various log climbers, ramps, and log walls put balance to the test, and really make kids focus on their footwork. At the same time, their imaginations are running wild.

La Piece Du Resistance

There was one thing about Exhibition Park that made it stand out from every other park we’ve been to – The Water Pump. Yup, a real, working hand pump that PUMPED. REAL. WATER. Take that in for a minute. I scored a million mom points at that very moment. Shoes and socks were immediately removed and car washes/water deliveries/other fun stuff ensued.

Dinner at Angel’s

After we put in some serious time playing (and then losing some mom points for making them leave the park), we headed nearby to Angel’s Diner. When I planned to go to Guelph, I consulted the Facebook universe for some restaurant recommendations, and I wasn’t disappointed! Angel’s Diner is a chain spanning all over southern Ontario. We’re not a picky bunch, and all four of us enjoyed our meals. We had chicken wings, a roast beef dip, chicken fingers and a burger, and I sampled everything (for the sake of this blog post of course) and can honestly say, it was yummy. But I was there for the ambiance – that small town diner feel was just what I hoped it would be. Rat Pack and Marilyn Munroe pictures on the wall, an authentic jukebox, checked floors, retro everything! Plus, look at the smile that a Shirley Temple brought to my kids face. Pure gold.

If you’re stumped for something to do this weekend, get the family, the car keys, and head up Highway 6. Guelph is a great way to spend the day.

Looking for more day trip ideas? We’ve got you covered with over 50 places to go and things to see, right here:

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Nothing says fall family fun like a trip to the pumpkin patch!  Get a warm beverage in a travel mug and take the family out to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkins! The crisp fall air, hayrides, and freshly baked farm treats are a great way to spend a day. If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch, you’ll find all the info you need below.

Andrews Scenic Acres

Address: 9365 10th Sideroad, Milton
What kids love: Ride their ponies, adventure through the corn maze, walk the haunted forest, and climb the straw mountain! Take a wagon ride out to the patch.
Price: $5 per person M-F, $10 per person on weekends, $12 per person on holiday weekends. Pumpkins: $0.49/lb

Dyments

Address: 416 Fallsview Road East, Dundas
Hours: Every weekend in October, including Thanksgiving Monday 10-5pm
For Kids: Barnyard play area, animal farm, straw fort, trike track, wagon ride, mini putt, and more.
Price: $12/child and $13/adult. Cash only.

Frootogo

Address: 573 Parkside Drive, Waterdown
What kids love: Wagon rides, corn maze on weekends, and the play park.
Price: Entrance to the play park is $3.50 per person, corn maze is $5.50 per person, no pricing listed online for pumpkins

Hanes Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

Address: #1001 Hwy #5, Dundas (6 miles west of Clappison’s Corners)
What kids love: The Hanes corn maze is a human size puzzle carved into 25 acres of cornstalks, growing over 10 feet tall! Find the checkpoints and solve puzzles.
Price: Any pumpkin $5, Giant Maze: kids 2 -7 $6.00,  kids 8-12 $10.50; 13+ $12.50; Seniors $11.50.

Hutchinson’s Farm

Address: 6202 Walker’s Line, Burlington
What kids love: Snap a picture with Marco’s pumpkin totem, pick a fresh pumpkin for carving or decorating.
Price: Jack o’lantern type: $1.10/kg, exotic pumpkins $1.30/kg, Admission to the patch $5.00 per person. This fee includes a free pint of PYO raspberries.

Lindley’s Farm

Address: 900 Fiddlers Green Rd, Ancaster
What kids love: Pumpkin hayrides, 4-acre corn maze, and a zip line!
Price: Corn maze – $7.00/person; Hayride + field pumpkin – $ 8.00/person

Merry Farms

Address: 1974 Concession Road 2 West, Hamilton
What kids love: Hay wagon rides, pedal kart race course, tetherball court, lasso the bull, dig in the corn, and climb on Hay Bale mountain, and more!
Price: $9.00 per person to enjoy the farm. Pumpkins are sold by size and range from $3 to $20.

Puddicombe Estate

Location: 1468 #8 Highway, Winona
For Kids: As part of the Halloween Ho Down, you get access to the children’s village, farm animals, and train ride, marshmallow roast, and more.
Price: $20.00 per person

Stonehaven Farm Market

Address: 7388 Guelph Line, Campbellville
What kids love: Wagon rides every weekend, giant corn maze, kids zone with straw piles, straw maze, sandbox.
Price: Free admission to the kid’s zone! Pumpkins are $10 each or 3 for $20 (any size)

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Andrews Tree Farm is about 30 minutes away from Burlington, and they offer pre-cut or cut your own trees

Tips from Better Homes & Gardens: How To Pick The Best Christmas Tree

• Know what you want. Each tree species is a little different, so to find the best Christmas tree for your family, you need to match it to the needs and wants of your household. For example, if you have children, you might lean toward pines or firs with soft needles instead of spruce trees, which have sharp needles that can hurt when you step on them.

• Check the tree’s freshness. Bend a needle in half with your fingers; fresh firs should snap, while fresh pines bend and should not break.

• Make sure the needles are secure. To find the best Christmas tree that will last the longest, gently grab the inside of a branch and pull your hand toward you. The needles should stay on the tree. Alternatively, gently tap the cut end of a tree on the ground; if a few needles fall off, it should be fine. If lots of needles fall off, keep searching for a different tree.

• Look for a tree with even colouration. Some types of Christmas trees will go from deep, rich green to a dull grey-green if they get too dried out.

• Freshen the trunk. Once you get the Christmas tree home, cut off about a half inch from the bottom of the tree’s trunk (or ask the Christmas tree lot to do this for you). The fresh cut will absorb more water, so your tree holds its needles and keeps its colour longer. Put the tree in water as quickly as you can after making the cut.

• Measure, measure, measure! There’s nothing worse than picking out the best Christmas tree on the lot, getting it home, and finding out it’s too tall for your room. Before you leave home, measure both your ceiling height and the height of your Christmas tree stand so you don’t have to recut the tree when you get home.

• Keep your tree cool. As tempting as it may be to place the tree next to a fireplace, know that heat sources — including a heating vent — will cause your tree to dry out faster.

• Maintain your tree’s moisture. To keep your Christmas tree looking perfect, keep the water in your tree stand filled all the time. You may need to add water two or even three times the first few days.

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