Family Friendly Calgary

A Family Walking Calgary Zoo1

Hardworking, corporate, hustle and bustle; these are just some of the words that may come to mind when thinking of Calgary. The city has a get-down-to-business attitude but it also has a gentle, welcoming side. More inviting words can also describe Calgary, such as family, friendly and fun. The city of Calgary offers and invites families to enjoy many of its natural parks, attractions, festivals and amusement parks. Locals and those from out of town will find many pursuits in Calgary that are fun and suitable for everyone.

AIRPORT

Family-friendly activities, shops and restaurants can all be found at the Calgary International Airport for those who are just arriving or leaving the city. Waiting around with cranky or bored children is not a pleasant experience, so why not make the most of what the the airport has to offer. Retail therapy for children and grown-ups who are still young at heart can be found at Who's Who In The Zoo and Just Plane Fun. These toy stores will delight and excite any child. Motion, sound and magic can be had at Who's Who In The Zoo with their many wind-up toys, stuffed animals and puppets on display. Aircraft enthusiasts can browse through all the little gadgets, gizmos and plane paraphernalia offered by Just Plane Fun.

Children, teens and adults will have an educational as well as a fun experience at SpacePort, where they can learn all about space and aeronautics. Featuring the latest technology, hands-on exhibits and displays (such as an actual rock from the moon), there's plenty to see and do here. Summer day camps are held at the SpacePort for those aged seven to 14, while kids under 12 can have a blast celebrating their birthdays here. Teenagers who are not into space age entertainment can unwind and pass the time at Flippers Arcades, which features the latest video games and pinball machines.

	A Summer Day Prince's Island Park2

For families needing sustenence before or after a journey, various dining options are available at the airport. Grab a quick meal at one the airport's many fast food restaurants or at eateries such as Kelsey's. Children can enjoy Kelsey's Kids Meals which come with a refillable beverage and a variety of sides. Adults can choose from a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizza, steak, seafood and more. The sweet smell of candy is enticing to most children and rarely will they turn down a colourful juicy morsel of sugar, so for a treat check out the airport's candy shop, Sweet Factory. Here, kids and adults alike can pick and mix a variety of kaleidoscopic coloured candy as well as chocolates and fresh baked cookies.

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

Calgary Zoo
Everyone in the family, from five to 95 years of age, will enjoy the Calgary Zoo. Located adjacent to Memorial Drive NE, the zoo features more than 1,000 animals and allows visitors to venture through various theme areas such as the Canadian Wilds, Prehistoric Park, Eurasia, Destination Africa and Creatures of the Night. Amateur botanists will be dazzled while viewing an array of colourful flowers and plants in the nearly 2.4-ha (6-acre) Botanical Gardens, while butterfly lovers can view an array of beauties in the Conservatory. This greenhouse offers the opportunity to walk through a rainforest and an arid garden. While the adults take a break, the children can play in the Kinsmen ZooVenture Playground featuring animal-themed slides, tunnels and mazes. A second play area, Auxiliary Playground, encompasses a popular spider web climbing structure. All aboard The Zoo Train! Children under 12 years of age can board the train and travel around the west end of the zoo in style.

	The Botanical Gardens3

When hunger sets in, visit the Kitamba Cafe, which offers hot food, beverages, confectionary items, sandwiches, salads and more. Various additional kiosks throughout the zoo such as Pan-Da Parlour and Tusk N' Grill, provide treats, beverages and food. Some operate only when weather permits so they have varying hours and days. Packing a lunch and beverages is a good idea as it offers convenience and is great for budget conscious families.

The Calgary Zoo features yearly events that are great for family outings. Easter Eggstravaganza is held at the zoo in the spring and offers entertainment and games. Boo At The Zoo is held in October and will thrill visitors of all ages with a haunted house and a maze. Scarier attractions geared toward adults and older children can also be found. Getting the family into the Christmas spirit is easy with Zoolights, which occurs in December and features a massive light display throughout the zoo.

Butterfield Acres Farm
This children's farm, located on Rocky Ridge Road in northwest Calgary, offers families a back-to-basics experience. Children learn about farm life and can participate in year-round egg hunts and pumpkin hunts in the fall. They may also view various animals such as chicks and piglets. Many activities are also offered like climbing on an old tractor, going for a pony ride or milking a goat. Day camps are held in the summer and the farm also hosts children's birthday parties. Butterfield Acres is closed January through March but they are open to taking animals to birthday parties or other special events during this time.

AMUSEMENT PARKS

Calgary Stampede and Exhibition
July signals the 10-day transformation of Calgary into Cowtown. Each year millions make their way to the Calgary Stampede, families included. Stampede Park is located east of the downtown core with the park's western edge bordering Macleod Trail SE and the north end bordering Fourteenth Avenue SE. The Stampede kicks off with a downtown parade featuring colourful floats and numerous marching bands. This is a popular morning parade so families should plan to arrive early in order to get a good view. With plenty to see and do for both young and old, the Calgary Stampede features a child friendly area called Kids' Midway. Here, children 12 and under can go on a multitude of colourful midway rides that are great for the younger set. Kids can take a turn on the big swing, race along on the mini rollercoaster and pose for mom and dad on the children's ferris wheel.

A Fun Day Calgary Stampede4

The Stampede also features the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull where children between the ages of four and 12 pedal a mini John Deere tractor down a 7-m (25-ft) path. Parents can also try to win a cute stuffed animal for their little one at one of the many game kiosks located along the midway.

Children aged three to six shouldn't miss Buckaroos, located on the main level of the Big Four Building. Here they will learn all about the cowboy way with a mock rodeo where and they can also participate in activities like button making and face painting. Dog lovers should head over to Superdogs located in the Stampede Corral, where entertainment for all ages is offered. Families can watch performances put on by some talented canines.

Calaway Park
Calaway Park is all about family fun and is located on the west side of Calgary on Range Road 33. The Park is easily accessed using Sixteenth Avenue NW, which then turns into Highway 1. Opened in 1982, this is western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park and is open from May to October. Spread out over 65 ha (160 acres), Calaway Park offers 30 rides and plenty of entertainment. There are rides for thrill seekers and rides that are more appropriate for younger children. A variety of games are also featured here and are grouped in three categories: fun for everyone, race games and win every time games.

Shopping at the park can be done at Hudstones Toys and Gifts, which features unique collectibles, trendy jewelry, plush toys and Calaway souvenirs. They also carry a selection of sundry items such as disposable cameras, batteries, Tylenol, sunscreen and more. A sugar fix can be had at the Sweet Toothe Candy Shoppe, which offers a large selection of candy, chocolate and ice cream novelties. When the munchies strike, head over to one of Calaway Park's numerous food locations and choose among numerous menu options such as burgers, fries, donuts, pizza and a variety of beverages. Visitors can make their way to the indoor Showtime Theatre or the outdoor Celebration Square Stage for a high-energy 20 minute stage show. Performances are held throughout the day and are included with the price of admission.

	Sun and Fun at Calaway Park5

Calaway Park has their very own RV Park and campground. This is great for those who enjoy camping and want to spend a few days visiting the park. The campground, which offers numerous sites and is within walking distance to the park, opens for weekends beginning Mid-May until June, after which it is open daily until September. For those planning to stay here during Stampede week, it is a good idea to book early since spaces go fast during this time.

FESTIVALS

Calgary International Children's Festival
This annual festival is held in May and offers educational opportunities and entertainment for the whole family. The Children's Festival takes place downtown with a mission to encourage cultural understanding and foster a lifelong passion for the arts among young people. Olympic Plaza hosts many of the outdoor activities and all are free with purchase of a festival ticket. Some of the fun festivities include airbrush face painting, storytelling and a groovin' tune tent. Many of the indoor events, such as theatre performances, are held at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts. Souvenirs like t-shirts and posters can be purchased at the General Store, located at Olympic Plaza across from the Centre Court entrance of the Epcor Centre.

A Summer Day at Olympic Plaza6

Calgary Folk Music Festival
Held annually in July, the Calgary Folk Music Festival is a fun four-day event for the entire clan. Head over to Prince's Island Park, located in the city's core by Eau Claire Market on the Bow River, for some sun, music and a cultural experience. Hear music from a wide variety of genres such as blues, Celtic, bluegrass, funk, country, hip-hop and more performed by more than 60 artists from 15 countries on seven stages daily. Children get in free to the festival and they are invited to watch theatre, magic and music performances in the family area. The festival features many independent vendors offering artists' CDs, cold beverages and a variety of food from around the world. The best way to arrive to the festival is by Calgary Transit, walking or cycling, since car parking is limited.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Travel Alberta;A Family Walking Calgary Zoo; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2. Travel Alberta; Prince's Island Park; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
3. Travel Alberta; Flower Beds Calgary Zoo; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4. Travel Alberta; The Calgary Stampede; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5. Travel Alberta; Calaway Park; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
6. Travel Alberta; Olympic Plaza; Calgary, Alberta, Canada