Kid-Friendly Public Art in the Capital

by Yumi You know that feeling you get when you’ve discovered a hidden gem, something really fantastic that you want to share with others? I feel that way about public art. And I can’t wait to share some of my favourite pieces with my son.

Why should we explore public art with our kids? I can think of four reasons: it teaches them to observe what is around them, it introduces them to art in a really tangible way, it’s a great way to share the story of who we are and what we value as Canadians, and it can be a lot of fun!

I’m going to walk you through some of the most kid-friendly pieces of art in Ottawa and Gatineau. These are great places to stop with your kids and take a moment to let them explore. You can see where they are located on the Google map below.

Women are Persons Five amazing women are having a tea party, and you’re invited to join in! This monument tells the story of the Famous Five and their victory in the Persons Case, which led to Canadian women being allowed to sit in the Senate. Have a seat in the empty chair or help yourself to a cup of tea… kids will love the opportunity to be a part of the monument, and a part of the story that changed women’s rights in Canada.

Maman Ok, full disclosure: if you’re arachnophobic, this one might not be a good choice. But otherwise, how can you resist the 9 meter tall spider that lives outside the National Gallery of Canada?

Oscar Peterson Share a spot at the piano with Oscar Peterson. Kids will love “playing” the piano, and it’s a great opportunity to tell them about this Canadian musical genius who once said, “I admit gleefully to my two greatest weaknesses: the piano and children.” Bonus: Peterson’s music is always playing at his monument.

Never Give Up! (Maurice Richard) Maurice “The Rocket” Richard was always larger than life, and it’s true of his statue, too. While your young hockey fans check out his flashing eyes and determined face, you can tell them the story of how The Rocket battled prejudice and many injuries to become one of the best hockey players of all time.

National War Memorial This monument isn’t whimsical, but it’s one of the best places in the capital to teach your kids about remembrance and respect. There are lots of stories to share here – maybe about your own family, or about people you know. Or you can tell them that the two figures on top of the archway are called Peace and Liberty, and that the monument is for all the Canadians who have fought for those values.

Other Fun Examples Other fun pieces that kids will enjoy include the Dancing Bear (this bear is just begging you to dance with it), V.I.P. (let your movement set off this interactive sound sculpture), Papa (play in a rainbow of light!) and The Secret Bench of Knowledge (what is he whispering in her ear?).

View Kid-Friendly Public Art in Canada's Capital Region in a larger map

I also highly suggest either downloading or picking up a copy of Street Smart, a free guide to art on the streets in the capital. I actually like to keep one in my purse, because you never know when you’ll uncover a gem and want more information.

So, tell me, which pieces of public art do your kids love?

Yumi Webster (@yumikid) is a working mom who loves her job and her incredible son “Moe”. You can read about Moe’s adventures at kidsquared.livejournal.com, and about Yumi’s own adventures at yumikid.livejournal.com. Yumi has lived in Ottawa all her life.

Four for Father’s Day – Picture Book Recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

by Elizabeth Thornley, Coordinator, Children and Teen Services Celebrate fathers and Father's Day with four fun picture books that put the father-child relationship front and centre.  

In Hide and Squeak, by Heather Vogel Frederick, busy little Mouse Baby, not quite ready for bed, leads his patient father on a game of “hide and squeak”.  Simple rhyming text and large, humorous and uncluttered images make for a lively father-son romp.  Illustrator, C.F. Payne gives this mouse pair a range of funny and endearing facial expressions, capturing the love they share.  Dads can be great at games, and are also appreciated when they share their knowledge of the world.  

In Jane Yolen's My Father Knows the names of Things, the young narrator tells us about the many things his Dad knows – from the names of birds and dogs and cheese, right through to a dozen words for night.  “He knows which dinosaurs are the meanest.  He knows which soaps can make you cleanest!”  Delightful illustrations by Montrealer, Stéphane Jorisch, add a quirky and urban feel to this story about a smart dad who is happy to share all he knows with the child he loves.  

Children in blended and non-traditional families may have more than one smart dad in their lives - a reality pleasantly portrayed in Dad and Pop: an ode to fathers and stepfathers by Kelly Bennett.  Both Dad (her biological father) and Pop (her stepfather) get equal loving attention as a young girl tells us the differences between and the similarities shared by her two fathers.  It is clear from the cartoon-like illustrations and the understated text that she spends lots of time with both fathers and that she is loved by both Dad and Pop.  

Father's Day may be celebrated once a year, but in Daddy is a Cozy Hug, Rhonda Gowler Greene shows us that “the love” lasts all year long.  In every season, the dad in this story plays an important role in shared activities with his son.  “Daddy is a fish” when they swim, a “pile of leaves” when autumn comes and a “blanket when cold winds begin to blow”.  And finally - “Daddy is so many things with me the whole year through.  I'm glad I have my Daddy...  Daddy, I love you.”  

Happy Father's Day and happy reading!

Walk, Run and Roll for Roger's House

by Barbara Did you catch a little running fever over Ottawa Race Weekend? My family sure did and I think that there are a few others out there who decided that they wanted to tackle a race and for them – and you – I have a nice two-kilometre run for families to do together. I'm hoping more than a few Kids in the Capital friends will come out.

On Sunday, June 19th, start Father's Day off with the Scotiabank Walk, Run and Roll for Roger's House, which is taking place at Scotiabank Place in Kanata.  Roger's house is “a comprehensive pediatric respite and palliative care program with elements of outreach, residential hospice, pain and symptom management, grief & bereavement counseling and research.”

Two kilometres might seem like a long distance for a person with short legs but your kids will amaze you! They take off fast and run hard. Then, usually, they have to walk for a bit but that is okay, as long as they keep moving. They'll want to run again soon enough and, in this way, you'll cover 2 kilometres. It's an accomplishment that is all the more special if you share it.

There will be a full morning of activities, from registration at 8 am and Welcoming Remarks at 9:00, through the Spartacat stretch at 9:30 to the main event – the run – at 9:45. Following the run, the Family Fun Zone will be open until noon.

Participants four and over must pay a $20 registration fee. There is no fee for the three-and-under set. The registration fee covers refreshments prior to the start of the event, access to the Family Fun Zone and a barbecue lunch (with choice of hamburger, hotdog or veggie burger) and a commemorative t-shirt.

Participants are encouraged to seek pledges to support Roger's House and prizes are available according to the amount of money raised. Pledge form may be downloaded (PDF) or you can raise money through the personal fundraising page that will be created when you register. There is no need to feel obligated to raise a certain amount of money.

If you're interested in joining the Kids in the Capital team, and I really hope you are, please register as a  new participant and then choose the “Team Member” option and search for Kids in the Capital. If you'd rather make a donation, that's an option, too. Let us know in the comments if you'll be able to join us. Barbara is mom to Reid, a girl who is 6 and ¾ (and takes the fractions seriously). A public servant by day she nurtures her love of writing through social media. She blogs at Tales of Life with a Girl on the Goand Losing it in Ottawa and offers shorter thoughts as @OttMomGo.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

by Kari My oldest daughter attended her first bike race at three months old; we were there to cheer on Daddy, she slept the entire time.  Since then, she has managed to travel the world, and often stayed awake, to cheer on Mommy or Daddy.  There was the Bermuda Marathon, Ironman New Zealand, and most recently a trip to South Africa for an eight day mountain bike race, Cape Epic.  It was only a matter of time before I signed her up for her own event; the National Capital Marathon (NCM) Weekend Family 2K Run seemed the perfect choice.  With 3700 participants, you can practically guarantee that your child will not be last!

I’ve participated in NCM events several times since moving to Ottawa, and I love them.  The energy in the air is intoxicating, no really, it is.  As she headed to the start line, I hoped she too, would feel it.  You are surrounded by thousands of walkers and runners; somehow this feels like a kinship or a special club.  The spectators are incredible and almost completely line this short run course; they shout encouragement, clap and wave colourful signs as you pass.  All participants get a race shirt, and all finishers get a medal – very popular with the young ones.  With the sound of the gun, her ‘race’ began and I’m proud to say she ran (jogged) almost the entire thing :-)  She loved it.

As an active city, Ottawa has no shortage of family runs, tris, and even bike races:

• Somersault Events has developed the Wylie Ryan Kids’ Events Series,  it includes 1K or 2K runs plus the occasional Swim / Run combination.
• Ottawa Kids Triathlon has two events this summer, they each feature duathlon, triathlon, and FunDu options.
• If you plan to soak up some Italian Week culture, you might consider their Kid Bike Races (ages 7 and under).
• If you’d prefer something off the beaten path for your offspring, the Kids All Terrain Triathlon and Family Cross Country Runs are an option.

Whether you have a budding athlete or dawdler, I would encourage you to give one of these events a try or perhaps you’ll take part in the NCM Family Run next year.  If you know of any other events, please let us know by leaving a comment.

Kari is the mom of two girls, a 5 year old and a 1 year old.  She can be found frequenting free activities throughout the city in hopes it’ll tire them out enough to sleep through the night.

Walter Baker Park

by Tracy  The first time I brought my two-year old daughter to Walter Baker Park in Kanata was last fall and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there before then. I had always known Walter Baker Park for their awesome sledding hill, but somehow never noticed the beautiful gazebo sitting next to a small pond, the two play structures – one for toddlers and one for older children, the splash pad and of course, the fact that the once snow-filled sledding hill had transformed itself into a large grassy hill that attracts children big and small to repeatedly run up and down it (a great nap inducer for the younger athletes).

My daughter, who loves to explore new parks and try every piece of equipment on for size, found the toddler play structure too easy and quickly ventured over to the larger play structure to climb the rope “spider web” as well as the rope ladder and tackle the big slide before I could utter the words, “be careful!” One of my daughter’s favourite park activities is the seesaw and luckily for her Walter Baker Park has one as well as swings – which I pushed her on for at least half an hour.

The thing I like about Walter Baker park is that there are plenty of benches for caregivers to sit nearby and supervise, lots of grass for the kids to run around on and some mature shade trees creating perfect snack time spots. And if that isn’t enough, there is ample free parking and a nearby bathroom in the Kanata Recreation Complex. Of course the one reason I know I will be returning to Walter Baker Park more than once this summer is because my daughter loves cooling off in the splash pad.

Hope to see you there!

Tracy Noble is a freelance writer who can be found outside, whatever the weather, with her (almost) three year old daughter.