Easter Activities in Ottawa 2021

Easter may not be filled with as many celebrations or activities this year, but there are still some fun and engaging in-person Easter activities taking place in and around the city. Regardless of how you celebrate Easter this weekend, stay safe and have fun!

Easter at the Diefenbunker
https://diefenbunker.ca/events/event/easter

The Easter Bunny will be hiding eggs at the Diefenbunker Museum over Easter weekend. Book online in advance to guarantee admission (space is limited) and explore the Bunker with a unique Easter-themed twist!

Spring at the Farm (The Log Farm)
https://thelogfarm.com/spring-on-the-farm

Easter activities are sold out at The Log Farm, however, from April 10th to May 9th you can enjoy Spring at the Farm! This spring The Log Farm is expecting chicks, piglets, lambs, bunnies, goat’s kids, baby alpacas and a calf from their cow! Purchase your tickets online. 

Easter Egg Hunt at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm 
https://stanleysfarm.com/family-fun/easter-egg-hunt

Help the Easter Bunny find all the eggs! Hop aboard the Slagon for a ride out to the sugarbush. Hunt through your section of the bush in search of the Easter Bunny’s lost eggs, and add them to your basket, Outdoor family fun for all. Book your outing online today. Limited bookings are available.

Easter Egg Hunt for Potcake Pups
https://www.facebook.com/events/byward-market/easter-egg-hunt-for-potcake-pups/447839899757086/

Join EOPR for a safe, family-friendly (including your fur babies!) activity that will get you out walking while you look for hidden pictures of eggs around the Byward Market!

The pictures of eggs will all be outside, no need to enter any buildings or have any contact outside your bubble! Each egg will have a letter on it - try to find them all and unscramble the mystery word! All pictures of eggs will be located on poster collars (see picture) around the Byward Market.

Winter Fat Biking at Hylands Golf Course

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

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The first time I saw a person cycling on a trail while I was cross-country skiing, I thought I was imagining things. I am used to seeing winter cyclists but not in the forest. Doing further research, I discovered they were participating in the new sport of fat biking.

I hunted around the city and found much of Ottawa also wanted to try out fat biking. Several bike rental places were almost always booked for the weekend and good luck buying one.  

With winter almost over, I found out the Hylands Golf Course, rents out fat bikes at a very reasonable price and also has fifteen kilometres of trail to enjoy the sport.

My wife, Sandy and I arrived at the winter activities centre on a brisk but not too windy Monday morning. Immediately, I liked the place with old-style cross-country ski and snow boots decorating the exterior.

We were warmly greeted by the operations manager, Marc-Andre. We told Marc that we had never gone fat biking before. He quickly set us up with helmets and properly-sized fat bikes. He also gave us directions for the various loops and we were ready to go.

From the moment, I hopped on the bike, I loved it. The crunch of snow under the balloon-sized tires was incredible. To start, we did the one-kilometre practice loop. If you can ride a bike, you are able to ride a fat bike. The gears shifted perfectly and the brakes worked well.

After finishing our practice loop, we were ready for a bigger challenge. Marc recommended we try the five-kilometre loop. He said it normally takes about forty-five minutes to complete.

We set out and quickly discovered how well-groomed the trails were.  The fat bike course also doubles as a cross-country trail. There was ample space to fat bike and not impinge on the cross-country ski track. We had a couple of skiers gracefully glide by while we were cycling.  

The trail wound its way around the golf course. Sandy and I stopped frequently to enjoy the scenery and take photos. I imagine the trail serves for golf carts in the summer. It was fun seeing the signage for the various golf holes. Perhaps winter golf will become a thing.

The trail had enough small hills and curves to keep it fun. As mentioned, it was impeccably groomed so ice was never an issue. We also enjoyed the varied scenery ranging from pockets of trees where it felt like forest to more open areas.

Sandy and I do not profess ourselves to be Olympic athletes, so with the photo stops and water breaks we were probably on the trail for about an hour and fifteen minutes. There are further loops of nine and fifteen kilometres.

We arrived back at the centre and were sad to give up our fat bikes. Fat biking is definitely an activity that will become part of our winter fitness routine.

I think fat biking is accessible to all families if the kids are somewhat older. If you have a sporty eight-year-old it would most likely work. The bike does take more effort than a road bike but a person of average physical condition will be fine. The bikes were surprisingly light. My son’s mountain bike is heavier.

Hylands golf course has other winter activities than just fat-biking. As mentioned, they have fourteen kilometres of classic and skate cross country ski trails. They also have hundreds of acres that can be explored by snowshoes. They even have an outdoor rink that is serviced by a Zamboni!

From start to finish we felt very safe as all staff were wearing masks while inside or assisting us outside. The trails also allow for easy social distancing.  

The rental of equipment is very reasonable. It should be noted that Hylands is geared towards active/former military and their families. However, civilians are welcome to use their facilities as well. I found their price point to be much lower than anywhere else I checked in the city. The rental of a fat bike and helmet was 25 dollars for unlimited day use plus a five-dollar trail fee.  

Winter may almost be over but it is well worth to check out Hylands if the snow remains or put it on your bucket list next season. We know in Ottawa, winter is always just around the corner!

For more information, visit www.hylandsgc.com and click on winter activities. Under current Covid measures reservations for times and equipment must be made by email via their website or phone.

Spring 2021 Reading List from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some great spring-themed books with us. This month’s post is by Andrea Gowing, Centennial Branch, Ottawa Public Library.

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While Spring does not technically begin until March 20, I think we want to begin to see signs of renewed life with hopes for warmer days and getting outside to marvel at our amazing world.  The Life Cycle themes in these books should help, especially during these pandemic days.

The Bat by Elise Gravel

Who doesn’t love an adorable little bat?  This delightful beginning reader has cute illustrations that take the scary out of bats.  Informational and full of humour, this little bat narrates the text, so children stay engaged.   He is chatty while telling children about his uniqueness: that he hibernates, sleeps hanging upside down, and his special gift of echolocation.   Set out some evening this spring and summer to see if there are any bats in your neighbourhood!

Seed School, Growing up Amazing by Joan Holub

It’s March, time to start planting seeds!  This lovely story is not only a wonderful introduction to the science of seeds; but, a good introduction to diversity.   Children learn that seeds come from different plants; however, they are very similar in many ways.  The seeds follow a very similar day to young school aged children, and they will feel it is familiar.  A good pick for an one on one read so little ones will have time to look at the pictures and ask questions.  There is even a information page about plants and photosynthesis!  

A Drop of the Sea by Ingrid Chabbert

Grandmas and their grandchildren have such a special bond.  Young children always see their grandparents as “old” and young Ali is no different.  He knows his grandmother must have one wish that he can grant – she does.  Grandmother has never seen the sea.  Ali sets out on a four-day journey to bring back some of the sea to his grandmother.   Ali carefully collects a pail of water and heads home.  Grandmother is overjoyed even though there are but a couple of drops of sea left.  Sure to be a favourite story to share between grand parent and grandchild.

Life Cycles, Everything from Start to Finish by Steve Setford

What is a life cycle?  In this richly illustrated book, we discover how life cycles are interconnected.  From the new life of the seeds of the Giant Sequoia to the emerging dragonfly nymph.  From a Penguin march across the frozen Antarctica to human evolution.  We are all here together affecting each other.  Volcanoes, fossils, tornadoes and galaxies of our solar system – “everything from start to finish.”  This would be a wonderful addition to any library.  Children of all ages can simply look at the pictures or read all the small bits of information.  A good choice for a reluctant reader who enjoys facts!

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

Summer at the lake!  Who wouldn’t love that?  Lucy, that’s who!  She and her parents have moved to the lake permanently and Dad has gone off on a long photography shoot, so it is just Mom and Lucy.   As Lucy becomes friends with her neighbour Nate, he encourages her to enter her photographs in a contest judged by her dad.  As the summer goes on, Lucy discovers many things through her lens, and follows her dad’s advice to always “find the story” through the lens.  Through her lens, Lucy discovers beginnings and endings and about catching that perfect moment in time.   These include Nate’s grandmother’s life slipping away due to dementia, the protected nesting loons, and learning to kayak.  A special read for Ages 10 plus.  Budding photographers – take note! 

Sugar Bushes in Ottawa 2021

It’s that time of year when the sap starts to run and fresh maple syrup is available for all to enjoy! Maple syrup season is the sweetest part of winter for many reasons and visiting local sugar bushes has become a family tradition for many. Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, many Ottawa sugar bushes are celebrating a little differently this year, so make sure you visit their websites before visiting.

Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush

Maple Season is open
399 Sugar Bush Road
Pakenham, ON
https://www.fultons.ca/

The Maple Farm Store is open daily from 10-3 pm for takeout and pickup of orders and the grounds and their 8 km of trails are also open 10-5 pm daily.

Parc Omega

399 Route 323 Nord,
Montebello, Québec
https://www.parcomega.ca/en/

Omega Park is located in Montebello and you can also enjoy Maple taffy tasting at the Sugar Shack (open Saturday sand Sundays only). Sold in individual cups to go! Learn about the traditional ways of making maple syrup and enjoy maple taffy on a stick. There are also trails you can explore. Admission to the sugar shack is included in the admission fee to the park. For more information on Omega Park, check out this blog post on everything there is to do while there.

Proulx Maple and Berry Farm

Proulx Maple and Berry Farm

Pancake house opens on Sunday, March 7th
1865 O'Toole Rd.
Cumberland (Ottawa), ON
https://proulxfarm.com/

Tickets need to be booked in advance for a 2-hour time slot; 75 tickets are available every hour to ensure social distancing. Enjoy a pancake breakfast in a rustic cabin in the heart of their sugar bush and explore their trails. There’s also a maple tour including a visit to the production shack.

Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm

Maple seasons now open!
2452 York's Corners Rd.
Edwards, ON
https://stanleysfarm.com/family-fun/sugarbush/

This year, Stanley’s is offering a “walkabout menu,” designed to be enjoyed as you explore the farm! The farm shop is also open on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.

Temple’s Sugar Bush

Temple’s Sugar Bush

Opens March 6th; Friday to Sunday 9 am to 2 pm
1700 Ferguson Falls Rd.
Lanark, ON
http://www.templessugarbush.ca/

Their dine-in option is closed this season, but Temple’s will be offering a delicious take-out menu as well as items from their store, available for pick up.

Wheeler’s Pancake House, Sugar Camp and Museum

Now open; Thursday to Sunday by Reservation only
1001 Highland Line, McDonalds Corners
(Lanark Highlands)
http://wheelersmaple.com/

Open daily all year from 9am-3pm, including Saturdays and Sundays. Maple products will continue to be available 7 days a week for curbside pick up by appointment, by calling 613-278-2090.

What you wished you’d been told about gardening with children

Today we welcome guest blogger Rochelle Johnston, the founder of Family Earth, a social enterprise that helps families heal their relationships with the natural world through mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis.

Last year we were one of the hundreds of thousands of families across Canada who planted a garden for the first time. COVID left me desperate for ways to engage my kids and not go insane while doing so. From working with children surviving trauma, I also knew that spending time with your feet in dirt and the breeze on your face, picking aphids off of spinach leaves, was medicine. And healing was what our COVID weary family needed.

While we experienced some of the expected benefits, I quickly learned that gardening with kids is not always a bed of roses. But let’s start with the roses.

Boosting veggie intake

Have you seen the new Canada Food Guide? Our family still has a long way to go to fill half of our dinner plates with fruits and veggies. But while in the garden my kids will put anything in their mouths (they are no longer toddlers, so “everything” is considerably less gross and dangerous).

Mindfulness

Watering lettuce as the sun goes down may be my idea of bliss. So, did my kids lose themselves in the greenery? Not so much. They did, however, see their mom doing just a little bit better.

Love for our planet

Between gardening and being outside every day playing in the forest, last year was the first time my kids… no, it was the first time I actually experienced the seasons. Mind. Blown. All of this deepened our relationship with mother earth and provided fodder for important conversations about why we need to take better care of her. And the eating more veggies (and less meat) thing? This is one of the most important individual actions we can take to reduce global heating.

Your kids become smarter than you

You want to know the difference between a radish, a carrot, a basil and a broccoli seedling? Ask my 5-year-old. Or how to troubleshoot a stalled rototiller? That would be my 8-year-old.

Now for the dark underbelly.

It’s not always fun

And guess who gets stuck with the not fun stuff?

It’s scary

At least for me. I’m used to being in control. It was stressful being a complete amateur and not knowing where to start. Gardening is just complex. Like going back to grad school in your 30s complex.

My kids were not always as motivated as I wanted them to be

Gardening requires discipline and physical labour. Did my kids excel at this? Not so much. Did they sometimes refuse to even come out to the garden with me? You bet. But I remember: they saw me and their dad spend all day pulling sod out of overgrown beds, shovelling manure in the sun, and struggling and sometimes failing to keep a regular watering schedule. Fingers crossed that “It’s not what you say as a parent that counts, it’s what you do.”

You sometimes fail (a lot)

And about that regular watering schedule thing… turns out it’s important. Some seedlings shriveled and I grew more moths than cabbages. But my own failures helped to put the kid’s “failures” in perspective. The seeds that were planted too deep, or watered too much. The seedlings that fell out of their trays, or were stepped on or mistaken for weeds and pulled up. We all fail. We’re human.

Now here’s the thing…

Gardening with children is not a bed of roses (who grows roses with children anyways?). But it is a bed of growth of all sorts and plants that bear fruit, if not this season, maybe next.

If I haven’t scared you off gardening with your children, and you want to learn from my mistakes and (probably more importantly) from master gardening parents who really know what they are doing, then checked out my online workshop series Growing Families. In addition to the workshops you will receive a package with all the equipment, soil and seeds you need to start your first garden!