I Spy Montréal knows that parents typically get the most helpful advice about activities, classes and weekend destinations from other parents. So, this page is a place for I Spy readers to post tips and tricks based on how YOU work family weekends. For example:
- Did you and your kids have a blast on a recent family outing? Tell us where and why!
- Have you been to or hosted a birthday party that had super entertainment? Who or what was it?
- Is there a family-friendly restaurant in your neighbourhood that actually serves good food? Give us the address!
- How do you entertain one child while waiting for the other one to take a class? Share your solutions!
- Have you figured out a way for every member of the family to do at least one thing that they really want to do on weekends? For the love of God, how?
C’mon, help another parent out by commenting below!
16 Comments
We recently went to the Museum of Civilization in Quebec City. They have an AWESOME costume / play space for kids! We barely saw any of the other exhibits because the kids were having so much fun in there. Here’s a link: http://www.mcq.org/index_en.html
I wanted to let you know about a really terrific activity my daughter does – it’s drama classes at the Montreal Children’s Theatre. http://www.childrens-theatre.ca/
The emphasis is less on becoming an actor, than becoming … poised, I guess. Anyway, my daugher loves it, as does every kids whose parent I’ve convinced to sign up for it. As I’ve already prostelyzed to my circle, I thought I might see if you wanted to spread the word.
I love your site and the appreciate the information. Keep it up !
for your info:
http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/Francais/General+Public/Holiday+Train/Schedules/default.htm
the holiday train
Thanks, Christian!
For the Southwest area, the Gadbois Center has a huge and free swimming pool with high-quality swim lessons:
http://web3.userinstinct.com/52514758-montreal-city-of-sud-ouest-swimming-pools-indoors-gadbois.htm
There is no wading pool, but there are floating devices and my four-year-old can stand on his tip toes in the shallow end.
The other indoor pool in the Southwest area that does have a wading pool is Centre Sportif de la Petite Bourgogne. The facilities are very modern and well kept, and the swimming lessons are great.
http://centresportifdelapetitebourgogne.com/welcome/
Les ateliers de découverte du Musée Redpath de l’université McGill, les dimanches, sont très appréciés par mes enfants. Dans un premier temps ils découvrent les secrets des dinosaures, volcans, momies… Et ensuite, à l’atelier de bricolage, ils créent des éruptions volcaniques, des sarcophages, ou des sculptures de dinosaures. Et le Musée est fort intéressant à visiter.
http://www.mcgill.ca/redpath/whats_on/discovery_workshops/
There is a new playgroup in Montreal now. It’s on Wednesdays morning in LaSalle and it’s so much fun. My two kids absolutely love it. There is often live music (guitar, violin, mandolin, flute…), singing, arts in crafts, storytime, freeplay and even aerobics for the moms! It’s great. And its a cooperative philosophy, all the caregivers contribute too so there is always lots going on and lots of great relationships result from it!
Hey Joanne, thanks for an update on the LaSalle co-op! I Spy did an interview with one of the founding parents last year: http://ispymontreal.com/i-spy-montreal-parents-robin-goudreault-lasalle/
You guys Rock, great site great info.
Keep it up.
I think having parents post cool activities they did is a great idea too.
I think you should also help parents meet and create play groups with kids…could be a cool idea for parents to meet parents.
Thanks Ronnie! Great suggestion about play groups and events … it’s on the list!
I have two boys – 2 and a half and 5 months. I love your site! It has made an enormous difference to weekends with my family. I recommend it to all my friends.
I have a suggested activity / place to visit – hugely popular with families – which you might like to include on your site. There is a chocolate factory on the south shore called La Cabosse d’Or, situated under Mont-Saint-Hilaire in Otterburn Park. It has a beautiful traditional boutique, with more than 60 different hand-made chocolates, ice creams and sorbets, cakes, a salon de thé with all the staff in costume, a garden terrace, a chocolate-themed miniature-golf course, picnic tables, guided tours on the history of chocolate, tastings, a mini museum where you can see chocolate being made the traditional way.
It’s a fab place to bring a family for a half-day and the chocolates are out of this world!
It’s a very easy drive from Montreal and has tons of free parking, apple picking on every corner, the lake on Mont-Saint-Hilaire to visit, cider houses, etc. You can see more info on their website, http://www.lacabossedor.com
I recently took my kids to the new indoor playground called RecreoFun in st. Bruno. It really is fantastic with a lot of innovative activities. What I liked about it is that it is a huge space so even if it’s crowded, the kids still have plenty of room to move around. The prices are similar to other indoor playgrounds. There is a bungee swing for an extra 3.75 but the waiting time is horrendous. We waited an hour and still didn’t get our turn. However, we were refunded our money for that. They do not advertise anywhere about no outside food allowed so I brought only veggies with me for my kids and when they saw me serve it to my kids they told me I can’t. I was quite peeved because it’s only veggies and I am always careful about using clean knives (obviously). All in all, it really is a great place but some things need some ironing out as it is open only two months.
Aquatics center in Cote Saint Luc offers indoor water activities for all levels….from non-swimmer to competitive!
http://www.cotesaintluc.org/acc
A new venue in Montreal where parents can watch movies while their babies play! Join ‘Moms at the Rialto’ on Facebook for more information, or contact the Rialto Cinema (514 770-7773)
Did you go to park du soleil (soft play, la salle) yesterday (11th Feb)? A great fun place for little ones but someone took my sons shoewboots by mistake. If you went and your son also wears size 12 Kamiks, please check as you probably have my little boy’s ones. I would very much like them back please! Please call the soft play for my contact details.