Summer is just getting started and there are lots of family-friendly events on the go in Thunder Bay and area. And if your days don’t synch up with these scheduled events, take a look at these free things to do with kids pretty much anytime. Have fun!
July 1-7
Historical Hysterical Scavenger Hunt, Thunder Bay Museum
Enlist your in-house social media expert, bring your smartphone and embark on a cool scavenger hunt around town. Solve clues to find historical buildings, decode puzzles on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat and take funny selfies for your chance to win lots of local prizes. Free.
More info Thunder Bay Museum on Facebook
July 4, 5, 6, 7, 14
Under the Same Stars: Minwaadiziwin, various locations
Learn more about the stars, planets and universe in Science North’s “portable planetarium.” Free admission, some locations require advance booking.
More info Science North Thunder Bay on Facebook
July 9
Junior Golf Day, Chapples Golf Course
Young golfers can be part of a big local golf week at the Junior Golf Day at Chapples Golf Course. The event features Brett Cleverdon with a long drive and trick putt show and a demo clinic by Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada pros. Free, 1-3pm. Bring your autograph book….
More info Staal Foundation Open on Facebook
July 11
Teddy Bears Picnic, Vickers Park
Perfect for the littles, this annual event offers free crafts, activities, entertainment, a teddy bear parade and a boo boo station to give first aid to stuffies, plus a chance to meet the PJ Masks characters. 12-4pm.
More info www.thunderbay.ca
July 12, 19, 26
Live on the Waterfront, Marina Park
Now that’s a memorable family dinner: Take a blanket and a picnic and enjoy some free live music by talented Canadian artists on the waterfront from 6-9pm.
More info www.thunderbay.ca
July 15
Festival of India, Marina Park
Take a trip across the world without leaving home with a visit to the Festival of India. On the lineup: Traditional Indian music and dancing, info panels about Indian culture, a chariot parade, yoga, a cricket demo and kids’ activities. Runs 3-8pm, free admission including a vegetarian feast.
More info www.indiafesttbay.com
July 15 Family Day, Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village For some old-timey family fun, head to Oliver Paipoonge to the Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village for activities like nail-driving, log-sawing and horseshoes. Tour around the reproduction stores, newspaper office, school, blacksmith shop and homes too. Free, runs 12:30-4pm.
More info Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village on Facebook
July 20-23
Karnival on the Kam, Fort William Historical Park
Wait, what—Canada’s largest fireworks show? Fort William Historical Park is going over-the-top with a four-day carnival with everything from ski stunt shows, human cannonballs, a circus, skydiving stunts and lumberjack shows to chainsaw jugglers, flyboard rides on the Kam and trapeze and highwire acts. Runs 12pm-12 am.
More info www.fwhp.ca
July 21
Healthy Parks, Healthy People, Ontario Parks
Ontario Parks is waiving the admission fee on July 21. Visit Kakabeka Falls or Sleeping Giant to swim, hike, bike and see what they’ve got planned for kids’ programming.
More info www.ontarioparks.ca
July 22
Celebrating 60 Years, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls is having a birthday! Activities include live music, a guided walk around the falls and kids’ events, followed by star-gazing hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society.
More info Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park on Facebook
July 22 [update: now August 26]
Monster Slide, Mount Baldy Ski Area
A thousand feet of wet, sudsy, sliding craziness…free to watch, fee to participate. You can also kick back and relax with food, music and more. 11am-6pm.
More info www.monsterslide.ca
July 23
Hazelwood Family Fun Day, Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area
Lots of out-of-the-ordinary stuff to investigate here, like a demo by the MNRF canine unit, a falconry demo and drone displays. You can also try out canoes, kayaks and SUPs, take a guided hike and check out interactive displays and workshops about natural history, fire prevention and bear safety. Free admission, 10am-3pm.
More info www.lakeheadca.com
July 24-28
SESQUI Cinematic Dome Tour, Intercity Shopping Centre
A 360-degree movie in a pop-up dome is a cool way to celebrate Canada! The film is 22 minutes long, has super-high resolution with nine projectors, and features lots of our country’s spectacular landscapes and people. Free admission, Monday to Thursday, 12pm-10pm, Friday 10am-7:30pm.
More info www.sesqui.ca
July 29-30
5th Annual Buskers Festival, Bay & Algoma
Two days, 40 performers, 10 stages… fun events in a fun neighbourhood! Kids will love to see the antics of the buskers, plus there are craft and food vendors and a pancake breakfast.
More info www.bayalgoma.com
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