10 fun things to do in April

Free programs at the Library. Turn your child into a bookworm with just a couple hours and a library card. The free programs at the Calgary Public Library are geared toward kids of all ages, individuals and families, and are the perfect activity for growing imaginations. For schedules and locations, visit calgarylibrary.ca.

Go bowling. It’s an age-old activity and an especially great one for families with kids who need to burn off a little extra energy. While it can be expensive, most bowling alleys offer discount nights or have coupons on their websites.  

Plan a day trip to Canmore. Go biking or walking along the river on the town trails, visit the bike park in Millennium Park, or stop in at the skateboard park beside the Canmore Recreation Centre. Most of the trails are unpaved but are flat (if you stay near the river) and are great for novice cyclists or families pushing a stroller.

Explore Fish Creek Provincial Park. It’s rare to find a provincial park within city limits, but we have Fish Creek Provincial Park in south Calgary! The park has over 80km of pathways (30km of which are paved). Many of the other trails are hard-packed shale and still easy for walking with young kids. Follow the trails along Fish Creek, crossing multiple bridges. The park is also a great place to go looking for birds and wildlife with over 200 bird species observed here.

Tour Fort Calgary. Discover some of the stories that make the lands at Fort Calgary a historically layered and meaningful site. Explore museum exhibits about Treaty 7, Métis influence in Alberta and the founding and early stages of the city of Calgary. Fort Calgary offers a variety of regular programs throughout the year. Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

BUMP Mural Tours. Looking to rediscover the city? Explore Calgary’s open-air street art gallery with an official guided mural tour led by the BUMP Festival. Learn insights from the artists and stories behind their works. Learn more at yycbump.ca.

Shop at a spring market and sales. Calgary hosts several spring markets that sell everything from décor items, clothing, toys, art, food and more. Spend an afternoon browsing and buying everything you need for your home and health.

Get sporty at a recreation centre. Calgary recreation centres offer a variety of activities like pools, climbing walls, libraries, fitness centres, arenas and more. If you have kids that have very varying interests, you can keep everyone happy at your local rec centre with a dip for your little fish and shooting hoops with your b-ball all-star.

Go for brunch. Fill up the fam with some of everyone’s favorite meal – brunch! There is no lack of great brunch spots in Calgary, and many offer their fare every day of the week. From cozy cafes to upscale eateries, Calgary’s brunch spots promise a delightful morning experience. So, start your day right and savour the best brunch in Calgary.

Take a day trip to Drumheller. The spring is a great time to visit Drumheller when it’s not so hot. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum (which has a great dinosaur-themed playground as well), take a short hike on one of the many trails around the town, or go for a spin on your bikes on the Drumheller Badlands River Parks System. This paved bike trail connects the Visitor Centre downtown with the museum.