By: Serge Guenette

Family Day 2019

TAGS: FAMILY DAY 2019

Family Day is right around the corner, and whether you get the day off or not, it serves as a reminder of how important family is. So, take the time — on Family Day itself (it’s Monday, Feb. 18) or the weekend before — to enjoy an outing, an event, or even some down time with the ones you love. Here are 9 suggestions.

1. Have a PJ day
   What with the mountains of snow we’ve been getting, it’s a pretty easy choice to hibernate and hang out at home. Why not have a pyjama day, watch a movie or two and play some board games?


2. Embrace all that snow
   If you’re adventurous, then by all means get out and enjoy the snow. After all, it won’t be long before it’s gone. Try making a snow fort or a maze, or just go tobogganing. The city lists several toboggan spots you can check out.


3. Get cooking
   Spend some quality family time that also teaches young ones some great life skills at a PC Cooking School class. While there isn’t one on Family Day itself, there is one on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the Ogilvie Road Loblaws. The theme is Family Valentines, where heart-shaped pizzas, heart-shaped caprese salad and chocolate-dipped strawberry cupcakes are on the menu.


4. A skating party
   The mayor’s annual Family Day skating party returns to the Rink of Dreams at city hall. The party, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 18, will include special guests and fun family activities inside and out. The Tim Hortons Coffee Truck will be serving free coffee and hot chocolat


5. Last chance at Winterlude
   Family Day marks the end of Winterlude. If you haven’t checked it out yet — and even if you have — there are plenty of fun things to do to say goodbye, so to speak, to winter. Some events on the go on the 18th:
   • Skating on the canal, of course (if the weather’s co-operating).
   • Sliding and so much more at Jacques Cartier Park.
   • Crystal Garden and a family-themed scavenger hunt in the ByWard Market.
   • And so much more. Check the Canadian Heritage website for all activities.


6. Tree tapping
   The tapping of maple trees marks the beginning of the sugar season in Ottawa. Vanier is home to the only active sugar shack in an urban setting. Stop by and take part in this quintessentially Canadian activity, supervised by Vanier Museopark’s maple producers. Plus, get a free pancake breakfast at the sugar shack. This free family event is Saturday, Feb. 16 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.


7. Big Bang Festival
   What do you get when you mix the NAC Orchestra, three virtuoso jazz musicians in an interactive and youthful take on Miles Davis, a dynamic marching band, a journey through all kinds of weird sound machines, and many other surprises? You guessed it: the Big Bang Festival. The free event is Feb. 17 & 18 at the NAC.


8. Gone fishin’
   Yup, you can fish this weekend! The Nepean Sailing Club is hosting a fundraising ice fishing derby, offering fishing and more, with pre-drilled holes, equipment, restaurant and washroom facilities, a fire pit, indoor fireplace and no fishing licence required.


9. Of space and more
   Celebrate Family Day at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, where an exciting day of activities and demonstrations await, from magicians to printmaking, breathing on Mars, ejection seats and more. It all happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Of course, there are plenty of other things going on.