Looking to keep the kids entertained and active this month? Well follow Missus Peg's Winnipeg winter parenting 101 and take them to the Forks.
Every Sunday until March they are rocking out an awesome afternoon of FREE events as part of their Winter Adventure Programming.
We've taken Lil' Peg the past two weekends and I tell you, our little girl, who normally has the same attention span as our dog Miles, was into everything all afternoon.
First off, they do Horse Drawn Wagon Rides from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. which everybody loves because: a) kids love horses b) kids love being wrapped up in winter -- and I, as one snuggle monster of a mother like to get my blanket time on too (especially when it is in the open winter air, like come on!) and c) there is a sort of old-timey romance to the whole experience that will last a lifetime (like do remember wagon rides from your youth? Of course you do!)
Seriously, who doesn't love a wagon ride? (the Forks)
If your tikes are a tad older and are inquisitive youngsters (we're getting there with Lil'), then you have to get them in the Aboriginal Programming (sponsored by Investors Group), which runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. On this guided tour Aboriginal elders will take you inside traditional teepees and teach you the story of winter. Plus, your kids will also get to work on their own Aboriginal inspired art project.
If your little dudes and dudettes are shredders, then get out that snowboard gear and bring them to Forks' Arctic Glacier Winter Park, which has the grooviest little snowboard terrain park around. From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. they can work on hitting the table tops, and maybe advance on to doing rail slides (mom's, you won't want to watch) -- all under the guidance of a certified snowboard instructor.
Your kids can learn how to take air at the Forks (the Forks)
And while these three programs end in March, there are still so many things to do down at the Forks all winter, including sliding on their many hills and skating down the Red River Mutual Trail, which is studded with all those cool warming huts (you can even rent skates right in the Forks Market).
As well, this weekend alone there are a ridiculous amount of activities. You can revel in the Rendez Vous on Ice, part of St. Boniface's Festival du Voyageur -- the world's biggest kitchen party #Heho! -- which will feature traditional french food and music right on the frozen river. This runs from February 13 to 16 at various times (check this link for the full details).
The fine folks from Manitoba Music are also holding Music On Ice on February 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. which features awesome local bands performing in the warming huts. Also, at 3 p.m. on the 15th, Festival's très chic Fashion Show on Ice will take place, which must be the world's only fashion show on a frozen river. In it you'll see ten fashion and accessory designers (and retailers) from the city show their wares on some wintery women.
The Forks gets pumping on weekends with so many winter activities (the Forks)
And yes, there is more! This holiday Monday, February 16, the Festival du Fùtbol Glacé takes place from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. on the Red River Mutual Trail. It will be an afternoon of games in honour of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ featuring -- get this -- a faux fur covered ball for a fabulous fur trader themed game of footy the likes the world has ever seen. (And yes, Missus Peg likes her alliterations!)
The Pegs will be down for this game because it will be history in the making. Plus, it's not as if Mister needs an excuse to don his Duetshland kit (we get it, they won the world cup, now let's all move on.) And for spectators like me, they'll be serving complimentary hot chocolate.
So get those coats, skates, and various other wintery wears ready, because the Forks is bringing more fun on ice then you can imagine.
Only in The Peg chronicles the adventures of the Peg family–Missus, Mister and Lil’ Peg–as they discover everything there is to see and do in Winnipeg. Follow them on Twitter at @tourismwpg or visit them on Facebook. For even more info on Winnipeg, visit www.tourismwinnipeg.com. Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest information, contests, and upcoming events!
