Spring is the perfect time to see Winnipeg’s world-class attractions, all of which offer interactive indoor experiences like no other.
Plus, there’s so much in store for families—from the return of live theatre tailored for tots, to facilities that ensure tons of fun for your little ones.
Here’s just 10 things in store for families in Winnipeg this spring, along with what’s in store for Manitoba Spring Break (March 28-April 2) at two of our biggest and brightest–Assiniboine Park and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
1. The dinosaurs are back, and they’re taking over the RBC Convention Centre! From April 15-17 “the largest exhibition of life-size, moving, museum-quality dinosaurs in North America” returns to Winnipeg. Jurassic Quest will take you through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods, showcasing the winged, feathered and ferocious creatures that once ruled the world. There are rides (on dinosaurs of course!), interactive fossil digs, and so much more for the whole family. Get your timed tickets today.
2. How about this for a production that will draw your family closer? Doodle POP at Manitoba Theatre for Young People (March 31-April 13, ages 3-8) promises to be a sea adventure like no other. The set and production is literally drawn live onto the stage via projectors, as the characters Boogie and Woogie explore the sea–replete with sound effects, music, and mesmerizing animation—in this exciting new production that your kids won’t be able to take their eyes off of.
3. An edutainment centre like no other, the MB Children’s Museum’s interactive exhibits are guaranteed to inspire young minds. From illusion tunnels, to train stations, massive building blocks, art stations that emphasize recycling and the famed Lasagna Lookout, this is the spot to bring your budding young scientists, architects, artists and everything in between for hours of fun.
4. See polar bears swim right over your head at The Journey to Churchill at Assiniboine Park Zoo. While these massive animals are the star attraction, you’ll also meet other stars in their own right byway of the zoo’s staff, whose researchers, scientists and zoo keepers are also the cast of Arctic Vets, the hit CBC Television show that you can also watch here on CBC Gem.
5. Work on your long or short game before the greens are actually green. The Golf Dome is a great spot for the whole family to embark on a round of miniature golf, or to play some of the world’s best courses virtually. U-Puttz Amusement Centre has dinosaur-themed glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, along with bumper cars, laser tag and an impressive arcade.
6. Get back to nature at FortWhyte Alive. With those brisk winter temperatures behind us, now’s the time to take the family out for a day of outdoor fun at FortWhyte Alive. On top of top-notch facilities that including a giant toboggan run, snowshoeing (rentals available on site), cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, birding and more, FortWhyte Alive is also a great spot to do some local shopping and to learn all manner of interesting things. Spring events include Sod House Homesteaders—where you’ll learn what it was like to survive on the prairies in the 1800s, outdoor yoga, bison safaris and storytelling around the bonfire.
7. Explore the seasons at The Planetarium. Magic Globe uses gorgeous 3D animation to show the importance of the seasons, while Manitoba Skies is a live showcase of the surrounding skies at night, presented by Planetarium staff. And while you’re at the Manitoba Museum there’s so much to explore, from the iconic Nonsuch Exhibit, to the newly revamped Prairies Gallery, to the interactive Science Gallery that kids can’t get enough of.
8. Get back in the game with the Manitoba Moose. Cheer on the Moose as they continue to make their playoff push at Canada Life Centre. The Moose always offers super affordable family and group seating, and half the fun for young ones involves dancing to get on the Jumbotron.
9. For an experience that’s always on the money head to The Royal Canadian Mint. Your kids will be blown away by how this state-of-the-art facility produces millions of coins for more than 70 countries on a regular basis, plus it is full of interactive exhibits that will test your knowledge when it comes to geography, currency, history and pop culture.
10. Hit up one of our indoor event centres. At Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park the kids can go nuts and jump for joy in all the play areas, while Hide N Seek, Fun Park Indoor Amusement Centre and Kid City all offer ample indoor playgrounds, laser tag, climbing walls, and all manner of obstacles to tucker your kids out.
Spring Break in Winnipeg
Admissions are free for children 12 and under from March 29 to April 2 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights! Timed tickets will be in place to ensure crowd sizes are kept in check, while the galleries will feature family-friendly performances and plenty of extras.
Level 7 will be playing animated films from the NFB that have plenty of teachable moments; there will be Discovery Booklets for kids available at Level 1 at coat check, which bring young ones on a world of discovery throughout the galleries; the Macaroni Bar in the Bistro will be open at lunch (11.m. to 3 p.m.) with fun items like sweet and savoury crepes, and grab-and-go selections; and there’s daily live performances showcasing everything from local Métis dancers, singer-songwriters (including Don Amero on Thursday, March 31!), the Summer Bear Dance Troupe, crafts, and even some magic!
For a full schedule, click here.
Assiniboine Park Zoo has also just announced (updated March 23) a full lineup of Spring Break events too. Starting Saturday, March 26 there will be daily zoo chats on some of the world’s coolest animals, including the polar bears, Patagonian Mara (so cute, so strange), Amur tigers, meerkats, camels, snow leopards, and so much more.
There will also be wagon rides behind the huge horses at the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre (tickets are $3 per person, and can be purchased in the barn); the Gateway to the Arctic will provide up-close learning on seals and polar bears using furs and bones; the Tundra Grill will have new lunch specials; and Winston the Bear—the zoo’s mascot—will also be spreading the cheer on weekend afternoons in the Gateway to the Arctic.
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Looking for a great place to stay to take in all this action? Check out our friends at Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg. Downtown's largest four-star hotel as all the amenities you are looking for, including a beautiful indoor pool and fitness centre, outdoor balconies, and multiple restaurant options onsite. Plus the location is just steps from downtown's major attractions like Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, True North Square, Canada Life Centre, The Forks, and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
