And just like that, it's March — which means March break is just around the corner.
If you (like me) never quite manage to get organized ahead to make plans of time, never fear: There’s plenty going on in New Westminster.
Here are five quick, easy, local and affordable things you can do with the kids over spring break (which, for School District 40, runs from March 11 to 26).
Skating at Moody Park Arena
Moody Park Arena has public skate sessions every day from Tuesday, March 14 to Sunday, March 26, with afternoon sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. daily. You can also enjoy public skating and family skating in the afternoon and evening.
Of particular note to folks with kids are Family Skate sessions, designed for family fun for parents and children — including organized games. An adult must accompany all children. Family Skates are set for Saturday, March 18 and Saturday, March 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Times vary, so check out the drop-in schedules in the New Westminster parks and recreation spring break brochure online.
Admission is free for kids 0 to 3, and $2 for everyone aged four and up. Skate rentals are $2.75, and helmets are free.
Motoring Munchkins: Fun for the small set
If you’re the parent of a one- to six-year-old, then be sure to head on over to the Queen’s Park Sportsplex for this fun family drop-in, where the small folks can play with toys, balls and more in kid-sized play areas — with trampolines, too.
You can check it out Monday and Friday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., or Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.
Admission is $3.25. Check out the gymnastics and trampoline drop-in schedule in the spring break brochure.
Family Dungeons and Dragons: Play at the library
Into D&D? The New Westminster Public Library is hosting a Family Dungeons & Dragons session for children aged six to 12 (those aged six to eight must have an adult participating with them).
It’s free, and it takes place Tuesday, March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the New Westminster Public Library (716 Sixth Ave.) Call 604-527-4677 or email [email protected] to sign up.
Friday Night Spring Thing: Youth hang-out set
This one’s for the pre-teen and teen crowd. Everyone 11 to 18 years old is invited to enjoy a night of backyard-style fun, inside. Kids are invited to join in for “hangs, games, prizes, Royal City Sound DJS and, of course, food,” as an event write-up promises. Kids can go alone or take some friends along.
It’s happening Friday, March 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Queensborough Community Centre (604-525-7388) and Friday, March 24 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the New West Youth Centre (604-515-3801) in Moody Park.
The drop-in fee is $1; free with youth membership.
Outside/In: Enjoy a street social and free concert
You can catch two more street socials and concerts in the Outside/In series that’s happening in downtown New Westminster — each with an afternoon street social featuring vendor market and entertainment in Hyack Square from 2 to 5 p.m., plus an evening concert in the Anvil Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m.
On March 11, the cross-Canada concert series celebrates Ontario, with an evening performance by Okan — fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folks and global rhythms. On March 18, it’s time for Quebec to shine, with an evening performance by Sinha Danse.
Evening concerts are free, but you need to book tickets ahead.
Got another March break event to share? Email Julie.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
