Keeping your kids engaged and curious about the world is a breeze, especially in a city like Calgary, where looking for exciting things to do is as easy as stepping outside your front door.
Naturally, we scoured the streets to see which activities are the most enjoyable (and it’s a bonus if they can also trick the kids into learning something!). To pass the ultimate test, we brought our little explorers along for the ride because that’s the ultimate litmus test.
Here are the best options we found. Strap on your seatbelts (and diapers for your miniature sidekicks) because we’re going to venture into the dynamic family-friendly activities in the city!
Table of Contents
- 1. Immerse them to the world of art and science at TELUS Spark Centre
- 2. Open them up to the world of wildlife at Calgary Zoo
- 3. Take them to see unique treasures at Heritage Park
- 4. Treat them to a downhill karting adventure at Canada Olympic Park
- 5. Bring the kids to a theatre show at Storybook Theatre
- 6. Watch them be impressed by the views at Calgary Tower
- 7. Help shape their minds at Memorial Park Library
- 8. Go with them to The Big Box
- 9. Cultivate their appreciation for art at Glenbow Museum
- 10. Check out The Hangar Flight Museum
- 11. Visit the Level 1 Escape Room & VR Arcade
- 12. Play volleyball with them at The Beach YYC
- 13. Kayak with them along the Bow River with Illuminated Escapes
- 14. Immerse them to the beauty of nature at Devonian Gardens
- 15. Try Studio Bell
1. Immerse them to the world of art and science at TELUS Spark Centre
Website: https://www.sparkscience.ca
Address: 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary, AB T2E 5T2, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-817-6800
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 9 AM to 4 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
TELUS Spark Centre seamlessly blends education and fun together through immersive exhibits centered on interactive science-centered displays. True to its name, they really spark curiosity, especially among the young crowd.
The Creative Kids Museum stands testament to this, offering a play area meant to stir curiosity and foster the wonders of discovery. Do note that it’s specifically designed for those aged 0 to 8, though.
2. Open them up to the world of wildlife at Calgary Zoo
Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com
Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-232-9300
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
If you need another activity that will have your kids engaged in something educational while having fun, taking them to the zoo is something to consider.
Specifically, open them up to a whole new world of wildlife by taking them to the Calgary Zoo, where they can learn about conservation methods and see different animal habitats.
3. Take them to see unique treasures at Heritage Park
Website: https://heritagepark.ca
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-268-8500
Explore and learn more about the local history while looking at extraordinary discoveries at Heritage Park. There’s the Gasoline Alley Museum, which showcases the largest antique vehicle collection in the world, for example.
Young adventurers also enjoy the prairie wagon rides, offering an exciting tour all around the village. In case they get hungry, there’s also plenty of eateries in the park where kids can enjoy a delicious meal.
4. Treat them to a downhill karting adventure at Canada Olympic Park
Website: https://www.winsport.ca
Address: Winsport Canada Olympic Park, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5, Canada
Canada Olympic Park boasts of a 1,800 meter track for downhill karting ideal for all ages. That said, keep in mind that they have to be 6 years and up in order to ride unaccompanied, while children 2 to 5 years old need to ride with an adult.
For maximum excitement, there are also 50 exciting twists on the track that goes on a continuous descent.
Obviously, you don’t have to be a seasoned driver with an international driving license in order to navigate this ride. You just need to know how to have fun!
5. Bring the kids to a theatre show at Storybook Theatre
Website: https://www.storybooktheatre.org
Address: 375 Bermuda Dr NW, Calgary, AB T3K 2J5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-216-0808
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 1 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9 PM to 9 PM
Storybook Theatre is committed to offering kid-friendly live performances, introducing young audiences to an art form that has been around for millennia. For complete show ratings and an idea of what to watch, refer to this portion of their website.
6. Watch them be impressed by the views at Calgary Tower
Website: https://www.calgarytower.com
Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1J9, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-266-7171
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
While a visit to Calgary Tower might be a typical tourist activity, one can’t deny the fact that it offers an unparalleled panoramic view of the city’s skyline.
The striking viewpoint of the city is sure to captivate the little ones, leaving them with an unforgettable memory of this great city.
For a list of other amazing things you can do at Calgary Tower, see the article we wrote about it!
7. Help shape their minds at Memorial Park Library
Website: https://calgarylibrary.ca
Address: 1221 2 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1N8, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-260-2600
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Friday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Being exposed to a diverse range of books can shape a kid’s mind. In fact, according to The National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance, books not only encourage critical thinking but also aid in the development of language skills and imagination.
The Memorial Park Library offers a space dedicated for children where they can freely explore different worlds. Additionally, for those interested in music, the library also offers an instrument lending program.
8. Go with them to The Big Box
Website: https://thebigbox.ca
Address: 930 64 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8S8, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-244-2691
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Friday – 9 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12:30 PM to 9 PM
The Big Box is a 55,000 square feet hub for all things fun and exciting. Beyond the doors of this indoor playground, there’s nothing but fun!
Among the variety of things being offered, there’s an inflatable playground designed for them to engage in a fun, challenging, and of course, safe adventure. There’s also an adrenaline-fueled adventure of aerial ropes, where kids are presented with a thrilling obstacle.
There are also bumper cards, arcades, and more – it’s basically the playground we wished we had when we were kids!
Speaking of playgrounds, we wrote a list of the best places with indoor playgrounds here. Check it out for more spots you can try!
9. Cultivate their appreciation for art at Glenbow Museum
Website: https://www.glenbow.org
Address: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-268-4100
According to the National Endowment For the Arts, taking kids to a museum helps with fostering their imagination by engaging them in a world of discovery.
In line with this idea, we find it to be an enriching activity to bring kids to the Glenbow Museum. With your guidance and company, they can be exposed to a world of fashion, art, history, and more from around the globe.
10. Check out The Hangar Flight Museum
Website: https://thehangarmuseum.ca
Address: 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8A5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-250-3752
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Offering an exciting collection of antique engines, The Hangar Flight Museum stands out as a thrilling excursion with your kids.
Not only are they going to be exposed to the rich aviation history, it also opens up their world like no other through hands-on learning and several immersive experiences.
For an extra dose of excitement for all the youngins, you can also sign them up for the museum’s sleepover program. This provides kids an opportunity to participate in an overnight stay at the museum, providing them a chance to take a deeper dive into the exploration that awaits.
11. Visit the Level 1 Escape Room & VR Arcade
Website: https://www.level1escape.com
Address: 517 16 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 1K5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-879-4617
Operating hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – 3 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday – closed
- Thursday & Sunday – 1 PM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 1 PM to 10 PM
If you’re looking for a fun, family bonding experience, it’s hard to get better than this! Level 1 Escape Room & VR Arcade offers a myriad of exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy together.
Choose from 7 different escape rooms that will challenge you to use your wit and love for puzzles. Meanwhile, the VR arcade will transport you to a different reality with its thrilling games.
Both of the activities offer interactive gameplay too. If your kids love video games, they’ll probably enjoy these!
If you want to explore more VR arcade spots in Calgary, see our list of recommendations.
12. Play volleyball with them at The Beach YYC
Website: https://thebeachyyc.ca
Address: 3030, 2600 Portland St SE #3030, Calgary, AB T2G 4M6, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-475-4031
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Think about the exciting activities typically done by the beach. Now try to imagine them indoors and minus the sunburn. Well, that’s exactly what The Beach is!
Here, you can engage in multiple sports reminiscent of beachside fun such as volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and more. There are even special activities tailor-made for kids including beach camps, drop-in play sessions, and so on.
13. Kayak with them along the Bow River with Illuminated Escapes
Website: https://www.illuminatedescapes.com/calgary
Address: Waterfront Park 5225 101 St NW Calgary, AB
Contact details: +1 855-222-6214
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 PM to 11 PM
Take your kids to see the wonders of the Bow River by bringing them on an exciting kayak adventure with Illuminated Escape. Offering self-guided tours, Illuminated Escape provides everything to kickstart your journey.
Oh, and you can even navigate the picturesque route with an LED-light-illuminated kayak, adding a stylish touch to your excursion. Dramatic and Indiana-Jones-esque, wouldn’t you say?
14. Immerse them to the beauty of nature at Devonian Gardens
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HcvRYNMremMSRkd16
Address: in the CORE Shopping Centre, 317 7 Ave SW 4 floor, Calgary, AB T2P 0W4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-268-2489
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Step into the mesmerizing world of natural wonders with your kids at Devonian Gardens! Kids will have plenty of opportunities to be entranced by a diverse array of trees and plants in this hectare-sized space.
Adding to the excitement, the space also has a dedicated play area, where kids get to delve further into the world of exploration.
15. Try Studio Bell
Website: https://www.studiobell.ca
Address: 850 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1R1, Canada
Contact details: +1 587-797-4670
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Studio Bell is an exciting location for music enthusiasts, showcasing a vast collection of the country’s rich musical history.
A particularly thrilling experience for kids is the one at level four, where they can try out all the instruments in the space and even make music with them! It’s a great way to nurture creativity and to empower them through fun challenges.
