July 11 to 13, 10am to 7pm; Calaway Park Comic Fest for Kids. Dress up in your best family-friendly costume and be transported to the Calaway Comic Fest for Kids zone. With character meet-and-greets plus special activities each day, a whole new experience is waiting for you. Learn more at calawaypark.com.

July 12, 8:30 and 10:30am; Home Depot Kids’ Workshops: Build a Toucan Mobile. If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, Home Depot has a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own Toucan Mobile. Learn more at homedepot.ca.

July 12, 10am to 12pm; Michaels Kids’ Club: Textured Canvas Art. Kids get to create a craft on Saturday mornings for $5. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

July 12, 11am to 1pm; IndigoKids Events: Pokémon Trade and Play. Calling all trainers! Dive into Pokémon fun with cards, coins, and activity sheets that’ll test your knowledge. Plus, there’s storytime in store. Ages six and older. Learn more at indigo.ca.

July 12 to 13; Family Fishing Weekend. During Family Fishing Weekends, Albertans and visitors are encouraged to give fishing a try on waterbodies with open fishing seasons without having to purchase a sportfishing licence. Learn more at mywildalberta.ca.

July 12 to 13; Weekends at Stephan's House: What would Rosa Play? Have you ever played “Pump, pump, pull away”, “Last couple out”, “Stealing sticks,” or “Fruit basket”? Join this weekend and discover some of the games Icelandic children in Markerville would play. Learn more at stephanssonhouse.ca.

July 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, 10am to 4pm; The Hangar Flight Museum Open Days. One of the most highly requested experiences at The Hangar Flight Museum is the ability to sit in the aircraft – Here’s your chance. Learn more, including which aircraft are available on which days, at thehangarmuseum.ca.

Until July 13; Take a Kid to the Course. Take a Kid to the Course offers a free round of golf for youth under the age of 16 when accompanied by a paying adult at participating courses across Canada. Learn more at kidsgolffree.ca.

Until July 13; The Calgary Stampede. Yahoo! Don’t miss bringing your family to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Visit calgarystampede.com to find out what exciting family-friendly events are going on and when. Learn more at calgarystampede.com.

Start your mornings the Calgary way with a hearty Stampede breakfast! Whether you're flipping flapjacks with friends, sipping coffee with neighbors, or wrangling the kids for some western fun, there's a Stampede breakfast happening nearly every day across the city. From traditional pancake stacks to unique twists like vegan and Filipino-style feasts, these free, family-friendly events bring the community together in true Stampede spirit. Dust off your boots and check out where you can grab a plate this Stampede season!

July 11, 9 to 11am; Saddletowne YMCA Stampede Breakfast. Saddle up and bring your family and friends to local YCMA locations for a community Stampede breakfast filled with food, fun, and a few surprises. Learn more at ymcacalgary.org.

July 11, 9 to 11am; Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge Stampede Breakfast. Saddle up and bring your family and friends to local YCMA locations for a community Stampede breakfast filled with food, fun, and a few surprises. Learn more at ymcacalgary.org.

July 11, 9 to 11am; Genesis Centre Stampede Breakfast. Come out to this Stampede Caravan Breakfast rain or shine for a Calgary welcome, a western pancake breakfast and live entertainment. Learn more at calgarystampede.com.

July 12, 9am; Marda Loop Stampede Breakfast. Marda Loop Communities Association is hosting a Stampede Breakfast with a hearty meal for 1,500 people! Learn more at mardaloop.com.

July 12, 9 to 11am; Township Shopping Centre Stampede Breakfast. Come out to this Stampede Caravan Breakfast rain or shine for a Calgary welcome, a western pancake breakfast and live entertainment. Learn more at calgarystampede.com.

July 12, 9 to 11am; Deer Valley Shopping Centre Stampede Breakfast. Come out to this Stampede Caravan Breakfast rain or shine for a Calgary welcome, a western pancake breakfast and live entertainment. Learn more at calgarystampede.com.

July 12, 8 to 10:30am; Ismaili Muslim Community Stampede Breakfast. Grab your cowboy boots and hat, and mosey on down with your colleagues, neighbors, friends and family. This breakfast is more than just delicious food — it’s about connecting, having fun, and making memories at Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana. Learn more at iicanada.org.

Until July 12, 8:30am to 1:15pm; Calgary Stampede at Fluor Rope Square. Get your bacon-pancakes hot off the griddles from the back of the authentic Chuckwagons stoves and Fluor Smokies at Fluor Rope Square. You might even get to meet one of the Chuckwagon drivers! Fluor Rope Square serves up our famous bacon-pancakes daily. Learn more at corporate.calgarystampede.com.

July 13, 9 to 11am; Harvest Hills Alliance Church Stampede Breakfast. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a great breakfast, some great music, a giant slide for the kids and much more. Learn more at hhachurch.com.

July 13, 9am to 1pm; Killarney-Glengarry Stampede Breakfast. This breakfast, hosted by Christian Life Assembly, is a family-friendly event featuring a delicious free breakfast, live entertainment, a fun petting zoo, bouncy castles, cotton candy and local vendors.

Each night during the Stampede, dazzling fireworks brighten the Calgary sky. Check out these top free spots to take in the show:

Scotsman’s Hill: A beloved local vantage point offering stunning views of Stampede Park and the downtown lights. Get there early, it’s popular for a reason!

Tom Campbell’s Hill: A quieter northeast hilltop with sweeping, unobstructed sky views and a more laid-back atmosphere away from the crowds.

RiverWalk near Fort Calgary: This riverside pathway is easy to reach and lets you enjoy the fireworks with beautiful reflections dancing on the Bow River.

July 15, 9 to 12:30pm; City of Calgary Birding Breaks. Experience a guided walk through the beautiful Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to learn all about the birds and other wildlife that make their home in Calgary. All ages and birdwatching experience levels are welcome! This free drop-in is offered twice on Tuesdays at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn more at calgary.ca.

July 16, 10:30am to 12pm and 1:30 to 3pm; City of Calgary Wetland Wonders. Discover why these natural spaces are important and get an up-close view of the amazing critters that live below the surface at Ralph Klein Park. Learn more at calgary.ca.

July 18 to 19; Yabber: A Musical Junk Tale. A celebrity, an orphan, a crone, and a cowboy collide to bring you a cautionary folk tale that will leave you snapping your fingers and tapping your toes. Old junk transforms into masks, puppets, and instruments in a tale that shows us how love and sacrifice could save our planet at ContainR Art Park. Learn more at showpass.com/yabber.

July 18 to 20; Fiestaval Latin Festival. Enjoy the three hottest days of the summer with over 30 authentic food vendors, hundreds of national and international performers, artisan market, a kids’ area, beer gardens and lots of fun at Eau Claire Plaza. Learn more at fiestaval.ca.

July 18 to August 17; YYC Ice Cream Fest. This summer, participating cafés, restaurants, and creameries compete for the coveted titles of YYC’s Best Scoop, Best Non-Dairy Scoop, and special Golden Scoop award. Calgarians can taste a spectacular lineup of chilled treats and determine the entry that bests them all! Learn more at yycicecreamfest.com.

July 19; Lemonade Day. Register kids ages five to 13 for this experiential youth entrepreneurship program and they will learn how to run a business by setting up a lemonade stand. Register now. Learn more at lemonadedaycalgary.com.

July 19, 10am to 12pm; Michaels Kids’ Club: Animal Masks. Dig into creative fun this summer as we create a lion or bird mask. Free with all supplies included. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

July 19, 11am to 2pm; IndigoKids Events: DIY Bracelets & Cartoon Creators Club. Create a summer bracelet stack with Rainbow Loom and dream up your own cartoon with Scholastic. Plus, there’s storytime in store. Learn more at indigo.ca.

July 19, 11am to 4pm; Calgary Public Library’s Ultimate Summer Party. The library is inviting you to celebrate your love of reading for the Ultimate Summer Party. All 22 locations will offer family-friendly fun including storytimes, dance parties, special activities, refreshments, prizes, and more. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

July 19, 11am to 4pm; Taste of Okotoks. This is your chance to taste the best dishes to Okotoks has to offer. From sweet treats to savoury eats, meat-heavy to meat-free, if it’s tasty, you can try it at Arts and Learning Campus Plaza. Learn more at okotoks.ca.

July 20, 11am to 4pm; The Barn Artisan Market. The Barn Artisan Market has two floors of local vendors with unique, hand-crafted, and made-in-Alberta products at Shawnessy Barn. Learn more at thebarnartisanmarket.ca.

July 20, 12pm; Foothills Creamery Presents: Scoop Slam 2025. Join for an afternoon of free ice cream (while supplies last) and watch an all-you-can-eat ice cream eating contest at Mount Royal University Amphitheatre. This will be a picnic-style event, so bring your own blankets/chairs and sit in the grass to watch as the contestants face off to eat as much ice cream as they can in five minutes. Learn more at villageicecream.com.

July 20, 1 to 4pm; Poetry at Stephan's House. This year’s theme is Family! Bring a poem about family to share at Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site – it can be one you wrote yourself or a favourite poem by someone else. Learn more at stephanssonhouse.ca.

August 2 and 3; Days of Yore at Heritage Park. For the first time ever, Days of Yore has a new home at Heritage Park! Experience 1000 years of history at this outdoor living history festival. Walk alongside Viking warriors, fur traders, Victorian settlers and soldiers from both World Wars brought to life through camps, reenactments and costumed interpreters.⁠ heritagepark.ca/series/days-of-yore

Ongoing

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until July 31, 11am to 1pm; Huntington Hills Drop-in Roller Skating. Bring your own Roller Skates or Roller Blades for some indoor arena skating at 520 - 78 Ave NW. Learn more at huntingtonhillscommunity.ca.

Sundays until July 31; The Confluence Family Fun Hour. Get ready to play, create, and explore together. Each week brings a new theme packed with hands-on activities for kids ages toddler to 11 at The Confluence. Learn more at theconfluence.ca.

Until August 9; Jubilations Junior Dinner Theatre Presents: Super Mario’s Bowser Boogie Battle. The super plumber Mario is back with his bro Luigi and the whole gang. They are ready to take their singing and dancing to the next level. It’s time for another adventure full of all the Goombas and Thwomps that the Bros can handle. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until August 9; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: ABBAMANIA: Back to the Disco Dimension. Get ready to laugh, dance and sing along with ABBAMANIA: Back To The Disco Dimension at Jubilations Dinner Theatre, a rollicking musical parody that turns iconic ABBA hits on their head. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Sundays until August 24, 11:30am to 3:30pm; Heritage Park Afternoon Tea on the Verandah. Spend a perfect summer afternoon at Heritage Park with tea on the verandah at the Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women. Enjoy freshly brewed tea, finger sandwiches and sweet pastries from the Alberta Bakery, all with views of the Rocky Mountain peaks and the water glimmering from the Glenmore Reservoir. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Wednesdays, until August 27; Music in the Plaza at Heritage Park. Discover free live music in Calgary all summer long at Music in the Plaza. Each week, one of the best emerging live bands in Calgary will take the stage. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Saturdays until August 30; Polar Bear Breakfast. Bring your family and friends down for a fun and educational morning at the zoo! Taking place on select dates between April and August, tickets to Polar Bear Breakfast include an exclusive before-hours viewing opportunity of the Wild Canada zone with a side of polar bear facts from the zoo's Conservation Education staff and volunteers. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Tuesdays to Saturdays until August 30, 10 to 11am; Bug Soup at Bow Habitat Station. Come dip into this nutrient-rich water and discover all the interesting and tasty creepy crawlies that call wetland waters home. We provide the science gear; you bring the scientific enthusiasm. Learn more at bowhabitat.alberta.ca.

Until August 31; Stage West Dinner Theatre Presents: Legends of the 80’s. Filled with larger-than-life pop stars who knew how to put on a show. These legends lit up the ‘80s and gifted us with some of the most iconic pop stars and songs ever. Their music continues to captivate us today, taking us on a totally tubular trip back in time. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com.

Until August 31; Calgary Public Library Ultimate Summer Challenge. The Challenge is simple — read every day this summer. Read, attend programs, and have a lot of fun at the library this summer.  Track your reading using the Beanstack app or with one of the garden-themed challenge maps available at all library locations. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

Until November 2; Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – Safari Sunday Brunch. A unique Calgary brunch experience in the heart of Destination Africa. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 12pm; Active Toddlers at the Genesis Centre. Bring your little one for a delightful playtime adventure with our bouncy castle, toys, puzzles, and a lot more for free. Learn more at genesis-centre.ca.

Thursdays, 4 to 4:30pm; Storytime at Mastermind Toys. Mastermind Toys often has special events at their Calgary stores, including storytime. Check with your store to confirm details. Learn more at mastermindtoys.com.

Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am. The Beach YYC Drop-In Children’s Playtime. On Monday and Wednesday mornings take part in children’s play time at the beach. Learn more at thebeachyyc.ca.

Monday to Thursday, 9am; Parent + Tot Drop-In at Cavalry FC Regional Field House. Cavalry offers a variety of drop-in programs for parents to participate in with their children ages 18 months to three years old. Learn more at regionalfieldhouse.com.

Drop-In Programs at City of Calgary Recreation Centres. Don’t miss out on Active Play where you can bring your kiddo’s energy to an indoor play space. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Storytime at Calgary Public Library. Drop into various Calgary Public Library locations to enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays for the whole family at Family Storytime. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

Summer’s not over yet, but we know families across Calgary have those must-do traditions that make saying goodbye to summer extra sweet. Maybe it’s one last camping weekend, an epic backyard BBQ with neighbours, a sunset picnic at the lake, or a family movie marathon before school starts.

We want to know: What’s your family’s favorite end-of-summer ritual? Tell us what you always do to close out summer in style, and we might feature your family’s tradition in our next issue!

Click below to share your tradition:

Are you playing PHOTO BINGO? It's a fun way to see our city and share pictures with a chance to win tickets to Zoo Lights!

#zaneography is a project of Humanity in Practice (hip), created in 2019 in memory of Zane who used his passion for photography to connect to oneself and the community. Mindful photography is a creative way to reduce anxiety, build confidence and an effective way to communicate to others when words seem to fail. You can join HIP’s new online community by following @mrzanersfanclub.

This complete treatment will get rid of head lice quickly, without the risk of side effects or resistance! NYDA is available in pharmacies, ask your pharmacist for NYDA.

NYDA (Dimethicone) is a topical treatment of scalp hair in case of infestation with head lice (pediculosis capitis). If used as instructed, NYDA is also effective against nymphs and eggs (nits).

Always read and follow the label. Always seek the advice of your physician, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and/or the use of this product. Also read the product monograph and the consumer information included in the product packaging.

• Boredom is Banned: 5 Simple Tips for a Fun-Filled Summer
• Frugal summer activities to keep the family entertained
• 67 Things to Do with Your Kids When It's Too Hot to Play Outside
• The Single File - Six Summer Strategies as Easy as 1, 2, 3
• School's Out for the Summer, Now What?

CALGARY FOLKFEST - Join us at the Calgary Folk Music Festival for a 4-day musical extravaganza featuring 70 artists, food vendors, family zone and more. Kids 12 and under get in free!

BLUE SKY ART - This one-of-a-kind experiential art project brings the Blue Sky City to life in vivid, interactive ways that spark curiosity and encourage you to see and explore the city through a new lens. The Art: Drop of Sunshine: July 12, Ismaili Stampede Breakfast (1128 45 Ave NE)

TRELLIS SOCIETY - On Saturday, October 25, join us to ignite meaningful change for Calgary’s youth and families as we work to break the cycle of poverty, make mental health care accessible, support struggling families and build a more connected community. 

CITY OF CALGARY SELF-GUIDED TOURS - Explore Calgary’s diverse and amazing parks at your own time and own pace.

FLYING SQUIRREL - Save 20% off jump time and neon lights! Code: CalChild26.

SUMMER CAMP & PROGRAM GUIDE - last call summer camps - quick picks for happy campers!

CANADA STRONG PASS - This summer, plan a vacation in Canada! From June 20 to September 2, 2025, enjoy free or discounted admission to some of the country’s most iconic places.

by Tanya Koob

Summer vacation is here, it’s a beautiful sunny day, and a road trip is calling! Fortunately, we don’t have to go far because Calgary is surrounded by great parks and fun destinations. Choose a direction and you’ll be rewarded with a new adventure every weekend this summer.

Below are some fun day trips to get you started this summer. 

they're here - read our summer editions!

Our Summer 2025 Edition is the must-read guide for parents looking to make the most of every moment.

From last-minute camps and local adventures to the launch of our exclusive Fall Education & Program Planner pull-out, we're covering everything families need to plan an unforgettable summer and a smooth back-to-school season.

Find it online and on stands everywhere soon!

• LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ – Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set
• Summer Play Pack
• PLAYMOBIL® Mobile Horse Riding School
• K.I.D. Toy Bundle
• Makedo Discovery Kit
• I Am Bean
• Ozark Trail 30 Can Zipperless™ Cooler
• Bernard the Bee Trunki
• Ozark Trail Glamp High Back Lounge Chair

Packed with our trusted tips, expert parenting advice, family fun ideas, and comprehensive listings from the past year, this guide brings everything parents love about Calgary’s Child together in one place.

Inside, you’ll find school, class, camp, and program listings, seasonal family fun, birthday ideas, new baby and tot essentials, local attractions, parenting support, retail spots, and so much more!

Find it online at calgaryschild.com, read it here and pick it up on stands all over Calgary!