What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Feb 24-26)

It’s the last weekend of February everyone — which means our annual MEGA MARCH BREAK LIST is just days away from dropping! We hope to have it up in a few days (school is out March 6-10 here in New Brunswick), but first we needed to bring you what’s happening this weekend in Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe, and beyond!

FRIDAY

Dieppe’s Fun on Ice series continues; it’s the second last week! Music by DJ Madness, bonfires, food trucks, and more 6:30-8pm.

The Ukrainian Club of Moncton is hosting a rally at City Hall at 6pm to mark the one-year anniversary of Russian forces invading Ukraine. At 7pm, the celebration begins at the Moncton Press Club, with performances by the Ukrainian Club of Moncton’s Youth Choir and The Watermen band, a silent auction, & more. Free to attend, donations accepted, with all proceeds going to purchase medical supplies for those in Ukraine.

SATURDAY 

Our region’s public libraries are always great places to visit – it’s just a bonus when there’s programming happening, too! This Saturday, Dieppe is hosting an Arabic Story Time with the awesome Dalal at 10:30am. Call 506-877-7945 to register. In Moncton, there’s Chess Club, family story time at 10:30am, and African Stories at 2:30pm.

Life Start Training First Aid & Safety is holding a Babysitting Course for ages 10-13 on Saturday morning.

The Scouts canteen will be open this Saturday & Sunday at Dieppe’s Rotary Park, with snowshoes available to borrow between 1 & 4pm.

You could start your Saturday off with a pancake breakfast supporting the RCACS cadets in Petitcodiac. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, & more. Kids 4 & under eat free, ages 5-12 $6, and those over 12 pay $12.

Memramcook is hosting a Family Winter Rendez-vous at Abbey-Landry School from 9am until noon, with a bonfire, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, inflatable games, face painting & more. There’s also a winter walk planned for the Latitude 46 Estate Winery from 2-4:30pm on Saturday. with a nature talk by Alain Clavette starting at 3pm. Skis & snowshoes welcome; enjoy mulled wine samples & more!

Cap Acadie also has lots of winter fun planned for this weekend, with children’s performers Roland & M. Crapaud offering a free show at the Grand-Barachois Hall from 2-3pm (doors open at 1:30pm) on Saturday, and outdoor fun at Parc Plein Air Sunday morning.

BGC Dieppe is holding a free Family Paint Day on Saturday, noon till 2pm. They provide all the materials, you make the fun memories! (DYK: They have lots of great drop-in programs for various ages AND an awesome climbing wall? And if you’re looking for a fun date night – check out their Masquerade Party coming up March 25.)

Big Brothers Big Sisters are hosting a family & friends afternoon at Bowlarama on Saturday, with special pricing at 1pm & 2pm. Just $45 for up to 2 adults & up to 4 kids for one hour of bowling and one hour arcade access cards.

The Comic Hunter is holding a learn-to-play Pokemon Tabletop United session on Saturday. Check their event for details on what’s needed to join.

Beloved Miniature Horses have some Saturday farm visit spots available.

Highfield Baptist Church in downtown Moncton is holding a free community Winter Carnival, 1:30-4pm, with carnival games, popcorn, hot chocolate, and more.

The Sound of Music opens Saturday night at The Capitol Theatre, with performances again on Sunday and Wednesday through Sunday.

Saturday is the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk, supporting Youth Impact Jeunesse.

Up for a road trip? PEI is hosting the 2023 Jeux du Canada Games & both this Saturday & next Charlottetown will have a massive fireworks display (8pm), along with music, a disco skate, outdoor fire & circus performers, and lots of fun at Founders’ Food Hall & Market. Or maybe you want to head to Halifax and catch the Dino Disco Party happening at the Discovery Centre this Saturday!

SUNDAY

Resurgo Place welcomes Science East this Sunday for a Discovery Lab (included with admission).

The Moncton Wildcats have another Sunday afternoon game, this weekend hosting Les Cataractes de Shawinigan.

ONGOING ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

• FitRocks Climbing Gym
• SkyZone
• Hop Skip Jump
• Marco’s Clinic
• Bowlarama (with an awesome arcade)
• Holy Moly (with retro arcade games)
• Fairlanes (with Glow Bowling nights!)
• Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre
• indoor splash pad at YMCA Moncton North (open to the public Saturdays & Sundays, 8:30-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm)
• the pirate ship & sloped entry at the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (public swims on Saturday 3-4:55pm & 6-7:55pm & Sunday 3-4:55pm)
• the warm kiddie pool at the YMCA Greater Moncton (public swims Saturdays 6-7:70pm & Sundays 1:30-3pm)
• open swims at Riverview’s Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre on Saturdays from 1:30-2:25pm & 2:30-3:30pm.
• DIY Studio
• Room Escape Atlantic (their site shows a few non-scary, kid-friendly options)
• Mystery Moncton Mystere (for the teens & up)
• Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is fun to visit
• Cineplex
• Doiron House, celebrating Acadian community life in Dieppe, is open Saturdays & Sundays.
• Off Grid Adventure in Anagance for an awesome adventure course & their new indoor climbing walls

WINTER FUN IDEAS

• Country Sleigh Rides
• NB Urban Mushing
• Boyle Family Farm (winter horseback riding)
• Broadleaf Ranch
• Llamazing Adventures
• Rent cross-country skis & snow shoes at Moncton’s Centennial Park via Camp Centennial
• Rent snow shoes & fat bikes at Moncton’s Mapleton Park via Camp Centennial
• Poley Mountain is open for the season, with lots of skiing & snowboarding fun on 30 trails

OUTDOOR SKATING

• Ian Fowler Oval in Moncton, Moncton’s Muskrat Skating Trail in Centennial Park 
• Dieppe Skating Oval, two outdoor rinks in Rotary St-Anselme Park (weather depending).
• Irishtown/Maple Hills community has a lovely outdoor rink; check their Facebook group
• Petitcodiac’s outdoor rink is at 42 Maple Street; check Petitcodiac Happenings for conditions
• Salisbury‘s outdoor rink updates on the Salisbury & Petitcodiac Recreation Facebook page

INDOOR SKATING

To check on skating schedules for weekday info, cancellations, & rules on helmets, etc: Moncton Public Skating, Dieppe Public Skating, Memramcook Public Skating, Sackville Public Skating, & Hillsborough Public Skating. Here’s where to lace up inside this weekend!

• Friday:
  • Dieppe AJL preschoolers with sticks, 9:30-10:30am (FREE) 
  • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, parents & tots, 10-11am (FREE)
  • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 10:15-11:15am (FREE)
  • Sackville Parent & Tot 10:15-11:15am (FREE)
  • Riverview parent & tot 1:30-2:30pm (FREE)
  • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 3:30-4:30pm (FREE)
  • Riverview 12 & under 4-5:15pm (FREE)
  • Hillsborough 8:15-9:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
    
• Saturday:
  • Moncton Coliseum parent & tot 9:30-10:30am ($2) 
  • Hillsborough 2-3pm ($2/person or $5/family)
  • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
  • Riverview 3:45-5:00pm (FREE)
  • Moncton Coliseum 3:45-5:15pm ($2) 
  • Dieppe’s AJL 6:15-7:15pm (FREE) 
  • Hillsborough 8-9pm ($2/person or $5/family)

• Sunday:
  • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, parents & tots, 9:45-10:45am ($2)
  • Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, 11:45am-12:45pm ($2)
  • Memramcook 11:45am-12:45pm (FREE)
  • Dieppe’s AJL 2:15-3:15pm (FREE)
  • Hillsborough 2:15-3:15pm ($2/person or $5/family)
  • Petitcodiac 1pm-2:30pm ($2/skater, free for ages five & under) 
  • Crossman Community Centre / Kay Arena 2:30-4pm ($2)
  • Riverview 2:30-4pm (FREE)
  • Sackville 2:30-3:30 (FREE)
  • Dieppe’s UNIplex 3:15-4:30pm (FREE)

SLIDING HILLS

• Centennial Park in Moncton
• Rotary St-Anselme Parkin Dieppe (check if they’re open here).
• Riverview’s Winter Wonderland Park
• Highland Park in Salisbury
• Shediac’s Pascal Poirier Park is often home to many sliding tracks in the winter.
• Fundy Park’s Headquarters Tobogganing Hill
• Kouchibouquac Park’s Patterson Hill

LOOKING AHEAD

As mentioned, our full MEGA MARCH BREAK list will be posted shortly & we’re updating our Guide to Maple Sugar Camps (we see some are planning to open next weekend), too. But we thought you might want a reminder that the Mini Pops are at Casino New Brunswick next Sunday afternoon, and the following Sunday afternoon there’s a free orchestral show with Tutta Musica, OVATION, at Riverview Arts Centre.