What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (May 29-31, 2026)
Welcome to the last weekend in May – summer is peeking around the corner, even if the weather doesn’t always feel like it right now! There are lots of great events & activities ahead, so let’s get to it. Just one little ask first …
Please take a few moments to vote for in the Excellence NB’s People’s Choice Awards – I made the final Top 5 in TWO categories! I’d love your support in Best Podcast & Best Content Creator.
Family-Friendly Events & Activities in Greater Moncton May 29-31, 2026
Did you know? Since June 2015 Pickle Planet Moncton has published a weekly guide to help you get out and connect with your family and your community. We’ve helped thousands of families – but there are still lots of folks in Greater Moncton who don’t know about us. Please share this resource with them!
It’s Tulip season! There are two awesome local spots to enjoy the flowers – Blossom Grove Barn in Salisbury and Trueman Blueberry Farm near Aulac. Blossom Grove is open generally open Sunday – Wednesday, while Trueman’s is open daily. Weather can impact visits to the fields, so please check their social media or give them a call before heading out.
Friday Family Events (May 29, 2026)
If you have a high schooler, you likely know today kicks off the annual Greater Moncton Dragon Boat Festival. More than a dozen schools are taking part, with nearly 50 boats registered for this fundraiser. The event started 20 years ago with just three schools taking part — and now it’s one of the largest school dragon boat festivals in North America, according to the organizers! Head down to Jones Lake to cheer them on (2:30-8pm), then return tomorrow for the corporate teams.
There’s a Zumba fundraiser for the BMHS theatre upgrade at the school, 6pm.
Northrop Frye Home & School is hosting Family Fun Night fundraiser, 5:30-7:30pm, with all sorts of fun. This is raising money for the school’s music program; cash entry, $15/child.
The Tri-City Tide hosts the DC Heat in Round 1 of the playoffs with Game 2 tonight and Game 3 tomorrow. Come out to Crandall for some fantastic basketball!
Youth ages 12-18 can access the YMCA for $5/day on Fridays and Saturdays, no membership required
Preschool Swim, 10-10:55am, Dieppe Aquatic Centre
Free Open Gym at the Crossman Community Centre, 2:30-4:30pm for Grades K-8 (adult supervision required for those Gr 5 & younger; also open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays); also open for parents & tots from 10am-noon
The Kay Arena Walking Track is open to strollers 10:30am-12:30pm & for walking 3-5pm.
Indoor Skatepark, 3-5pm & 6-10pm, Riverview Skatepark
$3 public swim at the YMCA Vaughan Harvey 6:30-7:30pm
Walk in party fun at the SportsDome on Fridays with laser tag, bouncy castles, and more.
There’s ball hockey in Shediac, 5-8pm, at the multisport surface behind MFB School, weather permitting
Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing The Mandalorian and Grogu, followed by The Devil Wears Prada 2 this weekend. Gates & canteen open at 8pm, movie begins at 9:15pm. Admission is $34.80+tax for a carload, with per person rates available.- Sussex Drive In is showing Hoppers and The Mandalorian and Grogu. Gates at 7:30pm, movie at dusk. Admission $13/adult, $9/kid.
If you’re wondering about the playground on our cover photo this week, it’s in Riverview!
A quick shout out for our friends at TH Sports Group. Registration closes Sunday for summer soccer & t-ball. They have soccer groups from U3 to U13, weekly sessions from June 16-August 20. T-ball is for U5/U7/U9 and runs June 18-August 20.
Saturday Family Events (May 30, 2026)
Greater Moncton Dragon Boat Festival continues, 9:30am-1pm.
Cap-Acadie Community Market happens today in Grand-Barachois, 10am. A great side quest if you’re planning to visit the playground we featured this week!
MUST READ: Grand Barachois’ Rémi Cormier Playground at Père-Edgar-T.-LeBlanc School
Riverview Fire & Rescue is hosting a free BBQ & Wildfire Awareness Day event, 11am-1:30pm, at the station on Pinewood. You can meet firefighters, check out equipment, and get your face painted. And if you’re looking for something for the older kids who might have an interest in firefighting, check out Maritime Ignite Fire Academy, a local camp experience for teens ages 14-18.
Irishview Orchard’s one-day-only Apple Blossom Festival is scheduled for today, 10am-3pm. Free to enter, bouncy castles and face painting, petting zoo, pony rides with Beloved Miniature Horses, and more!
Libraries are also filled with great events. Moncton has some fantastic options this weekend, and in Riverview today there’s a session on dealing with anxiety.
The Tri-City Tide hosts the DC Heat at 7pm. Come out to Crandall for some fantastic basketball!
- The Moncton Market is open 8am-2pm on Saturdays.
- The Dieppe Market is open 8am-1pm on Saturdays.
- Youth ages 12-18 can access the YMCA for $5/day on Fridays and Saturdays, no membership required.
- The Kay Arena Walking Track is open to strollers 10:30am-12:30pm
- Indoor Skatepark, 11am-1pm/1-3pm/3-5pm/6-10pm, Riverview Skatepark
Indoor splash pad, 12:15-2:15pm, $6, YMCA Twin Oaks- Pubic swim, 2-3:30pm, Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre
- Public Swim, 3:15-4:55pm, Dieppe Aquatic Centre
- Indoor splash pad, 3:45-7:45pm, $6, YMCA Twin Oaks
- Public Swim,6-7:25pm, Dieppe Aquatic Centre
BGC Dieppe has community events planned on Saturdays, often including the use of their climbing wall- Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing The Mandalorian and Grogu, followed by The Devil Wears Prada 2 this weekend. Gates & canteen open at 8pm, movie begins at 9:15pm. Admission is $34.80+tax for a carload, with per person rates available.
- Sussex Drive In is showing Hoppers and The Mandalorian and Grogu. Gates at 7:30pm, movie at dusk. Admission $13/adult, $9/kid.
Sunday Family Events (May 31, 2026)
The Scouts in Grand-Digue are hosting a Touch-a-Truck event to raise funds for a trip to Finland. There’ll be fire engines, construction rigs, bouncy castles, a BBQ and more. 10am-2pm, $5/person (children up to age five are free). Head to the Grande-Digue School for the fun.
Moncton Cares’ Multicultural Community BBQ is happening at Centennial Park, 10:30am-2:30pm, with food vendors, family-friendly activities, music, and more.
Canada’s Circus Spectacular returns to the Moncton Coliseum on May 31.
There’s a fundraiser for Riverbend Community School happening at the Holy Whale Beer Hall on May 31, 3-8pm, with a great line up of local musicians. It’s free admission with lots of great auction items & more.
The Moncton Mystics have their final home game of the season at 4pm at Crandall, hosting the Miramichi Hericanes.
The Moncton Mets host the Fredericton Royals at 4pm at Kiwanis Field.
- The Kay Arena Walking Track is open to strollers 10:30am-12:30pm
- Indoor Skatepark, 11am-1pm/1-4pm/5-7pm, Riverview Skatepark
- Indoor splash pad, 12:15-2:15pm, $6, YMCA Twin Oaks
- Public Swim, 2:30-3:30pm, $3/person, YMCA Vaughan Harvey
- Public Swim, 3:15-4:55pm, Dieppe Aquatic Centre
- Indoor splash pad, 3:45-7:45pm, $6, YMCA Twin Oaks
Local Family (children up to age 10) Open Gym, Maple Hills, 4-5:30pm
Open gym basketball for Grades 6-8 at Maple Hills, 5:30-7pm- Open gym basketball for Grades 9-12 at Maple Hills, 7-8:30pm
- Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing The Mandalorian and Grogu, followed by The Devil Wears Prada 2 this weekend. Gates & canteen open at 8pm, movie begins at 9:15pm. Admission is $34.80+tax for a carload, with per person rates available.
Ongoing Family-Friendly Activities in Greater Moncton (Indoor & Outdoor)
These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 
for our TEEN & TWEEN picks! Some of these are still great with littles, too, but we know it can be tricky to come up with ideas the older kids will enjoy – or can be sent to on their own.
REMEMBER: We’re not always able to update if there are changes due to weather, etc. Please click through the links & call ahead to confirm details for yourself when making plans!
INDOOR IDEAS
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays.) The current temporary display is all about dinosaurs!
Homarus Centre in Shediac is open for the season. Touch tanks for the win!
Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.
Burn off energy at SkyZone Moncton; half-price entry on Tuesday nights, and Glow Zone on Fridays & Saturdays.
MR21 is ‘low key Moncton’s best kept secret’ as my kids say. An incredible visual presentation that tells the history of the Acadian community in a beautiful cathedral in downtown. Reach out to them to book a tour (minimum five people, 24 hours notice required) or to find out when they’ll be open: info@mr21.ca or call 506-800-3194.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
The indoor splash pad at the YMCA North End is an amazing option for kiddos – with public openings every day of the week! Check the schedule as times vary day-to-day; cost to attend for non-member is $6.- For indoor swimming, there are public options at the YMCA Greater Moncton (love their small, warmer pool for little ones – please note pools are closed June 14-20 for maintenance), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!). (The Dieppe pool will be closed June 22 to September 18, 2026.)
Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!
The Bunker on Main Street in Moncton is a great indoor golf option & does have times kids are allowed. They also now have a race car simulator at the Pit Stop! There are more than 50 cars you can choose from & more than 30 tracks to try – it’s not a little kid game, but it’s great for an outing with the teens.
Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
The indoor walking track at YMCA Moncton North is open to the public daily, free of charge.- The indoor walking track at the Crossman Centre is open to youth 12+ daily 3-5pm (and sometimes later) & for parents with strollers 10:30am-12:30pm daily.
Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview (closing for the summer May 17) or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.) (Fairlanes in Moncton is closed for the summer for maintenance.)
Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats!
Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery or the new Art Time Cafe for drawing & more!
Want to move as a family but need to be indoors? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
Book laser tag at the Sportsdome or Marco’s!
Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic usually has a few non-scary, kid-friendly options! There are also online options you can purchase to play on your own time.
Need to unleash some anger? Book a session at the Wreck Room!
Teens & youth (ages 12-25) can book a two-hour spot at Riverview’s Sound Lab for just $2/person. The lab has professional recording software, an electric guitar, bass guitar, electric drum kit, keyboard, microphones, & two amps.
Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions, Sunday Lorcana Locals, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events.
Board Miniatures also hosts regular table top sessions for various games & free board game days, too!
BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect, with lots of programming open to everyone.
Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquariumwith striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.
Our friends at 506 Elite Allstars have a great space for kiddos looking to bounce around and burn off energy while learning tumbling and cheer moves. Check out their new member trial package & their upcoming events.
OUTDOOR FUN
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! You can take the llamas for a walk all through the year.- Boyle Family Farm is open for private bookings & special occasions.
- Trueman Blueberry Farms has an outdoor play area, a train that circles the property, amazing treats, and more!
- The Boardwalk is open for the season, weather permitting. (Driving Range, Go- Karts, Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, Paddle Boats & Mini Golf open so far.)
- GolfZone at Magic Mountain is opening this week, 11am-6pm Saturday – Monday. There are four 9-hole mini putt courses to play
- East Coast Karting is open for the season, weather permitting.
- The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open seven days a week now!
The City of Moncton has four designated spaces for wheeled fun (skateboarding, BMWX, etc.): the Downtown Skate Park on Assomption Blvd., the Renton All-Wheels Park on Noel St., the Lewisville Skate Park on Glenmoor Dr., and at the YMCA Moncton North on Twin Oaks Dr.- DYK There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps when weather permits. The all wheels park is open daily till dusk.
There’s a roughly one hour iTour of downtown Moncton’s historical & cultural locations you can use to help you explore – a great way to add a little movement, a little history, and a little fun to your family outings! (And we hear it’s just been updated, too!)- Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!
- From June through October, the public is welcome to use the track at the Croix Bleue Medavie Stadium on the Université de Moncton campus Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm – except during competitions & major events, like the Jonas Brothers concert! (It’s accessible starting at 7am in the spring.)
- The City of Moncton’s outdoor pools are scheduled to open June 20 for the 2026 season. A reminder the pools are cash free & children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. There’s a heated pool at the East End Park (open daily 11am-7pm, with a $30 season pass or $8 pass for five visits) and a pool at Centennial Park (open daily 11am-7pm, with a $50 season pass, $20 pass for five visits, or $5/youth/visit)
- There are pickleball & tennis courts at four city parks; you need to bring your own rackets, balls, and/or paddles. Find them at Candlewood, Lewisville, East End, and Alexander Parks. You can register for a code to use the equipment kept on-site for the Shuffleboard Court at Fairview Knoll Park. Basketball courts are found at 19 different city parks & playgrounds.
- Poley Mountain’s bike park will open June 6 for the summer season.
CAFES, RESTAURANTS, & FUN PLACES TO EAT WITH KIDS IN GREATER MONCTON
There are more & more awesome places to take a break and enjoy a meal locally! Here are a few top picks you might want to try:
- Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats! You might think a place with consoles at the table would be basic pub food, but you’d be wrong. The food will blow you away!
- Tambayan Cafe is a fun 2D cafe in Riverview with yummy treats, coffee, fries, & more.
- Add a photo booth shoot to your sweets order at Click & Chew in Dieppe; super fun idea for a special celebration or any day.
- We’re always down to pretend we’ve hopped a plane to France with a trip to Tony’s for pastries. They have three great spots to explore – the original bistro on McLaughlin, Dieppe, and in Downtown Moncton!
- Crumbl FOMO? Head to our own The Cookie Jar in Dieppe! It’s super cute & yummy – and right next to the awesome Bennic Dairy Bar for ice cream creations!
- Halo Donuts on St. George Street & in the North End is always on our family wish list.
- And if bread & pastries are what you want, Co Pain Artisan Bread Company is where you need to go!
- Looking for some whimsy? Head to Shediac to visit Adorable Chocolat & Bistro Moque-Tortue.
- Candy Depot Moncton on Mountain Road & Freak Lunchbox at Champlain Mall have oodles of funky candies & more!
- Have you checked out Blend Point Cafe in Dieppe yet? They have some killer milkshake creations!
- LaRouère Chocolat is a fantastic local chocolatier – and they have a series of cold drinks for the summer that sound amazing! Iced Choco, Aquapanela, Iced Caramel, and Iced Mocha.
- Magnetic Hill Wharf is open again for the season, with gift shop and ice cream open on weekends in May
- In search of a special? Check out The Daily Feast for great overview of local restaurants, their deals, & more.
Looking Ahead – Upcoming Family Friendly Events in Greater Moncton
Mobile Fun is back for another amazing summer of free community block parties throughout the City of Moncton! We’ll be reminding you every week, but here’s a quick list of June’s dates & places:
- June 2 – Renton Park (280 Noel St.)
- June 9 – Jonathan Park (39 Salengro Cres.)
- June 16 – Auburn Circle Park (39 Sands Dr.)
- June 23 – East End Park (35 Fergus St.)
- June 30 – Sumner Park (170 Lorne St.)
From June 3-6, East Coast Amusements will be set up in the Moncton Coliseum parking lot.
June is Parks & Recreation Month, so expect lots of fun extras from your municipalities. Splash pads in the City of Moncton are scheduled to turn on June 1st, Mobile Fun begins June 2nd, there’s a 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament, Roller Disco, and so much more. You can find Moncton’s monthly list of events here.
June 3 also kicks off Environment Week in the City, with Codiac Transpo offering free rides on all routes in the tri-community until June 6.
BGC Club Day will be celebrated in Moncton at Renton Park, 4-6pm, on June 5 with bouncy castles, BBQ, face painting, games, & more. BGC Dieppe will welcome the community from 6-8pm, with their family supper, rock wall, games, and more.
EnviroFest returns June 6 in Moncton. The celebration – 11am-4pm at Centennial Park – includes a Bike Skills Course for kids, guided walks with Explore Nature’s Bounty, repair clinics, live music, and more.
FunZOOla is happening June 6 with lots of extra fun – bouncy castles, a magician, keeper presentations, and more!
Evergreen Park School’s end of year Fun Fair is back, June 6, from 1-3pm. There’ll be food trucks, art on display, petting zoo, bouncy castles, dunk tank, games, & more.
The Canadian Beach Ultimate Championships will be at Parlee Beach June 6-7.
Poley Mountain’s bike park will open June 6 for the summer season.
The Albert County Historical Society is hosting an exhibit opening and fundraising event focused on the Hillsborough Mastodon on June 6 – a great way to give back to the museum (and a reminder to have a visit on your family list this summer!).
Hillsborough Fun Fest is a playground fundraiser with bouncy castles, food vendors, animals, games, and more at the Hillsborough Kiwanis Community Center on June 7.
The Breakthrough T1D Walk is June 7 at Riverfront Park, with a family fun zone activated by Kids Strong Moncton and walks with Llamazing Adventures, a pizza lunch, and a 5K route to raise funds and celebrate the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community.
Our friends at Chapters have another LEGO Make & Take coming up June 7, this one with a soccer theme. Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve yours now!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton’s Lawn Bowling for Kids’ Sake fundraiser returns June 12 & 13 at Centennial Lawn Bowling Club.
East Coast Comic Expo is back at the Moncton Coliseum June 12 & 13. Always a great event!
The 20th annual Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival is MUST VISIT! There are free concerts in Moncton, Riverview, & Salisbury, then the big day on Saturday, June 13 at the Hal Betts Sportsplex – free admission to see live music, demonstrations, competitions, & more!
Sunshine Rollers will be hosting an outdoor roller skate at the Ian Fowler Oval, 2-4pm, on June 13.
Sunny Support Foundation (SSF) Care Fest 2026 takes place June 13 at Victoria Park, 2-5pm
The Shediac Market starts again for the season on June 14.
June 14 will see the Monster Spectacular take over the Avenir Centre, with five monster trucks, freestyle motocross, lawnmower races, and more. Watch our social media for a chance to win tickets!
FIFA fans should mark June 18 for a visit to Downtown Place (outside the Avenir Centre) at 1:30pm. This free event will have live soccer matches on the big screen, music, food, games, & more.
Ribfest returns June 18-21 in downtown Moncton.
June 22-26 there will be several free musical performances with Pops NB & MOSAÏQ.
Saturday June 27 is Sparkfest: Canadian Multiculturalism Day with free events downtown & on June 28 the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are schedule to make a stop in Moncton!
Riverview’s annual kick off to summer, SUNFEST, takes place June 26 – July 1.
We’ll have a full summer round up coming soon with all the free concerts, festivals, and more!
