Fun family things to do in Moncton
Wondering what to do with the family in Moncton?
We’ve got you covered!
This is your one-stop list for events, activities, attractions, and more in Southeastern New Brunswick! The events are updated weekly, usually by Thursday at noon. You can also check out Pickle Planet’s Guide to Family Fun in Greater Moncton for our mega list of museums, arcades, pools, & more.
A reminder to always check our source links for updates, and follow provincial & national health guidelines for safety during the pandemic.
MUST READ: Where to find a Christmas tree farm in New Brunswick
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND WITH THE KIDS
DECEMBER 15 – JANUARY 3
(Okay, so that’s not really a weekend. It’s three weeks – almost all of which will be time schools are closed & families are searching for fun ways to spend time together! We’ll pop up as much as we can to keep things updated, but you can be sure to find oodles of great ideas whenever you’re looking. Just keep reading!)
Wild Lights is back at Magnetic Hill Zoo! This is an absolute must-visit if you can make it happen. An outdoor extravaganza for your eyes! Admission fees are required; you also need to book in advance.
For a list of amazing local Christmas light displays, check out our Guide to Christmas Things To Do in Greater Moncton.
Poley Mountain opens for the season December 18, 10am-4:30pm. They have a great little video up on their Facebook page talking about changes to comply with pandemic measures.
Resurgo Place is open Tuesday through Sundays, with a special bubble booking available on Sunday, December 20. You can reserve a 2-hour visit with access to the Transportation Discover Centre (where you explore wind tunnels, launch a rocket, sail boats, & more!) and a session with Science East & their awesome robots.
Visions United Church has created a Community Scavenger Hunt for everyone to enjoy! Seven locations in the Elmwood Drive area have posters displayed, each sharing a part of the Christmas story, a verse from a carol, and a link to performance. Travel along & sing along! The list of locations is available on the church’s website.
Cineplex is open with a mix of new & classic films showing – you can watch everything from the original White Christmas to Bad Moms Christmas on the big screen! Kids might like a viewing of The Polar Express, or grab a date for Love, Actually in the theatre. (Movies & times vary by theatre, but both Trinity & Dieppe listed fun options.)
IDEAS to keep little hands busy at home
Santa couldn’t make his usual parade routes this year, but he’s still making time for local kids with three call-in opportunities on Rogers TV this month!
Wednesday, Dec 16 — 7pm to 8pm (Moncton, Fredericton, Miramichi, Saint John cable regions)
Thursday, Dec 17 — 7pm to 8pm (Moncton, Fredericton, Miramichi, Edmundston cable regions)
Friday, Dec 18 — 7pm to 8pm (Moncton, Fredericton, Miramichi, Edmundston, Bathurst cable regions)
You’ll be able to see Santa on Rogers TV New Brunswick’s Facebook Page or your local cable community channel (9 or 10).
If you’re looking for some in-person time with the Big Guy, Bass Pro’s Santa is sitting behind protective glass to help keep everyone safe. The photos we’ve seen of families visiting so far look great!
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY: Christmas Playdough Recipe
Riverview is once again lighting up the Riverfront! Grab your hot cocoa and stroll through a Hallmark movie. This is a wonderful, free way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit. (Did you see our Facebook post with the best spots for local hot chocolate? Check it out to see if your fave made the list – and if not, add it in the comments!)
SKATING TIMES
You can find all the details on indoor & outdoor skating options in Pickle Planet’s Guide to Skating in Greater Moncton.
The Ian Fowler Oval is available for free, outdoor skating in front of the Avenir Centre – with the added fun of BeaverTails being on site Saturday evenings & Sunday afternoons this winter!
There’s also free Friday skating at Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre 10am-11am, at the Crossman Community Centre Kay Arena 10:15am-11:15am & 3:30pm-4:30pm, and a free parent & child session in Riverview from 1:30-2:30pm.
On Sunday, there’s free skating at Dieppe’s AJL rink from 2-3pm. Petitcodiac offers free admission to children five & under on Sunday, with other skaters $2/each. The rink is open 1-2:30pm.
There are also paid skating times Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at various rinks. Check our Guide for more details!
Free Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating in the Greater Moncton Area
A great way to prepare for winter fun at home is to build your own backyard skating rink! Thanks to the Vautour family for sharing their ‘how to’ with us!
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OUTDOOR FUN IDEAS
Boyle Family Farm opens its doors to visitors most weekends, with baby animals to feed, food trucks, vendors, and more. Expect to pay $30 to visit, but you’ll be given $30 in vouchers to spend in the market on local goods!
You can always score an Instagram-worthy photo by tracking down the public art installations around our communities, thanks to Festival Inspire!
Magnetic Hill Zoo is open daily, 10am-5pm.
There’s a new walking trail in Salisbury! While we LOVE walking the wetlands trail & playing at the natural playground at Highland Park, we’re excited to check out the new Woodland Trail, located behind the baseball fields behind JMA Armstrong High School.
Speaking of trails, don’t forget the 3.5km of lovely trails around the Sackville Waterfowl Park, the City of Moncton’s trails & parks, Riverview’s amazing waterfront, Dobson, & Mill Creek, & Dieppe’s fantastic trail system.
INDOOR FUN IDEAS
Hopefully the new YMCA Moncton North (70 Twin Oaks Drive) will reopen soon. It welcomes non-members to use their indoor splash pad & playground! The cost is $3/person on Fridays from 5-8pm; $5/person other times. (Children under 12 need a parent/guardian with them, but you’re not required to pay the fee – just the kiddos! Bathing suits & swim caps aren’t required.) Check out the schedule here.
Resurgo Place is open 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Doiron House an architectural & cultural landmark celebrating Acadian community life. The home was built in 1841 and retains its original masonry hearth, the only known one of its kind in the area. Families are sure to love the opportunity to explore the site through the eyes of Marie, a young girl on a hunt for a valuable object. The house is currently open Saturdays & Sundays.
DIY Studio lets you paint-your-own pottery – and they have some fun Halloween pieces in stock!
The Clayspace often holds drop in sessions, kid-friendly classes, and a retail gallery.
Hop Skip Jump! is open; reduced capacity, but no reservation required. FitRocks Climbing Gym has great courses for all ages. The Riverview Indoor Skatepark is a wonderful place to learn & practice your skills; book a time and check them out!
Bowling is always fun! Fairlanes in Moncton & Bowlarama in Dieppe both offer gutter blockers for kids, and Bowlarama has an awesome arcade section.
Escape rooms are great fun with older kids; check out the options at Room Escape Atlantic, Mystery Moncton Mystere, & at Shediac’s Le Moque-Tortue.
(And for those of you wondering, Skyzone Moncton is expected to reveal its new location soon. We’ll keep an eye out for you!)
IDEAS FOR OUTINGS WITH TWEENS & TEENS
Room Escape Atlantic is recommended ages 8 and up.
Mystery Moncton Mystere recommended ages 14 and up.
Families with adult kids might also want to check into the Wreck Room and Timber Lounge Moncton for some out-of-the-ordinary fun!
You might also want to plan a visit to a trip to Le Moque-Tortue in Shediac, which features a board game cafe and child-friendly escape rooms.
We’ve rounded up a list of ARCADES in the GMA; you can find that info here!
SWIMMING
Find lots of info on indoor & outdoor swimming options in our Guide to Swimming in the GMA.
- The Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview offers weekday Parent & Tot swims and open swim times.
- The Moncton YMCA holds public swims sessions; you do NOT need a membership to swim at these times. There is a children’s pool at the YMCA.
- There are preschool swim sessions at the Dieppe Aquatic Centre, as well as public swim times. A section of the pool has a sloped entry and a pirate ship water feature, making it ideal for little ones.
- The public is also welcome to swim at certain times in the pool at Universite de Moncton.
And remember – you can find more details on arcades, bowling alleys, and other attractions on Pickle Planet’s Guide to Family Fun in Greater Moncton.
THE JENNA & TOSH SHOW
Coming up our final podcast episode of 2020, we chat with our friend Carole of Creative Cat Design all about making the most of your at-home celebrations with fancy cocktails that will wow your tastebuds & make all your Instagram friends jealous!
Make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you don’t miss great chats, like when Sonya from SOS Blog came to organize Tosh’s tea cupboard or when registered dietitian Jillian Reid talked about returning to healthy eating after this pandemic life!
SHOP LOCAL
This year has shown us all how important it is to support our local companies & creators. Please, if you can shift even a few of your usual purchases local this year, do it. All our little efforts add up to have an incredible economic impact!
MUST READ: 25 Made-in-New Brunswick Gifts for Babies, Toddlers, Tweens, & Teens
You could also MAKE local this season, too – check out the workshops happening at Farmer Brown’s Greenhouse. Lovely items you could keep or gift! There’s also a pottery workshop this weekend at the Starving Artist Cafe in Moncton, another great spot to shop local.
The Moncton Market is open on Saturdays from 8am-1pm, as is the Dieppe Market. The Moncton Market is also opening Wednesday, December 23, from 2-8pm for your holiday shopping convenience.
You might also want to check out the Old Church Farmer’s Market in Hillsborough, open Saturday as well. Great spots to find all kinds of goodies, whether for gifting or just for indulging. 🙂
Something we forgot? Let us know! You can message us through our Facebook page.
Need more ideas for fun with the family? Check out details for arcades, bowling alleys, and other attractions on Pickle Planet’s Guide to Family Fun in Greater Moncton.