Summer Family Fun Cheat Sheet

Your one-stop spot for all of Pickle Planet’s insight on when and where to have a great time with the family this summer!

(Please note: We try to update this list each year but be sure to double check our source links for up-to-date info!)

We’re big fans of packing up a snacky picnic lunch or dinner and heading to some green space! Here we paired it with a trip to see the tidal bore in downtown Moncton.

• Indulge in a sweet treat with our list of places to enjoy a hard ice cream cone with the family.
• Cool off with our list of all the splash pads, playgrounds with water features, and local swimming pools!
• Have it made in the shade with our guide to playgrounds in Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe.
• Some rainy day inspiration is always important, too!
• Plan a road trip! You can listen to our #StaycationSummer podcast series for ideas, too!
• Enjoy simple S’mores Dip and Watermelon Treats at home for Canada Day – or any day!

ATTRACTIONS

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! Look for the 💚 for our TEEN & TWEEN picks & ☔ for indoor rainy day ideas!

☔ 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.

☔  Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too! (Closed on Mondays, including long weekends.)

☔ Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option. (They’re closed on Monday.)

☔ BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect, with lots of programming open to everyone.

☔🤸 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.

☔💚🎳 Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Marvelous Holy Bowly in Riverview, check out glow bowling times at Fairlanes in Moncton, or head to Bowlarama & its awesome arcade in Dieppe. (We recommend calling ahead to book in advance so you’re not disappointed.)

☔💚🎮Book a booth at GG Bistro for some gaming fun & great eats!

☔💚 Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!

☔💚 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!

☔💚 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!

🛹 There’s a borrowing program at YMCA North with skateboards, helmets, and protective gear for use on their great outdoor ramps when weather permits.

☔💚 Up for a challenge? Room Escape Atlantic usually has a few non-scary, kid-friendly options & Mystery Moncton Mystere is great for the teens & up. 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!

☔💚💥 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!

☔🎥 Check out what’s playing at Cineplex in Dieppe or Trinity!

💚🚗 We love a great drive in adventure – and there are two nearby! Neptune Drive In (Shediac) & Sussex Drive In generally open in May and run until at least September.

☔ Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit, especially when you need an indoor option.

🐯 The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open Thursday through Monday.

💚 Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!

💚🐴 Pony Trails – Ammon Stables offers pony walks & cuddles; check their site and reach out for availability.

🎧 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! Be sure to check out all the amazing public art installations around the downtown core, too!

INDOOR & OUTDOOR SWIMMING

For indoor swimming, there are public options at the YMCA Greater Moncton (love their small, warmer pool for little ones), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!). The indoor splash pad at the YMCA North End is an amazing option for kiddos, too! CEPS at UdM offers some public swimming, as does the University Pool at Mount Allison in Sackville.

Outdoor pools are generally open mid- to late-June until late-August/early-September. You can find more information about those on our Guide to Splash Pads in the GMA, but here are some basic details:

• Riverview’s Lion Ken Gabbey Community Pool is located at 1 Killarney Road, with a large playground, ballfield, and plenty of parking.
• Salisbury‘s Lions Club Pool is located at 63 Peter Street; it has a playground and lots of parking.
• Petitcodiac‘s community pool is found at 23 Corey Ave and can be reached at 506-756-3127.
• Hillsborough’s heated outdoor public swimming pool is next to the village’s skate park and elementary school playground; it’s located at 7 School Lane and can be reached by phone at 506-734-3702.
• The City of Moncton operates the East End pool at 35 Fergus Street and the Centennial Park pool at 811 St George Blvd.

And if you’re up for spending money on the ultimate local splash experience, head to Magic Mountain. Even little ones can enjoy several features at the water park, including four slides at the Puddle Jumpers Pond, and a splash pad pirate ship, lighthouse, and whale.

TREATS & EATS

🧑‍🌾 The Farmer’s Markets in Moncton & Dieppe are open on Saturday mornings, with all sorts of goodies to indulge your tastebuds!

💚🗼 Pretend you’ve hopped a plane to France with a trip to Tony’s for pastries!

💚 Riverview’s Tambayan Cafe is a selfie heaven! This fabulous 2D cafe (check out our visit reel!) also boasts bubble tea, croffles, & more.

💚 Make a list of foods you haven’t tried & see what you can find at some of the newer grocery spots, like HS Empire Store or Varenyky.

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