What to Do with the Kids in Moncton (May 3-5)
Hellllllooooo May!
I am SO happy to turn the page on April and jump into a month with sunnier and warmer days! Watch for more playground profiles coming soon, and of course, next weekend is Mother’s Day, so be sure to get your ducks in a row now, folks!
Speaking of which, we had a reader ask about original ideas for things to do to celebrate – and I didn’t really have a list to share! If you have some thoughts, drop them in the comments, please; I’ll try to add a few to next weekend’s round up. My best thoughts on how to make a mom happy are here: take a read! You might also want to check out the craft workshops at Michaels’ this weekend; a great way to create a little something for Mom with a little creative help!
I do have one idea, if you’re looking to give back this Mother’s Day. Drop by My Home Apparel on Main Street and donate a purse with feminine hygiene products and the great folks at the shop will ensure they get to women in our community who need them! They’re accepting drop offs until May 7th.
As always, the following list is a highlight reel of all the cool activities we found by scouring the internet for you. You can always send us a note through our Facebook page if you have an event you want us to promote (weekend family event listings in this round up are free, extra promotion is available for purchase), and you can always find an ongoing list of places to play and things to do on our MEGA LIST of Moncton family-friendly activities, like bowling, swimming times, links to local indoor attractions, and more.
To everyone heading out to the Sharon & Bram show at the Riverview Arts Centre Thursday night – enjoy! This is their farewell tour after more than 40 years of entertaining families.
For anyone else out there who is as tired of planning meals as I am, a reminder that it’s TACO WEEK! Enjoy lots of yummy dishes all over the GMA; a great family treat would be the walking tacos from Notre Dame de Parkton, enjoyed on a stroll through downtown.
Saturday has become a fun little cult tradition, celebrating all things Star Wars on May the Fourth. The folks at the Riverview Skate Park will be hosting an all ages event from 11am until 10pm, with free admission to anyone in a Star Wars costume! Expect games and treats on theme, too!
You can also celebrate at the Hillsborough Public Library, with special Star Wars themed crafts and stories at 10am and 2pm.
Saturday is also one of the most awesome days of the year because it’s Free Comic Book Day! Watch for amazing events happening at the Comic Book Hunter, including up to six free comic books per person, meet & greets, a costume contest, sales, and more!
You can also pick up some free comics at the Salisbury Library on Saturday.
AMP it Up Dance Studio is holding its grand opening on Saturday in Salisbury!
The $2.99 Saturday Family Favourite feature at Cineplex is Instant Family.
Toys R Us is holding a LEGO Captain Marvel make & take on Saturday morning. Starts at 11am; limited quantities available.
It’s the first Saturday of the month, so ENE Church is offering its free play zone drop in from 10am until noon. Bouncy castles, toys, crafts, and more.
The 38th annual Moncton miniature & doll club show takes place at Riverview’s Dan Bohan Centre on Saturday.
The Riverview Holistic Fair is happening Saturday and Sunday at the Coverdale Centre.
It’s a big weekend in Moncton. Saturday night, enjoy the 11th Annual NB Heart Truth awareness and fundraiser for women’s heart & stroke health – with MAGIC headlining the concert! I’ve attended a few of these shows and it’s always an inspiring evening that makes me grateful and inspired. On Sunday, it’s the Shoppers Love. You Run for Women with special guest Tessa Virtue and Pickle Planet Podcast co-host Tosh Taylor! This run supports mental health programing at Beauséjour Family Crisis Resource Centre. We hear this is an incredible event – with even more awesome swag bags!
Also happening this Saturday and Sunday is the annual Moncton Kennel Club Dog Show, with more than 175 breeds and lots of fun.
Little one heading off to kindergarten in the fall? There’s a Welcome to Kindergarten Bag event at the Moncton Library this Sunday.
Salisbury Fire & Rescue’s annual Open House is Sunday at 11am. Tour the station, check out the new gear, and enjoy a community BBQ.
Sunday afternoon the Moncton Magic continue their playoff fun, with Game 4 of the second round taking place at Avenir Centre.
It’s Make Something Sunday at the Owens Art Gallery in Sackville. This month’s craft is a box book; for ages 12 and under.
Music more your jam? The Lumber Jills are celebrating their new release and New Brunswick Old Time Fiddle music at St. James Gate’s Event Room. Secure your spot by emailing staceyread@gmail.com.
The annual Walk So Kids Can Talk, a fundraiser for the Kids Help Phone, takes place Sunday at Centennial Rotary Lodge. Lots of family-friendly activities on site!
Sunday evening there’s a Facebook Live event with my absolute favourite parenting writer, Ann Douglas. She’ll be sharing some of her personal story as well as information she’s gathered during years of research on the topic of Parenting Through the Storm – how to be an advocate for yourself and your child when dealing with a diagnosis. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Ann and of being interviewed by her; if you have thirty minutes, this will be a great way to spend it. No matter your current parenting challenges, I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration during this event.
Looking for a fun mother’s day idea? Check out the mala bracelet workshop hosted by Tango Medical and Christa Martin on Sunday afternoon! Bring a little one (ages six and up) and you can both create bracelets – a wonderful gift to surprise a mom, perhaps?! Check out the details than email christa_martin@hotmail.com to register.
And a few future notes:
Next week, from Monday through Friday, counsellors and volunteers will be at Moncton City Hall to take place in Sidewalk Talk. This is an initiative to break down barriers and stigma around mental health challenges, encouraging everyone to stop and enjoy talking with a trained listener. Sidewalk Talk will be set up from 10am until 2pm.
And next Friday night, be sure to check out the Moncton Multiples Consignment Sale page at 6:30pm for a live video walkthrough of the sale floor! This is our family’s go-to shopping method: grabbing everything we need for spring and summer in one morning, at a fraction of retail.
Here are a few posts we think you might be interested in reading; take a look! Happy Weekend, everyone!