WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Alright, folks! We have another wonderful weekend ahead of us – let’s take a look at some of the fun, family activities on offer in the Greater Moncton Area!

A quick note: we are planning to provide an update next week, ahead of the New Brunswick Day long weekend.

INSIDE IDEAS 

Whether you’re trying to beat the heat or stay out of the rain, it’s always great to keep a list of indoor activities on hand.

New Brunswick’s public libraries are open again, with limitations because of the pandemic. The Moncton Public Library is now offering take-home activity kits; pop by the children’s desk to get yours, as well as some books to read at home.

Resurgo Place is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am-4pm. They have lots of on-site self-directed activities, DIY craft kits, science demonstrations (riding on the hovercraft is something to experience!), and more.

Riverview’s Indoor Skate Park is open; book online in advance.

Mystery Moncton Mystere is open, with a new room, too! (Recommended for older kids, ages 14+)

You can also enjoy a trip to DIY Studio.

A quick reminder that both Room Escape Atlantic &  SkyZone are currently closed for relocations; watch for re-openings for both this fall!

OUTDOOR IDEAS

Magnetic Hill Zoo is open, including the FunZone; purchase online in advance to ensure your spot. And don’t forget the allure of a drive on Magnetic Hill!

The Go Karts and batting cages are open at The Boardwalk (Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-9pm) and the driving range is open seven days a week.

The track is also operating at East Coast Karting; reach out to them if you’re interested in your child learning to drive.

Public Art never shuts down; take the family on a tour of the amazing murals and more around the GMA with this map.

The City of Moncton’s has a new way to check conditions at local parks & playgrounds – including showing which of their 20 splash pads have the water running! Click here to access their interactive map; the playgrounds with water features show up with a blue background, then click into the details to check the status. (You can also find the official updated list on the city’s website; scroll to the bottom of the page for the list of operating splash pads.)

Don’t forget to visit our Playground Profiles page for more ideas on spots to visit; we provide photos of all the equipment, details on things like parking, and more. (Pro Tip: You can use the drop down menu to search just Riverview, Moncton, or Dieppe playgrounds we’ve visited; there are nearly 100 playgrounds on our master list we want to profile, so keep checking back for new additions!)

SWIMMING

The City of Moncton’s East End pool (35 Fergus Street) is open daily from 10am-7pm, with only 75 people at a time (due to social distancing). Admission is $2/person, free for those aged three and under.

Centennial Park’s new beach is now open, 11am-7:30pm daily, with 200 people per session allowed to allow for social distancing. Admission is $5/adult, $3/seniors and children ages three to 12 – under three is free. There is a sandy play area, with washrooms and a canteen available. Centennial Park is located at 801 St. George Blvd; the address for the pool is 15 Rotary Park Lane.

Salisbury Lions Pool is open, as is Petitcodiac‘s community pool.

The newly refurbished Lion Ken Gabbey Pool in Riverview is still expected to open this summer, though the Town has yet to share a date. The Town’s indoor pool is open for recreational swimming.

Hillsborough’s heated outdoor public swimming pool is next to the village’s skate park and elementary school playground (7 School Lane) and can be reached by phone at 506-734-3702. The pool is open Monday through Friday, with swim times happening in one-hour time blocks with $1 admission.

EVENTS

Have a little one in love with fairies and the like? Consider a visit to The Enchanted Glen this Saturday for their Children’s Fairy Garden Workshop! You’ll learn about plants and fairies while creating your own fairy garden. All materials are provided (cost $20); children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult, and spots are limited to 12. Register by email: theenchantedglen.nb@gmail.com and let them know Pickle Planet sent you!

There’s an online celebration of the Cape Jourimain lighthouse this Saturday morning, which includes a live music performance by New Brunswick musicians!

Also happening online is a great series of sessions open to teens, facilitated by Eastern College’s Child & Youth Care classes and the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick. These discussions focus on various topics and ages, such at the Tuesday morning talk about fostering personal transformation, self-care sessions on Wednesdays, and a focus on setting healthy boundaries on Mondays. Click through the posters on Eastern College’s Facebook page (here)for all the details on times, ages, and how to register.

DAYTRIP IDEAS

BOUCTOUCHE

Love lavender? Then you should make a trip to the Bouctouche area this weekend! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am until 4pm you can visit Lavender at Ocean Breeze Farm, four acres of hand-planted lavender near the beach in St. Edouarde de Kent. A photography dream! Make time to include a visit to

Of course, a trip to Bouctouche can also include a visit to Le Pays de la Sagouine, the farmer’s market (open Saturdays 8am-1pm), the public Irving Eco-Centre and the incredible Bouctouche Dunes, and so much more!

HILLSBOROUGH

Maybe you’ll head to Hillsborough!

The New Brunswick Railway Museum in Hillsborough is also open for the season, as is the Albert County Museum and the Hopewell Rocks. You might even want to book an experience kayaking around the rocks! Make it an overnight with a stay at Broadleaf Ranch, where you can book their glamping units and outdoor adventures, such as horseback trail riding! Don’t forget to pop by the local shops and eateries, including checking out the Foods of the Fundy Valley for goodies like fresh, local strawberries. Don’t forget a stop for ice cream at the Artisan’s Village, next to the fenced-in playground and on the road to the old Gypsum wharf walking trail.

SHEDIAC

If you’re looking for some board game fun, check out Bistro Le Moque-Tortue in Shediac; a lovely spot with games, escape rooms, and more fun for all ages, plus one of the most colourful outdoor dining areas you’ll find around! You can also check out Pascal Poirier Park in the Village (it has a splash pad), and a visit to the Big Lobster is always a summer must. The playground there is a favourite among our little Pickles. (We hear an ice cream at nearby Rosie’s Ice Cream – open 1-9pm – is another Shediac must!) Shediac Paddle Shack is offering a Family Night specials on Saturdays; children 12 and under can have their rental 50% off when renting with their adult. (Book in advance.)

We also love grabbing a candy treat and adopting baby lobsters while visiting the Pointe-du-Chene wharf. The Écocentre Homarus Eco-Centre is a fantastic little spot to learn about the life cycle of a lobster and to see rare blue and albino lobsters in their tank. You can even touch a lobster if you wish!

 

SACKVILLE

We’re always up for a trip to Sackville, especially for a swim at Lillas Fawcett Park! You might also want to check out the waterfowl park, the splash pad in the centre of town, and all the great local spots to shop and eat. A trip out to Trueman’s Farm is worth it for the ice cream!

All you want to know about exploring Fredericton with the family is coming up this week on the #StaycationSummer podcast episode – be sure to watch for it here this Friday (and Monday on RogersTV). You might also want to check out our other #StaycationSummer podcast episodes – hit up the show notes/blog posts for lots of links and details!

MOVIE TIME!

Have you made it to the drive-in yet? So many fun options this summer!

The Hub City Drive-in is located at Solomon Gardens on the Salisbury Road. Their upcoming shows include:

Thursday, July 23: Halloween VI: The Curse of Michael Myers
Friday, July 24: Wall-E
Saturday, July 25: The Wolf of Wall Street
Wednesday, July 29: Homeward Bound (The Incredible Journey) – an SPCA fundraiser

The Sussex Drive-In’s upcoming shows:

Friday, July 23: Jurassic Park (1993) & Jaws
Saturday, July 24: Blake Shelton
Sunday, July 25: Jurassic Park (1993) & Jaws

Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is celebrating Christmas in July this weekend!

Friday, July 23: Polar Express & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Saturday, July 24: Blake Shelton
Sunday, July 25: Polar Express & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

It’s also Christmas in July in Sackville, with the town showing The Grinch (2018) on the big screen outside at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park Friday night, 9pm.

Cineplex in Dieppe is reopen, with some great family options this weekend, including recent hits like Sonic the Hedgehog and Sing, as well as old favourites like the Karate Kid!

And speaking of movies, why not host your own big screen experience in your own backyard! Check out our sponsored post with Confetti & Fizz Events for more on their rental packages and options!

Alrighty folks! That’s all for now. Thanks for reading, and if you found this helpful & informative, we’d love if you’d share it with your friends & family! We’ve been helping New Brunswick families connect with each other & their communities for five years & rely on your support to keep this resource going!