What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Apr 4-6)

Welcome to April, everyone! Spring is here (at least officially!), the Easter Bunny is coming, and there are lots of great things to get out and enjoy in our community!

Maple Season is coming to a close soon, but there’s still time to celebrate! Riverview’s annual MapleFest is happening this weekend, along with Fundy Albert Maple Fest and our local sugar camps are still open:

• 🍁Renton Brothers Family Sugarbush at 1270 Gorge Road in Moncton; the blue building with the smiley face. They’re open to the public Saturdays & Sundays, 9:30am-4pm.
• 🍁Trites Maples offers pancake breakfasts starting at 8am on Saturdays (cash only; until April 12). On Sundays, you can enjoy a tour at 10am, noon, & 2pm. Head for the “4^th camp with the green metal roof” at the end of Maple Ridge Trail, about a 15-minute walk from where you can park at 1270 Gorge Road in Moncton.
• 🍁Fundy Maple can be found at 6 Dewey Road, Turtle Creek, on the outskirts of Riverview. They’re open Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-3pm, with free tours at 11am and 1pm. (You can also email to book a private tour.)
• 🍁Château Scoudouc is about a 15 minute drive from Downtown Moncton & has the cutest little shop filled with dozens and dozens of maple products! Their season is March 1 – April 27, 2025 – with brunches 9am-1pm on Saturdays & Sundays. Guided tours are offered in French at 1:30pm & in English at 3pm.
•  White’s Maple in Hillsborough offers pancake breakfasts Saturday & Sunday!
• 🍁And for those 19+ who like a little indulgence, I highlight suggest checking out Maple Fest at Magnetic Hill Winery! You can enjoy a free sample of their amazing maple swish wine – straight from the barrel! They also have two fantastic maple cocktails and a special maple dessert board that is perfect to share!

Don’t forget – Greater Moncton Poutine Week is on until April 13. Check out our visit to GG Bistro to try their amazing creation & our made-at-home Haggis Poutine!

Tambayan Cafe is bringing the 2D craze to Riverview & we can’t wait to experience it in person! Their soft opening is today, but we’re sure this would be a hit idea any time this weekend & beyond.

I’ll be at the Moncton Press Club tonight

• ⚽ Open Gym at the Kay Arena in Moncton, 10am-noon, parent & tot
• 🏊 Preschool Swim, 10-11:25am, $5-$10, Dieppe Aquatic Centre
• ⚽ Open Gym at the Kay Arena in Moncton, 2:30-4:30pm, students K-8 (adult supervision required for those Gr 5 & younger
• 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim, 6-7:30pm
• 🏀 Open gym basketball for Grades 6-8 & Grades 9-12, Maple Hills, 8:30-10pm
• DYK: Friday and Saturday Day Passes for both YMCA locations are only $5 for those aged 12-18!

St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Moncton is hosting a pancake breakfast today, 8:30-11am. Children five & under eat free; $10/adult or family rates of $25 for one or two children under age 12 & $30 for more than two children.

The Easter Bunny returns to Bass Pro today, with appearances tomorrow, next weekend (12-17 & 19). Hop on by for your free photo!

The Nemo Foundation is hosting Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Irishtown Community Centre from 9am-noon. The Bunny arrives at 10am. There will be crafts & door prizes, too.

Riverview’s annual MapleFest is happening April 4-6. Today there’s the Rise n Maple 9:30-11:30am in Mill Creek Park, with fire-brewed maple coffee and Briggs Maple s’more while supplies last, a learn to disc golf event, a sweet skateboarding competition, workshops, a free Maple Dip (swim) 2-3:30pm, free Maple Skate at 3:45-5:15pm, & Sugar Shack Laser Tag, too!

Fundy Albert Maple Fest is coming up April 5 & 6.

The fabulous Jennifer McGrath will be at the Riverview Library at 10am for a storytime, then she’s heading to Chapters Moncton from noon to 3pm.

The Maker Hub is opening in Riverview today! This is a hub for creative exploration, with 3D printers, sewing machines, craft areas, & more. Drop by between noon and 5pm to see what it’s all about!

506 Elite Allstars are hosting a two-hour Easter-themed Toddler Camp on April 5.

Trading Card Warehouse in Riverview is hosting a community trade day today.

• 👟 The Kay Arena Walking Track is open to strollers 10:30am-12:30pm
• ♟️ Students K-12 are invited to drop in for chess at the Moncton Library, 10am-noon
• 🏊 Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview, Saturday public swims, 2-3:30pm
• 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre public swim (with wibit), 3:15-4:55pm, $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.
• 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre’s public swim (with wibit) 6pm, $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.

Looking for a great spring activity for your child? Check out the music classes offered by Alison Dawn Voice & Music in Riverview! They have programs starting in April for babies, toddlers, & youth! Visit https://www.alisondawnvoice.com/ecmusicclasses for details.

April 6 is Tartan Day; local Scots will be gathering at O’Creek Brewing to hear from Scottish storyteller Calum Lykan.

There’s a Pysanka Workshop today in Moncton.

The Maritime Collectibles and Moncton Toyshow returns to the Crowne Plaza again, with collectible items for just about every interest!

• 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim, 2-3pm
• 👟 The Kay Arena Walking Track is open to strollers 10:30am-12:30pm

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!

These attractions & fun ideas are always worth checking out! Look for the 💚 for our TEEN & TWEEN picks!

🏊‍♀️ 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), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview, and the Dieppe Aquatic Centre (with the awesome sloped entry & pirate ship splash zone!).

 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!

 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 Sundays in March, the open for the season soon.

💚 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.

💚 🗼 Pretend you’ve hopped a plane to France with a trip to Tony’s for pastries! (There are enough cute cafes to visit a new one each day – maybe even two a day if you can swing it!)

💚 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.

🎧 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!

Monday the Early Childhood Family Resource Centre is hosting an Adventure Vroom event where your little can see a loader up close!

MHS drama’s Grease musical runs April 9-12.

There’s a free workshop for parents happening at Riverbend Community School on Thursday, April 10. It’s aimed at those who have students in French Immersion and are looking for ways to support English reading and writing, but is open to any parent with questions about literacy in general!

Riverview Lions Club pancake breakfast on April 12.

There’s a fundraising yardsale for Riverview Middle School happening April 12.

The Dieppe Arts & Culture Centre is hosting a watercolour painting workshop for kids, ages five to 12, on April 17. Offered in French only.

Cap-Acadie is hosting an Easter celebration at the Haute-Aboujagane Hunting and Fishing Club on Saturday, April 12, from 1-6:30pm. There’ll be hot chocolate, balloon animals, llamas, music, and of course the Easter Bunny!

There’s a watercolour workshop at Kept On Main on April 12; register in advance.

On Sunday, April 13 there’s an Easter celebration at the YMCA Moncton North, 2-4pm. There will be crafts, games, face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and 3,000 eggs to find!

The Biker Bunny is back again, with stops planned at Dieppe’s Rotary Park on Friday, April 18 from noon to 2pm, then at Moncton’s Centennial Park on Saturday from noon to 2pm.

Trueman Farms annual Easter Egg Hunt is back April 18 & 19; tickets are on sale now.

Pony Trails – Ammon Stables has an Easter-themed trail walk planned on April 18; reach out to book your spot.

Tidal Church is holding its annual Easter Blast on April 19, 8am-noon.

New Hope Church’s Peep-A-Palooza is happening April 19, 2-4pm, with an egg hunt, face painting, games, & more.

Hop! Skip! Jump! will be open over Easter, including Friday and Monday.

Scholar’s Choice Moncton is holding a Celebrate Spring event on April 26.

April means Frye Festival – and the amazing Kidsfest celebration! Check out this free event at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre on April 27, 9am-1pm.