What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (April 12-14)
Hey hey, everyone! Thanks for popping by. This weekend’s round up is coming together a little late & a little short – Pickle Planet HQ has been dealing with the gastro/flu/whatever it is bug that’s going around (along with trying to do things like file taxes & keep up with day jobs!), so this is going to be short & sweet.
As always, check out the source links for any updates & if you’re part of something we’ve missed, drop it in the comments.
Our region is currently hosting the 2024 Canadian Ringette Championships & there’s a special Come Try Ringette event on Friday night. Head to the UNIplex Arena for 6pm. Ages 4 & up; you need skates, gloves, and a helmet to take part. Get out & take in the games, too! (There was a call out for additional volunteers this week, too, so lots of ways to take part!)
First up on Saturday is the annual Moncton Multiples Consignment Sale at the Coliseum. This is an amazing opportunity to outfit the kids for less; you can shop everything for spring/summer for newborn to tween. Check their Facebook page for details on entry times!
Saturday afternoon you’re going to want to head to Salisbury if you have a kiddo that loves machinery. As part of the community’s 250th anniversary celebrations they’re hosting a touch-a-tractor event, 2-4pm!
If you have a climber, head to Dieppe Saturday afternoon. The BGC is hosting a free rockwall event, noon to 3pm, ages 7 & up.
Also happening Saturday, the Moncton Dog Runners Spring Fast Fox Race is happening at Mapleton Park, so the Floodplain Trail & the Wetland Trail will be closed from 7am until noon. (You are allowed to come watch the event, just be mindful of the course & rules.)
It’s also one of the last weekend’s to head to a maple sugar camp!
🍁 Renton Brothers Family Sugarbush (1270 Gorge Road, Moncton – the one with the smiling face) is open 9:30am-4pm Saturday & Sunday.
🍁 Trites Maples (1270 Gorge Road, Moncton – the 4th camp with the green metal roof) is open for their pancake breakfast starting at 8am Saturday only; tours on Sunday.
🍁 Fundy Maple (6 Dewey Road, Turtle Creek/Riverview) is open 10am-3pm; tours at 11am & 1pm.
🍁 Chateau Scoudouc (2862 route 132, Scoudouc) is open for breakfast, 9am-1pm.
🍁 White’s Maple is open for breakfast 8am – noon.
And looking ahead to next weekend …
- BGC Dieppe is holding their annual Beach Party on April 19! This is one of their biggest events of the year – bouncy castles, face painting, themed activities & snacks, hot dogs & tons of fun for just $5.
- And if you’re still looking for great deals on kids’ clothes & gear, head to the Grapevine Events sale in Saint John! All clothes hanging, more than 125 families selling, open Friday night (free entry 5-8pm) & Saturday (10am-1pm) is Discount Day – most items are 50% off.
- Tickets for the next Happy Hour Club Moncton go on sale April 15; these are great events if you’re looking to meet other local women! The events always sell out, so don’t wait. It’ll be a fantastic late afternoon at Magnetic Hill Winery on May 28.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
FRIDAYS
🏊 Preschool swim, Dieppe, 10am
🤸♂️ 506 Elite offers a $5 drop-in play session on Fridays & Mondays, 10-11am. All ages welcome; parents must stay. (506 is a great spot if you have a kiddo who wants to twist & tumble; check out our recent profile of all they have to offer!)
🤸♂️ Open gym, free, Kay Arena, Parent & Tots 10am-12pm, K-5 2:15-3:30pm, Gr 6-8 3:30-4:45pm
🏖️ YMCA Moncton North Splash Pad, $5, 8am-7:45pm
🏸 Badminton, 14 & under, CCNB Dieppe, 6pm, free
🏸 Badminton, 15 & over, CCNB Dieppe, 7pm, free
⚡SkyZone’s Glow Nights are Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm. Wear white or florescent colours!
🏊 YMCA Public Swim, $3, 7-8pm
🏀 Drop-in basketball for ages 12-18 at the YMCA, 8:15-9:30pm, $5 for non-members (also on Mondays!)
SATURDAYS
🏖️ YMCA Moncton North Splash Pad, $5, 8:30-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm
⚽ Drop-in preschoolers play group, Dorchester, 10am-noon
🏊 Riverview Aquatic Centre offers open swim on Saturdays at 2:30pm.
🏊 CEPS (UdeM) public swim, 3-4:25, $3
🏊 The Dieppe Aquatic Centre has public swims on Saturday at 3:15pm & 6pm. $10/adults, $5-$8 for youth (under 2 free)
🏊 YMCA public swim, 6:30-7:45pm, $3
⚡SkyZone’s Glow Nights are Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm. Wear white or florescent colours!
SUNDAYS
🏖️ YMCA Moncton North Splash Pad, $5, 8:30-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm
🛹 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Youth Drop In Centre is open 11am-4pm & 5-7pm today.
🏸 Drop in badminton for ages 12-18, $5, YMCA Moncton North, 1-2:45pm
🏊 YMCA Public Swim, $3, 1:30-3pm
🏊 CEPS (UdeM) public swim, $3, 3-4:25pm
🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre public swim Sunday at 3:15pm. $10/adults, $5-$8 for youth (under 2 free)
MOST DAYS
🐯 The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open five days a week in April. (They’re closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays.)
🍦Ice cream is always a great treat & Bennic is open at noon every day except Monday!
🍦Trueman’s Blueberry Farm is also a fabulous ice cream destination – and on the weekend they have a train you can ride! Watch for some fun Easter Bunny sightings here soon, too.
🪨 Want to move as a family? Try a visit to FitRocks Climbing Gym!
🔫 Book laser tag at Marco’s Clinic or the Sportsdome.
🛹 Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre are a great space to learn to skate or practice your skills!
👧 Hop! Skip! Jump! is perfect for little ones, as well as the cool climbing wall & laser room for older kids.
🎳 Bowling is always a fun idea! Go retro vibes with Holy Moly 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.)
🎨 Creative mood? Try DIY Studio to paint your own pottery!
🔐 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, like … Motive for Murder audio game — A great ‘any time of day’ option for the true crime fans who are up for a little hometown sleuthing. Download a whodunnit set in Moncton!
🎲 If board games are your family thing, check out the new shop on Moncton’s Main Street, Board Miniatures!
👶 The Early Childhood Family Resource Centre has lots of drop-in & scheduled events throughout the month, both at its Dieppe location and its satellite locations. Check out their online calendars for details; a great option for littles throughout the week!
🐟 Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is always fun to visit. And of course, the Easter Bunny is on site now, too!
🦙 Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Talk the llamas for a walk!
📚 Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages
🏫 Resurgo Place is another spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too!
