What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (April 19-21)

Welcome to another weekend filled with possibility! A quick reminder to click through to the source for details & updates before heading out; we don’t always know when information changes. We list events by day, then offer a list of suggestions that are open most days to visit!

Our mission here at Pickle Planet HQ is to motivate you to get out and explore your neighbourhood, to create connections with this place & the people around you. Each week we look through dozens & dozens & dozens of websites, social media accounts, & other resources to curate this list of activities & events. You can make sure something is on our radar by sending us a note (DM via Facebook is best the route, BTW) & if you want a spotlight shined on your organization, check out our promotional packages!

FRIDAY

BGC Dieppe is holding their annual Beach Party tonight! 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.

The 50th annual Radical Speed Sport event is happening at the Coliseum this weekend. They have character visits for the kids throughout the weekend and on Friday – weather permitting – a replica Dukes of Hazzard car will do an epic jump in the parking lot at noon! (Tickets required to watch the jump.) Watch their Facebook page for updates & details!

🏊 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!)

SATURDAY

The City of Dieppe’s annual Earth Day event is taking place from 10am – 3pm at Rotary St-Anselme Park. There will be farm animals, exhibitions, door prizes, cleaning, and more!

The Dieppe Cycling Centre is hosting an Earth Day trail cleanup & maintenance event at 9am. Bring your rakes, shovel, & gloves!

It’s Pancake & Sausage Breakfast Day at the Salisbury Lions Club! (They have muffins & donuts & drinks, too.) Adults & youth $10, children ages six to 10 $5, pre-schoolers eat free!

The Riverview Home Show is taking place at the Coverdale Rec Centre, 8am – 4pm.

• Saturday is DISCOUNT DAY at the Grapevine Events Spring/Summer kids’ consignment sale in Saint John! All clothes hanging, more than 125 families selling, open 10am-1pm. A great way to stock up for the season!

Shediac is hosting an eco-creative art workshop with Mathieu Francoeur at the Multipurpose Centre at 6pm.

🏖️ 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!

SUNDAY

The Frye Festival‘s Kidsfest is happening today! The event is at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, starting at 9am. Their website asks you to sign up in advance to attend; the event is free.

We love this literary festival – and if you’re looking for local literary workshops, readings, & more, check out the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick. Their annual spring event is happening in Moncton at the end of May!

Nature Moncton is hosting a Riverfront Cleanup from 2-4pm, starting from the Moncton Press Club. Check out their Facebook event for details.

MUST READ: Eastgate Academy earns IB authorization, moving campus to Moncton

🏖️ 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 – ONGOING IDEAS & ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY FUN IN GREATER MONCTON

🐯 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 have a standing paint and play tabletop session on Sundays.

👶 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!

LOOKING AHEAD

Did you see that the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to the Avenir Centre on May 4? Always a great performance!

The Neptune Drive-In Theatre in Shediac is reopening in May!

Beloved Miniature Horses is holding a Pony Tea Party in early May. Spaces are limited, so check it out now to book your spot.

And in June, the author of The Da Vinci Code is coming to Moncton for a Sistema New Brunswick Children’s Orchestra performance fundraiser on June 11 at the Wesleyan Centre.

Keep June 15 circled, too – for the annual Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival! Petting zoo, horse & wagon rides, bouncy castles, vendors, highland dancers, pipebands, music, and the national youth championship heavy athletics!!!