What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (April 28 – 30)

Can you believe it – the last weekend in April 2023 already! Here’s a look at some great family-friendly events happening this weekend, along with ideas on other attractions you might want to check out!

MUST READ: What Mom REALLY wants for Mother’s Day

Sorry for those of you who came looking for a round up the last two weekends; life got in the way, as it does now & then. Pickle Planet is a one-momma show & these round ups take several hours to create. Sometimes, all the things are just too many things. Hopefully we’re back on track now!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

The Petitcodiac & Area Figure Skating Club is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Petitcodiac Legion on Saturday morning, 7 – 10am.

Riverview’s Unicorn Children’s Centre is hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday, 7-11am.

The Coverdale Masonic Temple in Riverview opens its doors for a pancake breakfast Saturday morning, 9-11am.

Saturday is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day! Lots of specials at Sackville’s Tidewater Books to celebrate!

You can also celebrate books with the Frye Festival, which is still underway. On Saturday at 10am, there’s a French storytime at the Moncton library with Jennifer Houle, featuring an environmental story about lobsters Molly and Fredou and their crab friend Celeste. At the same time, there’s an English storytime at the Riverview library with author Nancy Vo, who will repeat her storytime session in Sackville in the afternoon. Jennifer repeats her readings, one in English as well as again in French, on Sunday in Dieppe at the Arts & Culture Centre, too.

The 2023 Baton New Brunswick Provincial Championships are taking place at CEPS Louis-J.-Robichaud this weekend.

Orienteering New Brunswick is hosting its 32nd annual Flood-O at Centennial Park on Saturday. They say it’s a great event for those just starting with orienteering! There is a 2km beginner course, as well as longer and trickier courses for those up for the challenge. You can register in advance; cost is $30 per family or $15 for adults & $10 for those under 21.

Teen at home with an interest in art? There’s a beginner watercolour painting class happening Saturday afternoon at the Starving Artist Cafe. Ages 14+, $60, all materials included. Call 506-204-4636 to register.

Not up for such a structured event? Kids 12+ can check out the Doodle Drop In session at the Moncton library, Saturday from 1-4pm. This is a self-directed drop-in, materials provided, in the library’s maker space.

Children ages 4 to 12 can register for a fun Arabic language learning afternoon at the Moncton library on Saturday. Call 506-869-6000 to book your space.

The Moncton Mustangs, defending Maritime Football League Champions, are hosting the Valley Razors at Rocky Stone Football Field on Saturday afternoon. $10 at the gate; children 12 & under free.

The Moncton Mystics host the Fredericton Freeze this Saturday in a pre-season game. Doors open at 12:15pm at the Harrison Trimble High School gym. Free for those 12 & under, $5 students/seniors, and $7 adults.

Looking to show your support for the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association? Studs Astray is one of many local makers who have created lemon items to protest the squeeze. You can check out what she has to offer at a pop up this Saturday at Tire Shack. We’ve also seen some great items from Polly Pods, Make it Pretty by MC, and Wildflower Hollow Handmades.

Resurgo Place is always a great option for a family visit, but it’s even more fun on Sunday when Mad Science visits! Included with admission are sessions on solids, liquids, & gasses. Two presented in English, two in French.

Chapters Moncton is hosting a Sunday book launch for Avery and the Special Shoe, written by local dad Jeff Somers about his daughter and her journey with cerebral palsy. Pop by between noon and 4pm!

Wondering about options for your elementary student? Check out the Open House at Riverbend this Sunday, 2-4pm.

If you’re a history buff and up for a drive, make plans to head to Hampton on Sunday for the unveiling of project honouring John Peters Humphrey, the New Brunswicker central to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Here are some more great ideas for fun family outings any weekend in Greater Moncton!

• Magnetic Hill Zoo is currently open five days a week (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• SkyZone
• FitRocks Climbing Gym
• Hop Skip Jump 
• Marco’s Clinic (laser tag)
• Bowlarama (with an awesome arcade)
• Holy Moly (with retro arcade games)
• Fairlanes (with Glow Bowling nights!)
• Riverview Indoor Skatepark & Riverview Youth Centre
• indoor splash pad at YMCA Moncton North (open to the public Saturdays & Sundays, 8:30-10:45am, 12:15-2:15pm, & 3:45-4:45pm)
• the pirate ship & sloped entry at the Dieppe Aquatic Centre
• the warm kiddie pool at the YMCA Greater Moncton (public swims Saturdays 6-7:70pm & Sundays 1:30-3pm)
• open swims at Riverview’s Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre on Saturdays from 1:30-3:30pm & 12:30-2pm on Sundays.
• DIY Studio (paint your own pottery)
• Room Escape Atlantic (their site shows a few non-scary, kid-friendly options)
• Mystery Moncton Mystere (for the teens & up)
• Cineplex
• Doiron House, celebrating Acadian community life in Dieppe, is open Saturdays & Sundays.
• Resurgo Place (closed Mondays)
• Off Grid Adventure in Anagance for an awesome adventure course & their new indoor climbing walls
• Bass Pro’s 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium with striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, trout, perch, and more is fun to visit.
• Boyle Family Farm offers farm visits and horseback rides.
• Llamazing Adventures
• The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, with fantastic options for local goodies.

LOOKING AHEAD

Parents – a reminder that Friday, May 5 is NBTA Council Day, meaning NO SCHOOL. (You’ll also want to make sure May 19 & 22 are marked on your calendar, as they’re closed then, too.)

There are some kids’ cooking classes coming up at Brix on that day, May 5 – there were a few spaces left when we looked, both for the 8 & under session and the 9 & over group.

MiraCon, a comic/sci-fi/cosplay/pop culture convention – takes place in Miramichi in May 6. Looks like a fun line up of family-friendly events! (Moncton’s East Coast Comic Expo is June 9 & 10, btw!)

May 6 is Free Comic Book Day, too – watch for lots of extras at local comic shops!

And speaking of spaces filling up – there are only a few spots showing left for the May Kids’ DIY workshop at Home Depot.

The warmer weather means playground visits are back on everyone’s minds. Be sure to check out our Playground Profiles for picture-filled posts about local places to explore. We hope to double this section this season!