What to do with the kids this weekend in Greater Moncton (Sept 27-29)
Apologies to everyone looking for the round up last week. The back-to-school sickness invaded our home & I was laid up in bed with a terrible sinus infection. There were so many fabulous events that I wanted to share, but just couldn’t make it happen. 🙁
A reminder there’s no school Monday, as we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Most federal and provincial business offices will be closed as well. We’ve included some resources & events in the round up! (Huge thanks to the amazing elders, dancers, organizers, and students from several local schools who took part in Anglophone East School District’s 2nd annual Mawiomi, held earlier this week at Salisbury Regional School. What an incredible opportunity to learn about many of the traditional dances in our region! There were hundreds of people taking part in the Snake Dance, shown in this week’s cover photo.)
September & October are wonderful months for apple picking, pumpkin decorating, and corn maze adventures! You can find links to all sorts of options throughout New Brunswick in our annual guide. Here are the closest options you might want to visit this weekend:
🌽 The beloved Green Pig Market in Salisbury is open again – and its corn maze is open for the season! The Green Pig features mini corn mazes perfect for toddlers, a bounce pad, straw mountain, the pumpkin blaster, and a larger maze for those looking for a longer adventure. The main corn maze takes about an hour-and-a-half to complete, while the mini maze is full of activities for young kids and takes less than 30 minutes to walk through. The mini maze is $5, while the regular maze entry is $12. All are open 10am-5pm. Follow along on their Facebook page for updates. They have some lovely pumpkins & other fall decor/food available at the market, too!🎃
🍦 Trueman Blueberry Farm in Aulac is always a great adventure; watch for upcoming information on their corn maze, pumpkin patch, and after dark options this fall. For now, visit for the amazing homemade ice cream, a new MEGA slide as part of their Happy Place play area, and their raspberry u-pick.
🌽Milton Mile Farms (800 Dawson Road) is a lovely option for local corn maze fun. They’re open Saturdays & Sundays, noon-5pm. Keep an eye out for their pumpkins & fall decor, too!🎃
🌽 Boyle Family Farm’s corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo is open Saturdays & Sundays until Halloween, 10am-4pm. Find them on Route 126; children two and under are free, general admission is $13.05+tx.
🍎 Appleview Orchards (47194 Homestead Road) is open 10am-5pm daily. U-pick prices are 10lbs for $22.
🍎Belliveau Orchard in Memramcook is open daily, 10am-5pm. We LOVE heading here afterschool for a quieter experience – or during the day with younger kiddos! They offer small $3 bags for kids to pick, as well as 5-20lbs bags for those with a serious need for apples.
🫐 Memramcook’s Les Petits Fruits de Pré-d’en-Haut is a lovely farm overlooking the Bay of Fundy, with a stand open 10am-5pm. Watch for their wagon rides to the pumpkin patch to return! 🎃
🍎 La Fleur du Pommier (79 Chemin R Goguen, Cocagne) opens for the season, 10am-6pm daily, with their cafe open Saturdays & Sundays.
🍎 Uris Williams & Sons Apple Orchard (875 Murray Road) is open for the season, 10am-5pm.
And in ice cream news … 🍦🍧🍨 it’s the FINAL WEEKEND to visit Dieppe’s Bennic Dairy Bar for the season! This lovely space is open Saturday, Sunday, & Monday, then closed until March.
The Amlamgog Youth Powwow in Fort Folly begins today.
East Coast Amusements is setting up at the Moncton Coliseum parking lot. They plan to open at 3pm today.
- ⛸️ Public skating at the Shediac rink, 10:20am. CSA-approved helmet is mandatory.
- ⛸️ Public skating at the Sackville rink, noon-1pm; parent & tot skating 10:15-11:15am.
- 🏀 Basketball for ages 12-18, $5, 1:30-2:30pm & 8:15-9:50pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
- 🌟SkyZone’s Glow Zone happens every Friday & Saturday night, 7-10pm. Regular admission rates & you must wear white or florescent!
- 🔫 The SportsDome has laser tag on Friday nights, 6-8pm & group bookings available at other times.
- 🎤 Sing it On, ages 12-18, free, 3:15-4:15pm, YMCA Greater Moncton (also on Thursdays)
- 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim, 7-8pm.
- 🎾 Pickleball for ages 12-18, $5, 7:15-8:45am, YMCA Greater Moncton
- 🍿 The Sussex Drive In is showing Transformers One & Friday the 13th.
- 🎥 Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing My Penguin Friend & Ezra.
Petitcodiac hosts a Fall Fair today. The events begin at 9am, with vendors, face painting, inflatables, breakfast, and more!
The Amlamgog Youth Powwow continues in Fort Folly.
The Old Church Farmers’ Market in Hillsborough is hosting a Harvest Market & Corn Boil, 9am-2pm. There’ll be a corn boil by doantion, with funds going to the Hillsborough Elementary & Community Playground, music, apple cider, face painting, pumpkin painting, photo booth, a meet & greet with Charlie the miniature donkey, and of course lots of seasonal produce & products to purchase!
Coverdale Masonic Lodge in Riverview is holding a pancake & sausage breakfast, 9-11am. $10/adult, $5/child. Cash only, please!
Today is the first in a 12-week series of beginner group violin classes for kids ages eight to 12 with Alison Dawn Voice & Music Studio in Riverview. It’s a small class & a great way to see if your child will enjoy the instrument! The cost is $265 for the 12 weeks. #sponsored
Moncton Cares is hosting a free Multicultural Dance Festival at Riverfront Park, 6-11pm.
Book lovers! The Silent Book Club is hosting a super fun market at Magnetic Hill Winery today, 1-5pm. There will be nearly two dozen book-ish vendors and pre-loved books to purchase – with funds going to support Legs for Literacy!
East Coast Amusements is setting up at the Moncton Coliseum parking lot. They plan to open at noon today.
Trueman Blueberry Farm is hosting a special After Dark event, with loads of special activities. Corn maze, jumbo jumper, train rides, hay bale pyramid, & so much more from 5-9pm.
The Moncton Wildcats host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan tonight at the Avenir Centre.
It’s roller disco time! The Sunshine Rollers are back at the Coliseum & everyone’s invited! You can rent skates for $8+tx, but remember they’re rented in two-hour slots (4pm, 6pm, & 8pm) & helmets are required for those ages 12 & younger. There’s a low-sensory skate from 4-6pm, family skate from 6-8pm, and a 16+ skate from 8-10pm. Entry is $16+tx for ages 13+ & $8+tx for youth.
Want to know if ghosts are real? Then head to the Albert County Museum for World Ghost Hunting Day! The museum is hosting a Wellness & Paranormal Fair starting at 11am, with Hub City Paranormal taking groups on special tours in the afternoon ($25) & evening ($35). (Admission includes two-day access to the museum; make a great weekend trip by adding a stop at the Hopewell Rocks, too!)
Cliff Valley Astronomy is hosting a Star Party in Shediac. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to see Saturn, star clusters, & more – using high-tech telescopes. The night starts at 7pm with an equipment demonstration & a chance to view a meteorite collection.
- 🏎️ East Coast Karting is open Saturday 1-7pm; group bookings available on request.
- 🏊♂️ Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview public swim, 2-3:30pm.
- 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre’s public swim (with wibit) is 3:15-4:55pm. Cost is $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.
- 🏐 Volleyball for ages 12-18, $5, 4-6:30pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
- 🏊 YMCA Greater Moncton has a public swim 6:30-7:45pm.
- 🌟SkyZone’s Glow Zone happens every Friday & Saturday night, 7-10pm. Regular admission rates & you must wear white or florescent!
- 🏀 Basketball for ages 12-18, $5, 7:15-8:30am & 6:45-9:50pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
- 🍿 The Sussex Drive In is showing Transformers One & Friday the 13th.
- 🎥 Shediac’s Neptune Drive In is showing My Penguin Friend & Ezra.
East Coast Amusements is setting up at the Moncton Coliseum parking lot. They plan to open at noon today.
The Moncton Wildcats have an afternoon game against the Halifax Mooseheads today. Always a great afternoon of entertainment!
The YMCA Moncton North will be the gathering spot for the annual Kidney Walk, happening at 10am.
- 🎾 YMCA Moncton has drop-in badminton for youth ages 12 to 18 on Sundays from 1-2:45. $5
- 🏊♀️ YMCA Greater Moncton $3 public swim is 2-3pm on Sundays.
- 🏊 Dieppe Aquatic Centre’s public swim is 3:15-4:55pm. Cost is $20/family, $10/adult, $8/students & seniors, $5 ages 12 & under – except 24months & under are free.
- ⛸️ Public skating at the Shediac rink, 5:30pm. CSA-approved helmet is mandatory.
DKY: Moncton has a new fall festival?! #sponsored
Monday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Looking for some great resources to share with little kids about the day? Check out CBCKids.ca!
Elsipogtog Spirit Singers Mike Milliea, Joan Milliea, and Manuella Caravantes will be outside Moncton City Hall at 11am for a blessing and teachings to mark the day.
BGC Moncton is holding a gathering at Renton Park (280 Noel Street) from 2-5pm, with speakers and activities.
Beloved Miniature Horses will offer an Open Farm Day, 10am-4pm. Entrance to the grounds to meet the animals – ponies, goats, sheep – is $10. Children under 60lbs can ride the ponies; $10/ride. Silverfox Fairytales Face Painting will offer $5-$15 options.
Want to learn more about local organizations & resources in the community? MAGMA is hosting another edition of Community Compass! Drop in Thursday, October 3 between 5 & 7pm at Edith Cavell School (125 Park Street, Moncton). A great opportunity to connect with the community & discover ways to be engaged! #sponsored
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is open seven days a week through September & October.
Resurgo Place is a spot we love to visit again & again; history, hands-on science & arts, & special programming, too!
The Albert County Museum is open throughout September, with a special guest – Albert, the Albertosaurus!
🏊♀️ 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 – Friday public swim 7-8pm, Saturday public swim 6:30-7:45, & Sunday public swim 2-3pm – thanks to the City, Friday & Sunday swims are just $3/person), the Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview (Saturday public swims, 2-3:30pm), 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.
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.)
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 Marco’s Clinic or the Sportsdome.
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!
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!
💥 Gamer in the family? The Comic Hunter hosts Friday Night Magic Modern sessions, Sunday Lorcana Locals & Pokémon sessions, Monday Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play & lots of other gaming events. Check out their September calendar for details.
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.
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.
Local libraries are always a great spot to visit, with lots of programming for all ages – and also another rainy day must visit option.
🏸 Badminton for ages 12-18, $5, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:15-9:50pm, YMCA Greater Moncton
BGC Dieppe is always a great place for families to connect.
🎧 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!
Poley Mountain has mountain bike trails, including beginner routes for ages 6+ – and they’re planning some summer events geared to the littles with bouncy castles, balance bikes on the lawn, & kid-friendly options on the Slope Side Bar & Grill. DYK: They have an RV park, too?
Llamazing Adventures is a great way to get out & get moving! Take the llamas for a walk!
Trueman’s Blueberry Farm is also a fabulous ice cream destination – and on the weekend they have a train you can ride!
✨ Akadi Lumina is open until October 19!
Riverview Fire & Rescue is hosting an Open House October 5, starting at 8am with a Lions pancake breakfast and running until 2pm.
You can also visit the Moncton Fire Station on Hildegard, open from 10am-2pm, with a chance to explore the vehicles, see the Jaws of Life in action, and enjoy a fundraiser BBQ.
The Rising Tides Trails & Tunes Festival kicks off October 5, with events through until Thanksgiving – including the annual Alma Fleet Launch!
There’s a petting zoo & fall craft fair planned at Juniper Grove on October 5, 10am-3pm.
Need to stock up the kids’ fall & winter wardrobe on a budget? Check out Grapevine Events Saturday Discount Day! A consignment sale featuring items from 125 families, everything hanging & sorted, with most items 50% off today! Open 10am to 1pm at Saint John’s Exhibition Park – and every purchase comes with a coupon for a free garlic sticks across the street at St. Louis!
The 32nd annual Paws Walk takes place at Centennial Park on October 5, noon-3pm. Raise funds for animal well-being while enjoying food, games, music, and more!
October 5 is also the annual Breastfeeding Challenge, with an event happening at Rotary St. Anselm Park in Dieppe.
October 6 is the 4th annual Maritime Reptile & Pet Expo at the Moncton Coliseum.
The Sussex Drive-In’s annual Trunk or Treat is taking place October 4 & 5, with gates opening at 6pm. Decorate your trunk, bring treats to share, and enjoy visiting others in costume! The ‘trunk or treating’ starts at 7pm; Gremlins plays at 7:30, followed by the new Joker. Carload pricing is $35; individual pricing is available ($13/adult, $9/child).
There’ll be an open house at the Gauvin Road Fire Station in Dieppe on October 12, 10am-2pm, with tours, games, BBQ, & more.
And we see the Halloween events are starting to be shared. We’re keeping the round up ‘looking ahead’ section to Thanksgiving for now; watch for a dedicated Halloween Round Up to drop around October 15. If you’re organizing a spooky-inspired event, be sure to reach out & let us know!
