January 2016
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Redefine Family Time in 2016 We make them, then break them and remake them next year. Even if you’re not big on New Year’s resolutions, there’s one thing you should resolve to do this year — spend more quality time as a family. Try these 10 simple and effective things to improve your family time together: 1. Family Dinners Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit and health of all family members. It’s also the perfect time to reconnect. Dinner is a time to relax, recharge, laugh, tell stories and catch up on the day’s ups and downs. 2. Family Hobbies Find a new hobby or activity you can do together. Perhaps it’s joining a family yoga class or picking up a new language together. Learning something new can open up new ways of communicating and bring
interest into your conversations as a family. 3. Family Celebrations Take time to celebrate life’s small and big victories. From a great report card to a promotion at work, nothing helps bring the family together more than a celebration! Acknowledge sports, school and other family achievements. 4. Family Vacations and Getaways Family vacations are a must! They are good for the mind, body, spirit. Bonds, connections and memories formed during vacations make for traditions and stories that will last for years to come. If you can’t go on vacation, try shorter getaways. 5. Family Exercise There are so many benefits! You’ll get to spend time together while improving everyone’s emotional and physical health. From walks in the woods to traditional sports like basketball, everyone will enjoy getting together to exercise. 6. Family Reading Time Reading to your children or even reading books together for half an hour each night is a great way to spend time together. Choosing and discussing books to read is a way to share ideas and values with your children. 7. Family Outings Think of a new place to visit each month. Perhaps it’s a museum, a theme park or a water adven-
ture park. Introduce your kids to the theatre and see a show. Get your children to help you to plan the outings. 8. Family Game Nights Find a night in your jam-packed calendar to host a family game night. Break out your favourite game boards. 9. Celebrate Family Traditions Traditions are what keep the family and extended
feature | snow much fun
family closely knit. Share family traditions with the younger generations and set aside time to celebrate together to create lasting memories. 10. Do Good as a Family Get the family to volunteer and make a difference. Find a cause with which you identify as a family and sign up together. It can be as simple as running a family marathon to raise funds for a good cause. — www.Toronto4Kids.com
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KIDS &
snow much fun | skating
Skating fun in the city
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It’s time to lace up your skates! Toronto is packed with ice skating options for families this season – for beginners and pros alike. Many outdoor rinks offer warming centres, so you can take a break and warm up from the winter chill. Try a day of skating with the family at one of these fun rinks. Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trail 3145 Lake Shore Blvd. W. This is Toronto’s first ice trail and a one-of-akind outdoor rink that expands into a figure-eight shape and covers 250 metres of pure winter fun. It is linked to the park’s greater trail network providing visitors with an immediate walkway connection to enjoy the trails. The facility features a rink change area which includes a large change room with benches and washrooms. www.toronto.ca Dufferin Grove Park Rink 875 Dufferin St. Dufferin Grove Park is public neighbourhood park located just south of Bloor, on the east side of Dufferin Street. There is a wonderful and familyfriendly facility at Dufferin Grove Park Rink. If you don’t have your own skates, you can borrow a pair. Visit their site for skate lending info. There are 2 rink pads so pleasure skating is always possible (check website for schedule). Typically one side is used for pleasure skating, and the other for shinny. They have a little indoor clubhouse with a wood stove to warm up with hot chocolate after skating. www.dufferinpark.ca Evergreen Brick Works 550 Bayview Ave. Bring your skates for free public skating! The skating trail is the perfect place to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and winter fun in the city. Imagine the snowflakes falling as you glide over the ice under the open sky with only the rafters of the former industrial building overhead. The ice rink is open weather permitting. Skate rentals are available. Children under
TORONTO
12 must be supervised and those under 6 years old or younger must wear a CSA approved helmet. www.evergreen.ca Nathan Phillips Square 100 Queen St. W. Skate under the lights at Nathan Phillips Square’s famous outdoor ice rink. Weather permitting; the rink is usually open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until February. Skate rentals and indoor change rooms are available to visitors. Skating is free, except for skate rentals. www.toronto.ca Harbourfront Natrel Rink 235 Queens Quay W. Toronto’s favourite outdoor rink is lacing up for another great season. Beautifully situated on Toronto’s harbour, the Natrel Rink is open seven days a
week - check website for schedule. What’s more fun, is you can enjoy music while you skate. Free admission. Skate rentals and sharpening available. Indoor change room. www.harbourfrontcentre.com Sherbourne Common Skate Pad 61 Dockside Dr. Sherbourne Common is a new waterfront park that has transformed an industrial area into some much needed public green space just off the lakefront. During the winter, the park includes a 920 square metre skating rink featuring stunning views of Lake Ontario and Toronto’s downtown skyline. A seating wall surrounds the eastern and western edge of the rink and rubber mats have been installed to make it easier to lace up. Free. www.toronto.ca — www.Toronto4Kids.com
KIDS &
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upcomingevents Family Literacy Day Celebrations at Toronto Libraries Jan. 2 to Jan 30 Celebrate Family Literacy Day throughout the entire month at Toronto Public Libraries! From puppet show to reading groups, board games, special shows and activities, you’ll find tons of activities to celebrate Family Literacy Day. Free Toronto Public Libraryies Various locations www.torontopubliclibrary.ca Maurice Sendak: 50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons Until Jan. 31 In celebration of the 50th anniversary of “Where the Wild Things Are”, Toronto Public Library presents a retrospective exhibition of original artwork by the book’s revered author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak. Take a ride in Max’s boat, make a plasticine Wild Thing, hear stories and songs inspired by Sendak, and enjoy other free programs and activities for the whole family. TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library 789 Yonge St. www.tpl.ca/tdgallery
January Weekends at Scarborough Museum Weekends in January, 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Celebrate the start of 2016 with Scarborough Museum. Help decorate New Year’s cupcakes and make traditional Chinese lanterns! Scarborough Museum 1007 Brimley Rd. http://www.toronto.ca/museumevents Cow Over Moon Present’s Jack & The Beanstalk Jan. 16 - Jan. 17, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In this updated version of the classic fairytale, Jack and her mother live in a run-down apartment building on Garden Street in the shadow of a huge skyscraper. At the top of the tower lives The Man (our modern day equivalent of the Giant). Have cookies and juice with the actors afterwards. Pia Bouman Studio 6 Noble St. www.cowovermoon.ca Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Weekends, Jan. 16 to Jan 31. Wolfgang “Wolfy” Wolf looks scary
Education
with big jaws and sharp claws, but he’s really harmless. He meets Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, and when they start to bully him, he starts to bully them back. Soon Wolfy, Little Red, and the Three Pigs realize that no-one should bully or be bullied. Ages 3+ Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour Jan 16. to Jan. 17 The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousandpound Monster Trucks will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over - OR smash through. The colourful, larger than life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old. Rogers Centre www.monsterjamcanada.ca Winter Fun Day at Colborne Lodge Jan. 17, 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. Fun wintery activities including taffy pulling for kids take place inside Colborne Lodge and roasting marshmallows, playing games and sipping
Hands-On
Sports
Outdoor
Food
Arts
Winterlude Jan. 29 to Feb. 15
The 38th Annual Winterlude is a fun weekend trip for the whole family. SNOWMANIA, a show of snow and a leadup to the attempt by the Cracking-Up the Capital Festival to break a Guinness World Record for building snowmen, is just one of many events. Skate on the world’s largest skating rink, check out the ice sculpture competitions or play in North America’s largest snow playground. There’s fun for the entire family, and all sites are open on Family Day. Ottawa and Gatineau www.winterlude.gc.ca
warm cider in the great outdoors. Colborne Lodge South end of High Park http://www.toronto.ca/museumevents So You Think You Can Dance Jan. 22, 8 p.m. Celebrating its momentous 12th season and its exciting new Stage v.
Street format, So You Think You Can Dance’s Top 10 finalists will make their way across North America performing in 70 cities as part of the Season 12 tour. Sony Centre For The Performing Arts 1 Front Street East http://www.sonycentre.ca
SCENIC CAVES
NORDIC CENTRE sceniccaves.com THE NORDIC CENTRE AT SCENIC CAVES SITS AMID A 200 YEAR OLD FOREST ON BLUE MOUNTAIN NEAR COLLINGWOOD
Nordic Centre Features • Fully- groomed Cross-country Classic and Skate Ski Trails • Groomed Snowshoe Trails • Guided Night Snowshoe Hikes • Warming Hut • Hot Beverages • Rentals and Lessons • Season Passes • Gift Certificates • 420 ft. Suspension Bridge • Fabulous Panoramic Views • High Altitude Snow Conditions
1-1/2 Hours North of Toronto • Top of Blue Mountain near Collingwood • 705446-0256, ext 223 4 | TORONTO KIDS - January 2016
upcomingevents
Education
Travel Show has everything you need to inspire you to plan your best vacation ever! Ontario Science Centre www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/ Toronto’s
Ultimate Travel
Show Jan. 23 to Jan. 24 Enjoy our artificially-cooled outdoor rink while skating to music and taking in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands. On-site skate rentals, helmet rentals, change rooms, rental lockers and skate sharpening are available. Free admission. Enercare Centre (forrmerly Direct Energy Centre), Exhibition Place www.totravelshow.com Photography Classes Jan. 23 to Apr. 2, 10 a.m. In this 10-week program, students will learn to artistically and confidently capture the world around them. Outdoor excursions to various great locations in Toronto encourage campers to practice aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Creative photo activities allow campers to have fun expanding their imaginations. Ages 12 to 17.
51 Wolseley St. http://gtaphotographyclasses.com/ kids-teens/ Circus! The Exhibition at Ontario Science Centre Jan. 23 to May 1 Discover cultures from around the world through our exciting exhibitors, seminars and entertainment from around the world. Toronto’s Ultimate
ROM Sleepovers Jan. 29 A real “Night at the Museum!” Get exclusive access to the galleries, meet ROM experts, enjoy a movie, and make your own souvenir. PJ karaoke and a late-night snack round out Toronto’s ultimate backstage pass. For kids 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. Royal Ontario Museum www.rom.on.ca/en/whats-on/romsleepovers
Hands-On
Sports
Outdoor
Owl Prowl at Kortright Jan. 30, 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Experience an evening with live owls. Go on a night hike and call to wild owls in hope that they call back! Kortright Centre for Conservation 9550 Pine Valley Dr. www.kortright.org Splash `N Boots at Markham Theatre Jan. 31, 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. “It’s Time to Dance!”with 2014 Canadian Children’s Group of the Year, Splash’N Boots! Straight from Treehouse TV, this 2015 and 2014 JUNO Award nominated duo will have the whole family singing, dancing and laughing with a fun-filled performance. Flato Markam Theatre 101 Town Centre Blvd. www.markhamtheatre.ca Winter Nature Programs For Kids In Rouge Park Saturdays in January A six-week program for Little Rougers, ages 4-8, or older adventurers, ages 9-13. The season of snow, ice and cold is truly amazing. Let your nature-curious kid experience all of the wonder, beauty and fun of Rouge Park out on
Food
Arts
the trails with Kids in the Woods. Rouge Park 1749 Meadowvale Road www.kidsinthewoodsinitiative.org LOL for YPT: Laugh at the Funny Side of Parenting! Feb. 3, 7 p.m. FBe sure to secure a babysitter because this visit to YPT is all about you! This hilarious evening will be hosted by Adam Growe of TV’s Cash Cab and features the comedic talents of Kate Davis and Chris Gibbs. Young People’s Theatre 165 Front St. E. www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/lol2/ The Ugly Duckthing at Solar Stage Feb. 6, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This re-telling of the Hans Christian Andersen classic uses puppetry, music, and multimedia. Featuring an all star cast of webbed footed, feathered and fuzzy...not all of them ugly. Ages 5+ Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca For more events, visit www.toronto4kids.com/Calendar
TORONTO KIDS - January 2016 | 5
learning | book nook
book nook
Sophie and Friends DK Meet Sophie, everyone’s favourite French giraffe, and all of her friends: Gabin, Josephine, Kiwi, Lazare, and Margot, in this delightful board book. Sophie la girafe is a Ages 0-2 fixture in nurseries all over the world.
There’s nothing better than spending time with our best friends! Celebrate your friendship by picking out one of these amazing reads and sitting down with your buddies.
How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? Jane Yolen & Mark Teague Come along for some BIG fun as your favourite dinosaurs delight young readers with their playful antics. How do dinosaurs count to ten? Over and Ages 3-5 over and over again!
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend Dan Santat An imaginary friend waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, Ages 3-5 where he finally meets his perfect match.
The Most Magnificent Thing Ashley Spires A girl has a wonderful idea, but when she tries and fails repeatedly, she gets so mad that she quits. Thankfully, her four-legged best friend convinces her to take a walk before trying Ages 6-8 again. The perfect book to fire up imaginations!
Lumberjanes Vol. 1 Noelle Stevenson Five best friends spending the summer at Lumberjane scout camp...defeating yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons...what’s not to love?! Friendship to the max! It fea- Ages 9-12 tures five butt-kicking girls saving the world.
Celebrate Your Child’s Passion:
It’s National Hobby Month January is National Hobby Month, so start the year off right by finding a hobby for your child. Teach your little one the rewards that come with a new hobby to keep them from spending too much time in front of the television. It could even be a fun idea to start a family hobby to spend quality time together. Through hobbies, children learn to set goals, make decisions, solve problems and express personal accomplishment. Hobbies allow for self-discovery and often mature into lifelong interests, maybe even careers!
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Ideas for Hobbies for Kids: • Magic • Bird-watching • Puzzles • Geocaching • Sewing • Gardening • Origami • Woodworking • Crafts • Baking/cooking • Drawing • Building model cars • Painting • Building toy models • Photography • Knitting/crocheting • Scrapbooking • Science, technology or robotics Hobbies can also be collections! • Ornaments • Coins • Comic books • Stamps • Dolls/Barbie Dolls • Rocks • Movie memorabilia • LEGOs • Sports memorabilia • Postcards • Model trains/cars • Seashells • Toy collectibles • Sports cards • Action figures • Snow globes • Dried leaves/flowers If your kids become very serious about their hobbies, consider joining or starting a club where they can take their interest to a new level and make new friends. Or sign them up for a special interest class! — www.Toronto4Kids.com
healthy living | recipe
Cook up memories Building memories and important life skills is easy when cooking becomes a family event and the New Year is the perfect time for your family to start cooking together. A great way to get your children cooking is by including them in the preparation of a weekend family breakfast or brunch. This can be a simple and fun way to involve the whole family. The more kids are exposed to cooking the more fun they will find it. Starting with simple tasks and gradually working up
from there helps kids build an interest and confidence in their cooking. The Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada have developed recipes that identify appropriate steps for parents and kids to divide and conquer meal preparation. Try this simple but impressive family breakfast recipe. When cooking, parents can manage the steps that involve knives or the stovetop and children can take care of the rest.
TORONTO - FEBRUARY 20
Stuffed crepes with eggs, cheddar, ham and veggies Ingredients: • 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter • 1 2/3 to 2 cups (375 to 500 mL) finely diced vegetables • 8 eggs beaten • 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh herbs of your choice • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • 6 large, thin crepes, homemade or store-bought • 6 to 12 slices ham • 1 2/3 to 2 cups (375 to 500 mL) shredded medium Canadian Cheddar cheese • Fresh fruit for serving
— www.newscanada.com
Directions: 1. With supervision, kids can preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Parents dice the vegetables. 3. With supervision, kids can melt 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 3 to 4 minutes and remove from pan. In a bowl, mix beaten eggs, herbs, salt and pepper. Melt remaining butter in same pan and cook egg mixture as an omelette or as scrambled eggs. 4. With supervision, kids can cover each crepe with ham. Divide vegetables and eggs among crepes, placing along one edge of each crepe. Sprinkle with cheese and roll up. Place in an ovenproof dish lined with parchment paper. 5. Parents place crepes in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes. 6. Kids can serve with their favourite fresh fruit.
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