Winter Family Fun in the Fredericton Capital Region!
Winter is such an awesome time to be outside; crisp, cool air, and if the conditions are right, fresh snow on the ground, perfect to play in.
We’ve pulled together a few things that are family friendly and guaranteed to put some smiles on little faces!
Fun things begin with "S"!
Skiing (downhill)
Crabbe Mountain is the Fredericton Capital Region’s premiere ski hill featuring 34 trails! Crabbe is home to New Brunswick’s highest vertical ski experience and is the perfect stop to explore this winter. With snow school lessons, the newly renovated lodge to discover, food and beverages at the Thirsty Boot, Crabbe is the perfect adventure for the whole family.
Keep an eye out for the Canada Games – As part of the 2023 event taking place in Prince Edward Island February 18 to March 5, Crabbe Mountain will be hosting the alpine and freestyle ski events, and you’re invited to watch and join in on the action!
Skiing (Cross Country)
The Fredericton Capital Region is surrounded by nature and filled with beautiful trails to explore. The winter transforms former walking trails into beautifully groomed ski trails. Check out Mactaquac Provincial Park (rentals available), Killarney Lake and Odell Park, to name a few. If you are new to cross country skiing, consider renting a pair from Radical Edge before heading out.
Snowshoeing
The perfect way to slow down and take in your surroundings! If you’d like to try snowshoeing, then you’re in luck! You can rent a pair from Mactaquac Provincial Park or Radical Edge.
Sliding
Grab your toboggan and get your adrenaline going with Mactaquac Provincial Park’s sliding hills – open in the evenings as well for nighttime sliding!
Sleigh Rides
Everyone loves to dash through the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh with Sandwith Sleigh Rides! Spend a whole day enjoying a wonderful sleigh ride, a hot meal and treat with Sandwith’s Sleigh Rides.
Skating
Fredericton has a number of indoor and outdoor skating facilities. Check before you go to ensure that the ice is available and for indoor rinks, be sure to book your free skate online. Try something new! The Forest Skate at Mactaquac* Provincial Park has you meandering through a winter wonderland! (*Weather dependent)
Arts & Crafts!
Gallery Hop
Indulge yourself in the Fredericton Capital Region’s cultural scene by exploring the various art galleries and studios in the area! Stop by the renowned Beaverbrook Art Gallery and explore their incomparable collection of historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures and more. Visit the one-of-a-kind Gallery on Queen and Gallery 78, or take a trip to the RB Studio Art Centre and Gallery and indulge yourself in a creative workshop after enjoying the art gallery.
Clay Café
Use your own creative juices and become an artist at Clay Café! Fredericton’s “paint your own pottery” studio is designed for all age groups; they have over 300 different pieces of pottery to paint: plates, mugs, bowls, teapots AND lots of cool designs for kids.
Play!
Unplugged Board Game Café
Bring your family and friends and get “unplugged”! choose from a HUGE selection of games (you can even buy a favourite!), grab some lunch and spend a wintery afternoon enjoying some good ol’ fashioned fun.
Kingswood Entertainment Centre
Have fun inside! Bowl a few strings, play lazer tag or try your hand at arcade games while kids can have fun on the 45-foot playclimber!
Perfect your aim with Axe Throwing!
HaliMac Axe Throwing will have you throwing an axe at a target; challenge your family members to a friendly game. Maybe you will have the honour of landing your name on the Wall of Fame!
Time to Escape!
A great way to spend a chilly winter day. An escape room is a live-action, team-based game where you and your group are trapped in a room and have 60 - 75 minutes to escape. This alternate reality adventure involves finding clues, solving riddles, completing puzzles, and overcoming obstacles to ultimately accomplish your mission and escape the room before time expires. A great team building or family thing to do! Check out No Escape or Ispy Escape Games and book your time slot!
Climb the Walls!
Test your abilities to scale the walls with Fredericton Bouldering Co-op! Aimed at all skill levels, all you need to do is book your time slot online and you’re all set to get vertical!
Just keep Swimming
Make a splash at the Fredericton Indoor Pool! Kids will love the water slide and tarzan rope! Check here for booking information.
Smash!
The Fredericton Capital Region’s newest unique and memorable experience, Smashology, is inviting you to bring your family and friends and smash a large selection of items in a safe atmosphere! With protective gear, get all of your frustrations out and enjoy a good time destroying old appliances, breaking chairs and more!
Good Guys Golf
Grab the whole family and head over to Good Guys Golf for a round (or two) of indoor mini putt! New Brunswick’s premiere Indoor Mini Putt and Bar offers fun for the entire family.
Learn!
NB Sports Hall of Fame
Another great indoor option this winter, the NB Sports Hall of Fame is an interactive museum that features exhibits and memorabilia from NB’s sport history and Hall of Famers. Kids’ and adults can also “give it their best shot” with a 5 in 1 interactive sports system!
Fredericton Region Museum
Home to the famous “Coleman Frog”, the Fredericton Region Museum depicts the history of central New Brunswick with a variety of exhibits and hands on learning. Make sure to call and book your visit ahead of time.
Go on a Treasure Hunt!
Fredericton Geocaching Tour – What better way to get to know a place than to go geocaching! Geocaching is like a treasure hunt with a gps or an iPhone perfect for the whole family. Experience Fredericton’s nature, culture and heritage with a special passport that lists caches around the city,
Science East
This is not just for kids! Bring the whole family to Science East Science Centre; you’ll be surprised at the cool stuff you can learn with over 150 compelling hands-on science exhibits. Cool fact: the centre used to be the old goal (jail) and still has the original cells downstairs!
There you have it! You are now armed with an arsenal of activities for the fam that satisfy all ages and weather. Embrace this wonderful season and be sure to tell us all about it! For more family fun ideas, be sure to check our website.
