By Cynthia Breen
If we needed any reminder that we live in Canada and winter is here, it was last week. With the cold weather upon us, there are still lots of things that you can do with the kids so that they stay active and enjoy all the fun that comes with winter.
For our family, skating is at the top of our list for winter activities, and our region has lots of offer for little to no charge. Below are just a few of the local places to try out with your kids.
Waterloo
Lots of rinks locally, with many Adult and Tot skates, which typically means a lot less people, and no one really speeding around the ice that could knock over the ones just learning. The Region’s site has a full listing available here.
There are also a ton of outdoor rinks at local neighbourhoods around Waterloo. If you have not found one near you yet, check out the listing to see where the closest one is.
Kitchener
There are a lot of free skating options with the city of Kitchener and all are listed here. These even include a few at the Aud, and even though you won’t skate on the same ice as the Rangers, for some little ones, just going to the same arena is cool.
There are 30 outdoor rinks in the neighbourhoods of Kitchener, and a full listing is available here.
Cambridge
How many times can you say you skated at the mall? Unless of course you leave in Cambridge, where there are lots of public skate times available all week for a small fee. All the times and prices are listed here.
The city also has a listing of free Tim Horton’s sponsored skates available here.
Around the region
Wilmot – With free skates for adult and tots during the week and lots of public skating times with a small fee, there is no need to travel in to the city for skating. All the times are listed here.
Woolwich – $2 a visit doesn’t break the bank and there are a lot of options for parent and tot times here.