Move over Agent Cody Banks!

 

With the help of the The Science of Spying  exhibit running at the Ontario Science Centre, kids will be able to transform themselves into super spies in no time at all!

 

Train to become a spy at this interactive exhibit running at the Ontario Science Centre 
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The exhibit, running until September 7th, is definitely a fun way to learn about the craft of spying.  It all starts with a mission.  The mission, should you choose to accept it, (sorry, I couldn’t resist) will be to penetrate the ultra-secret OSTECK organization to find out what dastardly deeds they are planning.  But wait!   Before you let the kids loose on OSTECK, they will have to go through spy training to ensure a successful outcome to the mission.

That training will include learning how to crack a safe, decipher codes and how to tell a lie when needed.  Participants can choose a disguise to make sure they remain undetected as well.  Once the training is complete it’s show time!  Kids, or rather the spies, are now ready to walk into the OSTECK compound undercover.  Will they make it out once they’ve completed their mission?  The only way to find out is by experiencing The Science of Spying exhibit.

Click here to see a video on this exhibit.  

 

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Catch a glimpse of history this summer at the ROM.

From June 2009 to January 2010, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit will be running at the Royal Ontario Museum.  It’s a chance to see fragments of the texts that are the earliest record, known to humans, of biblical documents such as hymns, prayers and religious laws.  Most importantly, these documents trace the 2,000 -year-old traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

This exhibit brings those faiths together in an interesting exhibit that allows the public to view these precious documents with their own eyes.  On loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority, (click here read about the ongoing dispute over who actually owns the Scrolls), the first of these texts was discovered in a desert cave near Khirbet Qumran in 1947 by a Bedouin goat-herder. Over the next few years more than 100,000 fragments of text would be found in 11 different caves.   The discovery is traced though images and video at the exhibit and it is definitely a fascinating story to hear.    

The mainly parchment scrolls are very sensitive to humidity and light.  I was surprised to learn that the Israel Antiquities Authority has four conservators on staff whose only duty is to slow down the deterioration of the fragments.  Tools used in the conservation are also on display.

The actual exhibit doesn’t have a lot of interactive opportunities for kids but the ROM has set up an area on a different floor just for the younger crowd.  In this area, children will learn about the Scrolls through games and hands-on activities such as artifact excavation.  I was unable to check it out as it was still closed during the media preview.

To view a video of the exhibit, click here

 

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The Canadian Forces Parachute Team wow the crowds during Canada Day festivities. Image: Cobourg Tourism

 

Not sure how to spend Canada Day this year?  Look no further!  You’ll find four days of fun at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival, an event running from July 1st to 4th.

Click here for a schedule of events

Take three — days that is, to vacation on Vancouver Island’s eastern shore, located two hours northeast of Victoria. This region known as Oceanside, has been nicknamed the Canadian Riviera by those in the know. With sandy beaches, rainforests and eccentric delights, it is a great place for a family holiday that won’t be soon forgotten. Watch video of the famous “Goats on the Roof” and find out more about the Horne Lake Caves system.  Click here for story and video…

It’s not hard to have a howlin’ good time at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls.

From water park fun to great food to Disney-esque entertainment, this resort has all the ingredients for family fun.  Trips with Kids has listed the top five reasons, in no particular order, why you should visit Great Wolf Lodge this summer:

 

The Water Park:  We’ve been to a lot of water parks but this one is definitely the best we’ve experienced so far.  There were lots of slides for younger kids and still enough water rides to keep the teenagers and adults happy.  It does get incredibly busy so pack your patience.  If you find waiting in the lineups is getting to be too much just take a break at one of the two snack shacks inside the water park. Bonus: there were tons of lockers, special dryers for swimsuits and all the free towels you could want.  

Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The Staff:  You may not think that this is a reason to visit a resort but we think that the staff can make or break your weekend.  We found all of the employees to be more than friendly and very helpful.  All of my questions were answered quickly, efficiently and with a smile.

 

The Animatronics: I must confess that I was skeptical about the animatronics show.  I’ve seen a lot of these shows and most leave a lot to desire.  Not at Wolf Lodge!  The show runs three times a day and it’s really good.  The kids absolutely love it, especially the evening show when they get a bedtime story.  Click here to see a video of the morning show.

Story time at Great Wolf Lodge. Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The Antler Shanty Grub just had to make this list.  It’s one of the restaurants inside the resort and we loved its morning buffet.  It was hardy, varied and tasty but best of all, it felt like breakfast at home –  except you’re having it with about a hundred other people. 

 

A Spa for girls under 12?  You betcha!  The Scoooops Kid Spa is the place where your little princesses can get the pampering they deserve.  With ice-cream themed manicures, pedicures and facials, you may find it just a tad difficult getting your kids to leave.

 

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Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Click here to see a video on family activities in Ottawa.

 

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Who Let the Dogs Out?

By Anna Rodrigues

Well, just about every dog owner in Toronto did.  It seemed at times that the four-legged species outnumbered the two-legged  at Woofstock 2009 but that’s OK.  This event is all about the dogs and there’s everything from entertainment to treats to clothing to keep all pets and their owners happy.  

 

Image: Phil Raby
© 2008 Trips with Kids

We took Gabby, our Walker Hound, to her third Woofstock.  She’s a shy girl who doesn’t like crowds or noise but she seemed at ease with all her furry friends.  She definitely liked getting some pizza crust after we had our lunch.

Gabby having fun at Woofstock 
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

There were over 200 vendors selling their wares and services.   At the doggie daycare Petopia, pet owners could leave their dogs in the enclosure for a half-hour.  There was a myriad of breeds having a ball while their owners took in the event without the “kids”.  There was also an interesting service at the show called The House Hound. This company helps people find the right home for them and their pet(s).  How refreshing!  Many real estate agents don’t take into account a family’s pet when a house is being bought or sold so I think this is a service that will be taking off.   

 

To see a slideshow on Woofstock 2009, click here.

 

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Varley Art Gallery runs family-oriented programming through the year.
It’s an excellent way to introduce your kids to art.     Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham, located in Historic Unionville – about a 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto – is currently running an exhibit called Carnival – The Spirit and the Soul.  This summer exhibition, curated by Teodoro Dragonieri and Christopher Jackson, has over 200 works, in a variety of mediums, that will interest visitors of all ages.  Our six-year-old was fascinated with the brilliant colours adorning every wall in the gallery.  It was also great to learn how Carnival is celebrated in different countries.  

 

This multi-media exhibition uses theatrical narrative and the mask as an element of storytelling, common to virtually every world culture.  

 by Varley Art Gallery of Markham 

 

Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

Over 200 works, including carnival and theatrical masks, photography and mixed media works engage the viewer and prompt a dialogue about the evolution and continued social relevance of the Carnival tradition and its parallels with today’s artistic practice

by Varley Art Gallery of Markham

Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

On June 7th Varley celebrated the Carnival of the Arts at the Unionville Festival. It was an excellent family event that opened the Carnival – The Spirit and the Soul exhibit to visitors for free.  As well, an event-filled day was planned around the Carnival theme.  Some of the activities included making your own mask.

Children made their own masks using a variety of materials provided by the museum for free.    Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

  Ardeleana, a performance group, staged a wonderful children’s story in the Varley Gallery Courtyard.  With a mix of music, theatre and dance , kids of all ages were quite enthralled with the story called Melissa’s Song.

 

Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Interested in seeing this exhibit?  Well, the Varley Art Gallery will be organizing a few more Carnival-themed events during the summer.  For more information: varleygallery.ca

 

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Want to enjoy an exciting shopping adventure with your whole family?

By Maria Rodrigues

 

Shops at Don Mills has created a great setting for an afternoon stroll. Image: Maria Rodrigues © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

 

 

Shops at Don Mills, located in the Don Mills and Lawrence area, offers just that. There’s lots to see and do in this unique open-air setting.  You can shop ’til you drop for shoes, clothes and accessories or spend some time in one of the eateries such as Jack Astor’s.  

 

Enjoy some ice cream by the water fountain at Shops at Don Mills. Image: Maria Rodrigues © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

 

If shopping isn’t in your budget you can still go for a visit to enjoy the water feature, free events and interesting art.  Check out  www.shopsatdonmills.ca for listings of monthly free events and the store directory.

 

Douglas Coupland's Clock Tower. Image: Maria Rodrigues © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

 

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New! Click here to see a video on family activities in Ottawa

The Trips with Kids team just came back from a long weekend in Ottawa.

And what a weekend it was!  Many people associate Ottawa with the words stuffy and boring.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth!  There’s a lot of fun places for families to experience and tons to do in this beautiful city. We were fortunate to have a personal tour of the ByWard Market by Ottawa Tourism’s Communications Director, Jantine Van Kregten.  

Jantine from Ottawa Tourism Image: Madison Rodrigues-Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The ByWard Market is a unique area in downtown Ottawa.  It’s the place to find excellent restaurants, trendy shops and the oldest farmers’ market in Canada.  Check out some photos of the outdoor market from the perspective of a six-year-old.

A stall is overflowing with spring flowers. Image: Madison Rodrigues-Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Many of the vegetables are locally grown. Image: Madison Rodrigues-Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Glass jewelry brighten up the market. Image: Madison Rodrigues-Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Jantine suggested we go to the Lone Star Texas Grill for dinner and we’re glad we tried it.  We highly recommend this restaurant to families.  And it seems the Prime Minister of Canada would recommend it as well.  He was there enjoying a meal with his family and friends.  So you never know who you might bump into in Ottawa!

We’ll be publishing a few articles in the near future about our trip but in the meantime take a look at the map below for some ideas on where to go and what to do in the ByWard Market. We suggest you stay in a hotel right in the downtown. We stayed at the Westin which is located only a short walk away from the Byward Market, Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada and the list goes on.  You can ditch the car and enjoy an environmentally-friendly weekend.

Click here to see a map.

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