Family Day: 1)11 Things To Do On Family Day Without Leaving The House; 2) Family Day Activities: What’s Happening In Barrie & Area 3) What Is Open And Closed On Family Day
1) 11 Things To Do On Family Day Without Leaving The House
CELEBRATE FAMILY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Courtesy of Barrie 360 Marie Gagne
Published: Feb 16th, 2024
Family Day is a nice break in the middle of winter. Depending on your situation, you may choose to spend some time with your family, or it may be a perfect opportunity to take a breath, reduce stress, and improve your mood.
Luckily, there are more than a few ways to accomplish all these goals. And you can do them all from the comfort of your home if you’re looking for a low-key and inexpensive way to celebrate!
1. RANDOM ACTS OF VIRTUAL KINDNESS
Take a few minutes today to show some support and love to your favourite local businesses! Many people don’t realize the power of Google and online reviews, especially for small businesses.
Family Day is the perfect day to show your love to some of your favourite local shops, restaurants and more by leaving some awesome google reviews!
2. FAMILY PAINT NIGHT
YouTube is chock-full of awesome tutorials and step-by-step guides to create your very own masterpiece. Setting the family up for an afternoon of creative fun will always be a Family Day winner.
You could even go with an absolute classic and follow along with Bob Ross because all 31 seasons (403 episodes) are available for free on YouTube!
3. LEARN A NEW HOBBY TOGETHER
Family Day is the perfect opportunity to start learning a new hobby and it can be even more fun and fulfilling if you do it with someone else.
Try a new craft with the family, learn a new language with your friend, or maximize your Instagram potential with some online photography tutorials.
4. PLAY GAMES OVER ZOOM
If your friends and family are far away, there are tons of games that you can play over zoom or the internet.
A game of trivia is super easy thanks to this Random Trivia Generator or you can play Pictionary with this Pictionary Generator. There are also over 1500 board games available on Tabletopia.
5. BAKING CONTEST
One way to add a little extra fun to cooking is to turn it into a light-hearted competition. Find a relatively simple recipe or design and have everyone in the house ) attempt to recreate it.
Afterward, everyone votes on who did the best job and that person gets to eat all the leftovers. (Just kidding … the winner will get bragging rights though!)
6. PLAY SOME BOARD GAMES
If you and your family are overly competitive, busting out Monopoly, Uno or Risk may not be the best way to bond. Especially if it’s the tables getting flipped instead of the cards or dice.
Good thing there are lots of cooperative board games that will pit the family against a common problem instead of one another. For example, Pandemic and Castle Panic.
RELATED: 7 board games to play with your family …
7. PLAY AMONG US
You might have heard a new word enter your family’s vocabulary recently: “sus”. Short for “suspect”, this comes from a game that has taken the world by storm called Among Us.
If someone in your house can’t get enough of the game, joining them for a few matches might just make their day. The good news is that not only is it a lot of fun but it’s also a relatively simple game to learn with easy controls and gameplay. It’s also free to play on your phone!
8. FAMILY SPA DAY
Lately, we all need to take a load off and what could be better than turning Family Day into a Zen-filled day of relaxation.
Dim the light, throw on your favourite moody music, and be sure to dress comfortably! Face masks, nail painting, and massages are all on the table!
9. CREATE A SCAVENGER HUNT
Whether you want to do it inside or outside, there are a ton of different ways to create a scavenger hunt at home that are easy and fun. The easiest way is to look up a ready-made list of clues online that point kids in the direction of everyday objects like clocks, desks, and chairs.
Another way is to make your own list of objects to find. You can even turn it into a photo scavenger hunt by having everyone take pictures of the objects as proof that they found them!
10. HAVE A MOVIE MARATHON
If you’re like us, you probably still have a long list of films in your backlog. If (somehow) you’re all caught up, you could always pick some of your favourites to re-watch while you enjoy your favourite snacks and curl up on the couch for a movie marathon.
You can always cheat slightly and stream a series too!
11. KARAOKE NIGHT
Take your talents from the shower to the living room and let out your inner superstar with a night of karaoke. Whether you’re a good singer or not (it’s so much more fun if you aren’t), a karaoke night is always a blast.
If you don’t have a karaoke machine, don’t fret! Stingray Karaoke YouTube channel has hundreds of hours of all the best karaoke classics available for free.
RELATED: Netflix Party is now Teleparty, just in time for New Year’s Eve …
2) Family Day Activities: What’s Happening In Barrie & Area
FAMILY DAY EVENT AT THE BARRIE COMMUNITY SPORTS COMPLEX
News Release, Courtesy of Barrie360.com, Published: Feb 16th, 2024
With no shortage of things to do on Family Day, your only problem will be narrowing down your options. Barrie and the surrounding areas have all kinds of activities happening this weekend in celebration of Family day and many of them are free!
OUTDOOR FAMILY DAY ACTIVITIES IN BARRIE AND AREA
Barrie and surrounding areas have plenty of events and activities planned to keep you busy this Family Day (Monday, February 19, 2024). Here’s what you need to know:
BARRIE’S FAMILY DAY WINTER ADVENTURE
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The City of Barrie is hosting a Family Day event from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Barrie Community Sports Complex (2100 Nursery Road, Midhurst). The event offers FREE outdoor activities including:
- Axe throwing (ages 10+)
- Broomball
- Horse-drawn sleigh rides
- Tobogganing (bring your own sled)
- Kicksledding
- Snowshoeing
- And more
When you’re ready to take a break from the cold, warm up by the bonfire or make some crafts.
NATURE IN WINTER
On February 17 you can head over to Sunnidale Park for the Nature In Winter Pop-Up. While there, you can learn about local animals, birdwatch, snowshoe, hands on activities about owls and other birds, and much more.
You can also join in on Forest Bathing with Beth to learn about the benefits of nature in health. Sessions will take place at 11 AM and 12 PM. Registration is required.
SUGAR BUSH FAMILY DAY
The 13th Annual Sugar Bush Family Day event, hosted by Friends of Sugarbush, promises a delightful day packed with activities. Head over for thrilling cardboard toboggan races (register via email at friendsofsugarbush@gmail.com), skating, cozy campfires, winter games, wagon rides, and more!
The event will be at Sweetwater Park from 11 AM to 3 PM.
FREE FISHING
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There are only 4 times a year you can fish in Ontario without a license and this weekend is one of them. Enjoy fishing all weekend long without having to go get a permit to do so.
But remember, you still need to follow a few rules including:
- Conservation licence catch limits
- Size limits and sanctuaries
- Fishing regulations
If you need equipment, take advantage of the TackleShare program through the Barrie Public Library or other loaner sites.
FRIDAY HARBOUR FAMILY DAY FUN
Friday Harbour will be having a fun Family Day experience this weekend. Activities include ice skating in the Piazza, live entertainment, and a visit from Olaf. Once you’re ready to warm up, you can head to the chalet cabins for some treat or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and handcrafted cocktails in the warming lounges.
FAMILY DAY IN WASAGA BEACH
This weekend, Wasaga Beach is your destination for non-stop entertainment and excitement! On Saturday, don’t miss the exhilarating SuperDogs show, a fast-paced and interactive experience, happening for free at the RecPlex.
Then, on Sunday, kids can showcase their skills in a Hockey Skills Competition (pre-register by emailing hockeycircuitnorth@gmail.com), indulge in the lively Jeremy and Jazzy show, and be mesmerized by a magical performance starring Edlluision.
HOT COCOA TRAIL
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Warm up before your day of family fun with delicious hot chocolate from February 17 to 18.
The Downtown Hot Cocoa Trail will be running for just two more weekends until the end of the month. There are over 25 participating locations with unique takes on hot chocolate and delicious treats.
As an added bonus, every purchase of hot chocolate at any of the participating locations will include the chance to win a $250 Downtown Barrie prize pack!
FAMILY DAY FUN AT HORSESHOE VALLEY
Horseshoe Valley is celebrating Family Day all weekend long. Enjoy thrilling outdoor adventures every day of the weekend.
On February 19, families can also take in a live Sonshine & Broccoli performance.
INDOOR FAMILY DAY ACTIVITIES IN BARRIE
If you’re looking for indoor fun, we’ve got you covered …
BARRIE REC CENTRES
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All three recreation centres (Allendale Rec Centre, East Bayfield Rec Centre and Peggy Hill Team Community Centre) will offer a variety of drop-in activities from 6 AM to 9 PM on Family Day. Activities include:
- Fitness classes
- Open swim
- Family Day swim
- Hockey
- And more …
To view the schedule, visit barrie.ca.
MACLAREN ART CENTRE
This Family Day, MacLaren Art Centre is hosting a drop in art session. Family’s will be able to create fun and colourful projects that celebrate their family and a strong sense of self.
The free event takes place from 11 AM to 2 PM.
FAMILY DAY FUN IN EAST GWILLIMBURY
From 10 AM to 1 PM, head to the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex a day of Family Fun.
The event will include a free skate, face painting, 3 on 3 hockey tournament, music, food and so much more.
SERVICES IN BARRIE THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY FAMILY DAY
- Barrie Transit will operate according to the regular Sunday service schedule. Visit myridebarrie.ca for details.
- Curbside Collection: There will be no garbage, organics, or recycling collection on Family Day in Barrie. Collection during the week of this holiday will occur ONE day later for the remainder of the week. Visit www.barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection for details.
- City Hall will be closed.
- Parking: Downtown parking (on-street and lots) is free on all statutory holidays. Waterfront parking is enforced 24/7/365; residents must display their permits and visitors are required to pay $10/hour (daily maximum: $50). Visit www.barrie.ca/Parking for details.
RELATED: What’s open and closed on Family Day
3) Family Day 2024 – What’s Open & Closed
CHANGES TO GARBAGE COLLECTION, PUBLIC TRANSIT, RETAIL HOURS AND MORE
Courtesy of Barrie360.com NewsroomPublished: Feb 16th, 2024
Family Day is a provincial holiday. Some federal government offices will be open; business as usual at Canada Post.
CLOSED
- Municipal and provincial government offices
- Schools
- Banks
- Beer stores
- Liquor stores
- MOST grocery stores (see OPEN section below)
- SOME drug stores (see OPEN section below)
- Georgian Mall
- Bayfield Mall
- Kozlov Centre
- Orillia Square Mall
OPEN
DRUG STORES
While some drug stores are closed, select locations are open. Click below to check for open locations and their hours:
GROCERY STORES
While most grocery stores are closed, select locations are open. Click below to check for open locations and their hours:
MALLS
- Tanger Outlet Mall – Cookstown – 11 am to 7 pm
- Upper Canada Mall – Newmarket – 11 am to 6 pm
- Vaughan Mills – 11 am to 7 pm
GAS STATIONS
Select gas stations are open around the city and surrounding areas.
POST OFFICES
- Canada Post delivery and collection as per usual
- Pharmacies that operate post offices and choose to close on Family Day will be inaccessible
- Stand-alone Post Offices will be open for business
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
- Federal government offices will be open
GARBAGE COLLECTION
- Simcoe County – regular waste collection day for areas serviced by Simcoe County; landfill sites closed
- Barrie – NO collection pick up; collection will be a day later this week; landfill site closed
- Orillia – NO collection pick up; collection will be a day later this week; landfill site closed
PUBLIC TRANSIT
- Barrie Sunday schedule
- Bradford No service
- Colltrans No service
- Clearview No service
- Midland/Penetanguishene No service
- Orillia No service
- Simcoe County Linx No service except for Route 4 (Collingwood to Wasaga Beach) which will operate on a Sunday schedule
- GO Transit Saturday schedule
Patricia is the Business Mentor and owner of Grow Vantage and a Past President of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. She applies over 30 years of business experience (from start-up to corporate) to mentor entrepreneurs. Since 2011, she has held over 6,500 coaching and training sessions in-person and online. Through Ask For Directions Training, her entrepreneurial training program (and parent company Grow Vantage), and as a business coach, she works with start-ups who are new (or who have lost traction) to design, launch and grow their businesses. Along with 20 other expert instructors she teaches strategies in marketing, sales, communications, and finance, as well as practical techniques to increase productivity, and manage their businesses. In other words, everything entrepreneurs need to learn to grow and run their businesses successfully, and avoid the costly mistakes they can't even see coming - that lead to delays in growth and getting stuck.
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