Ice Fishing Village

The old port of montreal has a fun, different family activity this year: ice fishing!
Weather permitting they are open from Jan. 3, 2014 to March 31, 2014.  Everything that you need can be rented on site..  You can even purchase your fishing license there (which is mandatory).  They are open everyday.

Where: Situated at the marina of the Montreal Yacht Club, Clock Tower Quay

Hours:

•  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday : 10am to 6pm
• Thursday : 10am to 8pm
• Friday : 10 am to 9pm
• Saturday: 7am to 9pm
• Sunday : 7am to 8pm

Price:

• Adult Access: $12
• Child Access (under 16): $6
• Tip-up rental (2): $7
• Temporary shelter rental (1 to 4 people): $35
• Permanent shelter rental (5 to 12 people): $75
• Jigging rod rental: 7$ (lure not included)
• Sale of minnows: $6/dozen
• Sale of lures: retail price
• Sale of fishing licence: according to Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (fishing licence is mandatory)

website: http://www.villagepecheblanche.com/?lang=en

Family Skate Day Pointe-Claire

Now that the weather has given us a bit of a break it's time to head out and actually enjoy the winter season! The city of Pointe-Claire has organized a family skating day at Hermitage Park.  The event takes place from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm and should be a fun, free activity for the whole family.  Two rinks will be open  with animated games as well as inflatable games and best of all hot chocolate!

• Date: Saturday, February 1st
• Time: 12pm - 4pm
• Cost: free!
• Where: Hermitage Park, 400 Hermitage, Pointe-Claire

more info: http://www.ville.pointe-claire.qc.ca/en/calendar-of-events-sports-and-leisure/family-skate-day.html

La Fete des Neiges

It is now mid-January and if you aren't already enjoying winter activities with your kids now is the perfect time to start.  La fete des Neiges is starting tomorrow at Parc Jean Drapeau and will run for 4 weekends. This is a fun festival that kids (and adults) of all ages will enjoy.  There are activities such as sledding and skating that are free and other activites such as tubing and dog sledding which do have a fee.  More information is available on the site as prices do vary.  Lots of fun can be had even without paying anything though as entrance to the park is free.  Make sure to bring your skates or sleds (or rent them there) A new thing this year is that it has extended into the evening with outdoor concerts and nightime skating among other activities.  Take advantage of the season!

 http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/events/fete-des-neiges-de-montreal/

I-Saute

I-Saute is the new trampoline family play center in Laval.  I went there with my 5 and 6 year old boys and they had a blast!  The whole place is completely covered in trampolines so there is no danger of falling off which was my first concern when I first heard of this place.  There are different areas- some just for jumping where you can be impressed by watching some of the older participants who have clearly done gymnastics do impressive flips.  There are other areas where you can throw soft (nerf-like) balls at each other.  This seemed to be especially popular with the siblings in the place.  A basketball area, a tightrope area... All of it really fun!  It was a little expensive- it cost over 30$ for my two boys for an hour of jumping even after the facebook posting discount!  Monday evenings, however, they offer a $35 price for the whole family.  A good deal especially if you are part of a large family!  Despite the large price the boys had a very good time and gave them something a little different to do.  Make sure to wear socks if you go and if you have little kids  (6 and under) they have a reserved time for them on Friday mornings.

website: http://www.isaute.ca/en

Price: 

• Mon-Thurs: $12 for first hour, $8 for the second hour.
• Fri. - Sun: and holidays $14 for first hour, $8 for the second hour
• KID JUMP:  jumpers 6 yrs and under only.  Friday 10am-12pm $10/hr each jumper and one accompanying adult jumps for free.  
• 2 years & under FREE with a paying adult

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday 3-9pm
• Friday 10am-midnight
• Saturday 10am-midnight
• Sunday 11am-6pm