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

Free Swim

Swimming is a great, cheap activity to do with kids.  I often bring my children to the community pool and one of the best things is that it's free!  Most communities have a pool you can use that is either free or very affordable!  In the summer it's easy to spot them but in winter there are many indoor pools that are equally as accessible!  They often provide life jackets for the new swimmers and sometimes even some pool toys.  To find the pools in your area simply log onto your city's website and look under sports and recreation.
The Montreal on the Cheap blog has also made a nice list of many pools in montreal: http://www.montrealonthecheap.com/2013/08/montreal-public-swimming-2013-season/

Make sure to call ahead to know when the family free swim hours are and if there are any specific rules like required bathing caps.  And also, the bonus of bringing your kids swimming is that usually bedtime that evening is very easy as it knocks them out! :)

Free Family Movies in French

Here's a cool free family activities on the weekends especially when the weather doesn't cooperate.  Beaubien cinema is offering free screenings of family movies in the morning from June 25 to September 4.  The movies are in French so keep that in mind in case the little ones don't understand French.
The movies are shown Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10am.  Tickets can be obtained as of 9:30

Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer:

July 23 & 24: Megamind
July 30 & 31: Rango
Aug. 6 & 7: Rio
Aug. 13 & 14: Yogi L'Ours
Aug. 20 & 21: Frissons des Collines
Aug. 27 & 28: Kerity et la Maison des Comptes
Aug. 30 & 31: ?? Surprise ??

Where: Beaubien Cinema,  2396 Beaubien Est, Montreal, H2G 1N2

When: Saturday and Sundays at 10:00 am

Website: http://www.cinemabeaubien.com/fr/evenements.aspx

Place des Arts - Junior Theatre

Place des Arts has a whole range of programming geared for families with children of all ages for very reasonable prices. Known as 'PDA junior', families with kids as young as 3 can enjoy a fun, interactive play for just 8$ a person, or 25$ for a family of 4. I think it sounds like a great way to introduce children to theatre. It seems like most of the programming is only French but since a lot of families in Montreal are bilingual or want to expose their children to more French, it should be a great experience. Some things are a little more expensive but for the most part seem pretty reasonable.

Where:

• Place des Arts, various theatres
• 175, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC H2X 1Z8

When:

• check the program on their site to see when the various shows are available.

Cost:

• 8$ and up

Ages:

• various shows have different age specifications but start at 2 and up.

Website:

• http://pdajunior.com/

Easter Farm - Cavendish Mall

Easter farms are fun activities for families with young children and Montreal has a number of them happening around. The Cavendish Mall in Cote- St. Luc is having an Easter Farm again this year friom April 1 to April 5.  Each year at Easter my kids and I really look forward to seeing the animals at these free Easter farms.  At the Cavendish Mall this year you can also enjoy Pony Rides and the Cavendish Mall "Express Train".

Where:

• Cavendish Mall
• 5800 boul. Cavendish (ch. Kildare), Côte-St-Luc

When:

• April 1 - 5, 2010

Cost:

• free!

Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec

The Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec is a neat little museum in St. Laurent that is offering creative art workshops for families.  Each weekend there are worskhops that last about 1 hour that explore a different artisanal art form.  The main series on right now is focused on glass.  Glass painting, beading, and mosaic will all be explored on different days.  Families with children 7 and up can participate for only 10$ for the whole family (2$ extra per person if more than 4).  Other projects allow families with children 5 and up to participate.  Please make sure to call to reserve first.  Should be a fun way to get creative with the kids!

When:

• Saturdays and Sundays
• 2 pm

Where:

• 615, avenue Sainte-Croix, Saint-Laurent, Montreal Qc H4L 3X6

Cost:

• 10$ for a family of 4, 2$ per extra person

Phone Number:

• 514-747-7367 ext. 7204

Website:

• http://www.mmaq.qc.ca/programme_famille_en.htm

Easter Farm - Plaza Pointe Claire

Here's another Easter Farm happening around the city. This time at Plaza Pointe-Claire.  A great chance for little kids (even toddlers) to see some of the animals they sing about in "Old MacDonald Had a Farm".  There will be goats, ducks, chickens, piglets, and more.  What makes this mini farm stand out from the others I've talked about is that on Friday, April 2nd you can actually get a free colour photo of your child with a baby animal (between 10 am - 3 pm).  What a great experience and a wonderful keepsake.

Dates:

• March 26 - April 3

Where:

• 269 Boulevard St-Jean, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, H9R 3J1

Cost:

• free!

Website:

• http://www.plazapointeclaire.com/en/

Easter Farm at Carrefour Angrignon

I have been waiting to find out if Carrefour Angrignon is holding an Easter Farm again this year and I am happy to see that they are!  It's a great activity especially for toddlers because they get to see animals up close and, for the parents, it's free so you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money just to have your two year old throw a tantrum and have to leave.  As soon as I mention the word animals to my toddlers they become good as gold and are very excited to go on this adventure.  You can see the usual mini farm animals, rabbits, chicks, sheep.  Bring some change to get food to feed the animals.

When:

• March 24 - April 5
• ** closed on Easter Sunday (April 4)

Time:

• Regular store hours
• Monday - Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  
  
  Wednesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  
  Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Place:

• Carrefour Angrignon
• 7077 Newman Boulevard, LaSalle (Quebec), H8N 1X1

Cost:

• free!

Website:

• http://www.carrefourangrignon.com/nouvelles_evenements.aspx?lang=en-CA

Butterflies Go Free

The Botanical Gardens is once again having the wonderful exhibit "Butterflies Go Free".  It's a great chance to get to see a great variety of butterflies live and flying around.  It's presented in the main greenhouse of the botanical gardens and should be a fun activity for children and parents alike.  It's quite hot in the greenhouse (about 29oC) so it's important to bring layers of clothing that can be removed.  To really pique the interest of the older kids, you might consider renting "The Blue Butterfly", a beautiful movie about a boy in search of the rare blue butterfly.  It was filmed partly in Montreal!

Dates:

• February 18 - April 25, 2010

Hours:

• Tues. - Sun. : 9 am - 5 pm
• ** Will be open Monday, April 5 (Easter Monday)

Cost:

• Adults: $12.00
• Seniors and Students: $9.00
• Children 5 - 17: $6.00
• Children 2 - 4: $1.75
• Children under 2: free
• ***  Note: fees are reduced by 15% because the insectarium is closed due to labour disputes.
• *** These are the rates before the reduction

Address:

• 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal (Québec), Canada, H1X 2B2

Phone:

• 514-872-1400

Website:

• http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/propos/papillon.htm

The Wiggles Movie

If you have preschoolers in the house you probably are very familiar with the Australian children entertainers of the "The Wiggles".  A Wiggles movie will be released for 2 days on April 10th and 11th.  It is a concert movie entitled " The Wiggles - BIG, BIG, SHOW in the Round" and is inspired by the circus theme.  It should be a fun movie for kids to see. 

Dates:

• April 10 - 11, 2010

Where:

• Starcite Montreal
• Colossus Laval
• Cineplex Odeon Brossard
• Colisee Kirkland

Times:

• April 10: 1 pm at all locations
• April 11: 4 pm at all locations

Cost:

• $9.95, general admission

Website:

• http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/The-Wiggles-The-BIG-BIG-SHOW-In-The-Round.aspx?date=2010-04-10

Screening of the movie "Up"

I was driving to work this morning when I heard about a neat little event happening this weekend.  There are 7 children between the ages of 12 and 8 who are organizing a screening of the movie "Up" to raise money for Haiti.  The movie will be shown from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Westview Bible Church in Pierrefonds for 5$ a person.  Not only is this an oppurtunity to see a good movie at a good price but you will be supporting a really good cause as well as encouraging these children's efforts.  They will also be holding a raffle during the intermission where you could win some really great prizes including an autographed hockey stick, ski passes, movie passes and more. 

Date:

• Saturday March 27, 2010

Time:

• 2 pm - 5 pm

Place:

• Westview Bible Church, 16789 Pierrefonds Blvd.

Cost:

• 5$ per person, popcorn and drink included!

Website:

• http://montrealhomelearners.ca/content/haiti-relief-project

Parents and Kids Fair 2010

Here's an activity that should be fun for both parents and kids.  For the 18th year in a row Jean Coutu is hosting a Parents and Kids Fair at Place Bonaventure from April 8th to 11th 2010.  It's actually a consumer show for parents with exhibits showcasing different products, resources and services for families with children from 0 - 6 years old but it's also full of fun activities for the kids.  That's great because you can enjoy learning about all the new and innovative services for parents of little children without worrying that they will be bored. There's even free babysitting for children 2 and up if you want to be able to listen to a special speaker.  Some of the other activities at the site will be a giant indoor sandbox, colourful playground for babies, kids shows and concerts, and a kid-friendly food court.  It's free for kids 12 and under and 12 per adult but you can find some coupons for the event in your Jean Coutu flyer.

 

Dates and Times:

• Thursday, April 8 : 10 am - 8 pm
• Friday, April 9 : 10 am - 8 pm
• Saturday, April 10: 10 am - 8 pm
• Sunday, April 11 : 10 am - 5 pm

Where:

• Place Bonaventure, Montreal
• Mansfield and de la Gauchetiere entrance

Price:

• adults: 12$
• seniors and students: 10$
• kids 12 and under: free
• *** 1$ coupon available from March 25 and April 8 Jean Coutu flyers

Website:

• http://parentsandkidsfair.com/index_en.php 

Easter Farm at Place Versailles

From March 18th to April 3rd, Place Versailles is also having an Easter Farm.  Animals like ducks, geese, peacocks will be on site for all to see.  Place Versailles is also having children's "mini rides" and the Three little pigs house. Kids will be able to ride on little rides and participate in a colouring contest for a chance to win a giant chocolate bunny.  This should be a fun event for small children.

 

Where:

• 7275 rue Sherbrooke est

Dates:

• March 18th - April 3

Hours:

• Easter Farm: Regular Store Hours
   
  
  
  Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 9 pm
  
  Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  
  Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm

• Mini Rides (2nd floor):

          Thursday and Friday: 11am - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm
   
          Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm

• The Three Little Pigs House: 

          Thursday and Friday: Noon - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm

 

          Saturday: 10am - Noon and 1pm - 4pm

 

          Sunday: Noon - 4pm

 

• Cost: free!

Website:

• http://www.placeversailles.com/events/events.asp 

Easter Farm- Les Jardins Dorval

Easter is coming up fast this year!  With that comes a really nice, free activities for families with small children: The Easter Farm at the local malls.  My kids love to see animals and have been feeling a little deprived with the winter.  At these Easter farms you can see ducks, llamas, chicks, sheep, and other little farm animals.  Children can even feed them if they are brave enough. 

 

My kids review: They love it!

 

Les Jardins Dorval is the first mall that I have noticed so far that is advertising it but I imagine that others will be continuing the tradition too.  I will post the malls to the blog as I find out about them.

 

• Where: Les Jardins Dorval  - 352, ave Dorval
• When: March 30 - April 5 (closed on April 4)
• Cost: free!

Website:

• http://www.lesjardinsdorval.ca/home/ 

Centaur Theatre: Far Away Tales, Close to Home

Going to the theatre is such a great experience!  I can't wait for my children to be old enough to bring them.  For parents who do have children that are old enough, the Centaur Theatre is putting on a play appropriate for children aged 7 - 15.  This play, comprised of three stories, will have music, dance and theatre.  It is called "Far Away Tales, Close to Home" and promises to be a magical experience for the new theatre-goers and is even less expensive then going to the movies!

 

When

• Saturday, March 27, 2010

 

Time

• 10:30 a.m.

 

Cost:

• Adults- $8.00
• Children - $6.00

Website:

• http://www.centaurtheatre.com/ 

Art Workshops at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Here's a great oppurtunity to explore your creative side with your kids. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is offering free family art workshops one Sunday per month.  All workshops are bilingual and are first come, first served.
Price:

• free!

Location:

• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Jean - Noel Desmarais Pavillion, 1380 Sherbrooke St. W, Mtl, QC H3G 1J5
• --> Cultural Corridor, level S1

Phone #:

• 514-285-1600 ext. 440

Website:

• http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/en/activites/activite_32.html

Labyrinth in the Old Port

The Labyrinthe du Hangar 16 is a huge maze right in Old Montreal. There are lots of winding hallways to go through with obstacles to climb, slide down or figure out! Kids and parents of all ages will enjoy this adventure with a pirate theme. It takes between an hour to an hour and a half to complete it. They are open from mid-May to Halloween. Unfortunately, due to the obstacles, strollers or wheelchairs cannot go through the maze.

Location:

• The Shed 16 Labyrinth is located at Clock Tower Pier Entrance of the Old Port of Montréal, near Berri Street.

Phone #: (514) 499-0099

Price:

• 3 and under: free
• 4-12: $10.50
• 13-17:$13.00
• 18-59: $14.00
• 60 +: $13.00
• ** Coupons available on their website and the POM guide as well as family rates

Hours:

• Everyday from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Website: http://labyrintheduhangar16.com/en/index.html

Montreal Science Center and Imax

The Montreal Science Center is located in Old Montreal. It is a museum filled a wide variety of with science related interactive games and displays to completely engage both children and adults. The science center is also the place to watch the latest IMAX 3D movies. The current movies are "Under the Sea 3D" (where you can explore the deep waters of Australia, New Guinea and other exotic South Pacific regions) or "U23D" (a live U2 concert in 3D).

Location:

• located on King Edward Pier, in the Old Port. The Pier is essentially the extension of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, south of de la Commune Street.

Phone #:

• 514 496-4724

Price:

For exhibits and Under the Sea 3D movie:

• 4-12: $15.00
• 13-17: $18.00
• 18-59: $20.00
• 60 +: $18.00
• *** other prices for only IMAX movie
• *** rebates available (info on website)

Hours:

• Mon- Sat: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
• Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
• ** Check IMAX schedule online

Website: http://www.montrealsciencecentre.com/en/index.htm

Circus school

Montreal has a circus school! It offers courses for children, teens and adults but also has Sunday family workshops. From the website: "These activities allow families to have fun together in a circus ring which has been completely laid out with specialized equipment. Family workshops give both young and old an opportunity to try out 6 circus techniques such as acrobatics, trampoline, juggling, fixed trapeze, fabric, balance on balls, spools, and rola-bola as well as the tightrope. Each workshop is supervised and safety is ensured by a qualified animator." The workshops last 3 hours and children as young as 3 can participate. It only runs about 6 sundays a year so you have to check the website for the dates.

Location:

• 5190, boul. LaSalle Verdun (Québec) H4H 1N8

Phone #:

• 514 768-5812

Price:

• 3-4: free
• 5-17: $11.50
• 18 +: $13.50

Website: http://e-cirqueverdun.com/home

Skating Rink - Atrium Le 1000

Here's a great place to bring the family- an indoor skating rink in the middle of downtown! This indoor rink is open year-round and is always a lot of fun. You can rent skates for $5.50 and even children's helmets for $1.00. For beginning skaters they have supports that you can hold on to. There is lively music to skate to and plenty of restaurants around if you get hungry. There is also a special hour Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10:30 am - 11:30 am for children 12 and under and their parents.

Address: Atrium Le 1000 De La Gauchetière 1000, rue De La Gauchetière Street West

Price:

• adults (18+): $6.00
• children (12-):$4.00
• students/seniors: $5.00
• ***special family and fidelity prices

Hours:

• Mon - Fri: 11:30 am - 6:00 pm
• Sat: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
• Sun: 11:30 - 6:00 pm

Website: http://www.le1000.com/en/atrium_intro.asp