If you have kids, you know that sometimes, it can be a struggle to get your kids outside during the winter months. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor Edmonton winter activities - that will have your kids excited to bundle up, and get outside this winter.

Here are 15 ways to get your kids outside this winter in Edmonton

1. Lace Up Your Skates

Get outside this winter and hit the ice! Our favourite free outdoor rinks in Edmonton are at Ice District Plaza and City Hall! At City Hall, you can even find free skate rentals, and live music on weekend nights. Both locations will host special events through the winter months and you can find these on the event calendar, here.

Get on the ice, and off of stormwater facilities, this winter. Edmonton has so many places to skate, from free rinks at community leagues, and skating ovals around the city - that there’s no reason to risk it this winter. Stormwater management facilities, or local stormwater ponds, have continuously flowing water beneath the frozen ice the frozen ice, making them unsafe for any type of recreation. This winter, stay off of stormwater facilities - and on the rink!

2. Slide Down the Toboggan Hill

Use this guide to find our favourite toboggan hills in Edmonton. We’ve put together a map of Edmonton’s best toboggan hills to share the best hills for little kids, challenging hills for older kids and thrilling slides!

3. Get Outside for Play Rangers

City of Edmonton Play Rangers is a great way for the whole family to get outside this winter. With free programming like learning to build fires, and getting inspired to try orienteering, you’re going to love the free option to get outside in Edmonton.

4. Try Geocaching

When it comes to orienteering - you can give it a try at Play Rangers, but to do it every day through the week and explore cities and trails, consider trying geocaching! You can download the Geocaching app, for free, and explore thousands of geocaches throughout Alberta.

There are fantastic trails throughout Edmonton that have walkable Geocache paths with close to twenty in just a few kilometres of trails!

5. Explore Mill Creek Ravine

Walk through Mill Creek Ravine, over the bridge, through the trails and the trees. With easy parking, it’s a fun way to get outside - and is even the most little-kid friendly, with trails that are friendly to drag a sled along. Add Mill Creek Ravine to the list of places to explore in the River Valley this winter.

6. Get Outside for a Winter Festival

Get outside for a winter festival. This winter, you can explore Ice sculptures, Flying Canoe Volant, Silver Skate festival and even the Deep Freeze Fest in Edmonton. These winter festivals are packed with free activities for kids and families and are at the top of our list to enjoy a winter outside. Your kids will love the deep freeze races at the Deep Freeze Festival.

7. Plan a DIY Hot Chocolate Crawl

This is a great one for the cold days, to give a little incentive to get kids outside. Choose an area of the city - like 104th area, 124th Street or Whyte Ave and make a plan to visit two or three shops with great cups of hot chocolate. You can walk, explore the city, and try delicious treats to warm up between stops!

8. Don’t Skip the Winter Picnic

Visit Elk Island National Park or visit one of the many picnic shelters with firepits that can be used through the winter months and bring firewood, marshmallows and roasting sticks! Winter fire pits are a great way to warm up, encourage more time spent outdoors, and are something that your kids are going to look forward to.

9. Try Snowshoe and Stargaze at Elk Island National Park

If you’re looking for something more formal, consider the Snowshoe and Stargaze program at Elk Island National Park. During this night-time program, kids can learn more about the night sky, around the fire, and experience the magic of Elk Island Park after dark.

10. Find your New Favourite Winter Playground

Bundle up and visit your favourite winter playground. When you’re considering a playground for winter fun, look for climbers that are multi-level, with ropes instead of bars to make for the least-slippery experience you can have. We look for covered shelters, fire pits, and tall slides for thrilling slides down the play structure. We have created a map of the best playgrounds in Edmonton, right here, that you can use to start your adventure planning.

This winter, we want to ensure that we’re spending as much time as possible outside, but that we’re keeping safe while we’re out there having adventures. Take a few minutes to talk with your kids this winter, about staying safe in your neighbourhood when they’re out, roaming on their own adventures. Encourage them to stay off of stormwater facilities, and find safer places to skate and play.

Click here to learn more about stormwater facilities, and staying safe this winter.

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