10 unique ways to celebrate Family Day Weekend!  Situated between New Years and Easter, Family Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of February. The holiday was created, in 2008, as a mid-winter break – with emphasis on the importance of family togetherness. Waterloo Region offers a diversity of events, during the holiday weekend, with families in mind.

*cross posted from KitchenerToday.com – click here for original post. 

Waterloo Region Museum
Breakfast with the Empire – May the Forks be with you
February 16, 8:30am – 10:30am

Your favourite space characters invade the Waterloo Region Museum! Enjoy a space-themed breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and pastries. Join us for cosmic science fun and learning.
Journey to Space takes visitors as close to being in space as one can get from Earth. This exhibit is an incredible and unforgettable hands-on and climb-aboard adventure for all ages.
$20 plus HST per child; $25 plus HST per adult.

Joseph Schneider Haus
Winter Tracking and Storytelling
February 18,10am – 5pm
Enjoy outdoor games and activities that explore tracking and what these skills mean for winter survival and interactions with our animal neighbours.

ST. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway
One of North Americas finest “O” Scale (1/48th) layouts. Trains of the 1950’s. Huge display of steam and diesel locomotives moving freight and passenger through the Southern Ontario countryside. Fun, and educational too.
February 16, 10am – 5pm. February 17, 12pm – 5pm. February 18, 10am – 5pm

Idea Exchange
Discover & Play on Family Day
February 18, 12pm – 4pm
FREE
Check out the new Virtual Reality Room, Makerspace, and all the STEAM Stations.
Erick Traplin’s show from 2:30 – 3:15pm! Erick’s show is a fun-filled, high energy, interactive musical show with lots of audience participation.

Cambridge Centre for the Arts
February 18, from 1pm – 4pm.
FREE
Make an owl out of wool, buttons, fabric and natural materials such as pinecones and branches. Create a family scrapbook that you will make using special papers, die cutters, stamps, and unique embellishments. Creative Fruit Kabobs, make a unique banner with recycled fabric, use a sewing machine, try hand stitching, learn to work with leather tools or use fabric adhesive.

Bring on the Sunshine
February 17, at Kitchener City Hall, 10am – 5pm
An authentic experience of Africa and all it has to offer. With dance, music, food and fun we hope to introduce you to a new world where you can breathe in all that it means to be African!
Entrance by donation, FREE PARKING in the City of Kitchener lot downstairs

THEMUSEUM
7th Annual Family Day Hack Jam
February 18, from 9am-5pm
Five levels of interactive exhibitions plus the Hack Jam, spend the day tinkering and making, learning about science, digital technology, and interactive art.
HALF price admission for the entire day.

Bingemans Family Day Carnival
February 18 and 19, from 10am – 4pm.
Inflatables, rides, food and activities! The fun takes place in the Ballroom. Children ages 2 – 11 are $10 each online & $15 at the door, adults and children under 2 (with accompanying children ages 2-11) are free.

DESCENDANTS Family Day Carnival
February 18 12pm – 5pm
Kids food specials, burger and beer Specials, face painting, cornhole, free popcorn, and ‘Nailed it’ will be teaching a paper craft!

Free Public Skating on Family Day
Activa Sportsplex (Patrick J. Doherty) 10am – 10:50am
Activa Sportsplex (KMHA Alumni) 11:15am – 1:05pm
Activa Sportsplex (KMHA Alumni) 1:15pm – 3:05pm
Activa Sportsplex (KMHA Alumni) 3:15pm – 4:05pm
Sportsworld Arena (Practice Arena) 9:15am – 12:05pm
Sportsworld Arena (Practice Arena) 12:15am – 2:05pm
Sportsworld Arena (Practice Arena) 2:15pm – 4:05pm
RIM Park 4pm – 4:50pm