Indoor Playgrounds in Edmonton!

The cold is coming (again!) so we've made a listing of the best indoor playgrounds in Edmonton, Sherwood Park & St. Albert to help the kids burn off some energy during those cold winter months! 

Things to remember before you go:

• Socks are required at almost every indoor playground - most places sell them if you forget but you'll save some money by throwing an extra pair in your purse!
• Rule of thumb - if the establishment sells food you can't bring your own in. This is fairly standard, if you have special dietary requirements a quick phone call before you come should clear up any questions or concerns!

Tegler Discovery Zone - John Janzen Nature Centre

In addition to a fantastic nature inspired playground John Janzen also offers drop in programming free with admission. 

Cost: Ages 2+ $6.00  or $12 per family (2 adults and all children)

Click here for location and hours of operation

Treehouse Cafe

A unique place where parents can come and enjoy a comfortable atmosphere while their children play freely in a clean, safe and age-appropriate playground. It is an open-concept space of 10,000 square feet includes play structures, games & prizes, air inflatable, rock climbing, dancing floor and private party rooms, so kids will have a variety of things to do. Also parents can easily supervise their children from a comfortable seat in the café area, while they have a cup of coffee. 

Cost:

12 months and under - Free

1-3 year - $7.95 Mon-Thur $9.95 Fri-Sun

4 years and up - $11.95 Mon-Thur $13.95 Fri-Sun

Hours: Monday - Sunday 9am-9pm

The Fun Dome

The FUN DOME at the Edmonton Sportsdome offers everything you need for the ultimate birthday party. They offer indoor FUN in south Edmonton for kids of ALL AGES (ideal for 12 yrs and under) including 18 hole mini golf, bouncers, giant inflatable slides, carnival games and much more. It’s the ultimate play space for kids!

Cost: $7.00 for the first children and $3.00 for each additional child in the same family (12 months +)

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-4pm

Inflatable Fun - Fun Place & Cafe

At Inflatable Fun we believe that families need a healthy place to meet friends, relax and enjoy themselves.  Our goal is to provide families with a stylish and comfortable environment to enjoy premium coffee, fresh, healthy food, scrumptious baking and friendly service. And let’s not forget about the play area for kids! Our Fun Place includes Inflatables (of course), a games area,  playhouse, and tons of toys.

Cost: $5.00 (12 months +)

City of Edmonton Recreation Centres:

Enjoy our drop-in indoor playground where children can climb, slide, balance and roll in a spacious room full of tyke-sized play equipment. Regular children's admission will be charged for the indoor playground. Children must wear a wristband so they can also enjoy other applicable areas i.e. swimming or kids drop-in programs. Click on the names of the centres below for hours of operation. 

Terwillegar Recreation Centre

Millwoods Recreation Centre

Cost: $5.70 per Child

William Lutsky YMCA

Are your kids asking to go to the playground but the weather outside isn't cooperating? Come play with your children in our indoor playground which has a variety of equipment suitable for children walking to 6 years. 

Cost: $5.25 per Child (free for YMCA Members)

Cafe O'Play

Café O’Play’s Indoor Playground has two different play areas. The Baby Area, which is a padded and fully enclosed space, is specially designed for children up to 2 years of age.  The area is complete with age appropriate toys and Exersaucers.  The Children Area is designed for children between 2 and 6 years of age. It includes toys such as a custom-made train table, a princess palace, and a lighthouse with slides.

Cost: Admission to the Indoor Playground is $6.00 per child between the ages of 1 and 6. Siblings enjoy a discounted rate of $3.

Cafe O'Play:

Sit, sip and watch them play! Cafe O'Play is the first and only indoor playground and coffee shop in Strathcona county!

Cost: Admission to the Indoor Playground is $6.00 per child between the ages of 1 and 6. Siblings enjoy a discounted rate of $3

Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 9 am to 6 pm Thursday-Friday: 9 am to 8 pm 
Saturday: 9 am to 3 pm

Shell Edu-tainment Centre at Millenium Place:

This creative centre features a unique 10-foot climbing wall for children 12 years and under and a permanent climbing structure with a variety of slides, interactive games, riding toys and more.

Cost:

Under 2 Free

Ages 2-12 $4.50

Kinsmen Leisure Centre

This indoor playground is specially designed for children ages 6M to 5 years. The environment is visually stimulating and your little one will thrive in this exciting space.

Cost: $3.25 per child

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Sunday 9:30-11:30 (check the website for an updated schedule, hours change regularly) 

Kidz Quarterz

Kidz Quarterz offers token operated arcade style games, huge climbing structures, comfortable seating and a soft enclosed area for toddlers. 

Cost:

Under 1 Free

12-23 months $3.50 weekdays & $5.00 weekends

2-12 year $7.00 weekdays & $10.00 weekends

Playradise - The Park Church

Playradise is a community ministry at The Park Church - they offer free play on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-12:30. Please check their website here for schedule changes. 

Cost: Free!

The Toy Hutch

A momstown favourite!! The Toy Hutch is a fantastic indoor playpark with bouncy castles, train tables, doll houses and climbing structures. Everything your kids love under 1 roof! Not to mention delicious homemade lunch items, baked goods and great coffee!

Cost: $7.25 (12 months +)

Hours: 9:00-3:00 Tuesday - Friday

West Edmonton Mall - Galaxy Kids Playpark

Check out the fantastic indoor playpark inside Galaxy Land! 

Cost: 

Under 1 -Free

Ages 1-3 $6.00

Ages 4-12 $9.00

City of Edmonton Recreation Centres:

The following recreation centres have indoor playgrounds available for indoor play anytime. Click on the name of the facility for specific location and hours of operation.

Cost: $5.70 Per Child

O'Leary Recreation Centre

Kinsmen

ACT Centre

YMCA Indoor Playgrounds

All of the YMCA's in Edmonton have indoor playgrounds for free play! Click on the name of the centre below for locations and hours of operation. 

Cost: $5.25 Per Child

Castle Downs

Don Wheaton 

Jamie Platz

Servus Place

Visit this fantastic indoor playground inside St. Albert's Recreation Centre! 
Cost: $4.50 per Child

Java Mama
Java Mama Cafes are designed especially for parents, caregivers and children alike. We are a place where adults relax, meet-up with friends or plug-in to free WiFi to get some work done while little ones explore, imagine and create in our specially designed play area.
Cost: 
12 Months and Under - Free
1 and up - $5.00 ($4.00 after 2pm!)

Fountain Park Pre-school Playground
A special place for the younger children to have their very own adventures. The Playground is designed to promote your child’s motor skill development. The classroom is for our Pre-School Programs. For children aged 6 months to 6 years.
Cost:
Under 2 - Free
Ages 2-12 - $3.75

Kids Fort 

They feature a custom-made indoor play system designed for kids aged 2-6, as well as a soft play area for those under the age of 2. The space is specifically designed so that you can see your child from all angles of the facility and the eco-friendly flooring is constructed to give cushioning to those little, running feet! They also offer free Wi-Fi so you can take a moment to finally check your phone or tablet in peace!

Cost:

8 Months and Under - Free

9 Months and Up - $5.50 (additional siblings $4.50/child)

Play'd Out Indoor Playground & Cafe!

Leduc's first indoor playground for children up to the age of 6, and specialty coffee shop.  Our goal is to be the indoor playground and coffee shop of choice for the local residents of Leduc and surrounding areas.  We are offering the opportunity for care givers to interact in an atmosphere that is geared towards entertaining children; while being able to enjoy a great cup of coffee with adult conversation.

Cost: 

12 Months and Under - Free

12 Months - 6 Years - $5.00 

$2.00 Toonie Time for the last two hours of play!

Easy Sensory Activities for Toddlers - Rainbow Magic Snowballs

momstown Edmonton's Toddler Time program is a great way for moms of Toddlers and Preschoolers to get out of the house on the weekend with the family and do a fun activity with the kids! This event is aimed at working moms who are looking to meet other Edmonton moms! Toddler Time is a biweekly event aimed at ages 12-36 months, we alternate between sensory play, simple crafts & fun with the parachute! If you're interested in joining us at next week's Toddler Time sign up here for a $45/year momstown membership! 

This week was our sensory activity! It was getting chilly here in Edmonton but (thank goodness) we have no snow yet! We had to make our own snow for our Rainbow Magic Snowballs!

This activity is simple, hands on and has a very cool affect that even the youngest kids can appreciate!

Here's what you need:

• 3 Cups Baking Soda (I used three 500g boxes)
• 1/2 Cup Conditioner
• 1/2 Cup Vinegar
• Food Colouring
• Glitter (optional)
• Shallow container
• Squeeze bottles, spray bottles, eye droppers or plastic syringes

Instructions:

Combine the conditioner, glitter and baking soda together in a shallow bin, we let the kids play with the 'snow' - it is cool to the touch and can be shaped and molded. Very cool stuff, even on it's own. We had each kid make their own snowball and place it on top of our snow then they each took turn squeezing the vinegar onto the snowballs making them explode with all the different colours. We put the vinegar and food colouring in squeeze bottles for ease of use for the toddlers but you could use a spray bottle, eye dropper or plastic syringes all for different effects. 

Walk to Remember: A Place Where My Baby Matters

We attended our first Walk to Remember just 3 months after losing Maya. It was difficult. It was sad. But more than anything it was healing. I walked beside families who knew my pain, who understood my sorrow. The walk provides a place to grieve, to smile, and to honour our babies. Each year they hold a teddy bear drive with a single goal in mind. To ensure parents who have lost a baby do not go home from the hospital with empty arms. They write the name of each and every baby in chalk to read as we walk.  There's just something about seeing your baby's name written for the world to see. Kate Inglis, fellow blogger and angel mama speaks every year, her words are always tender and sweet. The event ends with the name of each baby read aloud as families release balloons with hand written notes of love and loss. 

On this day every year, my baby matters, she matters not only to me but to every family walking with me.

Maya has changed me. I don't know who I'd be without her. I've felt more darkness and sorrow than I ever thought possible.  Yet the light that's touched me is undeniable.  I tend to think that this angel mama version of myself is the person I was meant to be. I have more compassion. I feel joy more deeply. I take less for granted. I hug my kids tighter.  I tell them I love them more often. I tickle more. I laugh more. 

My little girl would have been 4 years old this month.  I should have 4 years of giggles, hugs and memories. Although she is not here with as I walk my kids to the park, her spirit resides here, a part of our family. We speak her name often, think of her constantly and love her eternally.

Thank you Baby for making me darker, making me lighter, for making me love. 

-Kate Inglis 

Alphabet Play: T is for Tree

September has been all about apples at momstown Edmonton, and what do apples grow on? Trees! For Alphabet Play this month, we did a fun "T is for Tree" craft and sang some songs about apple trees. The craft turned out great! All it took was some tissue paper (cut into squares), construction paper, and mini pom poms! After gluing down the trunk, the kids glued green tissue paper squares along the top of the T. To complete the apple tree, the kids glued on some mini pom poms for apples! They loved choosing whether their apple tree had red or green apples on it!

We finished off our Alphabet Play with a delicious snack from Jen Laurie at Epicure. The kids and moms alike loved the apple themed snack!

Did you know that all of our events are included with your membership? That's over 30 events on a monthly basis all for only $45 a year! Sign up here!

momstown Edmonton is Hiring! Event Co-ordinator Position Available

Are you looking for a way to channel your creative energy? Are you a positive, out-going person inspired by parenting, early education and community? Are you looking for a fun, part-time supplemental income?

momstown.ca is the leading event and media company that connects and supports real Canadian moms. This is a great opportunity for you to earn some spending money while still having the opportunity to both work from home and bring your child to work! This is the perfect role for a stay at home mom. This position is about passion, creativity, convenience and fun.

Job Description – Event Co-ordinator: North, West & St. Albert

momstown Edmonton is currently seeking a creative, self-motivated, and energetic individual for a part-time position as an Event Co-ordinator. In this exciting role you will co-ordinate & execute fun and educational events for mothers and young children age 0-6.

Responsibilities:

• Create and customize events from designated momstown curriculum 
• Personally attend & execute a minimum of 1 event per week, buy & prepare supplies (to be reimbursed) 
• Act as a membership ambassador and liaise with members 
• Be an active member (or become one if not already) and attend events on a regular basis
• Support momstown Edmonton through Social Media (comment & like Facebook posts, re-tweet posts on Twitter, comment & share blogs) 
• Provide event photos for post event promotion 
• Contribute blog posts of event recap
• Be available for planning committees and regularly brainstorm with chapter owner 
• Check Message Board daily for moderation and add content to encourage discussion 
• Check calendar for comments on events 
• Help with promotion & execution of major events that are member based (seasonal events + HQ national campaigns)

Qualifications:

• Outgoing, dynamic leader who is creative, organized, highly self-motivated
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills
• Vested interest in children and parenting 
• Comfortable leading Circle/Story time and craft activities for children 
• Have a valid driver’s license & reliable vehicle 
• Be internet savvy and have home computer and internet
• Have smart  phone/camera to take photos of events

Pay Structure:

• Independent Contract work – 6 month rolling contract
• Paid monthly - per event rate

This position will involve planning events for families with children of all ages. As momstown Edmonton is growing, there is a distinct possibility this position will evolve into three: 1) Infant, 2) Toddler and 3) Preschooler Programming Co-ordinator.

momstown.ca is an on-line network for neighbourhood moms wanting to connect for support, conversation and just plain fun! With a lively Message Board and a busy Calendar, momstown Edmonton is a great way to get involved with your community while having a blast with your kids. They say it takes a village to raise a child, we say it takes a town!

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit your resume and cover letter to info.edmonton@momstown.ca

momstown Edmonton Junior Chefs learn how to make quick and easy meals with Chef Boyardee!

Each month momstown Edmonton mamas and kids get busy in the kitchen making treats, meals and snack at our Junior Chef event, this month the event was sponsored by Chef Boyardee! 

Our moms were interested in finding out how they could take this out of the can product (with no preservatives)  and turn it into a nutritious and delicious meal that the entire family would enjoy.  We made a delicious Ravioli Lasagna with Spinach and Ricotta Cheese! The kids asked for second helpings and the moms gobbled it up too. 

The kids absolutely love the get messy in the kitchen, it is so nice to get them involved! Some of them were not sure about the 'green' stuff but because they made it themselves they tried it and liked it! Getting spinach in your kids tummy - major mommy win! There was a ton of chatter while perusing the recipe booklets! We were all impressed with the easy weeknight meal ideas! Click here for delicious recipe ideas!

Little Scientists: Observing Apples

With apples abundant in the fall, momstown Edmonton decided to use our observation skills in Little Scientists to discover all of the properties of apples. Observation is one of the most important parts of Science, as well as an important part of learning!

After reading "Ten Apples Up on Top" by Dr Seuss, we tried to see if we could balance apples on our heads. It was harder than it looked in the book! We then put our observation skills to the test! We discovered that apples roll and slide with a bit of a push, but if an apple is not perfectly round, it doesn't roll very well. We also discovered that apples float. Our Little Scientists used all of their senses and observed that apples smell and taste sweet, and that they are smooth and waxy on the outside. After cutting them in half, we saw that apples also have seeds and can be very juicy. It was very neat to hear how the kids described something they usually eat as a snack! Asking questions about regular day to day things helps kids develop their observation and language skills. Give it a try at home with your kids and you'll be surprised at what you hear!

Did you know that all of our events are included with your membership? That's over 30 events on a monthly basis all for only $45 a year! Sign up here!

Tales for Tots: Never Let You Go

momstown Edmonton had a fantastic time at our monthly Tales for Tots sponsored by Scholastic Canada! We had a lot of fun with this month's story in the fabulous party room at Beaners Sherwood Park. "Never Let You Go" by Patricia Storms was a cute and tender story about a parent's love for their child. It was a fantastic story for a read aloud! Jaxson was the lucky child to take this book home, and he just couldn't wait to read it! 

For our craft, we stuck with our Apples theme and made cute apple trees using construction paper, paper plates, and red bingo daubers for the apples. It was an easy craft, and the kids loved it! Bingo daubers are always a hit. It was so much fun to see the kids adding their apples. Some of our apple trees were very overloaded with apples! After reading and crafting, we sang some apple songs to finish up our time together. It's always so much fun at Tales for Tots.

Interested in what we have to offer? Sign up here and check out what we have to offer!

Back to Work For this Mom: No More Nap Time

Well, I made it. Just barely. The first week back at work as a high school English teacher. And let me just say, I am more tired right at this moment than I remember being as a puke-covered, sleep-deprived, crazy-pants new mom. It's a Friday night, 7:18 pm and I am fighting back the urge to pound a few glasses of wine, lay my head on that gloriously soft pillow and slip into a slight coma. That is until my little one wakes up at 6 am, ready to face the day. She's about the only one who seems to be adjusting well to this change of mama back at work. For her, it means playing all day at a day home with lots of kids, constant attention, activities, curricula, perfectly timed snacks... heck I should get day home lady to help me at work...maybe she can pretend she's me, maybe we can trade places for a day, like that movie! Oh the options! 

On one hand, I feel like a grown-up again. A real human being (maybe even getting paid!) not guided by breastfeeding and breakfast, naps and nappies or bottles and bumbos. At the same time, long gone are my days of naps in the middle of the morning and/or afternoon, relaxing trips to West Edmonton Mall during the primarily mom-populated hours, baby and mama aquafit classes at the Y, or simply having a great time playing with my little boo-boo. 

Even the changes at work are tough to deal with. I mean, the days of having a drink or two after work with my teacher pals are now replaced with furiously cramming as much work as possible into an after school time slot, speeding out of the parking lot Cruella Deville style, grabbing my little one from the dayhome, making supper (sorry hubby, no more Pinterest meals that are oh so creative), running the dog, feeding, bathing, and putting my girlie to bed, doing a bit of work and then...oh god, I'm too tired to even finish that sentence...But in the end, if you can't enjoy a drink on a Friday afternoon following the instruction of 35 hormonally-charged teenagers, what's life coming to? 

It's a big change and I know that this year is going to be one of my hardest. And of course, there is that tiny bit of mommy guilt that looks at my other friends who stay at home, providing their children with all day bonding, crafting, and memories that I may be missing out on. However, I grew up with a mom who worked and I think I turned out alright. She worked so that we could have some of the little extra luxuries in life and I am eternally grateful for that. And I know that one day, my children will appreciate my hard work and time away from them as well. They will understand. Either that, or they will resent me for life, entering an eternal stage of rebellion making me regret this decision forever. You know, either/or. 

On a serious note, at least I know that my little girl is getting proper care all day and that personally, I am learning how to prioritize certain aspects of my life. I might leave the dishes one night, my laundry might pile up or my marking might suffer, but as long as everyone in this family is happy, what more can a working mom ask for? Now, pass me the wine and the pillow, it's coma-time.

-Guest blog post by momstown member Leanne Traverse

Art and Play: Apples

September not only brings a return of our flagship event Art and Play, but it also brings apples, apples, and more apples! At momstown Edmonton, we had a great apple-themed Art and Play! First, we read the classic story "Ten Apples Up on Top" by Dr. Seuss and sang some apple-themed songs. The kids loved all of the songs, especially "I'm a Little Apple"!

I'm a Little Apple

(to the tune of I'm a little teapot)

I'm a little apple short and round,

I make a munchy, crunchy sound

When you bite into me you will see,

I'm delicious as can be.

After singing, we got a little messy and painted with apples. We had two stations for the kids to paint at to keep things interesting. At the first station, we used masking tape to make the first letter of each child's name on their paper. Then, we put it in the box with some paint and rolled apples through it. The kids had so much fun rolling apples! At the second station, we did apple stamping with apple halves. Both stations were a big hit and resulted in lots of beautiful and unique paintings! 

We finished up our time with some parachute play and a delicious snack provided by Jen Laurie of Epicure. The apple pastries stuffed with the Cranberry Apple Cinnamon dip were absolutely delicious and disappeared within minutes! 

Did you know that all of our events are included with your membership? That's over 30 events on a monthly basis all for only $45 a year! Sign up here!

Junior Chef: Apple Streusel Muffins

momstown Edmonton had another brilliant Junior Chef event at The Pan Tree this month! September is all about apples at momstown, so what better thing for our junior chefs to bake than Apple Streusel Muffins? The kids loved all of the jobs that this recipe required--stirring, grating, measuring, and scooping! The muffins smelled so delicious in the oven as they baked. And, as usual, the kids loved them! Every child asked for a second one! It was so much fun to see how enthralled in his muffin one little boy was! Want to make them for your own family? Check out the recipe below.

Apple Streusel Muffins (from Company's Coming)
Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

In small bowl rub sugar, flour, and butter until crumbly. Set aside.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large shredded apple (peeled or not)

In large bowl, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Make a well in the center.

In another bowl, beat egg, milk, and oil to blend. Stir in apple. Pour into well. Stir until just moistened. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Sprinkle with topping. Bake in 400 F oven for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12.

You could win a My Little Pony Equestria Girls 2-pack of dolls with accessories PLUS the Equestria Girls movie on DVD

Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer dolls will be true friends for all your Equestria Girls adventures! Twilight Sparkle’s smart style matches her flair for finding every answer, but Sunset Shimmer's striking sense of fashion steals a lot of attention. Which one will win the "magical" Fall Formal Princess crown? That's up to you! 

My Little Pony Equestria Girls movie on DVD August 6th at major retailers across Canada.

Keep checking the My Little Pony Equestria Girls website for upcoming information and fun activities.

You could win a My Little Pony Equestria Girls 2-pack of dolls with accessories PLUS the Equestria Girls movie on DVD!

 To enter the contest click here!! 

Contest rules (fine print): 

By entering this Contest, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accept the terms and conditions below.

No purchase necessary. Contest closes September 30th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are of legal age. Limit one submitted entry per person/email address. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received online by the contest closing date. One winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by October 10th, 2013. Winner will not be able to select specific doll characters.

© 2013 Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY Equestria Girls is a registered trade-marks of Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.