Splash into summer 💦 Crews are inspecting and cleaning all 78 spray parks so you can enjoy the fun in the sun. All parks are expected to be operational by June 5. View the map of spray parks and operating hours edmonton.ca/SprayParks.
This weekend is packed with family-friendly options, whether your kids love building things, exploring the outdoors, watching movies or experiencing something totally new – like live music paired with their favorite film or an up-close magic show. The best part? Many of these events are affordable or even free, making it easier to fill your schedule without stretching your budget. Kick off the weekend with some sugar – because 7-Eleven is hosting Bring Your Own Cup day on April 10 and 11, 2026. Find out more by clicking here
About Kids Bowl Free Kids Bowl Free is a program created with families in mind, offering children a fun and safe way to stay active and engaged all summer long. Since 2007, we’ve partnered with bowling centers across the US, Canada and around the globe at US military bases with bowling to give kids the chance to bowl two free games every day during the summer – all at no cost to parents. Our mission is simple: to provide an affordable activity that brings families together, encourages active play, and creates lasting memories. With Kids Bowl Free, you can spend quality time with your children, watch them make new friends, and enjoy the excitement of bowling without worrying about the expense. Check out more information here: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
Early Literacy Tips for Little Learners Building early literacy doesn’t mean sitting down for long lessons—it happens naturally through play, connection, and everyday moments Here are some simple ways to support your child’s early reading and language skills: Read every day Even just 10 minutes! Repetition is key—don’t worry if they want the same book over and over. Talk, talk, talk Describe what you’re doing, ask questions, and encourage back-and-forth conversations (even if it’s babble!). Sing songs & nursery rhymes These help children hear rhythm and sounds in words—an important foundation for reading. Encourage scribbling & drawing These are early writing skills! Let them explore with crayons, markers, or even finger painting. Point out letters in everyday life On signs, food packages, or their name—make it fun and natural. Make books interactive Ask “What do you think will happen next?” or “Can you find the dog?” to build comprehension. Follow their interests Whether it’s trucks, animals, or princesses—use what they love to spark learning. Remember—early literacy is about connection, confidence, and curiosity… not perfection
Being an early learning and child care (ELCC) teacher can be an extremely rewarding experience. Particularly knowing that ELCC programs can improve child development outcomes that stretch into adulthood.1 These optimal outcomes are due, in large part, to practicing nurturing care within the program. Nurturing care in early childhood is defined as providing healthy, nutritionally adequate, secure and safe, responsive caregiving, accompanied by early learning opportunities within a supportive environment that enables these interactions.1 However, as with any career, there are many physical, social, and emotional demands that accompany this work that can add strain for an ELCC teacher. Research demonstrates that many teaching practices related to nurturing care, such as positive classroom management and responsiveness approach to children’s needs, can be negatively influenced by reduced educator psychological well-being (i.e., stress and burnout).2 Therefore, achieving wellness in the workplace is not only critical for supporting teacher well-being, but it also ensures that ELCC teachers are well-equipped to provide the physical, nutritional, social, and emotional stimulation necessary for child health.2 ELCC workplace wellness sets the stage for optimal physical, nutritional, social, and emotional environments that support children’s healthy growth and development.3 Balancing Job Demands with Job Resources Job Demands refer to the physical, social, and organizational factors that take mental energy in the workplace (e.g., managing children’s behavioural and emotional needs).4 In contrast, Job Resources are the physical, social, and organizational factors that help us achieve our workplace goals (e.g., providing high-quality care to children).4 Within ELCC settings, managing job demands through the use of available resources is a way to reduce stress and burnout and promote motivation.4 Three Job Resource Opportunities When seeking out job resources, you need not look far! Some of the most effective job resources are readily available at your ELCC centre:5 A study conducted by the CHEERS team during COVID-19 further highlights these three points as they concluded that ELCC staff’s well-being would benefit from work environments that promote social connection and job autonomy.6 Wellness can be fostered in the workplace through providing social support to co-workers, cultivating strong-working relationships with supervisors, and promoting freedom and self-determination within early learning settings, which are important resources to help reduce stress and maintain high-quality care practices that support children’s overall health and development. Remember that everyone experiences job demands and accesses resources differently. That is why it is crucial to pay attention to your workplace needs to promote mental well-being in a way that works for you. Resources Check out the findings from the Happy Teacher Project that describe early childhood educator wellness as a global imperative that needs to be approached from individual, program, and system levels in order to support high-quality care and education which will support a better society through healthier children and families. ECE Well-Being – What We Know and Why We Should Care Check out our CHEERS Blog, Lessons from the Pandemic: Supporting Educators Well-Being, for a brief summary of the sources of distress and resilience of both early childhood educators and supervisors and the ways we can further support well-being in the […]
✨ Glow Edmonton – A Magical Holiday Light Festival ✨ Glow Edmonton is Edmonton’s premier indoor Christmas light festival, transforming the Edmonton EXPO Centre into a dazzling winter wonderland each holiday season. Spanning over 80,000 + square feet of illuminated displays, interactive light gardens, and festive attractions, Glow invites families and friends to wander through enchanted forests of sparkling lights, enjoy live entertainment, meet Santa, and explore the Merry Makers Market featuring local artisans. With activities for all ages — from scavenger hunts and toddler play zones to seasonal treats and unforgettable photo moments — Glow Edmonton is a heartwarming celebration of holiday joy, creativity, and community spirit
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it can be tempting to stay indoors — but children thrive when they can explore, move, and play outside all year long! Even in the colder months, nature offers endless opportunities for creativity, connection, and cozy fun. Here are a few simple, joyful ideas to help children (and grown-ups!) enjoy the outdoors this season: 🧣 1. Bundle Up and Keep It Cozy A warm child is a happy child! Encourage families to send layers, waterproof mittens, boots, and cozy hats. Wool socks and neck warmers make a big difference too. When everyone is comfortable, outdoor play stays fun and stress-free. 🍂 2. Go on a Nature Treasure Hunt Children love collecting things — leaves, pinecones, sticks, or smooth stones. Bring a little basket or bag and let them search for “treasures.” Back inside, these can be used for crafts, sorting games, or a cozy “nature display.” ☕ 3. Outdoor Picnics in the Cold Pack up a warm drink and a small snack and have a quick winter picnic outside! Sitting on a blanket, watching the clouds or listening for birds can feel magical — even if it’s just for 10 minutes. 🐾 4. Animal Tracks & Winter Watch Look for footprints in snow or mud, listen for winter birds, and talk about how animals prepare for the cold. It’s a gentle way to build observation and wonder while connecting children to the changing seasons. 🌨️ 5. Snowy Sensory Play When the snow arrives, bring out buckets, scoops, and sand toys for building, pouring, and exploring. Add natural materials like sticks or evergreen sprigs for creative play. For non-snowy days, mix birdseed or dry oats into sensory bins outdoors! 🏃 6. Movement Games to Stay Warm Play classic games that keep everyone moving — Follow the Leader, Animal Races, or Freeze Dance (extra fun when it’s actually freezing!). Movement keeps bodies warm and moods bright. 🔥 7. End with a Warm Welcome Indoors When you head back inside, create a cozy transition — warm hands under running water, a story time with blankets, or a comforting snack. These rituals help children feel safe, calm, and cared for after their outdoor adventures. ❤️ A Note for Families Outdoor play in the colder months builds resilience, curiosity, and joy. Children learn that every season has something special to offer — and that fresh air, even on chilly days, helps everyone feel their best. Let’s keep embracing the outdoors, one cozy layer at a time!
As the leaves turn and cooler days arrive, Edmonton transforms into a festive Halloween playground. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a fright-night experience, or something in-between, here are some of the best events around town. 1. Family-Friendly Pumpkin Walk & Light Displays Check out Pumpkins After Dark at Borden Park (Sept 26 – Oct 31, 2025) for a magical stroll through thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, enchanting displays and fall treats. edmonton.pumpkinsafterdark.com+1Why it’s great: It’s less scary, more seasonal magic — perfect for young kids (like your daughter!) to enjoy the Halloween vibe without being spooked.Tip: Dress warmly, bring a camera and maybe go early for fewer crowds. 2. The Big Haunt for Teens & Adults For a more intense Halloween experience, check out DARK at Fort Edmonton Park (Oct 3 – Nov 1, 2025). With dedicated haunts, scare zones and roaming performers, this is geared toward older teens and adults. fortedmontonpark.ca+1Why go: A high-energy, immersive Halloween event — great for educators, staff outings, or older kids who want the “wow / scary” factor.Important: Costumes are not allowed inside the haunts for safety. fortedmontonpark.ca 3. Haunted Houses & Thrill-Seekers If you’re up for a real thrill, check out Deadmonton Haunted House (9300 47 St NW) — Edmonton’s big haunted house experience for 2025 with bold themes and jump scares. Deadmonton Haunted HouseGood for: Visitors who love being spooked. Maybe not the youngest children, but teens and adults will get a kick out of it. 4. Mega Costume Parties & Bar-Crawls For grown-ups or educators looking to celebrate Halloween night out, there are several events like the “Haunted Hop & Halloween Bar Crawl” in Edmonton. Eventbrite+1Note: These are adult-oriented — plan ahead for babysitting if needed! 5. Choose Your Pumpkin Patch & Fall Farm Fun Take a trip out to find pumpkins, navigate a corn maze and enjoy the farm atmosphere. For example, Fall‑o‑Ween Festival at Prairie Gardens (Bon Accord) has hay rides, mazes, animals and more. To Do Canada+1Why families love it: Outdoors, active, and engaging for a child who loves to run, jump and explore (sounds a lot like your daughter!).Tip: Make sure to check weather and wear boots — fall in Edmonton can be muddy! 🧒 Our Top Picks for You & Your Day Home Families Given you run a day home and your daughter is energetic and creative, here are suggestions you might share with your families or incorporate into your program: 🍬 Have a Safe & Spooktacular Halloween! Wherever your Halloween adventures take you, we hope your days are filled with cozy sweaters, happy pumpkins, and just the right amount of spookiness! Remember to dress warm, plan ahead for outdoor events, and most importantly — have fun celebrating this festive season with your little ones.
Guiding children’s behavior is something done throughout the day, not just when a child acts in a way that is unsafe or unacceptable. You guide behavior by establishing predictable routines, setting clear rules with children, and modeling kindness and respect. You are also attentive and aware of what is going on. Together, these actions help children feel noticed, confident, and secure. Children experience your attention and guidance as a caring embrace holding everything together. They know you’re on their team. (Dombro, Jablon, & Stetson 2011, 58) Here are some strategies we use to plan for positive guidance, keeping a Powerful Interactions approach in mind.