Top 5 Enriching Activities for Families in Calgary this Winter

Two weeks of family fun is right around the corner as the winter break approaches. At our private Asasa Academy, we look forward to the magic the holidays bring with new creative opportunities. Most of all, the winter season reminds us of how special family time is. To make your winter break as memorable and full of joy as possible, we’ve made a list of our top five activities for families to try in Calgary this holiday season.

Indoor Light Festival at Telus Spark

While the Zoo Lights experience is a classic family event, Telus Spark is bringing its own bright festivities back this year until January 2, 2022. The ‘Sparkle Sparkle’ indoor lights festival opened at Telus Spark for the first time last year. ‘Sparkle Sparkle’ provides an enriching experience for the young mind to enjoy the magic of the holidays with an immersive lights experience. The first floor of the science centre becomes a world of hundreds of thousands of holiday lights enhanced by dimensional sounds. Treats are offered at the sugar shack as well as Christmas specials baked from the dining area. At our private elementary school, our teachers intertwine science into everyday activities to inspire fascination. ‘Sparkle Sparkle’s’ Santa’s Robot workshop and immersive snowstorm experience does just that. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about the cold weather!

Beauty & The Grinch

Our teachers know just how much children love Beauty and the Beastand How the Grinch Stole Christmas. If you’re looking to recreate the family tradition of watching your favourite Christmas movies, Jubilations is offering a 2-act musical comedy for kids that combines these nostalgic stories. Beauty and the Grinch plays until January 8, 2022 and includes a three course lunch! Introducing musical theatre to children at a young age shows them both a creative and emotional outlet that they will look back on as an influence of their interests.

A Christmas Carol

At our Pinetown private school, our experienced teachers offer a variety of creative activities through visual arts, music, drama and movement to provide a plethora of ways for children to explore their feelings. Experience the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future with Theatre Calgary’s A Christmas Carol, well-known for the immersive auditory and visual experience it provides. The set focuses on a cast of three, allowing children to experience the rich variety of acting and music that shapes an extraordinary performance without being overwhelmed. For extra visual enrichment, watch the movie afterwards to compare the storylines. The live play can be watched until December 24. As well, the filmed production is available to watch online.

Ride the Polar Express

Have your children always wanted to visit the North Pole? Take a trip to Aspen Crossing and hop aboard the Polar Express! If your children would rather become a character within a family-favourite Christmas movie, Aspen Crossing’s Polar Express uses the sounds of the motion picture and its delicious sweets for an authentic ride. The Polar Express train ride provides enriching visuals that allows children to enter the world of literature. Like the characters, they will receive a golden train ticket and a silver bell. The train ride lasts for an hour and lasts until December 24, 2021.

Alberta Ballet’s*The Nutcracker

Watching a live ballet performance is a great way to introduce new fine arts experiences to your child. With mesmerizing visuals, riveting costume designs and a magical adventure, Alberta Ballet transforms the stage into a winter wonderland. At Asasa Academy, we focus on the movement of dance to teach children its benefits for physical strength and wellbeing. Watching professional ballet with a holiday twist adds the artistic features of ballet to the movements children have practiced. As a performative set, children may even fall in love with the lighting techniques and the other artistic forms that grace the stage, including scene design, music and costume design. The Nutcracker can be watched in Calgary from December 10th to the 24th.

Create a Magical World for Your Child this Winter

The experiences that children embark on with their families are remembered throughout their lives and play an essential part in shaping their interests. Exposing children to immersive activities that enhance the foundational skills of our curriculum creates a closer bond between families and your child’s love of learning.