Held from Friday, March 8th to Friday, March 15th this year, March Break is just days away and you can almost hear kids closing their textbooks.
But when you live in the Kawarthas, the learning doesn’t stop just because the kids are out of the classroom. With opportunities from holding turtles and making journals to exploring fire halls and rock climbing, there is plenty of fun — and learning — to be had throughout the region next week.
Here are just a few of the unique events going on in the greater Kawarthas region during the 2024 March Break.
March Break at Hutchison House Museum (March 8 – 14)
You know the creative activities being offered at the Hutchison House Museum are not to be missed because registration is filling up fast!
The Harry Potter, Tie Die, and Slime camps are now sold out, but there’s still space available in the one-of-a-kind Balloon Bowls activity on March 8, where participants will create and decorate their own bowls using balloons and papier mâché.
There’s still space available at the Learn to Knit workshop on March 13, where participants will learn the basics of the craft and create their own small project to take home.
Workshops run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and cost $25 per program. Advance registration is required and can be done by calling the museum at 705-743-9710 or emailing info@hutchisonhouse.ca.
March Break Turtle Tours at Turtle Guardians (March 9, 13, and 15)
Spend your March Break getting up close and personal with turtles and snakes with the help of Turtle Guardians.
On March 9, 13, and 15, the Turtle Tours event promises all-ages fun where visitors will learn all about the shelled creatures and how best to protect them. Located in the portable building next to Haliburton’s Fish Hatchery, the drop-in events run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the gift shop will be open for browsing.
Entry costs $10 for adults, $7 for youth, and free for children 5 and under.
Northumberland Fire Hall Exploration (March 9, 11, and 14)
Are you raising a future fire-fighter who would jump at the opportunity to explore a fire hall? Northumberland EarlyON Child and Family Centres is giving young children the opportunity to do exactly that this March Break.
Amongst other free programming throughout the week, including hiking, sugar bush exploration, alpaca meetings and more, fire halls across the county will be open for a tour. The educational event will also include discussions of fire safety, exploration of emergency vehicles, and meeting fire fighters.
Fire Hall Explorations are offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 9 in Campbellford, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 11 in Brighton, and from 2 to 3 p.m. on March 15 in Cobourg.
Programs have limited space and require advance registration. Register and browse other free programming at www.keyon.ca.
Hastings Snowshoe Hustle at Cedar Ridge Camp in Bancroft (Saturday, March 10)
Make the most of the last few weeks of winter with the second annual Hastings Snowshoe Hustle — an entire day of fun in the snow, located just 15 minutes east of Bancroft at Cedar Ridge Camp.
The one-kilometre and 4.5-kilometre Family Fun Snowshoe Races will kick off at 11 a.m. with prizes awarded to the first-place finishers of each race. Other family-friendly events planned for the day include skating, tobogganing, crafts, and gathering around the fire. Free hot chocolate, hot dogs, and coffee will be available to keep participants warm and fuelled.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own skates and snowshoes. Admission is one non-perishable food item per person for the North Hastings Community Cupboard. Visit www.facebook.com/CedarRidgeCamp for availability and more details.
Mario Day Workshop at Peterborough’s Jason Wilkins Factory (March 10)
Nintendo enthusiasts aged 6 to 13 can sign up for a day of celebrating all things Mushroom Kingdom on Sunday, March 10 at Peterborough’s Jason Wilkins Factory.
Held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mario Day celebrations will include themed activities, Mario trivia, and competitive rounds of Mario Kart. Participants will take home one Mario souvenir.
The Mario Day Workshop cost $75 (with 15 per cent sibling discount). Only 15 spots are available and can be booked at www.wilkinsartandcreative.com/registration.
Drop-in creative events at Minden Hills Cultural Centre (March 11 – 15)
Nature’s Place at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre (176 Bobcaygeon Road, Minden) is hosting drop-in creative events suitable for ages 5 and up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day from March 11 to 15.
But these aren’t your traditional art camp activities — they include identifying specimens from a skull collection, instructor-led heritage crafts related to early settlers, creating art with nature, crafting art with vegetables, and wildlife sketching.
Admission is by donation. Visit calendar.mindenhills.ca/ for more information for each workshop.
Teen Songwriting Intensive at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre (March 11 – 15)
Aspiring singer-songwriters in Grade 9 and above can develop their talents with the unique Teen Songwriting Intensive, one of two March Break camps held at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope from March 11 to 15.
Held in partnership with Northumberland’s Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG), the week-long intensive is for emerging songwriters to hone their skills in a variety of styles while exploring new ways to make music with the guidance of actor and singer/songwriter Jonathan Gysbers. The week includes the opportunity to record demos and culminates in a presentation for friends and family.
The camp runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $325 for the week, with limited spots available. Before and after camp care from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. costs an additional $75 per person. Register at capitoltheatre.com/community-events/.
Creative activities at Artisans Centre Peterborough (March 12 – 15)
Artisans Centre Peterborough in Peterborough Square is hosting creative activities suitable for ages 6 and up between Tuesday, March 12 and Friday, March 15.
On Tuesday, children are invited to learn all about bookbinding with a journal-making workshop led by Jeffrey Macklin of Jackson Creek Press. Macklin will share his creative expertise on techniques and materials, and how to use a pamphlet stitch.
On Thursday, the Artisan’s Centre is running a loom weaving workshop where children can learn about the rich history of the craft and the mechanics of several weaving methods. Beginning with a small woven sample on a cardboard loom, children will then go to the inkle loom to explore making thin bands and try using a loom table on their own.
On Friday, the hand-lettering workshop will be led by Artisan Centre member Douglas Schalin. Participants will try out basic calligraphy principals, learn the mechanics of print, and will leave class with their own imaginative decorative lettering piece.
Held from 1 p.m to 3 p.m., the events supply easy-to-source materials, making it accessible for participants to continue developing their craft at home. Workshops cost $30 and have limited participants. To register, visit www.artisanscentre.ca, drop in to the Artisan Centre on the lower level of Peterborough Square, or call 705-775-1797.
March Break Theme Camps at BGC Kawarthas (March 11 – 15)
Whether your child is a dancer, tech whiz, chef, or athlete, they are sure to find fun at the March Break day camps held by the BGC Kawarthas.
Held in Peterborough and Lindsay, the theme camps run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15 for 4 to 12 year olds. With activities and games held indoors and outdoors, camp themes include Game On, Spy Day, Around the World, Safari Day, and St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. Camps cost $34.50 per day.
Alternatively, the Lindsay location offers specialty camps for 7 to 12 year olds who have an interest or talent to foster. Specialty day camps include Kid Food Nation, rock climbing at PEAK, Kid Tech Nation, basketball, and dance camps. Specialty camps cost $41.50 per day.
All camps require registration by noon the day before the camp. Visit bgckawarthas.com/registration to register.
Garden Party Kids Club at Tiny Greens Plant Shop and Planting Studio in Peterborough (March 12 – 15)
Peterborough’s Tiny Greens Plant Shop and Planting Studio is hosting a Garden Party Kids Club from Tuesday, March 12 until Friday, March 15.
Kids will design a fantastical miniature world using anything they can find in an extensive decoration bar-vibrant sands, stones, moss, jewels, and figurines are just some of the possibilities. Other activities include spinning the wheel of prizes, scavenger hunts, and more.
Club hours run 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day, with additional sessions from 1 p.m. to 2 30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Clubs cost $45 per child or $80 for two children. The planting studio is also open for drop-ins and reservations. Visit tinygreens.ca/planting-studio to register.
For more activities to keep the kids busy during March Break, visit kawarthaNOW’s March Break Activities events column.
