The 12 Best Places to Take the Kids in Calgary

Once the novelty of hanging around in your pyjamas has worn off, you'll be needing some fun things to do with the kids this holiday season. We've rounded up all of our favourite picks and places to take the kiddos that we've featured over the years. Just for you.

Coffee and S'cream is one of the originals. It's located in the central NW and the toys, ride-ons and small climbing structures are suited to young children. The small space offers good visibility and there's a coffee bar on site. Admission is only $6.65 per child.

With a pool, two skating rinks, a fabulous play area and a whole range of activities, the only thing The Southland Leisure Centre is lacking is more parking spaces.

Feel like a champion and skate at the Olympic Oval. Buy a family ticket or a season's pass to the rink so you can perfect your moves by spring.

With a soothing spa-like atmosphere, Prema Sai Wholistic Living prides itself on offering health-based services ranging from massage and reflexology to courses in nutrition and cleansing. Prema Sai has taken a special interest in pre- and post-natal women and offers a wide range of safe services for expecting moms like massage, acupuncture, naturopathy and even belly henna.

Horsin' Around is offering their seasonal horse-drawn sleigh rides every weekend starting at noon (weather permitting) for $5 per person (kids under 2 are free). Located in the south west close to Fish Creek Provincial Park, Horsin' Around's sleigh is an open deck with straw bales and seats up to 20 people. The 15-minute ride is a perfect opportunity to practice your carols together or to just sip hot chocolate and catch up.

The Telus Spark is much more than an indoor playground. The Creative Kids Museum will keep your kids moving up the climbing wall, around the balloon trees and down the infant crawling track. Admission is $12.95 (for ages 3 to 12) and free for children under three.

Take time out to sip a latte and let the kids work off that excess energy at Play-A-Latte in the south east. Enjoy bouncy structures for all levels that include slides, a baby area with play mats, a crawling tunnel and a playhouse for those young ones who aren't quite ready to bounce yet. The on-site cafe offers fresh, low-sugar snacks, locally roasted coffee beans and free WiFi (so you can catch up on those emails).

Just because you don't want to play in the snow all day, doesn't mean they don't. Canada Olympic Park offers ski camps, snowboard camps (in the terrain park) and multi-sport camps (downhill, x-country and snowboarding) on December 27 to 30, and Jan 2 to 5 for 6 hour single day camps or 90 minute 4-day camps.

If you loved seeing Tom Hanks play that giant piano at FAO Schwartz, then take your family along to see Storybook Theatre's creative, theatrical version at the Beddington Heights Theatre. Tickets start at $19.05, and the good news is that the story is bound to get them interested in their piano lessons all over again.

This City of Calgary program encourages citizens to identify neighbours in need of assistance and take responsibility for removing snow and ice from their sidewalks, driveway or pathways to ensure safe access. There's no need to register for this goodwill program. Just grab a shovel, your kids and head out. Introduce your family to your neighbours and add a personal community connection to this gift.

Stay warm and spend some quality family time around the kitchen table this holiday break. We have some great game suggestions for all ages.

When all else fails over the holiday break, take the kids to your local Calgary Public Library branch. You can't go wrong with their family fun workshops and activities, and they will be busy for hours getting lost in their favourite children's books the library has to offer.