Apr 30-May 6 (Ottawa)

Hey Ottawa👋 I did something last weekend I haven't done since my daughter was born — I left my kids overnight. Twenty-four hours of uninterrupted conversation with my closest friends. On Sunday, I came home to a pile of laundry and have felt behind on work all week. Nevertheless, these getaways are a must. Sometimes you have to step away from the chaos just to remember how much you love it.

Mother's Day is next weekend, and Durham is making it easy to celebrate. Swing by the Wildlife Rehab Baby Shower in Clarington, check out the Mother's Day Vendor Market in Scugog, or treat yourself to a pancake brunch with Mommy Connections in Oshawa. You deserve it.

Have the best week. 🧡

What Ottawa is Talking About

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Mom & Me Pony Experience — Sunrise Equestrian Farm 
Give the gift of time together this Mother's Day with a Mom & Me Pony Experience Gift Certificate from Sunrise Equestrian Farm. A calm, one-hour experience where moms and kids groom, learn, and connect with gentle ponies — no experience needed. $50 gift certificate, limited availability. Email [email protected] to purchase.

Seedlings for Students — Online Sale Open May 1–6
 Browse and order seedlings online from May 1–6 — veggies, native flowers, and herbs grown by volunteers. Pick up at the Nepean Museum on May 9. Every purchase supports a student bursary for single parents at Algonquin College. They make great Mother's Day gifts too!

Lead in Ottawa School Water — What Parents Should Know 
CBC Ottawa is reporting on elevated lead levels found in water at some Ottawa schools — parents are calling for action. Worth reading if your kids attend school in the city.

Still Looking for Summer Camp?
The City of Ottawa still has availability at select summer camp locations — check the link to see what's available and register before spots fill up!

What to Do

Friday, May 1

• 🌱 Seedlings for Students Fundraiser | FREE | Online | May 1–6Browse and order hearty seedlings — veggies, native flowers, and herbs — grown by volunteers, with proceeds supporting a bursary for single-parent students at Algonquin College. Order online May 1–6 and pick up at the Nepean Museum on May 9. Makes a wonderful Mother's Day gift!

Saturday, May 2

• 🥞 Barrhaven Lions Club: Pancake Breakfast | By donation | All ages | 9:30–11:30 AM | Fire Station 47, 3559 Greenbank Rd, BarrhavenA beloved community breakfast with pancakes, sausages, and interactive fire station tours. All proceeds go to Quickstart Autism — a great way to support the community while keeping the kids entertained.

• 🎬 Minecraft 3D Special Event | $ | All ages | Ottawa Family Cinema, Rideau Community Hub, Downtown OttawaA special 3D screening of the Minecraft movie — with a twist! The K-Pop Demon Hunters will perform LIVE before the movie, brought to you by Fairytale Princess Parties. Enter via main doors on St. Laurent Blvd; free parking behind the auditorium.

• 🧱 LEGO Education Mars Mission: Capsule Landing | FREE | Ages 9+ | 1:00–2:00 PM | Staples Ottawa Store 131, 403 Bank St, Downtown OttawaKids build a drop tower to test landing physics in this hands-on STEM challenge. Registration required — participants take home a mini LEGO set.

• 📷 Celebrate Mother's Day at Carlingwood | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Centre Court, Carlingwood Shopping Centre, NepeanStop by Centre Court for one free digital and printed photo — no appointment needed, walk-ins only. Additional packages available for purchase.

• 📚 Used Book Fair at Adrienne Clarkson ES | FREE | All ages | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM | Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School, 170 Stoneway Dr, NepeanA massive community book sale with thousands of titles, a huge children's section, and a dedicated section for graphic novels and manga. Organized by parent volunteers — a great browse for the whole family.

• 🧪 Silly Saturday Storytime | FREE | All ages | 10:30 AM | Beaverbrook Library, 2500 Campeau Dr, KanataStories, rhymes, and songs for children of all ages and their caregivers. Drop-in, no registration required.

• 📚 Annual Book Fair — Kids Only Afternoon | FREE | All ages | 2:00–6:00 PM | Kanata United Church, 33 Leacock Dr, KanataThe annual Kanata United Church book fair kicks off with a Kids Only shopping afternoon — a special opportunity for children to browse and buy books independently. The fair continues through May 9.

• 🔬 STEM Storytime | FREE | All ages | 10:30 AM | Nepean Centrepointe Library, 101 Centrepointe Dr, NepeanHands-on activities and stories exploring science, technology, engineering, and math. All ages welcome, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• 🎉 Giant Tiger 65th Birthday Celebration | FREE (+ $5 BBQ) | All ages | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | 1512 Merivale Rd, NepeanGiant Tiger turns 65! Come celebrate with free balloons, stuffed animals, temporary tattoos, and face painting. A $5 BBQ is available on site, with all proceeds going to Guardians of the Children Ottawa.

• 🚲 Manotick Bike Rodeo | FREE | Ages 6–10 | 1:00–3:00 PM | Manotick Community Centre, Rural OttawaA fun, educational event led by the City of Ottawa Mobile Cycle Education Team — kids build confidence and learn bicycle handling and traffic safety skills. Bring your bike and helmet!

• 🎪 Tighe St. Block Party & Sidewalk Sale | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Tighe Street, Manotick, Rural OttawaCelebrating the 25th anniversary of Manotick Natural Market! Expect live music, local shopping, delicious samples, and a great community atmosphere. A perfect way to meet your neighbours and support local businesses

Sunday, May 3

• 🎵 Why Sci-Fi: NACO Family Adventures | $15 | Ages 5–12 | 3:30–4:30 PM | NAC Southam Hall, 1 Elgin St, Downtown OttawaThe NAC Orchestra performs iconic themes from Star Wars and E.T. in this family concert. Arrive 60 minutes early for free lobby activities including instrument exploration.

• 📷 Celebrate Mother's Day at Carlingwood | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Centre Court, Carlingwood Shopping Centre, NepeanOne free digital and printed photo for every visitor — no appointment needed, walk-ins only. Additional packages available for purchase.

• 🧹 Moloughney Park Clean-Up | FREE | All ages | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Moloughney Park, 30 Wessex, Downtown OttawaJoin the WBCA for a community park clean-up followed by a BBQ lunch for volunteers. Bags and gloves provided — bring a rake if you have one. High school volunteers welcome.

• 🌸 Garden Storytime / Heure du conte : jardinage | FREE | Families | 11:00 AM | Cumberland Library, 1599 Tenth Line, OrléansA bilingual storytime where kids read a book, plant seeds to take home, and make a craft. Registration required.

Tuesday, May 5

• 🎨 Mother's Day Workshop | FREE | Ages 5+ | 6:00 PM | Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre, 400 Cooper St Suite 2000, Downtown OttawaA fun evening where kids and their moms, grandmoms, or aunts craft felt animals together. A sweet and memorable way to celebrate Mother's Day.

Wednesday, May 6

• 🫖 Mother's Day Teapot Crafting at Staples | FREE | Ages 6+ | 5:00–7:00 PM | Staples Orléans Store 158, 2016 Tenth Line Rd, OrléansKids design and assemble a colourful paper teapot filled with heartfelt messages — a perfect Mother's Day gift. Free 30-minute crafting session; registration required.

• 🫖 Mother's Day Teapot Crafting at Staples | FREE | Ages 6+ | 5:00–7:00 PM | Staples Kanata Store 87, 8141 Campeau Dr, KanataKids create a personalized teapot card with Crayola markers and glitter glue — supplies provided. 30-minute time slots; registration required.

Thanks for reading! See you back here, next week!