Feb 12-18 (Ottawa)

Good morning, Ottawa. How brilliant is Family Day? It was created to fill that long stretch between New Year's and Easter when winter feels endless. This is also the final weekend of Winterlude—your last chance to experience street curling, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice sculptures at Confederation Park and the ByWard Market! Plus, Family Day Monday is packed with free skating, the RA Centre's sports extravaganza, maple syrup tapping at Vanier Sugar Shack, and community celebrations from Barrhaven to Orleans. Stay cozy!

What Ottawa is Talking About

Free Family Fishing Weekend
Families can fish for free without permits February 14-16 during Family Day Weekend—one of only four weekends per year when no fishing license is required!

March Break Library Programs—Registration Opens Feb 9
Ottawa Public Library's March Break programs include crafts, storytimes, Zoo Crew, dance, science, games, Wild Bird Centre visits, and magic shows. Free with a library card. Registration opens Monday, February 9—programs sell out quickly!

Watch Winter Olympics at Your Local Library
Drop into participating Ottawa Public Libraries to watch Winter Olympic events streamed by CBC and cheer on Team Canada. Multiple library locations are hosting screenings—check the library website for times and locations. [Ottawa Public Library]

What to Do

Thursday, Feb. 12

• 🇱🇧 Lebanese Cultural Workshop | Tanglewood Community Centre, Nepean + South Ottawa

Friday, Feb. 13

• 💝 Billings Bridge Mini Makers: Valentine's Cards | Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, The Glebe + Old Ottawa South

• 🎤 Giant Karaoke | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude ByWard Market: Horse-Drawn Carriages & Activities | Byward Market, Downtown Ottawa

• ⛸️ Young's Pond Valentine's Skate | Young's Pond Park, Kanata

Saturday, Feb. 14

• 🍁 Vanier Sugar Shack: Maple Tree Tapping | Vanier Museopark, East Ottawa

• 🎉 Annual Family Day Celebration | 15 Rockcliffe Way, East Ottawa

• 🍁 Cabane à Sucre Family Day Fun | Fern Hill School, Downtown Ottawa

• 🇨🇦 National Flag of Canada Day Trivia | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🏅 Watch Olympics on the Big Screen | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude ByWard Market: Create & Celebrate | Byward Market, Downtown Ottawa

• 🥌 Street Curling | William Street Plaza, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude at the Museum: Avatar Market & Piggy Bank Craft | Bank of Canada Museum, Downtown Ottawa

• ❄️ Winterfest at Jules Morin Park | Jules Morin Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎵 DJ on Screen | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🕯️ Lee Valley: Make Your Own Candle Holder | $40 | Lee Valley Tools Ottawa, The Glebe + Old Ottawa South

• 🥞 Hazeldean Winter Carnival | Lion Dick Brule Community Centre, Kanata

• ❄️ Winter in Barrhaven | Larkin Park, Barrhaven

• 🛍️ Ottawa Bazaar | Nepean Sportsplex, Nepean + South Ottawa

Sunday, Feb. 15

• 🥞 Parkwood Hills Winter Fun Day | 76 Inverness Avenue, Nepean + South Ottawa

• 🎉 Black History Cultural Heritage Celebration | Mosaic Convention Centre, East Ottawa

• 🇨🇦 National Flag of Canada Day Trivia | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🏅 Watch Olympics on the Big Screen | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude ByWard Market: Create & Celebrate | Byward Market, Downtown Ottawa

• 🥌 Street Curling | William Street Plaza, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude at the Museum: Avatar Market & Piggy Bank Craft | Bank of Canada Museum, Downtown Ottawa

• 🛍️ Ottawa Bazaar | Nepean Sportsplex, Nepean + South Ottawa

Monday, Feb. 16 (Family Day)

• ⛸️ Family Day Skate with Councillor Gower | CARDELREC Recreation Complex, Barrhaven

• 🇨🇦 National Flag of Canada Day Trivia | Confederation Park, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude ByWard Market: Create & Celebrate | Byward Market, Downtown Ottawa

• 🥌 Street Curling | William Street Plaza, Downtown Ottawa

• 🎨 Winterlude at the Museum: Avatar Market & Piggy Bank Craft | Bank of Canada Museum, Downtown Ottawa

• 🏊 2nd Annual Family Day at the RA Centre | RA Centre, The Glebe + Old Ottawa South

• 🎉 Greater Avalon Family Day Celebration | Aquaview Community Centre, Orleans

• 🎸 Family Day Groovy 70s Child Rock Concert | $17.50 | Ages 2-8 | Overflow Brewing Company, Westboro + West End

Traveling with Car Seats: Tips from the Hive

I know a lot of you are escaping this winter for warmer climates, and I've heard tons of questions about traveling with car seats. Here's what fellow parents have shared with me:

Two Ways to Check: You can check your car seat at the ticket counter with your luggage when you first arrive at the airport, or gate check it right before boarding (the popular option since it means less handling and stays with you longer).

Free Protection: Airlines usually provide plastic bags at check-in to protect your car seat during handling.

Where to Pick Up: If you checked at the ticket counter, pick it up at the oversized luggage area at your destination. If you gate checked, you'll pick it up right at the gate or jet bridge when you land.

The Good News: Most airlines include one free checked car seat per child—it doesn't count toward your baggage allowance. This typically applies for kids under 2 or young children using car seats.

The Fine Print: Policies vary by airline. Check with your carrier before you fly—some have age restrictions or specific packaging requirements.

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