🏖 This week, I'm writing to you from Panama. We took the kids and rented a small air bnb in a beach town and are posting up here for a couple of weeks. Relaxing? Absolutely not. But warm indeed. (And if you have any tips to stop my 1-year-old from eating the beach, please send.)

If you're thinking about a winter getaway yourself, we asked our community for their top family all-inclusive picks. Here are the top 5:

Staying closer to home? I've rounded up some free events to help you ease into the new year—think Mayor's levees in Pickering and Clarington, sensory storytimes, crafty teen nights, and daily lakefront skating. Here's your week of family adventures from January 8-14!

🎵 Family Music and Movement — AJAX
Thursday, Jan 8 | 9:15 AM–10:15 AM • FREE • Ages 0-6
Ajax Library - Audley Branch
A fun group experience for parents and children up to 6 years old! Introduce your children to interactive songs, nursery rhymes, music, creative movement, and musical instruments.

📚 From Story to Play — PICKERING
Thursday, Jan 8 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM • FREE • Ages 2-5
Pickering Library
Enjoy a themed storytime followed by open-ended play with a variety of creative and engaging materials inspired by the tale. Perfect for curious little hands and big imaginations!

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

🎮 Game Club — WHITBY
Thursday, Jan 8 | 7:00 PM–8:00 PM • FREE • Grades 3-6
Whitby Library
This is the place to play new and retro video games and meet new friends. Every week will be different. What will we play next?

❄️ Sensory Snow Day — OSHAWA
Friday, Jan 9 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM • FREE • Ages 0-2
Oshawa Library - John Aker Northview Branch
Join us for a cozy morning of sensory exploration, snowflake crafts, and tactile play designed for babies and caregivers.

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

👶 Peekaboo Drop In! — UXBRIDGE
Friday, Jan 9 | 10:00 AM–11:45 AM • FREE • 18 months and younger and their caregivers
Uxbridge Library
Circle time, Learning, Songs, Free Play and Connecting!

🔬 Little Explorers — WHITBY
Friday, Jan 9 | 11:00 AM–11:30 AM • FREE • Ages 2-4
Whitby Library - Brooklin Branch
Explore STEAM with fun activities in this sensory based program to enhance early learning skills.

📚 Winter Wonderland Tales — CLARINGTON
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:30 AM–11:15 AM • FREE • All ages
Bowmanville Library
Celebrate the magic and sparkle of winter in this cosy, snowy, woodsy storytime.

🎥 Cineplex Family Favourites: Movie TBD — OSHAWA
Saturday, Jan 10 | Time TBD • $3.99+ tax/ticket • All ages
Select Cineplex theatres in Durham region
Weekend plans for the whole gang just got easier! Our Family Favourites program runs movies Saturdays, for only $3.99 plus applicable taxes (in-theatre price). This event runs at participating Cineplex locations-- find your local theatre for showtimes.

🎉 Pickering Mayor's Levee — PICKERING
Saturday, Jan 10 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
Join Mayor Kevin Ashe and Council for the Annual Mayor's Levee! Celebrate the New Year with your community and enjoy: Formal Ceremonies, Live Entertainment, Delicious Refreshments, Exciting Giveaways, And More!

🎨 All Ages Saturday Family Fun! — SCUGOG
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:30 AM–12:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Scugog Library
Join us on Saturday morning for family fun and creativity! We'll have crafts and activities for children and their parents or caregivers to work on together and Leslie will share some stories and songs.

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

🧵 Sundays Are for Makers: Sewing — AJAX
Sunday, Jan 11 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM • FREE • Ages 5+
Ajax Library - McLean Branch
Learn about (and create!) something new every Sunday! From 3D printing to sewing, there's a ton to explore. January's topic is sewing.

🎉 2026 Mayor's Levee — CLARINGTON
Sunday, Jan 11 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
Enjoy free public skating, live entertainment, inflatables, face painting and more! It's the perfect opportunity to meet the Mayor and your Local and Regional Councillors and celebrate the New Year as we look ahead with optimism.

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

🌈 Michaels Kids Club: Beaded Rainbow Keychain — WHITBY
Sunday, Jan 11 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Michaels
Come in for a fun free event for kids! Kids can make a cute and colorful rainbow keychain. This program is available at all Michaels locations.

🎨 Crafty Teens — OSHAWA
Monday, Jan 12 | 6:00 PM–7:00 PM • FREE • Ages 13-18
Oshawa Library - Delpark Homes Centre Branch
Each month features a brand-new craft project—from painting and jewelry-making to upcycled art and more. All supplies provided.

🔨 REGISTRATION OPENS: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Penguin Mailbox — OSHAWA
Registration opens Monday, Jan 12 | 10:30 AM for event that takes place on Saturday, Feb 14 • FREE • Ages 5-12
Find your nearest location on the website
If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, we've got a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own Penguin Mailbox.

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

💌 Valentines for Vets — WHITBY
Monday, Jan 12 - Sunday, Jan 25 | During library hours • FREE • All ages
Whitby Library
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...Valentine's Day is a great time for Veterans to hear from you! Create a card at any of our locations. Finished Valentines will be sent to Veterans Affairs Canada and distributed to Veterans in long term care facilities in Canada.

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

🎵 MoJo & Co - Singalong! — UXBRIDGE
Tuesday, Jan 13 | 10:45 AM–11:15 AM • FREE • Ages 0-4
Uxbridge Library
Join us for a morning of music, poetry, and fun! Hosted by the dynamic musicians MOJO & CO!

📚 Bedtime Bash — OSHAWA
Wednesday, Jan 14 | 6:15 PM–7:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Oshawa Library - McLaughlin Branch
Have some fun before getting ready for bed with stories, crafts, STEAM activities, and more!

⛸️ Scugog Lakefront Skate & Holiday Market — SCUGOG
Daily | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting • FREE • All ages
Joe Fowler North ball diamond
Our FREE ice pad will be open for skating from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week, this is the perfect destination for some winter fun!

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

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