🏖 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 pancake breakfasts, winter markets, blanket fort storytimes, and more. Here's your week of family adventures from January 8-14!

🎨 Family Crafting Hour — RICHMOND HILL
Thursday, Jan 8 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Richmond Hill Library - Richvale Branch
Looking for a fun, free activity for the whole family after school? Stop by for Family Crafting Hour! We'll provide all the supplies you'll need for simple, engaging activities.

🥞 Aurora Mayor and Council New Year's Levee — AURORA
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Aurora Town Square, Davide De Simone Performance Hall
The Mayor and Council Levee is a festive opportunity for the community to meet with Town Council and enjoy lots of family activities such as skating, a pancake breakfast and more!

📚 Blanket Fort Storytime — AURORA
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM • FREE • Ages 5 and under
Aurora Library
Join us for a special blanket fort story time with Miss Sam! Help build a cozy fort in the library and enjoy some silly stories!

🥞 Georgina Mayor and Council New Year's Levee — GEORGINA
Saturday, Jan 10 | 8:00 AM–10:00 AM • FREE • All ages
The ROC
Start the new year on a high note at the Georgina Mayor and Council New Year's Levee at the ROC. Enjoy a free hot breakfast before hitting the hills for two hours of tubing, skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing. It's the perfect way to kick off the year - great food, great company and winter fun!

📚 Winter Storytime and Craft — GEORGINA
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM • FREE • All ages
Georgina Library - Peter Gzowski (Sutton) Branch
Cozy up to winter with stories, songs, and a themed craft to take home.

🥞 King Township Mayor's Pancake Breakfast — KING
Saturday, Jan 10 | 8:00 AM–11:00 AM • FREE • All ages
Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena
Join Mayor Steve Pellegrini and members of Council for the annual King Township Mayor's Pancake Breakfast. Immerse yourself in the cozy wintry atmosphere, enjoy community conversations and feast on pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, sausage alongside other delightful breakfast goodies all prepared by the Nobleton Lions Club.

🔨 Mini-Makers — MARKHAM
Saturday, Jan 10 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Markham Library - Angus Glen Branch
Drop in anytime between 11 AM and 12 PM for a fun-filled hour of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) exploration! Designed for curious young minds, Mini-Makers offers hands-on activities ranging from simple crafts to creative LEGO builds. It's a great opportunity for families to learn, play, and discover together.

🎬 Cineplex Family Favourites: Movie TBD — NEWMARKET
Saturday, Jan 10 | Time TBD • $3.99+ tax/ticket • All ages
Select Cineplex theatres in York 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.

🍵 Richmond Hill Public Library's Tea Festival — RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:30 AM–4:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Richmond Hill Library
Meet local tea vendors and uncover a world of delicious blends and unique tea products! Explore exciting flavours, chat with passionate sellers, and discover your next favourite tea to take home.

🎨 Staples Winter Activities: Cool Maker Experience — VAUGHAN
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (30 minute time slots) • FREE • Ages 7+
Staples Yonge and Steeles Store 450
Create stylish heishi bracelets in a snap with the Cool Maker Stack'd Heishi Bracelet Studio. Kids can easily find their wrist size using the measuring guide, matching the symbol with the one on the pen to make the right size bracelet. Pick up beads with the pen and watch the design stack inside, then release the beads in the studio, right onto the string.

🧸 Stuffed Animal Sleepover — VAUGHAN
Saturday, Jan 10 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM • FREE • Preschool - Grade 3
Vellore Village Library
Bring your stuffed animal for some storytime fun, then your stuffed friends will stay at the library for a special overnight adventure! After you drop off your favourite stuffed animal join us for an in-person storytime and say goodnight to our friends. All stuffed animal participants will receive a photo memory book of their sleepover.

💃 Celebrate Lohri: Bollywood Dance Workshop — WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Jan 10 | 1:00 PM–1:45 PM • FREE • All ages
Stouffville Library
Celebrate Lohri with an energetic and joyful Bollywood Dance Workshop led by Dance with Karish! Learn fun dance moves set to upbeat music. This free, all-ages workshop welcomes everyone, no dance experience required. Come ready to move, smile, and celebrate community and culture together!

🎬 Stouffville Library Movie: Dog Man — WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Jan 10 | 2:30 PM–4:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Stouffville Library
Join us for a family-friendly movie! Rated PG.

🛍️ The Stouffville Winter Market — WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Jan 10 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM • FREE • All ages
6240 Main Street (inside the 55+ Club building)
Stop in at 6240 Main St. (inside the 55+ Club building) and see what the market is offering, it changes each market day with a wonderful variety of vendors. Come see your faves!

🌲 Treewalk Village Enchanted — WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Jan 10 | 5:00–6:45 PM or 6:00 PM–7:30 PM • $27/ticket; kids 2 and under are free • All ages, ideal for ages 3-8
Bruce's Mill Conservation Area
Wander among glowing treehouses, where gentle lights sparkle and colours dance on every bridge. Traverse net bridges shimmering with radiant colours, and scale our vibrant climbing wall. This activity is great for younger kids, families and youth groups to explore.

🎨 Family Colouring Time — AURORA
Sunday, Jan 11 | 2:30 PM–4:30 PM • FREE • All ages
Aurora Library
Join us for a fun Sunday afternoon of colouring! Extra colouring pages, markers, and more in the Optimist Room.

🌈 Michaels Kids Club: Beaded Rainbow Keychain — NEWMARKET
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.

🎬 Monday Movie Night: Moon the Panda — AURORA
Monday, Jan 12 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM • FREE • All ages
Aurora Library
Join us every second Monday of the month from 6–8 PM, beginning January 12, for a themed film night celebrating culture, creativity, and community. Each month highlights a different genre, from inspiring personal stories to thought-provoking documentaries and festive adventures. Films are curated for a variety of age groups, so there's something for everyone!

🔨 *REGISTRATION OPENS* Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Penguin Mailbox — MARKHAM
Registration opens Monday, Jan 12 | 10:30 AM for event that takes place on Saturday, Feb 14 • FREE • Ages 5-12
Find your local Home Depot 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.

🎨 Lunchtime Button Day — KING
Tuesday, Jan 13 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM • FREE • Teens
King Library - King City Branch
Draw a button! Colour a button! Stamp a button! Collect the buttons! Music, animals, anime, books, movies, or comics you love, come and make a button of it. Wear them on your shirt, wear them on your bag, wear them where you like!

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

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