👋 Hey Durham !

How is it almost August already?! While my family is off on their camping adventure, I opted to stay home with my youngest. As much as I love family time (I have major FOMO as I write this), sometimes the divide and conquer approach is critical to avoid summer parenting burnout. Silver lining? The kids get quality time with their other caregiver and I get the closest thing to a vacation I've had in years.

So here's your list of free activities this week - tackle them as a family, divide and conquer, or skip them altogether for some backyard chill time. However you're rolling into August, we've got you covered!

-Mayhem Mamas

Here's what's happening this week around Durham Region:

🏖️ Lake Scugog Regatta Weekend with volleyball, movies & races – SCUGOG
🏊‍♀️ Free Public Swims at Ajax Memorial Pool (holiday Monday) – AJAX
✨ Princess Storytime at the library – CLARINGTON
🦕 Wild Wednesdays: $10 admission to Reptilia Zoo – WHITBY
🌻 B'More Farm Sunflower Field & Maze opens daily – WHITBY
🎯 Kids in the Square: Bumbling Bert Foam Party – AJAX
🏁 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Superbike Double Header – CLARINGTON
🎬 Port Perry Movie in the Park: The Minecraft Movie with FREE pizza – SCUGOG

THURSDAY, JULY 31

🎨 Make a Mess! | AJAX
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Ajax Public Library - Audley Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Get messy and creative! Perfect for kids who love hands-on art activities. Wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on!

🌱 Sustainability Week: Rooftop Roots with MicroHabitat | OSHAWA
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Circa 905 @ Oshawa Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Learn about sustainable growing! All materials provided until supplies last, so arrive early. Great hands-on environmental learning for kids.

🌻 B'More Farm Sunflower Field and Maze | WHITBY
Date: Daily until August 31 | Time: Various hours
Location: B'More Farm
Cost: $10 online, $12 at gate; kids 3-12: $5 online, $6 at gate; under 3 FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Gorgeous sunflower fields perfect for photos! Get lost in the maze and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. On August 12th there's a special Sunflower Storytime with live book reading and crafts.

🎮 Fidget Toy Fun | WHITBY
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Location: Whitby Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Grades 2-6
🔗 Event Details
Perfect for fidgety fingers! Interactive fun with various fidget toys and activities designed to help kids focus and have fun.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

🐝 Sustainability Week: The Buzz on Bees with Alvéole | OSHAWA
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Location: Circa 905 @ Oshawa Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Learn all about bees and their importance! Educational and engaging for curious kids. Materials provided while supplies last.

🥳 Lake Scugog Regatta Weekend (Day 1) | SCUGOG
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Location: Port Perry Waterfront
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Kick off regatta weekend with volleyball tournament at 6:00pm (free to watch) and Free Willy movie in the park at 9:00pm!

🍦 Scugog Park & Play Ice Cream Day | SCUGOG
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 1:00 PM onwards
Location: Pioneer Park, Blackstock
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sweet treat day in the park! Part of the weekly Park & Play program with fun activities and ice cream treats.

🥍 Ontario Lacrosse Festival (Day 1) | VARIOUS DURHAM LOCATIONS
Date: August 1-10 | Time: Various
Location: Various arenas throughout Durham
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Cheer on teams from all over Ontario as they compete for 30+ provincial championships! Iroquois Park Sports Centre is the main hub but games are held throughout Durham Region.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

✨ Princess Storytime | CLARINGTON
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Bowmanville Library
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Magical storytime with princess tales! Perfect for little ones who love fairy tales and dress-up.

🏖️ Lake Scugog Regatta Weekend (Day 2) | SCUGOG
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 10:00 AM onwards
Location: Port Perry Waterfront
Cost: FREE entry; some activities cost money | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Fun-filled day! 10:00am Costume Parade, 12:00pm Dog Show, 12:30pm Races. Perfect family day by the water.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3

🏆 Lake Scugog Regatta Weekend (Day 3) | SCUGOG
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 8:00 AM onwards
Location: Port Perry Waterfront
Cost: FREE entry; some activities cost money | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Action-packed final day! 8:00am pancake breakfast, 11:00am fishing derby, 1:00pm swimming/kayak races, 2:00pm sailboat race, 3:00pm skate park event, 6:00pm horseshoes.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4 (CIVIC HOLIDAY)

🏊‍♀️ Free Public Swims at Ajax Memorial Pool | AJAX
Date: Monday, August 4 | Time: 1:30 PM–4:00 PM & 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Ajax Memorial Pool
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor pool fun! Two swim sessions available. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Salvation Army.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

🧙‍♂️ Fun & Games Ghoulore | BROCK
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Brock Library - Sunderland Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: SK - Grade 6
🔗 Event Details
Spooky fun games and activities! Perfect mix of silly and scary for school-age kids.

🎪 Kids in the Square: Bumbling Bert Foam Party | AJAX
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 7:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Pat Bayly Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Foam party fun! Every other Tuesday evening with different themes. Rain or shine - moves indoors if needed (capacity 180). Check Ajax social media after 5pm for weather updates.

🥤 $1 Shakes with the Mayor | WHITBY
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Boardwalk Whitby
Cost: $1 shakes for Boardwalk Rewards Members (free to join); 50% off for non-members | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sweet deal! Meet the mayor and enjoy discounted shakes. Sign up for rewards membership for the best price.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6

🏐 Pickering Public Library Outdoor Games Day | PICKERING
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 10:15 AM–11:15 AM
Location: Rick Johnson Memorial Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Active outdoor fun! Designed for children with accompanying adults - drop-offs not permitted. Perfect morning activity in the park.

🎬 Port Perry Movie in the Park: The Minecraft Movie | SCUGOG
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Palmer Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
The perfect movie for Minecraft fans! Arrive early for local vendors, pre-movie trivia, and FREE pizza sponsored by Crusty Pizza. Bring chairs and blankets!

🦎 Wild Wednesdays at Reptilia Zoo Whitby | WHITBY
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Reptilia Whitby
Cost: $10 admission for all ages (children under 2 always FREE) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Amazing deal! Every Wednesday through November. Wild Wednesday tickets available at the door only - not online. Perfect for reptile-loving kids!

ONGOING THIS WEEK

🧱 Scugog Library: Brick Masters Building Contest | SCUGOG
Date: August 6-10 | Time: Contest submission period
Location: Scugog Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
LEGO building contest with five age categories and prizes for each! Build your creation and submit entry form. Perfect for master builders!

🌳 Greenbriar Park: Officially Revitalized and Reopened! | OSHAWA
Date: Now open | Time: All hours
Location: Greenbriar Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Newly revitalized community space with accessible pathways, brand-new playground equipment, and beautiful plantings that highlight the nearby ravine. Perfect for family outings!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 🏁 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Superbike Double Header – Clarington (August 8-10)

• 💻 Ajax Library: Code Your Destination – Ajax (August 10)

• 🌻 The Sunflower Farm: Kids Floral Workshop – Brock (August 8)

• 🥅 Oshawa Kicks Fun Day – Oshawa (August 9)

• 🚚 Pickering Food Truck Festival: Day 1 – Pickering (August 8)

Have a wonderful week exploring Durham with your little adventurers!

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This Toronto mom is our go-to for discovering hidden gems and new adventures across the GTA! From newly opened museums to lesser-known parks, she curates the coolest family activities with helpful tips and detailed guides (oh, and frequent giveaways!).

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