Happy Wednesday!

Looks like we’ve been gifted one last blast of summer weather. Definitely your sign to get outside this weekend and soak it all up. I’m heading to Algonquin for one final camping trip before fall fully sets in, but if you’re sticking around the city, you’re in luck—there are SO many fun, free, kid-friendly things happening outdoors. Let’s make the most of it while we can!

My Top 5 Picks This Week Around Durham

1. 🍂 Brooklin Harvest Festival (rock wall, inflatables & farmers market!) – WHITBY

2. 🎆 Ajax Fairgrounds Grand Opening with Drone Show! – AJAX

3. 🍪 FREE Autumn Cookie Decorating & fall treats bag – PICKERING

4. ⚡ Community Power Expo (behind-the-scenes nuclear site tour!) – PICKERING

5. 🎨 Scugog Arts Culture Days - Over 50 FREE hands-on arts activities – SCUGOG
   

✨ Scroll to the bottom for ongoing FREE kids programs running across Durham this month!

📚 Reading Buddies | BROCK
Thursday, Sept 18 | By appointment
Location: Beaverton Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Grades 1-4
🔗 Event Details
One-on-one reading practice with a dedicated buddy. Call the library to make an appointment. Also available at Cannington Branch (Tuesdays/Fridays) and Sunderland Branch (Wednesdays).

🍪 Autumn Cookie Decorating Fun | PICKERING
Thursday, Sept 18 | 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
Location: The Shops at Pickering City Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Kids decorate leaf-shaped cookies and take home a fall-themed bag of treats! Perfect autumn activity for the family.

🎮 Game Club | WHITBY
Thursday, Sept 18
Location: Whitby Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Grades 3-6
🔗 Event Details
Play new and retro video games and meet new friends. Every week features different games. Drop in program.

🎆 Ajax Fairgrounds Grand Opening & 70th Anniversary Celebration | AJAX
Friday, Sept 19 | 6:00 PM–9:15 PM
Location: Ajax Fairgrounds
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
First-ever drone show at 9 PM! Live music, food trucks, interactive activities, cocktails & craft beer. Completely car-free event with shuttle service available.

🎊 Garba Fest 2025 | CLARINGTON
Friday, Sept 19 | 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: Garnet Rickard Complex – East Diamond
Cost: $10/ticket | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Traditional South Asian dance celebration with live music, food stalls, and family activities. Outdoor event with free parking. Purchase tickets online to avoid extra fees.

🏴‍☠️ Yo! Ho! Ho! Talk Like a Pirate Day | WHITBY
Friday, Sept 19 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Whitby Library – Rossland Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Meet pirate friends for fun activities and hunt for hidden treasure! Drop in program perfect for adventurous little ones.

🏃‍♂️ Ajax Waterfront Race | AJAX
Sunday, Sept 21 | Races begin at 8:00 AM
Location: Ajax Waterfront
Cost: Varies by race | Age: All ages (Kids 1km race available)
🔗 Event Details
Community run with 1km kids race, 5km, and 15km options along the waterfront. Advance registration required, weather-dependent event.

🔬 RILI Budding Scientists Lab: Light Up Your Insect | AJAX
Sunday, Sept 21 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Location: Ajax Public Library, Audley Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Grades 3-5
🔗 Event Details
Interactive science lab creating glowing insects through hands-on activities. Registration required for this popular program.

🎃 Pumpkin Patch Tales | BOWMANVILLE
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:30 AM–11:15 AM
Location: Bowmanville Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Birth to age 5
🔗 Event Details
Fall-themed stories, songs, rhymes, and fun! Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers getting into the autumn spirit.

⚡ OPG Community Power Expo | CLARINGTON
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Darlington Energy Complex
Cost: FREE (food donations encouraged) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Life-sized CANDU reactor mock-up, future SMR site preview, Ontario Science Centre electricity experiences, food trucks available. No pre-registration required.

🧸 Mommy Connections Teddy Bear Picnic and Paint Party | OSHAWA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: 611 King St W
Cost: $25/person (paint option), $15/person (no paint); 12 months & under FREE | Age: 0-12 years
🔗 Event Details
Canvas art, soft play, sensory activities, music time, photo ops, teddy care station, crafts and snacks included.

🐉 Mythical Story Time: Dragons | OSHAWA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Location: Oshawa Library – Delpark Homes Centre Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 5-9
🔗 Event Details
Magical dragon adventure with fun facts, fiery tale about a taco-loving dragon, and dragon craft activity.

🦄 PetSmart Unicorn Photo FUNdraiser | OSHAWA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: PetSmart Oshawa North
Cost: $20 donation per photo | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Whimsical photos with unicorn Saturn! Bring kids, pets, dress up in sparkly outfits. Proceeds support animal medical needs. No reservations needed.

🎨 Build Your Dream School | OSHAWA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Indigo Oshawa Centre
Cost: $5 + fees/child | Age: Ages 3+
🔗 Event Details
Pete the Cat storytime followed by building with MAGNA-TILES. Each participant receives a $5 Indigo gift card.

🧚‍♀️ Pickering Fairy Tour | PICKERING
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Pickering Museum Village
Cost: $6/child, $10/adult | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Discover fairy homes, themed crafts, and magical creature folklore. One-hour tour with admission per person.

⚡ OPG Community Power Expo | PICKERING
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Pickering Nuclear Site
Cost: FREE (food donations encouraged) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Mock nuclear control room, electricity exhibits, Earth Rangers animal friends, selfie opportunities with station backdrop. Food trucks available.

🎨 Scugog Arts Culture Days | SCUGOG
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 20-21 | Various times
Location: Palmer Park & Scugog Arts Space
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Over 50 free hands-on arts activities including watercolor painting, henna, and arts demonstrations throughout Port Perry.

🎨 Uxbridge Art on the Fringe Festival | UXBRIDGE
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 20-21 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Uxbridge Museum Historical Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Over 30 artists showcase their work with live music and food. Family-friendly atmosphere running both days.

🌽 Cooper's Farm Fall Harvest Festival & 10-Acre Corn Maze | UXBRIDGE
Weekends starting Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Cooper's Farm, Zephyr
Cost: $22.08/ticket online (group discounts available) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Two-phase corn maze, U-pick pumpkins, wagon rides, strawberries, sunflowers, hay climb, mini maze, kids' play area, and animal viewing. Runs through October 26.

🍂 Brooklin Harvest Festival | WHITBY
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Downtown Brooklin (Baldwin Street area)
Cost: FREE (vendors have their own costs) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Rock wall, inflatables, street performances, live music, large farmers market. Free shuttle from Brooklin High School, sensory space available. Rain or shine event.

🔮 Artsy Afternoon: Bead Making | UXBRIDGE
Tuesday, Sept 23 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Uxbridge Library
Cost: $10/child | Age: Grades 3-5
🔗 Event Details
Create personalized beads with oven-bake polymer clay. Make them Tuesday, pick up Wednesday/Thursday from the children's department.

🎮 Drop-in Youth Space | AJAX
Sept 11-18 | Mon-Fri: 4:00-8:00 PM; Sat & Sun: 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: Ajax Community Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: 11-18
🔗 Event Details
A safe, supervised space for youth with games like pool, ping pong, and video games. Hours subject to change.

📚 Little Light Book Club | AJAX
Friday, Sept 12 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Audley Branch, Ajax Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 8-15
🔗 Event Details
Six-session book club exploring "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis with games, discussions, and book-inspired projects. Advanced registration required for all six sessions.

📚 On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! (Ages 0-11) | WHITBY
September 8 – December 14 | All Whitby Library locations
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 0-11
🔗 Event Details
Track your reading on Beanstack to earn mini-bookmarks, digital badges, and fun prizes! A fantastic way to keep kids motivated about reading through the fall and winter months.

🎓 Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass | ALL DURHAM
September – June | Various locations across Durham
Cost: FREE | Age: Grade 5 students
🔗 Event Details
All Grade 5 students get free access to public swimming, skating and some drop-in programs! Visit the website to find pickup locations – bring an adult, proof of address, proof of date of birth, and a printed/digital copy of the pass.

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