OAKVILLE KIDS TOP TOYS THIS CHRISTMAS

Top Toys this Christmas for Oakville Kids is a list compiling the popular items we’ve seen and are sure your children will love!

Christmas shopping is exciting, we choose toys for our children and imagine the big smiles coming to their faces on Christmas morning. Every year there are new and exciting inventions, and 2014 is no exception! We want to help you find the right gift for your child to enjoy. We’ve looked through the toys hitting the top of popular charts and we’ve marked down the ones we think will bring the most fun for kids ages 5-12.

This age is great as the majority of toys can be used by this age group.  They are old enough to understand more complicated games, they can focus longer and put more creativity into what they do. The world opens up with more technologically advanced items bringing lots of opportunities to learn. We found toys to encourage your child’s development and creativity allowing them to grow through play. Click here to view the full list.

If you have children ages 0-4, click here. For teens ages 13 – 18, click here.

2015 Family Day Extravaganza

Our friends at Mississauga Kids are excited to host their first ever Mississauga Family Day Event! Join us on February 16th at the Mississauga Convention Centre from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for a busy day of family shows and activities.

You won’t want to miss the main event, President’s Choice SuperDogs! The adorable acrobats will amaze you with their tricks, high-jumping and pole-weaving through obstacles, and playing Frisbee, hockey, and more! The show is guaranteed entertainment for the whole family, giving audiences of all ages a reason to laugh, love and cheer for man’s best friend. Did you know that over 40% of the SuperDogs have been adopted from Shelters or Humane Societies across North America? And when they aren’t performing, they’re personal pets! Lucky pups.

Mississauga Kids is delighted to have Q-Mack as the event host. His high energy performance will captivate kids and parents alike. The show includes dazzling basketball tricks, juggling, magic, balancing acts and features Canadian Beatboxing Champion, J-BOX, the master of 300 sound effects!

Safari Science will also join in with their reptile friends from around the world for 3 interactive family friendly shows. You’ll see and touch snakes, lizards, turtles, tree frogs and more.

Children will have hours of fun in the Kids Zone, complete with bouncy castles, crafts, games, magic, characters, face painting, and more. Each of the vendor tables will have an interactive activity for children to enjoy while parents connect with the local business.

Fair favourites, such as pop corn and cotton candy, will be available for purchase.

Mississauga Kids has partnered with local charitable organization, Breakfast With Santa Foundation and will donate a portion of proceeds to their summer breakfast program. This program feeds hungry children breakfast during the summer months when school is out.

For more event details, click here.

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES IN OAKVILLE

Oakville activities and events allow us to delight in Christmas cheer every holiday season! As we roll into winter, the kids look forward to spending special time with their families during festive events. The holidays bring warm celebrations with Santa, holiday shows, religious services and lots of fun and games! Winter snow invites us to bear the cold and hit the slopes or outdoor rink, make a snow man, and delight in the white fluffy coating that brightens the chilly night.

We look forward to sharing special time with the people dearest to us, bonding over the good cheer. Some of our neighbours may not celebrate Christmas, or any holiday tradition, but it is important to be respectful of everyone’s beliefs and welcome them to share in your cheer. This is also a good time to teach your children about values like compassion, giving and sharing.

As always, we’ve found plenty going on as early as November. Look through family shows, outdoor activities, concerts, parades, and much more.

View the full list of events online here. 

HALLOWEEN EVENTS FOR OAKVILLE KIDS IN 2014

Halloween celebrations fill October! All month Oakville kids and families can look forward to fun, yet frightening activities. We have found lots of local Halloween themed parties, festivals, games and more to help make this year scary, fun and memorable for all.

Trick or Treating is something that kids wait for all year. Luckily, this year Halloween falls on a Friday, so there will be lots of parties and children in the streets all night. Then, lots of time to sleep in and digest the candy the next day!

Click here for a full list of local Halloween Events.

FALL PROGRAMS WITH PAKMEN VOLLEYBALL

Pakmen Volleyball's indoor programs are designed to give children something to look forward to beyond the hustle and bustle of school! The programs give children an opportunity to get involved in sports while growing in a team environment. Through our programs, parents can be assured that their children are staying healthy and keeping fit while having fun.

Pakmen Volleyball offers a number of programs for children of all ages and skill levels. This is a cost effective way to keep kids engaged in a healthy lifestyle, while having fun with friends and peers. Children will quickly fall in love with their new favourite sport.

 See full details here. 

PUMPKIN PATCHES – FALL ACTIVITES FOR FAMILIES

Pumpkin Patches and Farm Orchards are abundant in Halton and surrounding Regions, providing us with lots of family fun and delicious treats!

The fall season brings one of our favourite family adventures; taking the kids to the farm! This brings us together with outdoor activities, animals, apple picking, hay rides, gourmet goodies, outdoor mazes and, of course, visiting the path where we select the perfect pumpkin for Halloween.

Soon we will see porches and homes across Oakville decorated for the fall season, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. Cornstalks, bales of hay, gourds, pumpkins and mums abound! Don’t miss out on the festivities, click here to find a local Farms.

BACK TO SCHOOL REGISTRATION – OAKVILLE ACTIVITIES

Back to School is a time for new beginnings, to learn new things in class, join different clubs and activities and make friends along the way. Oakville Kids wants to make sure you know some of the best options your child has for new pursuits in the 2014 – 2015 academic year.

Below are options for academic, creative and athletic activities children of all ages can enjoy. Creative includes Dance, Theatre, Music and Visual Arts, while Athletics covers all types of sports and physical activities. Classes usually begin in September and end in June, unless they have specified shorter sessions.

Extracurricular classes or activities usually begin in September and end in June, unless they have specified shorter sessions. For more information just click the company’s name and you will be sent to their website. You will find that many locations offer online registration. For some you may have to visit the location to make your payment and fill out registration forms.

Click here for the full list.

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR KIDS: TIME OR MONEY?

I can only envision the reader who is preparing to read this article, asking what? How could parents question this!

It actually happens in many families though some do not realize or had not planned to spend money in this manner. You have heard parents say, I want to give my child everything that I did not have as a child or I want to ensure that everything that my child needs is at his fingertips.

Please click here for the rest of this article.

FARMER’S MARKETS IN OAKVILLE

Oakville’s Farmers Markets support Ontario workers when we buy their local goods. Starting as early as May and wrapping up in November, these markets sells everything from produce, meat, flowers, baked goods, to handcrafted items and much more.

It’s important to know that buying local is a Green decision! Food that doesn’t have to travel far means you’re not using up energy and resources for transportation. Plus you’re not using up any packaging or preservatives which is great for you and the environment.

It’s also a great place to bring the kids. They can chat and learn from the vendors, some will even let the kids have a free taste test. They’ll be amazed with all the handcrafted items and delicious things to try. As a parent, you’ll be leading an example for them, showing how we can support Ontario workers and lower our carbon footprint.

For a list of local markets click here.

SPLASH PAD PARKS IN OAKVILLE

Oakville’s Splash Pads are a great way to escape some of the season’s hottest weather! With 15 locations across The City, there are plenty of opportunities to bring the kids out on a hot, sunny day. Most parks being operating in June and close in mid-September.

In Oakville, splash pads are open to all and are free of charge. They operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., except if the park is adjacent to a school where they will turn on after school hours.

If you are going to enjoy this fabulous outdoor activity please be prepared. Don’t forget the sunscreen, drinks to keep everyone hydrated, towels and an extra change of clothes for the ride home.

Click here for a list of local Splash Pad Parks.

Summer Camps in Oakville

Summer Camps in Oakville kick off in July to fill the void created by a two month break from classes. Visit our website to see a full list of artistic, athletic and academic camps. Have a happy and healthy 2014 summer vacation!

Click here to find a summer activity for your child.

About Oakville Kids

Pumpkinseed Media Group is operated under the direction of Melanie Heathers and encompasses the printed guides Mississauga Kids, Oakville Kids, and Burlington Kids. The Mississauga Guides have been published for over 8 years, printing 3 times each year and distributed via Canada Post to over 122,000 homes in Mississauga. In 2013 Oakville Kids Guides joined the Pumpkinseed Media family and in 2014 the Burlington Kids Guides followed. These new editions are delivered to over 51,000 homes in Oakville and over 50,000 homes in Burlington via Canada Post three times per year. Guides are delivered to your mailbox in January, April and August. Copies are also available at Mississauga Libraries and local businesses while the supplies last. 

In the meantime we have several websites to help you find what you need for the kids you love. MississaugaKids.com, OakvilleKids.ca and BurlingtonKids.ca feature articles about local activities and businesses, while our calendar is loaded with events  for kids and parents. Pumpkinseed Media Group also owns Your Family Directory - an online directory of products and services for kids and families.

We stay connect on all our Social Media Platforms, updating twitter daily with current events and news, sharing ideas on Facebook and making YouTube videos for Holiday ideas and previews for exhibits and IMAX movies.

Twitter: @MississaugaKids, @Info4theFamily, @Oakville_Kids, @BurlingtonKidz
Facebook Pages: Mississauga Kids, Oakville Kids, Burlington Kids
Youtube: user/MississaugaKids

Please contact with your questions at our office number (905) 582-4054 or e-mail Melanie Heathers at melanie@mississaugakids.com. Ask about our advertising opportunities that will get you the exposure you need to help grow your business.