If family time is what you’re looking for next weekend, you are in luck! This is somehow our very first Family Day weekend in Prince Edward County post – it’s going to be a bustling one, and I couldn’t hold back from bringing it all together for your planning convenience. We’ve got outdoor dance parties, wagon rides, pinecone bird feeder-making, and comforting (often fire-roasted) treats galore. Enjoy!

Header image – Ice-covered Lake Ontario shore on Cressy Lakeside Road

Saturday February 17th

London Avenue Park Winterfest will take place from 12-3 at London Avenue Park on the Heights with many community partners involved including County Kids Read and The Department of Illumination. Chili, hot chocolate, games and entertainment, story time and free books for kids. All free!

Sandbanks Winery will have a sugar cookie decorating station (while supplies last), complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting, and on 1-4 p.m. on Saturday the 17th only, their barrel room will transform into a haven for bunnies, baby goats, and pot-bellied pigs from Heal With Horses farm. Details here.

As part of Elevage, our winter wine festival, there are two family-friendly dance parties happening on Saturday at Trail Estate Winery (1-5) and Karlo Estates (6-8)! Details here.

Sunday February 18th

Explore the Clay Vessel with Kahehtoktha Janice Brant – This is a Flashback February event happening at 1 p.m. at Macaulay Church Museum. Kahehtoktha Janice Brant will speak to the history and significance of an ancient clay vessel, unearthed in Prince Edward County in the 1970’s. Discover who made it, how it was used, and what else it can tell us about Haudenosaunee life in the time of the Peacemaker. Info here.

Winter Games & Wagon Rides – This is a Flashback February event happening at from 1-3 at The Waring House. Bring the kiddos to The Waring House for wagon rides and winter games (weather dependent), and enjoy a cup of mulled cider or hot chocolate. The pub will also be open! Info here.

Midtown Brewing Company is hosting a Kiddo’s Dance Party from 1-4 p.m. in the pizza shop!

Family Day Chill Fest takes place at The Royal Hotel from 3 to 5. Cozy up by the fire for storytelling with County Kids Read or get crafty with friendship bracelets, guided by The Department of Illumination. Pay what you can, with a suggested donation of $10 per adult, with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit partners.

Sandbanks Winery will have a sugar cookie decorating station (while supplies last) and complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting. Details here.

Monday February 19th

The Municipality of PEC and a number of community partners are hosting an all-day Family Day extravaganza at the Wellington Arena – Free public skating in the arena from 9-3, games and stories (and make your own pine-cone bird feeder with South Shore Joint Initiative from 9-3 in Highline Hall. Free soup and chili provided by the Wellington Rotary Club from 11:30-1. Info here.

Family Day at Macaulay – Happening from 12-3 at Macaulay House. View a number of beautiful, cozy quilts in Macaulay House, before you try your hand at designing a quilt block of your own! Head back to the Stone Room to take a winter-themed family photo in our historic sleigh, and enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate and a Welsh cake. Info here.

Mission: Space at the National Air Force Museum (Trenton)- The NAFM is recruiting young astronauts for a space discovery mission! Suitable for all ages, families can participate in a variety of activities to discover more about our galaxy. With the future of aviation heading into orbit, literally, we’ve launched MISSION: SPACE – an astro adventure exploring our galaxy! Recruits will pilot a space shuttle, navigate a Mars rover through the planet’s tough terrain, complete a successful moon landing, and discover the exciting science of outer space. Activities from 10-3, admission by donation. Museum hours are 10-5. Info here.

All Weekend – Saturday February 17th-Monday February 19th

Elevage is a winter wine festival taking place at 16 venues across the County. Check out the website for all the details – there’s hot dog/marshmallow/smore roasting at a number of venues, snow painting at Loch Mor Cider Company and Stanners Vineyard (weather-permitting), sugar cookie decorating at Sandbanks Winery, $10/item menus for kids and adults at the Grange, and on Saturday February 17th two dance parties at Trail Estate Winery (1-5) and Karlo Estates (6-8)!

Escape Camp Picton is offering two of their escape room experiences on Feb 17th-19th – The Spy’s Workshop for up to 5 players and The Secret Guild for up to 10 players. Special Family Day offer – at the end of your escape they will transport you back in time with a display on daily life during World War II with food rations, victory gardens and more – and the chance to try a traditional war time cake. Every paying player for the month of February will also be able to enter a draw to win the Arrow’s Secret Play-At-Home Escape Room Game (retail value $150). Book your experience on their website.

Alpaca Lane Farm has a special offer for Family Day weekend, with altered hours and discounted prices on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only. Enjoy a 45-minute visit in the barn or pasture with the alpacas or play “I Spy” on the forest path. 45-minute sessions are $20 for adults, $10 for children aged 5-10 and $1 for kids under 5. Click here to reserve your spot.

If I’ve missed anything, please feel free to email me at andrea@pecparents.ca.