MANITOULIN—Hey kids! Looking for something creative, fun and interesting to do during March Break? Manitoulin has got you covered.
In Little Current, the recreation centre is offering free skating from Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15 from 1-2 pm.
From Tuesday, March 12 to Thursday, March 14 there will be special themed activities, crafts and snacks at the rec centre. Tuesday is ‘under the sea’ themed, Wednesday is ‘monster mania’ and Thursday is ‘everything green.’ The activities run from 11 am to 1 pm and the cost is $5 per child.
In neighbouring Aundeck Omni Kaning, there are plenty of fun activities taking place at the Four Directions Complex, and you’re invited! Monday, March 11 is Messy Day and includes crafts, slime making and painting (please dress accordingly). Tuesday, March 12 is Snow Day with plenty of fun outdoor activities, so come armed with your snow pants, mitts, hats and boots. Thursday is Cultural Camp Day and includes crafts, food and activities. Children ages four and up are welcome. Children must be pre-registered as lunch and snacks are provided. You can do so by calling 705-368-0739.
In Gore Bay, kids are encouraged to welcome spring with a special ‘paint the ice’ event at the Gore Bay Memorial Arena on Wednesday, March 13 from 7 to 9 pm.
Kids will have six different ice paint colours to choose from and have the 175’ x 75’ ice surface as their canvas.
The cost is $5 per paintbrush and all ages are welcome. Proceeds support Gore Bay recreation programs.
Other events at the Gore Bay arena are: Monday, March 11, a 3-on-3 kids’ sponge puck Tournament from 4 to 5 pm, ice soccer from 5 to 5:50 pm, family hockey (with full equipment) from 6 to 6:50 pm, family fun skate from 7 to 7:50 pm and youth shinny hockey (13 years old and over, full equipment) from 8 to 8:50 pm.
On Tuesday, March 12 there will be a family fun skate from 2 to 4 pm and a 3-on-3 kids’ sponge puck tournament from 4 to 5 pm.
On Wednesday, March 13 the Gore Bay arena will be offering family shinny from 1 to 2 pm; family fun skate from 2 to 3 pm; and the ice painting event from 5 to 7 pm.
In Assiginack, the March Break fun gets underway on Saturday, March 9 with a kids’ sponge puck hockey tournament from 12 to 1 pm. Sign up is at 11:30 am and the cost is $2 per player. Helmet and gloves are required; full equipment is recommended. Each player will be put on a team based on age and skill. Also on Saturday, there will be a free public skate from 1 to 3 pm.
On Monday, March 11, Assiginack will host a free public skate from 1 to 3 pm courtesy of the Manitowaning Minor Hockey Association. That same evening, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, kids are invited to learn the art of bath bomb and lip balm making with Christine McNaughton ($5 per child, ages six plus) and metal stamping ($5 per child, ages four plus with an adult present). Children must be registered in advance.
On Tuesday, March 12 head to the Assiginack Library for Manitowaning’s first escape room! Grab your friends (up to 10 at any time) and try your best to escape! The cost is a non-perishable item for the food bank. There are two escape room sessions: from 1 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Reserve your time by calling 705-859-3196.
On Wednesday, March 13 there will be another free public skate from 1 to 3 pm courtesy of Loco Beanz. At 6:30 pm there will be barn board art with Delmer Fields ($5, ages six and up with an adult present) and spring wreath making ($5, ages four and up with an adult for young children). Please register at the town office in advance.
On Thursday, March 14 the escape room returns to the Assiginack Library from 1 to 4 pm. Don’t forget your non-perishable food item and to reserve your time, 705-859-3196.
From 7 to 9 pm, kids are invited to learn how to make soap at St. Paul’s Church in Manitowaning. Learn about cold-process soapmaking and make your own organic soap (approximately eight bars) to take home. This workshop will cover the history of soap, basic soap chemistry, safety precautions when working with lye and measuring, mixing and monitoring temperatures.
On Friday, March 15 there will be a free public skate sponsored by council from 7:30 to 9 pm and again on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 3 pm.
Kids and adults are also encouraged to borrow snowshoes from the municipal office and head to McLean’s Park for a winter hike or head for a sleigh ride on Snow Mountain located behind the information booth on Highway 6.
