Wondering where to take your kids on Saskatoon's coldest days? Here are some fun indoor options

This story was originally published on Jan. 14, 2020.

As the coldest part of a Saskatchewan winter hits, it can be tough to find ways to keep your kids active.

Here are some ideas of what you can do inside this winter in Saskatoon.

Burn off some energy

• Saskatoon Soccer Centre Indoor Play Group: Bring your children any weekday from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. CST. SSCI provides a large gym atmosphere with plenty of toys, mats and ride-around toys like trucks and wagons.

• The Backyard: One of Saskatoon's indoor playgrounds, The Backyard is a place where kids and adults can go to play games and jump around on inflatables. "The weather is always perfect" according to The Backyard's website.
• Go bowling: Saskatoon boasts plenty of bowling alleys to keep you busy for relatively cheap during the winter. Options include Hunter's Fairhaven, Hunter's Eastview, Canadian Bowling Centre and the Stoked Centre.

City spots

• Civic centres and pools across the city are open for people and families to drop in. Some city pools offer parent and tot times. Other places offer indoor playgrounds, gymnastic classes and childminding. Read more about what's available at a facility near you on the city's website.

Go to the mall

• Market Mall, Lawson Heights and Confederation Mall have play centres for toddlers and young children.  Parents or caregivers can take a break from the monotony of shopping at the small play areas. Some malls even have plush ride-on animals and creatures kids can ride for a small fee.

Something to see

• Nutrien Wonderhub: The museum offers interactive exhibits targeted toward young, enquiring minds. Wonderhub also offers low sensory days and storytelling events.

• Cinemas: Landmark Cinemas and Cineplex offer baby-friendly experiences. The outing includes raising the house lights, lowering the volume of the movie and space for stroller parking. Baby talk and other parent requirements are encouraged. Latecomers to the movie are welcomed.

• Remai Modern art gallery: Stroller tours at the gallery are a good way to entertain your baby with the help of a museum educator. According to the gallery's website, "The special outing allows for adult conversation where no one minds if a baby interrupts." The gallery is also open for art drop-ins Saturday and Sunday. Remai Modern also plays family films twice a month. 
• Western Development Museum: Take a trip down Boomtown Street or show your kids cars from before their time. There are many indoor exhibits to see at the museum and lots to learn. You can even get an old-timey photograph taken at the Boomtown Photo Studio to take home.