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In This Issue
Event Calendar
Welcome!
On Stands Now!
#GetOutside with Coleman? Contest!
Want a Taste of Western Heritage?
Teach your child to view life from the inside out, not the outside in
Win Tickets to Disney's THE LION KING
Saver the Date!
Help Your Child Avoid the (Very Real) 'Summer Slide'
Summer Family Fun & Travel Guide
Fisher-Price? Mom's Top 10 Contest!
Three Great Picnic Dishes
Enter to Win 4 Tickets to The Calgary Zoo's ILLUMINASIA
Old McDonald had... a Butterfield Acres Farm?!
Enter to Win a Green Toys Dig & Discover Set!
It's Time to Get Away and Holiday Contest!
Sleep Easy
Love Our Contests?
Spring Fun in Calgary!

Find out What's Up! Click on the icons below to check out our Events Calendar.
  Events 

 

  

  

 

Events with * are free to the public. 

 

*July 1, 10am to 11:30pm; Canada Dayyc. Celebrations include a First Nations Powwow, a Living Flag presented by Calgary  AfterSchool, food truck roundup, live music on the Riverfront Stage, a spectacular fireworks show and more! For a full roundup of festivities happening around our great city: calgary.ca/canadaday


July 1, 9:30am to 5pm; Canada Day Celebrations, Heritage Park Historical Village. Start the morning off with a complementary pancake breakfast, and then enjoy a Dominion Day parade, mini chuck wagon races, family games, crafts, a BBQ tent and entertainment. heritagepark.ca

July 1, 10am to 7pm; Canada Day Celebrations, Calaway Park Style. Fun for the whole family! calawaypark.com

July 1, 9am to 4pm; Canada Day Celebrations, Fort Calgary. There will be free outdoor celebrations including live music, petting zoo, food trucks and more! fortcalgary.com

Wednesdays to Sundays, July 1 to August 12, 11am to 1pm; Wagonstage Theatre Presents, There's a Turtle in My Tub. Wagonstage is a traveling children's theatre company. This year they will be presenting an exciting new work, There's a Turtle in My Tub, at the Calgary Zoo. Free with Zoo admission! calgaryzoo.com

July to August 16; Shakespeare By the Bow, The Tempest. Takes place at Prince's Island Park. For more information and schedule: web.

July 2, 8am to 12Noon; Sparks 'n' Spurs, TELUS Spark. Eat a complimentary breakfast, make a sheriff's badge and join in on a line dance with a twist. All activities included with membership/admission. sparkscience.ca

July 3 to 12; Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. Yeehaw! Plan all of your family's fun at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, calgarystampede.com. For a list of free Stampede breakfasts: web.

* July 4, 8:30 to 10:30am; Vivo for Healthier Generations Stampede Breakfast. Chow down on some grub, kick up yer heels and show yer Western pride! Takes place in the East parking lot. vivo.ca

* July 6 to 12; Take a Kid to the Course Week. Juniors (ages 6 to 17) golf for free at McCall Lake Par 3 and Richmond Green when golfing with 1 paid golfing adult. 4-day advanced tee times recommended. Call 403-221-3510 or visit the website.

* July 7, 9 to 11am; Market Mall Stampede Breakfast. A morning full of pancakes, music and family entertainment! Web.

* July 7 to September 1, 1 to 3pm; Nature Drop-In at Ralph Klein Park: Wetland Bug Safari. Join a Parks educator for these fun and interactive programs, and learn about the fascinating wildlife in Canada's largest storm water treatment wetland! For ages 4 and up plus an adult. Donations welcome. For more information, check The City of Calgary Parks Program Guide or visit calgary.ca/parks

* July 8 to September 3, 1 to 3pm; Nature Drop-In at Ralph Klein Park: What Bird is That? Join a Parks educator for these fun and interactive programs, and learn about the fascinating wildlife in Canada's largest storm water treatment wetland! For ages 4 and up plus an adult. Donations welcome. For more information, check The City of Calgary Parks Program Guide or visit calgary.ca/parks

* Wednesdays, July 8 to August 26, 6 to 8pm; Music in the Plaza, Heritage Park Historical Village. Bring the family and a picnic, or reserve a table on the patio of the Selkirk Grille restaurant and enjoy outdoor concerts in Heritage Town Square. Proceed rain or shine. heritagepark.ca

July 9, 6 to 10pm; Adults Only Night, TELUS Spark. Dive into the science behind why we love fried food so much, the appeal of the weirdest food combinations and the chemistry of the deep fryer's tasty siren song. Included with membership/admission. Advance tickets: sparkscience.ca

* July 9, 9 to 11am; Southland Leisure Centre Annual Stampede Breakfast. Come for food, music, dancing, petting zoo, face painting and more!

July 10 to 18; 'The CAST' Performs The Addams Family at the Performing Arts Youth Centre. 1371 Hastings Crescent SE. Presented by Youth Singers of Calgary. Tickets: youthsingers.org

July 11, 10am to 4pm; Reels & Reins, Bow Habitat Station. Discover the lure of fishing indoors and out. Enjoy family fishing outside at the Trout Pond. Then head inside the Discovery Centre for more family games and to feed the fish at a special price of $5 per person (children 4 and under, free.) Web.

July 15 to 19; 17th Annual Westerner Days Fair & Exhibition, Red Deer. Enjoy five days of top quality, truly authentic, action-packed entertainment! Web.

* July 16, 8 to 9pm MST; Free Live Webinar, "Sleep Easy: Best Practices in Getting Better Sleep for the Whole Family." Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child Magazine. Register today: Web.

July 17; Opening Day of the Season, Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm. Check out the new activities, petting zoo, playground activities, tractor rides, pig races and more! calgarycornmaze.com

* July 17 to 19; Fiestaval Latin Festival. A multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting Latin American Culture. Takes place at Olympic Plaza. fiestaval.ca/calgary 

 

July 18 & 19, Wings Over Springbank Air Show. Over 60 aircraft in the air and on the ground! The thunderous roar of formation-flying jets screaming across the Springbank sky will officially return this summer.  The Canadian Forces' Snowbirds, a nine-plane demonstration team, will mark their third appearance at the Wings Over Springbank Air Show.

* July 19, 12Noon to 5pm; CREEKFEST Water Festival. Learn about local watersheds through interactive games and activities, enjoy a special visit from Boston Pizza's mascot, Lionel, and enjoy numerous amazing musical acts! Takes place at Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial Park. Web.

July 23 to 26; Calgary Folk Music Festival. A jamboree at Prince's Island Park that celebrates over 70 artists from 14 countries! Tickets: calgaryfolkfest.com

* July 25, 10am to 3pm; The Glenmore Sailing School Celebrates its 50th Anniversary at South Glenmore Park. Join for a delicious BBQ, sailing rides and 1-hour introductory sailing lessons. No registration required. calgary.ca/sailing

July & August; Dinosaurs Alive! Calgary Zoo. Dinosaurs Alive is back from extinction with 16 new animatronic dinosaurs! Runs until the end of October. calgaryzoo.com

 

Global

CALGARY'S CHILD MAGAZINE & GLOBAL MORNING NEWS - WHAT'S COMING UP? 

  

Saturday, July 4
Guest: JC McLeod, Bucars RV Centre
Topic: More and more families are turning to RVing as their mode of transportation and source of summer fun. Are you looking to purchase a new or used RV and hit the open road for your next family vacation? Then you don't want to miss the expert advice on what to look for (and avoid!) when purchasing an RV.
 
Monday, July 6
Guest: Jaime Sanderson, Babes in Arms
Topic: Taking in local farmers' markets, the abundance of summer festivals and other fun attractions around our great city with a newborn in tow can be tough. Move over, stroller! How about using a baby carrier instead?! What should a parent look for when purchasing a baby carrier? And what are important safety tips? Jaime will provide expert advice on how to choose the best baby carrier. 
 
Saturday, July 11
Guest: Regan Forsyth, Eat Play Sleep Family Wellness
Topic: What causes early wakeups during your baby's naps, and how can you help your baby sleep soundly? Regan will provide expert advice.
 
Monday, July 13
Guest: Judy Arnall, Professional Parenting Canada
Topic: What are common roadblocks used by parents that shut down communication with their teen? What should parents do instead? What impacts parent-teen closeness? Judy will provide expert answers to these questions and more! 
 
Saturday, July 18
Guest: Rep, Vivo for Healthier Generations (formerly Cardel Place)
Topic: Ready to indulge in free, good old-fashioned family playtime? This summer, during weekday afternoons, Vivo Play Ambassadors bring back the fun, games and unstructured active play. Join for activities at parks, facilities and community events! Tune in for all the details.
 
Monday, July 20
Guest: Hadi Fares, The City of Calgary Parks
Topic: Throughout July and August, there will be two free family drop-in programs taking place at Ralph Klein Park. These programs are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3pm. Program themes include: Wetland Bug Safari and What Bird is That? So go ahead, 'take a walk on the wild side' this summer with City Parks! Hadi will fill us in on all the details. 
 
Saturday, July 25
Guest: Marissa German, McLeow Law LLP
Topic: A Will is the best way to help mitigate the stress a family goes through when parents pass away leaving young kids. In a Will, parents can name an Executor who is responsible and who they have a good relationship with to administer their estate. Tune in for Marissa's expert advice on why every parents needs a Will. 
 
Monday, July 27
Guest: Rep, Pacekids Society

Topic: All-Inclusive Sports for Everyone. How can parents and coaches encourage group or individual sports and activities involvement for children with autism? Tune in for expert advice. 

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Welcom e
 
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Summer's here at last! Now what? 

We have all kinds of great contests, activities, tips and tricks for making the most of your short summer holiday with the kids. For more, visit calgaryschild.com

Enjoy the hot weather, and don't forget the sunscreen!
 
Happy Reading! 
On Stands Now

Calgary's Child Magazine's July-August 2015 Issue! 
 

T his issue's pages are full of summer fun ideas and events, vacations, last minute camp suggestions, birthday party planning as well as our Early-Bird Fall Class & Program Feature!

Read our digital edition, click on the link at calgaryschild.com 
 
Nurture with Nature and  #GetOutside with Coleman? Contest!
 

Coleman? Galileo Full 6P Fly Dome Tent: #GetOutside with your family this summer! This tent is the perfect shelter for any outdoor adventure.

 

With setup in 10 minutes or less, it's the perfect piece of equipment to use on July 17 - National Get Outside Day, getoutsidecanada.com


 
For more information about the Galileo Full 6P Fly Dome Tent, visit colemancanada.ca. Purchase at Bass Pro Shops, basspro.com.

 

For your chance to win the Coleman? Galileo Full 6P Fly Dome Tent, enter here (contest code: Coleman). Entry deadline is Friday, July 24, 2015.

Want a Taste of Western Heritage?

by Allie Percival-Wightman, BA, B.Ed. 

  

image: tourismcalgary.ca
As a teacher, I believe that it's important to help our children experience the history, traditions, and cultural legacies which make Alberta great. 

If you want to share Alberta's unique and diverse heritage with your kids - minus the crowds, party atmosphere, and expense of the Stampede - we have some great suggestions for daytrips which will help you and your family learn about the fascinating history of the city and province we call home.

 

Heritage Park

 

Heritage Park is an open-air historical village, and a great place to learn about Calgary's origins. From the first fur traders to the first oil boom of the late 1940s, Heritage Park has a huge variety of  Ride a working steam train, enjoy the historical midway rides, speak to costumed interpreters about the lives of the first European settlers, and discover the rich cultural heritage of our Metis and First Nations neighbours. 

 

Daily entertainment and special events make this is a great local starting point for any discussion about the history of Calgary and how our city came to be. heritagepark.com

 

Fort Whoop-Up

 

If you're up for a road trip, Foot Whoop-Up near Lethbridge offers a unique opportunity to experience the wild west from the perspective of the "bad guys" - American whisky traders in the 1860s, who came north to trade and sell with the Blackfoot peoples. Their eventual conflicts with the First Nations directly resulted in the North West Mounted Police (the Mounties) coming west, and eventually, the signing of Treaty 7. 

 

Enjoy trick shooting demonstrations, wagon rides, a tour of the historical fort, and First Nations dance demonstrations. Check the website for information on when these special events are available. fortwhoopup.ca

 

Bar U Ranch

 

Located about 90 minutes southwest of Calgary, Bar U Ranch is an open-air historical village nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Bar U interpreters demonstrate real ranch skills, such as cattle handling, roping, saddle making and blacksmithing. Guided tours are conducted either on foot or by horse-drawn wagon, or you are free to explore the village and all of its buildings on foot. 

 

For a unique, historical "real cowboy" experience, Bar U Ranch can't be beat. friendsofthebaru.com

 

Small-Town Rodeos and Stampedes

 

While the Calgary Stampede is definitely the largest and most popular stampede and rodeo in Alberta, it is by no means the only one. There are tons of similar events held all over the province during the summer months, some only a few minutes out of town and many just as old and storied as the Calgary Stampede. 

 

These smaller rodeos and stampedes often have their own unique local festivals attached, which are rich with traditions of their own. The Tsuu T'ina Rodeo, for example, is a dry event which features a pow-wow, hand games, and much more. For information about events all over the prairies, visit fcarodeo.com or rodeocanada.com.

 

Read more...

 

Teach your child to view life from the inside out, not the outside in

by Dr. Susan Bartell; photo: fotolia.com

The summer is an easy-going slice of life with less pressure and fewer responsibilities--it is simple to have a sunny outlook.


 

However, even during the summer, many kids become frustrated and angry when things don't go exactly as hoped-a rainy day causes an outdoor activity to be canceled, or a friend's decision to attend sleep-away camp thwarts carefully crafted plans to spend the summer together. 


 

"The summer is ruined", a child will lament, as she struggles to cope with the disappointment of that moment. Then, as summer wears on, these feelings may become amplified as she worries about whether she will get the teacher she wants, or discover that all her friends are 'in the other class.' "I will have the worst year ever if...," she proclaims, unable to see beyond the perceived crisis. 


 
Read more...

Enter to Win Tickets to Disney's THE LION KING!

More than 70 million people have experienced the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING, and now you can too when Calgary's best-loved musical returns to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from August 11 to September 16. 

Winner of 6 Tony Awards?, including Best Musical, this landmark musical brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award?-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. 

THE LION KING also features some of Broadway's most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award?-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is sim ply nothing else like THE LION KING. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jubileeauditorium.com

Watch for a special Kids Night performance of the Lion King on August 16th - tickets will be buy one, get one free for select seating! 'Like' us on Facebook for access to the special sale link in the coming weeks! 

For your chance to win 4 tickets to this special Kids Night performance, enter here (contest code: LION KING KIDS). Performance is Sunday, August 16th at 6:30 PM.  

For your chance to win 2 tickets for a date night to Disney's THE LION KING, enter here, (contest code: LION KING). Performance is Tuesday, August 11th at 7:30 PM.

Entry deadline is July 30th, 2015.
Save the Date - Country Kickback

August 22 & 23, 9:30am to 5pm

Calling all Families to Country Kickback at Heritage Park Historical Village!   Proudly Sponsored by  Calgary's Child Magazine .

Relive Alberta
' s rustic rural history with a weekend of special events and activities. Guests of all ages will have the chance to see how the west was   once with hands-on activities such as ice cream making and butter churning, live entertainment, farming exhibits, demonstrations and much more! heritagepark.ca
Help Your Child Avoid the (Very Real) 'Summer Slide'
by Calgary Reads; Photo: Fotolia.com

Summer is here! This is the time we often relish end-of-school runs, busy activity schedules, and helping our children with homework and regular reading. However, the potential 'summer slide' that refers to summer reading loss is real. This decline in children's reading development that can occur during summer when children are away from the classroom and not participating in formal literacy programs has been studied extensively.

This summer, help your child stay at their reading level - and perhaps improve their confidence and reading pleasure. This doesn't need to be an onerous task. There are oodles of fun and easy ways to weave words, books, reading and writing into your family's summer. We suggest setting up inviting outdoor 'reading places' to encourage reading together or alone: on your deck, in a tent or while lounging in a hammock.

Read more...
Summer Family Fun & Travel Guide
photo: fotolia.com

Sunsational Summer Fun - 100's of Activities Here, There and Everywhere!

Fisher-Price? Mom's Top 10 Contest!

Toys that not only enrich a child's development through play but also grow along with them is very important to today's busy mom. The experts at Fisher-Price? are offering you the chance to win a Mom's Top 10 prize pack featuring a selection of baby gear and toys chosen by some of Canada's top mommy bloggers!

The prize pack includes the Laugh & Learn? Puppy's Smart Stages? Speedway, the newest addition to the Smart Stages? line. Kids can join Puppy as he races to the finish line while engaging in three progressive levels of interactive learning content. Also included is the My Little Snugabunny? Bouncer, Rock-a-Stack?, Corn Popper? and Musical Lion Walker. For more information on Mom's Top 10, visit momstop10.ca.

For your chance to win the Mom's Top 10 prize pack, enter here (contest code: Fisher-Price). Entry deadline is Friday, July 24, 2015.

Three Great Picnic Dishes - One Roasted Chicken

By Desiree Haight

 

Butterfan takes your picnics to Nirvana!

Summer picnics are supposed to be fun and relaxing, right? Tossing the football, lazy afternoons, juicy summer reads, children frolicking. To me, the idea of frying up a batch of chicken and making potato salad sounds anything but fun and relaxing. Who wants to be in the kitchen on a hot summer day attached to a frying pan getting greasy? Not I, Popeye! 


 
Picnics also tend to be a bit more impromptu, so I've developed three great picnic recipes using one roasted chicken that are make-ahead, easily transportable or enjoyable in your own back yard, delicious and these salads hold for days. So bring on that cold-cooked chicken!

 

Roasted Chicken & Summer Sausage Pasta Salad

Perfect for picnics and hungry kidlets, this hearty pasta salad is bound to give your family lots of energy to run around and play. For better tasting pasta salad, let it refrigerate overnight.

Butterfan secret: Add the goat cheese and the dressing to the pasta when it's still hot so it melts into a gooey, tangy dressing.

 

Read more...

Enter to Win 4 Tickets to The Calgary Zoo's ILLUMINASIA, Lantern & Garden Festival!

 
The authentic Chinese lanterns will light up the zoo and set the stage for a unique experience like no other in Calgary!

The festival lanterns will highlight some of the zoo's animals while showcasing culturally symbolic animals, such as the crane, and iconic Chinese symbols, like the Phoenix.

The Dorothy Harvie Gardens will provide the backdrop through lush mosaic cultures and vegetation tapestries. Visitors will also experience authentic Chinese, Japanese and Indian entertainment and programs that spotlight food, garden, art and culture. ILLUMINASIA runs Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 to 10pm and Sundays, 6 to 9pm, from September 17 to November 1, 2015. For more information about the Festival and to purchase tickets, visit illuminasiacalgaryzoo.com

For your chance to win 4 tickets to ILLUMINASIA, Lantern & Garden Festival at The Calgary Zoo, enter here (contest code: Zoo). Entry deadline is Monday, July 20, 2015.
Old McDonald had... a Butterfield Acres Farm?! Enter to Win a Weekend Pass to Butterfield Acres

Mosey on down to Butterfield Acres, the Real Farm Experience: Climb on an old tractor, visit with lots of different farm animals, let the pigs chew your shoelaces, hee-haw with the donkeys, enjoy pony rides and more! For more information, visit butterfieldacres.com


For your chance to win a Weekend Pass for 4 (valid until September 30, 2015) enter here (contest code: Butterfield.) Entry deadline is Wednesday, July 22, 2015. 

 Enter to Win a Green Toys? Dig & Discover Set!

Explore the great outdoors with the Green Toys? Dig & Discover Set! 

 

This custom set benefits NatureBridge, an organization dedicated to fostering environmental literacy through hands-on learning, and features a Green Toys watering can, bucket,  two shovels, and two rakes, along with a copy of Dig & Discover! Outdoor Activities for Kids.

 

In partnership with NatureBridge, Green Toys has created this set as a fun and easy way to share nature with your little one. The activities in the book are just the beginning of the many ways children can explore the world around them. The more comfortable kids are in nature, the more excited they'll be to learn about and respect the environment - so dig, discover, and become part of the solution for a more sustainable future.

 

For more information and more great, sustainable toys, visit greentoys.com.

 

For your chance to win the Green Toys? Dig & Discover set, enter here (contest code: Dig). Entry deadline is Monday, July 6, 2015.

It's Time to Get Away and Holiday Contest!
 

As a leader in travel essentials, shopbentley.com is the perfect place to start planning your summer getaway. 

 

The Richmond II Fade-Out is a 21.5', 4-wheeled hard case that provides easy maneuvering. Split case construction allows expansion for added capacity and exceptional packing organization no matter where you go. Bentley is designed to be on the move with you, every day!


For your chance to win the Richmond II Fade-Out courtesy of Bentley, enter here (contest code: Bentley). Entry deadline is Friday, July 24, 2015. 

Sleep Easy: Best Practices in Getting Better Sleep for the Whole Family - Free Webinar with Judy Arnall 

Photo: fotolia.com

 

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July 16, 8 to 9pm MST; Free Live Webinar, "Sleep Easy: Best Practices in Getting Better Sleep for the Whole Family." Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child Magazine. 

 

Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child Magazine.
 

Register today!

Love our Contests? We Have Even More Ways to Win!

 
Our Facebook and Twitter followers look to us for details on upcoming events, information about the latest issue, see what's new & notable; they connect with parents around Calgary and even get help with dinner! Check out our "Enter to Win" Facebook Tab and our wall posts and tweets every day for new contests and giveaways. Join us!