Every year summer passes surprisingly quickly. But summer isn’t done just yet!
From September 11th to the 18th, events will be staged all across the nation for everyone to participate in the first Sports Day in Canadabrought to you by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport.You don’t need to be an athlete or a professional to take part in these events either. Whether you’re a rookie, newbie, retiree or just someone who wants to try something different, you are bound to find something that gets your sports fever going!
Canadians have been getting increasingly unhealthy over the past few years. How unhealthy? Two decades ago, sports participation rates for youth aged 15–18 were at 77 percent, and for adults, 45 perfcent. While this was not particularly high for adults (too busy driving those youths to all of their sports, probably), the participation rates have dropped dramatically.
Today, participation rates for youths are at 59 percent and for adults, 28 percent. (And no, walking up the stairs at work is not considered a sport.) But Sports Day in Canada wants to change all that for the generations to come.
During Sports Day, at locations across the country, children will be able to try a variety of sports and see if they’d like to become the next Wayne Gretzky. At FunZones, parents can learn how to get their children involved in specific sports. There will be demonstrations by local sport teams, allowing children to participate in sports right in their own local community!
For more information, check out the official Sports Day page here. You can browse all the events, where they are and also participate in the first ever Jersey Day on September 17th, where you can wear your favourite jersey, team or club uniform to work or school. But be warned, if you plan on wearing a Leafs jersey to your big meeting on that day, just make sure your boss is not a Habs or Sens fan!
Give your space a shake-up and a wake-up with a sweet piece you can buy for a song:
1 Look in older, more established neighbourhoods for the best vintage and collectibles. Newspaper listings or Craigslist are still your best bet for sale listings, but to get the best scoop, ask the locals and keep your eye out for streetlight signs. Many areas have annual sales the same weekend every year.
2 Be there early, cash in hand, and ready to take your score home with you. If you’re looking for a find that will land you on Antiques Roadshow, Google any branding or descriptive details from your iPhone.
3 Learn to barter. Canadians are rotten at bartering, because we’re afraid of insulting people. Practise asking this one magic question with confidence and a smile: “What is your best price on that?” There’s no point doing it for every piece, just the one that has seriously caught your eye and you’re sure you want, even if it’s chipped or flawed.
4 Pick a project that matches your commitment. A rattan chair is a savvy pick, if the frame is in good shape. All you have to do is spray paint it in a forgiving matte finish.
Once back-to-school starts, it’s almost all about the holidays, and we couldn’t wait to give you a peek at our very second annual Family Tested Day at Ontario Place.
Thousands of you came out to review this year’s trendiest toys, and it was a fun-filled sunny day. Thank you for coming to see us and being a part of our Family Testing!
Stay tuned for our November issue’s Annual Toy Guide to see which toys came out on top, and watch the video below to get insider picks from some of the CF edit team. And if you haven’t signed up yet to be a Family Tester yet, here’s how.
Beginning August 20th, Nintendo will begin its nation-wide tour across Canada. Nintendo of Canada and Loblaw Companies have joined forces to bring Canada the latest in Nintendo Wii and DS games.
While most would think that video game events would be limited to only hardcore enthusiasts, that’s not the case here.
The events will be held in neighbourhoods across Canada and will include the chance for gamers to show off their skills, by trying out the Wii and DS systems for FREE. Families can go to any location on the tour, sample some snacks and display their Wii skills by lacing up the gloves in Wii Boxing, or match wits in the Brain Age. And if you’re up to the test, challenge other players in Wii Sport and Wii Sports Resort games.
Head on over to the Nintendo tour homepage, where they have the specific dates and locations for each event.
After all, isn’t there a bit of Mario in all of us?
Recapture a simpler time, while introducing your kids to the classic root beer float on…wait for it…National Root Beer Float Day!
As legend has it, this yummy dessert drink was originally created by Frank Wisner of Cripple Creek, Colorado, when he (ingeniously) decided to float a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of his glass of root beer. He named his creation the “black cow” after catching a glimpse of the shimmering snow cap on nearby Cow Mountain. Of course, times change and we now refer to it as the “root beer float”
Whether you call it a “black cow”, or the more modern “root beer float”, celebrate this obscure holiday by serving up the best homemade root beer float–your kids won’t care what you call it!
And while the kiddies are indulging in their classic floats, mix up a fun adult version for yourself. Try out this recipe using Three Olives Root Beer Flavoured Vodka:
Three-O Root Beer Float
- 2 oz. Three Olives Root Beer Vodka
- 4 oz. root beer
- Float 1 scoop vanilla ice cream on top
Now, what’s next, a National Brownie Day (we hope so)?
If you’re in the GTA, we hope you’ll come join us tomorrow at Ontario Place for Family Tested Day. We’re hauling all of the latest and greatest toys for your kids to try out, and your family’s feedback could end up in the magazine! Kidomo characters will be popping in, there are prizes to be won, and there is lots of fun new stuff to preview before the holiday shopping season hits. We’ll be there from when the park opens at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come and say hi!
Our trucks are loaded up with toys, we’ve got stacks of magazines to give out, and we’re crossing our fingers for good weather! Hope to see you there.
It’s almost a week a way until we’re at Toronto’s Ontario Placetesting this years hottest new toys and we’d love to know what you think. So come down and enjoy the fun with us on Friday August 6, from 10 to 3 in OP’s Heritage Square.
Want to get in free? Comment on this post and tell us what your favourite toy growing up was (or maybe it’s a toy you wanted so badly, but never got) and you could win a set of two tickets. Winners will be announced Tuesday.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview: will have a set of stringless guitars to rock out on, our very own Myachi Master and a toy that will have your two-year-old collecting email.
In less than two weeks Canadian Family will be hosting our second annual toy testing event at Toronto’s Ontario Place and we’d love to know what YOU think. We’ll be schlepping this years hottest new toys and we want your feedback to help us determine which items make the cut for this year’s toy guide. So come out August 6th, we’ll be in Heritage Square from 10 until 4 and we’d love to see you.
Check out all of the fun from last years event here.
As we all head off into the long weekend with visions of lazing about and BBQs and fireworks in our heads, we wanted to put together a list of Canada Day Must-Knows.
If you’re on the water this weekend, don’t forget to go through boat and water safety with your kidlets before you set sail. You can also participate in a tackle sharing program if you don’t have your own fishing gear.
If you’re hosting a party, you’ll need this menu of incredible mini party foods (baby burgers, mini tacos, etc.). And check out this easy Canada Day Flag cake topped with fresh strawberries.
We’ve also rounded up the itineraries and festivities at a few major cities across the country:
Have a cause close to your heart? Want to show your love for a certain World Cup team? Visit Twibbon to find all kind of banners and icons available to add to your Twitter icon. You can show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness, the World Wildlife Federation or even the Girl Guides of Canada. It’s incredibly easy to use, and took about 10 seconds to set up.
Because Pride Week has kicked off here in Toronto (the big parade is happening this Sunday, and it’s always a blast) some of us have chosen to show our support for LGBT rights with a beautiful rainbow banner on our Twitter avatars.
There are also a lot of great events happening specifically for families on the Family Pride itinerary on Saturday and Sunday, in addition to all kinds of performances and LGBTQ parent picnics, there will also be bouncy castles, face painting, a H20 Zone and arts and crafts.
Happy Pride to all families across the country!
And if you’re not already following us on Twitter, please come join the party at @canadianfamily.
