Discussions

We’re going on a road trip to Alberta this summer and I’m looking for any ideas to do while there with little kids (2 & 6). We are going to Drumheller and the Calgary Zoo. Any fun things to do in Calgary?? We won’t be going to Banff, did that last trip.

https://www.calawaypark.com  
 
Calaway Park

the Zoo and Heritage Park.

http://www.sparkscience.ca/  
 
Great place for kids and adults!

The zoo and Callaway Park were definitely my favourite places to go

Calgary has some great splash parks that are free. My little one loved them.  
https://www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/city-of-calgary-spray-parks/  
 
And we also enjoyed Sikome Lake https://www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/sikome-lake/

The reason we even thought to go to Alberta was to take my son to drumheller. He loves dinosaurs and enjoys every time he gets to see anything about them. He is very interested in everything he sees at the Manitoba Museum so I know he will enjoy drumheller. We are also going to drumheller before going to Calgary so the drive isn’t really an issue.  
 
I know how my kids will do better than an online stranger, please don’t presume to know what would be better for my family.

summergal said "The reason we even thought to go to Alberta was to take my son to drumheller. He loves dinosaurs and enjoys every time he gets to see anything about them. He is very interested in everything he sees at the Manitoba Museum so I know he will enjoy drumheller. We are also going to drumheller before going to Calgary so the drive isn’t really an issue.     I know how my kids will do better than an online stranger, please don’t presume to know what would be better for my family. "

You asked, so you got other peoples opinions that differ from yours. Perfect.

Drumheller has programs as well for kids. We did the museum one day, drove back the next day for a kids program (we signed up online the night before). Took a drive in the area to see the hoodoos (I think that is what they are called) rock formations.  
 
If you collect airmiles you can (at least you used to be able to) get tickets for Drumheller, zoo, etc.

A great place to eat in Drumheller is Whiffs. It is a family cottage type restaurant on the south side same road that leads to the Museum.  
You will find out why it is called Whiffs.  
 
Hoodoos on highway south of town, awesome for taking pictures at sunset!

For a 2 and 6 year old, going through the entire museum could get boring, which ends in tantrums with lots of youngsters (not presuming to know your kids, just stating a fact). I did the same trip when I was 10 and it was a long tour with sections that weren’t even about dinosaurs some of it. Why not check out the Prehistoric Park at the Calgary zoo instead? I remember it being very visual and cool, I’m sure two younger kids would really enjoy that! Do the zoo in the morning and the dinosaurs in the afternoon, make a whole day of it!

Actually I asked for ideas on things to do, not opinions on what we already planned.  
 
I’ve been to drumheller previously so I know what it’s like and know my kids will be fine.

We went to Calgary last summer with our kids (1 and 3) with the majority of our time spent doing dinosaur related things for my son.  
 
Drumheller was definitely a hit! My son (3) LOVED the museum, especially matching the dinosaurs to the maps. Since you said you've been there, you may already know about the dinosaur statues around the actual town, as well as the little splash park. The kids loved walking to see the statues!  
 
In Calgary, we did the zoo and a couple little splash parks. I don't remember exactly which ones we went to, but from what ours friends in Calgary have said, all of them are good, so maybe there's one close to where you will be.  
 
As a kid, I remember going to Calaway Park and had so much fun. We didn't have time to go when we were there so I don't have recent experience, but I'm sure it's still great!  
 
We ended up going to Edmonton as well (not sure if that's realistic for you), but north of Edmonton there's a big dinosaur exhibit similar, but bigger, than the one in Winnipeg Zoo called Jurassic Forest. We went that far north just for it and it was definitely worth it for our family. My son still talks about it!  
 
Have an awesome trip! I'm sure the kids will love it!

Calaway park pack a picnic for their picnic area,, butterfeild acres is little farm just for kids, we also liked the leisure centres with wave pools, waves are created in the pool , fish creek & lots of indoor parks

Our kids enjoyed seeing all the fish here. There is an indoor playground as well.

I have not been to the Telus Spark place in Calgary but we did go to the one in Edmonton and our son and the other family and their kids had a blast so I highly recommend checking out the one in Calgary.  
 
https://www.visitcalgary.com/places/telus-spark-calgarys-science-centre?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1czamvS62wIVy2SGCh3WRgDMEAAYASAAEgJlPfD_BwE

There used to be a particular great ice cream place in Calgary. I never remember the name. I've cream flavors galore & a $.25 mechanical horse ride in there. I never remember the name, but I did have the name written in another post on eBrandon that was about things to do in Calgary. I would certainly stop there again!

Here it is. It's the Marda Loop location. It is a nice old style ice cream shop. Ice cream heaven with more flavors that you can imagine! Ask to sample some flavors before deciding. Very fun!  
http://myfavoriteicecream.com

We went to an airplane museum and the Calgary tower. We also did the zoo and Telus spark. We also did drumheller with 4 kids under 8. We drove out to lake Louise and walked a bit of the trail. Banff was too crazy busy.