9 March Break Activities in Nova Scotia
If you have school-aged kids to keep busy during March Break and need inspiration for activities, look no further. These fun outings will help keep...
By Yashy Murphy, a travel writer and family lifestyle blogger.
Canadian winters can be bitter and cold but also beautiful and welcoming. As an immigrant, I’ve learned to love and embrace the cold weather, which has made me greatly appreciate Nova Scotia in the winter. The trick is to layer up and dress appropriately for the family fun adventures my kids love to embark on during the winter months. We visit Nova Scotia to see family at least once a year and with each visit and season, we discover new outdoor activities and places that families with kids are sure to love.
Roam through Parks and Gardens
While most prefer to see the springtime blooms at parks and gardens throughout the province of Nova Scotia, I have a soft spot for our winter visits, especially on those winter days with only a light dusting of snow. Kids will squeal with delight when they see reindeer and arctic fox at the Two Rivers Wildlife Park. The 500 acre park is home to many native Nova Scotian wildlife in a natural setting. Beyond visiting the animals and learning about them, families can also enjoy wagon rides, skating and snowshoeing here.
If you’re looking for things to do near Halifax, there’s Hatfield Farm, where families can go on sleigh and pony rides, visit a petting zoo and enjoy some hot chocolate. Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, located near the Fundy Shore, offers 40 hectares of natural woodlands with native mammals and birds. Similar to Two Rivers Wildlife Park, most park animals here are born or raised in captivity, while other residents were brought to the Wildlife Park injured and cannot be rehabilitated enough to be returned to the wild.
If you’re staying in the city of Halifax with kids, the Halifax Public Gardens offers plenty of space for kids to run around and for parents to enjoy the only true Victoria Garden in North America. Grab some treats from one of the nearby restaurants and enjoy a picnic here (yes, even in the winter).
Marvel at the Beauty of Nova Scotia Beaches in the Winter
I believe I can hear the skepticism coming my way at this suggestion, but I hope you’ll give it a try. With over 13,000 kms of coastline, you’re never too far away from a beach in Nova Scotia. During our road trips through the province, we make it a point to stop in at a beach and soak in the fresh air. The sound of waves crashing tend to calm my kids, which many parents will appreciate. A winter beach visit doesn’t see us running into the water, but it does see us skipping stones, perusing for the best sea shells and wondering if we’ll ever be brave enough to attempt winter surfing! We mostly visit the best beaches on the Cabot Trail but recently explored Martinique Beach, Nova Scotia’s longest sandy beach. It was truly a welcome embrace after being indoors for quite some time. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some of the best places to wake up next to the ocean in Nova Scotia!
Partake in Winter Sports
Even if you aren’t athletic — I definitely am not — there are fun ways to sneak in some exercise in the great outdoors. Ski hills like Ski Ben Eoin not only offers skiing and snowboarding packages for the entire family, there’s also a ski school for kids, and they have trails for snowshoeing and tubing. One of our winter travel tips for families is to always pack a sled, toboggan or sleigh in the car so that you’re always ready to hit up the various slopes you see.
If you don’t travel with skates, fear not because at Emera Oval in Halifax, there are usually helmets and skates free of charge. If you’re looking for speed and travelling with older kids, Cape Breton is home to some fun snowmobiling trails between mid January and end of March. Exploring the trails around Baddeck and warming up at the pubs in the village sounds like a perfect winter activity, don’t you agree?
Hike in Search of Scenic Views
When you need to tire the kids out, don those jackets, mitts and extra layers of socks for a hiking adventure that’s kid friendly. If you have very young kids, the boardwalk and trails at Shubie Park are ideal for an easy winter hike. If chasing waterfalls isn’t just a song for your family, be sure to explore Uisge Ban Falls, Coxheath and Crystal Falls. Hiking in Nova Scotia can be done during all seasons and it’s easy to marvel at the expansive ocean views and rolling orchards you can hike through. Before you explore these trails, remember to pack some snacks because you’re guaranteed to burn some energy without even noticing it.
Slide around Playgrounds
No matter how cold or hot it is, my kids will always say “YES” to a playground visit. Nova Scotia’s largest wooden playground, Musquodoboit Wooden Playground, is open all year long and its old-school giant towers and castle-like structures are magical during snowfall. If you’re exploring the area, I highly recommend tagging on a visit to the Nature Learning and Playspace for some more outdoor fun. Keep in mind that this spot can be hard to find and your best bet is to head towards the Natural Resources Education Centre first.
Run towards Lighthouses
While Peggy’s Cove is arguably Nova Scotia’s most famous lighthouse, the province is home to the largest number of lighthouses in Canada. This means that you have plenty of options depending on your travel route. Most of these lighthouses are situated in spots with scenic views and plenty of acreage for kids to run amuck. For my family, each Nova Scotia road trip entails at least one visit to a lighthouse and snow-covered ones are quite pretty! During a December visit to Mahoney’s Beach. we continued on to Cape George Point Lighthouse. My husband and I sat on a bench looking out at Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton while the kids ran around stretching their legs and squealing with glee at mother nature. It’s these little moments that live in my travel memories.
About our guest writer:
Yashy Murphy is a brand marketing professional who refused to let go of her pre-baby lifestyle. She grew up in the Middle East and South Asia before making Canada home. As parents, she and her husband have continued to travel the globe, spend time with family in Nova Scotia and explore everything there is to do back home in Toronto with their two young, travel-seasoned kids. You can follow their adventures, and misadventures, on ParentingtoGo.ca, where you’ll find inspiration on where to eat, drink and have fun with kids along with a healthy dose of parenting. You can also find Yashy on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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