The Little Paper

Valentine’s Day and Family Day make February a sweetheart of a month; following are some tips to help you enjoy all 29 days.

Valentine’s Day

The perfect low-key occasion, minimal presents to buy and no 5-star feast required-sounds like fun!

For starters, there are cards to be made. Gather glue, doilies, pretty paper and settle down at the table or take it up a notch; on 5 Feb, Todmorden Mills’ hosts a Valentine Card Making Workshop and on 11 Feb, Graven Feather is pulling out all the stops (and their letterpress) for a Family Card Making Workshop.

For more heart-inspired lovelies check out Babble, but be warned, this parenting site has tons of information and could prove addictive. As for sweets, chocolate truffles are delicious and surprisingly easy to make, give it a whirl and watch out for wee chocolate handprints.

Family Day

There’s plenty going on in Toronto Family Day long weekend. The historic museums are hosting events; as is Harbourfront, the Beaches, the National Film Board and major attractions such as the ROM and the AGO, check out The Little Paper’s Family Day listings for more info.

Further afield, The McMichael Gallery, about an hours drive from Toronto is worth a visit. The Gallery is all wood and windows set in a beautiful landscape. They have a slew of family day programming and fantastic Inuit and Group of Seven collections. If you have the time, Ottawa’s Winterlude, is packed with exciting family fun including activities on the Rideau Canal’s 7.8km skating trail. Or, for something completely different, try a dog sledding adventure.

Saturdays

Bring your kids by Little Island Comics from 12-3pm for some comic making fun.

If the Weather Outside is Frightful

It is winter after all, you never know when things could turn. Here’s an emergency list should you need to head indoors.
• The Outdoor Kids Club: Free Outdoor Playgroups in the GTA
• Little Paper Weekly Guide: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Parks and Recreation and Ontario Early Year Centres free indoor drop-ins
• Indoor Playgrounds: check links or call for fees
            West End: High Park Family Fun Place, Just Kid ‘n Around, Noodle Kaboodles, The Busy Genie, Y Not Play
            Central: Just Ducky Yonge Kids, Amazon Downtown
            East End: lil' bean n' green, It's Playtime, Bizzy Bee, Monkey Magoo's