With the first — and often most challenging — month of the year now behind us, many of us now turn our heads toward a much-valued recess from our winter routine, Family Day.

Indeed, Family Day (read: 3-day weekend!), usually requires some creative ideas to keep the younger ones entertained over the long weekend. Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, the challenge for parents is to find activities that kids of all ages and interests will enjoy, together and, in this endeavour, it helps to share some ideas. So here are five ways we invite you to consider spending Family Day.

1. A museum for activities and exhibitions that cater to all ages

If you reside in the GTA, for example, the ROM is planning a lineup of activities inspired by its current exhibition, Canadian Modern, and invites visitors to participate in design-focused activities that will educate on the ways we can reduce our impact on urban wildlife. For the older ones, a museum ticket will allow them to visit the permanent Natural History and Art & Culture collections including Ancient Egypt or Reptiles & Amphibians.

2. Ice cream tasting, ranking your favourite flavours

If the family’s interests lie mostly in the food and snacks department, consider visiting a Baskin-Robbins location and choose the most appealing flavours to taste, and rank them from favourite to least. With 31 flavours to choose from in the dipping cabinets, including the must-try and fan-favourite for multiple years, Love Potion #31, it’s going to be quite the challenge! When you’ve selected the best ones, bring them home in a pre-pack to continue the enjoyment at home.

3. Outdoor activities to re-energize the whole family

Tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating – the choices of outdoor activities in Canada are endless, something for which we are particularly thankful in the winter season. Activities such as these are enjoyable for the whole family and provide a great excuse for some rest and relaxation, and a creamy hot chocolate, afterwards.

4. Weekend getaway

No need to go too far — Family Day Weekend is the perfect occasion to visit your own province. This getaway could take the form of a day trip to a nearby town that you haven’t visited before and take advantage of your day to try a new restaurant, or coffee shop, or to visit a local museum. You can tailor your itinerary to the family’s interests.

5. Film festival, movie marathon

If the weather isn’t in your favour during the Family Day weekend and you choose to stay home, consider curating a lineup of your family’s favourite flicks to create your very own film festival. Everyone can have a pick and delicious snacks should most definitely be served.

However, you choose to spend the day or weekend, make the best of this precious time with your family, whatever this means for you.