Family Five: Woodbend Hall revives family games night
Bring on the Games Night
Not to knock the impressive advances made in video games, but there really is something special about the old board games that families and friends would play together around the dining table. That was before staring at a TV or computer monitor devoured family time. Now you can revive that bygone era, thanks to the folks at Woodbend Hall, who have organized a games night. Check out some of the favourites of a bygone era, be it Monopoly, Life or Operation — the wacky doctor’s game. They’ve got a stack to choose from, or bring one of your own and make new friends while playing. Snacks and beverages provided; all ages welcome, though those under age 12 must be with an adult.
When: Friday, April 11, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Woodbend Hall, five kilometres east of Hwy 60, on Woodbend Road (9th Avenue SW) and Winterburn Road (215th Street)
Admission: $2
Build your own roller-coaster
As part of the Engineering Challenge Month in April, Telus World of Science is encouraging kids to explore different challenges every weekend. Fun challenges, of course, like the opportunity to create your own model roller coaster using as many loops, hills and corkscrew turns as you can fit on one ride. There’s just one caveat, that your marble is able to safely navigate the trip.
When: Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Telus World of Science, 11211 142nd St.
Admission: $16.95, adults; $14.95, youth and seniors; $12.95, children.
Celebrate Festival City
You’ll see them all summer and during the street performers festival: musicians, magicians, dancers and acrobats performing on the streets of Edmonton. Our Fantastic Festival City collects some of the best the city has to offer and plunks them on the Winspear stage to show their stuff alongside the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Come down early for pre-concert play and learn activities from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
When: Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m.
Where: Winspear Centre
Admission: $13 to $29, available at the Winspear box office, 780-428-1414, or on the website.
City of Ember fantasy movie
Based on the Young Adult Book of Ember series, City of Ember is a sci-fi and fantasy movie that follows the survivors of an Earth-wide catastrophe that drives the remaining humans underground. Youngsters Lina and Doon band together to solve the puzzle of the box, which may help in solving the problem of the failing generators. After coming into conflict with the corrupt mayor of Ember (the ubiquitous Bill Murray), they escape upward toward the surface, where they discover that things aren’t quite what they seem. This film is rated PG, but is probably best for older children.
When: Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m.
Where: Cineplex Odeon North, 14231 137th Ave., and Cineplex Odeon South, 1525 99th St.
Admission: $2.50
Momstown at the mall
It’s not every day the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall is transformed into Momstown. For one day and one day only, the palace becomes an ad hoc town, with educational activities in Literacy Lane, an Arts District and the Avenue of Champions. There’s fun for those looking for more active things to do, as well as an area for moms to relax. There’ll be carnival games, treats and balloon animals at the Boardwalk, as well as the juggling skills of Mr. Milo. Discovery Drive lets the little ones become archeologists for the day. Check the website for more activities.
When: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Ice Palace, West Edmonton Mall
Admission: Free; register in advance at the website to skip the line.
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