Fairview/Clayton Park is the fastest-growing area in HRM and it’s packed with families — and family fun.
The award-winning Keshen Goodman Library on Lacewood Drive has a range of activities for kids and families, or you can stop by to stock up on DVDs and books. From Oct. 18 to 24, the Keshen Goodman will join all HRM libraries in Games @ The Library.
The Clayton Park branch will have bridge and Scrabble tournaments, plus Wii events, including a Wii tournament for kids (ages eight to 12 on Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m., grades 7 to 12 on Oct. 22 at 4: 30 p.m.). There’s also Wii Family Fun on Oct. 23 at 1 p.m.
Go to www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca for more information.
The Almond Café (at 480 Parkland Dr.) has a kids’ play area with “creative” toys, allowing parents to get out in a child-friendly atmosphere. It also offers a free one-hour arts and crafts program Tuesdays to Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Check it out at www.almondcafe.ca.
On the Grow (at 155 Chainlake Dr.) offers a spacious indoor playground. It also has a big treehouse, climbing wall, rope ladder, swinging bridge and spiral slide. Go to www.onthegrowcentre.com for more information.
This year is the International Year of Astronomy. You and your family can see what all the fuss is about Friday night at the Keshen Goodman Library. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is setting up several high-powered telescopes for members of the public to peer through. Go to www.astronomynovascotia.ca for a full list of IYA events.
Bowlarama is a great option for rainy/snowy days. Tucked away at the Village, it has regular bowling, the super-funky cosmic bowling and “Bumper Bowling,” with rails on the gutter to boost scores and fun levels for the little bowlers.
For more information, go to www.bowlarama.ca.
If that doesn’t give you your fill of glow-in-the-dark fun, try the neon-lit Putting Edge indoor mini-golf in the Bayers Lake Business Park. Read more at www.puttingedge.com.
By March 2011, Fairvew/Clayton Park will have Halifax’s finest recreation centre with the Mainland Common, but in the meantime, there’s always good old Northcliffe. The aging facility (at 3372 Devonshire Ave.) has a passable pool and separate tennis courts.
HRM Parent is a great resource, pooling together playgrounds in the area, as well as social groups, child-friendly establishments and activities. You can search its listings at www.hrmparent.ca.
More information
Sidewalk Astronomy: Stargaze through professional telescopes Friday at 5 p.m. outside the Keshen Goodman Library.
Word on the Street: The annual literary festival is at the Cunard Centre from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Games @ The Library: From Oct. 18 to 24, at the Keshen Goodman Library.
