It is that time of year again! March Break is almost upon us. Although we might be missing some of our usual March activities -- like festivals, hockey tournaments and trips out of town -- there are still lots of great ways to enjoy a break here in the NWT at home, outside and in your community. Check out these ideas to make the most of your family time this March!
In-person and virtual events around the NWT
Enjoy some great March events and festivals, both in-person and online.
K'atl'odeeche First Nation will host the K’amba Carnival March 1–7. This year K’amba Carnival will take place both in-person and virtually, with events being spread out over the week to limit crowds to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. Some of the events taking place include a Virtual Talent Show (youth and adult categories), a Dog Sledding Race, a Snow Sculpture Contest, and a Community Parade. For more information, or to enjoy some of their virtual events, check out their Facebook page here.
Naka Festival, a celebration of the aurora and culture, will take place in March with in-person and virtual events throughout the month in Yellowknife. Events include screenings of Aurora Love and River of Forgiveness presented by NWT Film, Beginners Hand Game Workshop, Indigenous Story Telling presented by NorthWords and more. For details on how you can take part, schedule and event information can be found here.
The Snowking and crew have created something new this year that will continue to provide a fun and safe outdoor attraction, in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions. You can visit Snowbuddy’s Winter Garden throughout the month of March in Yellowknife, but you will need to book tickets in advance this year. For more information and to reserve your tickets go here.
Activities to enjoy outdoors
The days are getting longer which makes March Break a great time to get outside and enjoy the warmer winter days. Try some of these outdoor activities to make the most of it.
Rainbow Ice Garlands
Make your own beautiful outdoor décor with food colouring, an ice cube tray, string, scissors and water. Create your own Rainbow Ice Garland by using food colouring to create different colours, adding water and freezing it outside. This is a fun way to learn about colour mixing with your children. You can also talk about states of matter, and what happens when we put water outside in the winter. Find the full Rainbow Ice Garland directions here.
DIY Duct Tape Sled
Growing up I was a big fan of sledding, and I have fond memories of making my own duct tape sled. This inexpensive activity is great for both kids who love creating things, and those who love active play outside. All you need to create your custom sled is some duct tape, scissors and a piece of cardboard. For complete instructions go here.
Snow Colouring Paint
Create your own outdoor masterpiece with Snow Colouring Paint! All you need is water, spray bottles, and food colouring or Kool Aid© powder. Combine water and colouring into your spray bottle and head outside to create designs and pictures on the snow. For full instructions on how you can make Snow Colouring Paint, check out our 25 More Recipes for Fun resource.
Activities to enjoy indoors
Warm up and learn something new with these indoor activities that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Cloud Dough
Follow along with one of our YouTube videos to make your own Cloud Dough from our Recipes for Fun resource. All you need is flour, water and oil. Let your child help measure and mix your ingredients, and take turns counting as you stir. Once you’re finished, have fun making different shapes and characters with your dough. To watch our Cloud Dough video on YouTube, click here.
Homemade Bird Feeder
You can create your own bird feeder using peanut butter (or another nut butter), toilet paper tube, bird seed and a string. This is a quick and simple activity good for a range of ages. Generously coat your toilet paper tube in the nut butter. Once your tube is coated, cover it in bird seed. All that’s left to do then is attach your string and hang it up outside for the birds to enjoy! If you can, pick a branch with a good view of a window in your home so you can see what types of birds come visit your feeder. For full instructions, click here.
Cook a Meal Together
Making a meal with your family is a great way to spend time together, and an opportunity for children to work on different literacy and numeracy skills. Children can learn important skills by reading and writing recipes, following step by-step instructions, doing fractions when doubling a recipe, weighing and measuring out ingredients, and counting. Ask your kids to choose a favourite family meal to cook together, or pick something out of our Great Food for Northern Cooks cookbook!
