5 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Strathmore, AB

Strathmore, Alberta, is a treasure trove of fun and adventure for residents, and for households with kids, this is doubly so. The vibrant Strathmore community offers many activities that promise joy and excitement for the young and the young at heart. From outdoor explorations in beautiful parks to engaging indoor entertainment centers, Strathmore has something to keep every child entertained and curious. Some of the most popular things to do in Strathmore are well-suited for the town's youngest residents, ensuring that time spent with the little ones is full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories. Get ready to explore the joys of Strathmore, where every day is an opportunity for family fun and bonding.

Play at the Best Parks in Strathmore

Strathmore’s free public parks boast expansive green spaces, playgrounds, and other great amenities. Kinsmen Park is Strathmore’s largest and most popular park, centred on a large pond. Visitors can hike the shale walking path around the pond, catch a free concert at the amphitheatre, launch a canoe, or fish from the pond, free for those under age 16. The park also has a playground near gazebos, picnic benches, and washrooms. Kinsmen Park runs along Lakeside Boulevard, with parking available at its northern and southern ends.

Elmer & Phyllis Gray Park also features a lake with a 2-kilometre walking path, but this wetland park off Wheatland Trail has a more natural setting and sees fewer visitors. It’s the best place in Strathmore for viewing migratory birds, including the large swan families that visit every spring. Visitors can find a small parking lot at the park’s north end. 

Meanwhile, smaller neighbourhood parks in Strathmore, like Parkwood Park at 208 Parkview Estates and Lawrence Hilton Memorial Park at 147 Westwood Street, offer playgrounds and plenty of open grass where kids can run and play Frisbee or other games. Nathan Haase Memorial Park at 99 Hillview Drive offers a baseball diamond and soccer fields.

Go Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating

Strathmore residents can enjoy ice skating on two indoor surfaces at the Strathmore Family Centre or on natural ice at several locations every winter. Strathmore Family Centre at 160 Brent Boulevard features NHL-sized and Olympic ice surfaces for hockey, ringette, and figure skating. Public skating admissions range from free for tots to $5.50 for adults or $14.50 for a family, but free skating is also available on select dates. The Centre also hosts regular Teen Night skates for ages 13 to 18 with a $7 admission fee. All skaters under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

Strathmore residents can find natural ice at several ponds around town, including Gray’s Pond in Elmer & Phyllis Gray Park and Kinsmen Lake in Kinsmen Park. The city regularly checks the ice at Kinsmen Lake to ensure safety. The lake usually has a skating track looping around the lake and one or two rinks for hockey. Ice skating is free, but skaters will want to bring skates as there are no rental facilities. Lions Regional Outdoor Rink off Wheatland Trail also features a lighted natural ice rink made by flooding their free outdoor rink during the winter.

Get in The Game at Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre

Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre is Strathmore’s go-to indoor recreation facility, with numerous exercise programs and drop-in activities. The year-round facility at 1150 Edgeview Road features two full-sized gymnasiums, a five-lane indoor walking track, a multi-use concrete court surface, a full-sized soccer field, and a batting cage. 

Availability of drop-in activities varies but can include:

• basketball
• volleyball
• soccer
• pickleball
• floor hockey
• badminton
• dodgeball
• TRX
• stationary biking
• cornhole
• spikeball
• bocce
• lacrosse

General drop-in day rates range from free for tots to $8.00 for adults or $20 for a family, but memberships are also available.

The Sports Centre offers several programs, including Mini Movers, Mini Sport Adventure, Stay and Play for ages 2–5, and Youth Nights for ages 6–14. It's also located adjacent to one of the K–9 schools in Strathmore, making it an easy go-to for an after-school activity. Youth Night events include fun activities like dodgeball, Nerf wars, and Disco Wheels. The Sports Centre also hosts a free weekly 3-on-3 basketball league for ages 12 and up on Wednesdays. During the summer, children aged 4–12 can participate in various day camps incorporating swimming, skating, and other sports.

Splash Around: Spray Park & Pools in Strathmore

Strathmore residents can enjoy the indoor pools and amenities at Strathmore Aquatic Centre year-round or play at the outdoor Lions Splash Park in the summer. Located at 130 Brent Boulevard, Strathmore Aquatic Centre features a 25-metre lap pool with six lanes, a kiddy pool with spray features, and a hot tub. Visitors can enjoy a water slide, diving board, climbing wall, and steam room. Strathmore Aquatic Centre is located on the north side of town near one of Strathmore’s best golf courses: Strathmore Golf Club. The Centre offers swimming lessons, fitness programs, and public swimming.

Drop-in day rates range from free for tots to $7.50 for adults or $18.75 for a family. Visitors can bring up to three children under the age of 8 who must be kept within arms reach at all times. The Centre has family change rooms with coin lockers that cost 1 Loonie, while other change rooms require visitors to bring a lock from home. Waterproof diapers are available from the front desk for $8.50.

Meanwhile, the Lions Splash Park near the southwest end of Kinsmen Park offers a free outdoor play structure with several spray features. Ample green space surrounds the spray park. Family-style bathrooms, picnic tables, and a gazebo are also nearby. The free park usually runs from June 1 to September 1 but occasionally opens earlier in the year when weather permits. If the water isn’t running when visitors arrive, they can press the silver button to start the fun!

Spend a Day at the Library

At the Strathmore Municipal Library, patrons can explore nearly 30,000 books, magazines, and movies, check out art exhibits by local artists, or attend one of the library’s many free events and literacy programs. All library memberships are free and allow patrons to access the library’s local collection and the collections of over 150 libraries across Alberta, downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, and numerous online databases through the TRACpac online catalogue.

The library, which is convenient to all of Strathmore’s best neighbourhoods, has numerous kid-friendly programs and events, including crafting events, LEGO building challenges, film showings, and theatre games. Early literacy programs promote reading from a young age, while Book Buddies offers after-school reading help. Members can also join the Intergenerational Pen Pal Project to find a pen pal to write about once or twice a month. Guests will find the Strathmore Municipal Library at 85 Lakeside Boulevard, just south of Elmer & Phyllis Gray Park.

Kids Stay Active & Engaged in Strathmore

Homebuyers moving to Strathmore with children can rest easy knowing the town is a hub of family-oriented fun, offering a wide array of activities that cater to children's curiosity and energy. Whether it's a day out in the sunshine at a local park or an educational visit to a museum, the town ensures that families create lasting bonds and joyful memories. Embrace the delightful experiences that await in Strathmore, where every activity is an invitation to laugh, learn, and grow together. Strathmore is more than a destination; it's a backdrop for the precious moments that families cherish forever.