By Tammy Toor
Happy New Year! We hope you all had a fun and safe holiday season. Now that 2014 is here, the City of Nanaimo would like to invite you to our second annual Family Day that takes place on Feb. 9 at Oliver Woods Community Centre.
This year, we have added the word ‘play’ to our event, and when you read about all the ‘playful’ activities we have planned, you will understand why.
Family Play Day activities include:
u Playground games – the gymnasiums at Oliver Woods will be divided into age specific areas. The younger children (2-6 years) will try out the old standards like Go Go Stop and Simon Says. The older children’s zone (ages 6 to 12) will see kids participate in games like ping pong, box hockey, tug-of-war and even get to test their skill levels during some fun physical challenges, including a family boot camp.
u Line dancing – if you’ve ever tried it, you know how much fun it is. Come show the kids how Miley’s dad, Billy Ray, made this dance famous during his big hit Achy Breaky Heart.
u Board games – what would a play day be without some board games that the whole family can participate in? How about checkers, Jenga and Lego building?
u Outdoor scavenger hunt – the beautiful park setting at Oliver Woods is the perfect place for a family scavenger hunt. Work with your family to gather clues for a chance to win some prizes.
u Tunnel construction – what kid doesn’t love making forts? At this event, you can leave your sheets, blankets and furniture in its place and build tunnels and forts with us.
Join us for a day full of play, fun and family bonding from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Oliver Woods Community Centre.
Tickets are available at our recreation facilities starting Monday (Jan. 20) and are only $10 for a family of 4 or $3 for an individual ticket. Children two years and younger are free.
There will be light refreshments served, but bring your own water bottle.
For more information on this event or any of our recreation programs, please visit our website at www.nanaimo.ca or call us at 250-756-5200.
As ParticipAction encourages us, let’s make 2014 the year we “bring back play.”
Tammy Toor is a graphic design specialist with Nanaimo’s parks and recreation department.
