Summer is the time for awesome family adventures! The Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth regions have got you covered with endless fun, whether you’re soaring through the trees at Treetop Trekking or unleashing your competitive spirit over a game of Jenga at Nostalgia Games Cafe. Get ready for a summer of epic memories and non-stop laughter with kids in tow! 

Wild Waterworks | Hamilton

Pack your swimsuits, sunscreen and smiles and beat the summer heat at Wild Waterworks in Hamilton. From thrilling water slides for adrenaline junkies to a relaxing lazy river, and Canada’s largest wave pool, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. Little Squirt Works is a cool-down paradise for toddlers and younger kids with a large splash pad with playful features like slides, sprays and fountains. 

    Ages 3-10 $20.80 | General Age 11-64 $32.30 | wild-waterworks.com

New Waterpark at Kelso | Milton  

Beat the heat at Milton’s new Kelso Cove Waterpark, which opened on Canada Day weekend. The park is a 50’ x 170’ floating island with 26 fun features and obstacles to climb, bounce, jump, and slide on. Activities are fully supervised by certified lifeguards. Swimmers ages 5 and older who meet the minimum height requirement of 48’’ can play on the waterpark after completing a 40 ft swim test, wearing a Kelso Cove lifejacket, and listening to the safety briefing. 

In addition to the new water park, Kelso Conservation Area is a place to rent a boat, swim, hike, mountain bike, play disc golf, have a picnic, take on challenge courses, and more.

11:00 am to 7:00 pm (pre-book a time slot online)
Water park pricing: Child 5-8 $20 + gate fee  |  General $25 + gate fee (no gate fee for Conservation Halton members)

Aerosports Trampoline Park | Oakville 

Kids bouncing off the walls? With over 130 trampolines sprawled across this massive 27,000 sq ft facility, there’s no shortage of opportunities to unleash energy at Aerosports.

When they’re done jumping, kids can test their strength and agility on the rock climbing wall, conquer the ninja course, zoom down the huge slide or duck and dive in a game of dodgeball. 

Before bouncing into action, you’ll need to grab a specialty pair of Aerosports socks, for purchase at the counter. 

Pricing varies  | aerosportsparks.ca/oakville 

Springridge Farm | Milton

Springridge is a working farm with an adventure playground providing endless fun for younger kids. Play in the giant sandbox, visit the farm animals, climb on antique tractors, or join in a song with the singing tractor and chickens. Take a family wagon ride around the farm and enjoy a delicious lunch at the barn. Parents will love relaxing on the big red Adirondack chairs while the kids enjoy their play.

Cost: Age 2+ $10 Weekdays / $14 Weekends  | springridgefarm.com

Nostalgia Games Cafe |  Burlington

Take family game night out on the town and visit Burlington’s newest game cafe. Nostalgia houses a collection of over 150 games that guarantees hours of laughter and friendly competition. Discover new favourites and re-live your childhood classics while enjoying a delicious variety of treats as well as coffee and bubble tea. 

Cost: $5 per person. Kids under 5 play for free.  | nostalgiagamescafe.com

Bronte Creek Provincial Park | Oakville 

Bronte Creek offers fun for all ages. Younger kids can enjoy two playgrounds and a play barn that’s perfect for burning off steam. With five scenic hiking trails, including the Enchanted Fairy Trail (located behind the play barn), it’s a perfect location for adventure seeking with young children in tow. Pack a picnic lunch and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.  

Vehicle entrance fees vary | ontarioparks.ca

Activate |  Burlington

This indoor active gaming facility is all about high-energy entertainment. Move between 11 interactive light-up game rooms that challenge your physical and mental agility as you jump, climb and dodge your way through arcade-style games. An electronic wristband keeps track of your gaming activities and achievements, adding an extra level of fun and competitiveness. While the games are designed with adults in mind, kids aged 10 and up can join in on the action and fun with a paying adult.

Activate recommends having 3 to 5 people per game, so bring your friends along for the fun. Each session lasts 75 minutes, which you can book using their online system.

Cost: $28.49 plus tax per person | playactivate.com/burlington

Treetop Trekking | Binbrook 

Embark on an exhilarating outdoor adventure filled with excitement, laughter and Tarzan calls. Located just outside Hamilton, Treetop Trekking offers a unique opportunity to soar through the treetops through obstacle courses, rope swings and ziplines.

For younger adventurers (age 5 and over), the discovery course features a variety of wooden bridges, tightropes and mini ziplines hovering 3 to 5 feet above the forest floor. 

Younger children will love Treewalk Village where miniature wooden treehouses, slides and rope courses await exploration.  

Pricing varies.  |  treetoptrekking.com

Connecting with nature, unplugging, and roasting s’mores sounds blissful. But let’s be real, roughing it in the great outdoors can be intimidating. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a newbie outdoors person, a little preparation can elevate your camping trip from basic survival to a relaxing retreat.

PICK THE PERFECT SPOT

The perfect campsite is key to a great trip, especially with kids and pets in tow. Look for amenities such as safe swimming areas and easy to access hiking trails, and consider proximity to bathrooms and a camp store for essentials.

Opt for shaded campsites, especially for pets. If backpacking, choose a flat location that is clear of rocks to set up your tent and consider proximity to water sources and trees for shelter from the wind.

FIND THE RIGHT TENT

When buying a tent, “size, weight, and durability are the most important factors,” says Marina Orde, General Manager at Adventure Attic in Dundas. Lightweight tents are ideal for backpackers, while durability is a main concern for car campers and families.

Melo Ding, Owner of Ox-Gen Outdoors in Oakville, says tent size is rated by the number of people that can sleep in a tent, but warns these ratings can be tight. Allow extra space for gear.

MAKE YOUR BED

Pack a sleeping bag, a pillow, and an air mattress or sleeping pad for a cozy night’s rest. Sleeping bags trap your body heat inside to keep you warm while an air mattress or sleeping pad adds a layer of cushioning and insulation from the ground.

Sleeping pads roll up to fit inside your backpack, while air mattresses require an air pump for inflation but feel more like a regular bed. “You can also consider a camping cot if you don’t want to sleep on the ground directly,” suggests Ding.

PACK KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

Roughing it somehow turns eggs and a humble cup of coffee into a zen ritual. For kitchen convenience don’t forget the portable gas stove, cookware, mugs, collapsible sink, and biodegradable camp soap. “Camp soap is usually very concentrated, so a little goes a long way,” says Orde.

PREP MEALS IN ADVANCE

Pre-made food, frozen in a leakproof container, is handy and also functions as ice in the cooler. Orde’s go-to camping meal is chili. “Chili can be prepared as a vegetarian or vegan option, and can offer great nutritional content: protein, vegetables, carbs and fibre,” she says, adding that chili can double as pasta sauce.

KEEP FOOD COLD AND SAFE

To keep food fresh, Order recommends YETI Tundra coolers. “These will keep ice frozen for days, and keep your food properly chilled for days, too,” says Orde. For optimal coolness, pre-chill your cooler and then place an ice block at the bottom, packing food in layers.

“Place items that need to stay coldest, such as raw meat and dairy, closest to the ice,” says Ding. Fill in empty spaces with ice. “A tightly packed cooler retains cold air more effectively and slows down the melting of ice,” says Ding.

Keep your cooler in a shaded area, replenishing ice as needed. Pack beverages in a separate cooler to avoid letting the heat in every time you grab a drink. Freeze dried foods and nonperishables are best for backcountry camping since keeping food cold isn’t an option.

STAY ORGANIZED

Labeled plastic storage bins help keep everything neat and protected. Ding recommends hanging gear on hooks to keep it off the ground and easy to find. Backcountry campers have the added challenge of packing only essentials to keep their load manageable.

Keep frequently used items accessible in exterior pockets to avoid digging through your pack, and use waterproof bags for clothing, electronics, and other items that need to stay dry.

Implementing these tips will help to make your outdoor getaway comfy and fun!

By Lisa Evans

Country day trips nourish the soul. Natural landscapes lift anyone’s spirits, and the therapeutic benefits of petting a bunny or frolicking in a meadow are hardly surprising. For city slickers craving a rustic getaway or a taste of nature’s bounty, the following two rural destinations are unique, local, and not to be missed.

TRIPLE C FARM, ANCASTER

Triple C started as a small hobby farm and horse boarding facility. Tricia Simons set up the farm to make her eldest son Geoffrey’s farming dreams come true. They started by rescuing four goats, a sheep, and two horses. The farm eventually opened its doors to the public for goat yoga.

If you’ve never heard of this, instead of the usual ultra-serious kind of zen experience, this yoga involves adorable goats checking you out, jumping on you, or chewing on your hair – making it impossible to have a bad day.

As word spread about these animal rescuers, their hobby farm evolved into a fully functional animal sanctuary. “Admittedly it is a bit addictive outbidding a meat buyer, walking out with an animal that was bound to be killed, and bringing it home and seeing it blossom and love and just be happy,” says owner Tricia Simons.

By appointment only, visitors can enjoy the property at their leisure. The interactive petting farm has more than 160 animals (goats, sheep, alpacas, mini horses, pigs). Visitors can take an alpaca, donkey, mini horse or goat for a walk; snuggle with goats, bunnies or mini pigs; groom a horse or donkey; partake in goat yoga; or even bring their favourite DVD and watch a movie with their new furry friends. Beyond the petting area there are horse and donkey paddocks, and freeroaming chickens and ducks.

The farm is a source of income for Simons and her family but, more importantly, it gives brothers Geoffrey, Michael and Richard, all of whom have autism, a wonderful life. “The farm’s most unique feature is that over 80% of the work is done by individuals with special needs,”

Simons says. “It gives them a sense of purpose and a ‘job’, and a place where they can be themselves — not to mention reducing the amount of screen time in their lives.”

WEST AVENUE CIDER HOUSE, FREELTON

The 75-acre property owned by Amy Robson and Chris Haworth is a popular destination for its breathtaking scenery and award-winning artisanal cider. The idea for West Avenue Cider House started to form when the couple lived in England. “There were so many amazing unique ciders and cider houses, but when we came back to Canada in 2005 there was nothing like that here,” Robson says. It took Amy and Chris – then a TV producer and a chef, respectively – a few years to get a business plan together and develop recipes.

What started as just a taproom has evolved into a thriving family-friendly agro-tourism experience. On a sunny day it’s abuzz with first dates, friends and families. “In England it was perfectly acceptable for you to bring your children to the pub,” Robson says. “We wanted a place where kids can roam and dogs can hang out.”

The property includes two kilometres of hiking trails where visitors can see the honey bees and apple trees, a lookout, a pond with a beaver dam, and even the resident chickens and roosters. The Cider House itself is cozy and rustic but, in nice weather, patrons prefer to sit outside in the beautiful Meadow Lounge to socialize and enjoy cider, wood-oven pizza and other delights in the soft summer breeze.

The scenery is so tranquil and pretty that West Avenue has become a popular spot for weddings, landscape painting, spa retreats, and more.

West Avenue Cider House’s summer hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m.

By Michelle Morra

Few things in life are more satisfying than a having a good laugh — even better if it’s accompanied by tears. Feeling overdue for a night of belly aching laughter, giggles and snickers? Then you don’t want to miss The Burlington Comedy Festival featuring seven shows over the course of three nights, from April 25 to 27. 

Six celebrated comics take the stage in venues throughout downtown Burlington, starting with the Opening Gala Night at the beautiful Pearle Hotel and Spa on Thursday, April 25. This is the only festival event where the full lineup of six comics will perform, guaranteeing an outstanding display of comedy talent. Headlining the evening’s performance will be Pete Zedlacher and Jen Grant. 

Zedlacher is a veteran of the Canadian comedy scene whose credits include a Canadian Comedy Award, six Canadian Comedy Award nominations and two Gemini Award nominations. He was also crowned Sirius XM’s Top Comic. 

Grant has performed and appeared on TV at every major comedy festival in the country, and can be heard on CBC‘s “The Debaters”. She has her own TV special on The Comedy Network and was listed as one of the top five funniest people in Toronto by Toronto Life Magazine. 

Also performing at the Pearle are the wildly talented Patrick Haye, Tamara Shevon, Dena Jackson, Steve Goodtime and Magic Brian. 

If you can’t make the Gala, there are six more shows from April 26 to 27 at local restaurant venues where you can experience an intimate live comedy event like no other. Each show features three comics. Simply choose the date and time. For both Friday and Saturday night, you can catch a 7:30 p.m. comedy show at The Block Co., an 8:30 p.m. performance at 400 Brant Kitchen & Bar, and show time at Paradiso Restaurant begins at 9:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before all shows start.  

Visit Burlingtoncomedy.com to view the lineup for each event and get your tickets – these intimate venues have limited seating. 

The Burlington Downtown Business Association is a proud sponsor of the Burlington Comedy Festival. The association represents over 400 small businesses in the downtown including 50-plus quality eateries, making it a snap to create your own dinner and show any time of year. 

Be sure to grab some friends and plan your memorable night of laugh-out-loud (mature) content, fantastic company and outstanding nosh in downtown Burlington. 

For a full list of comedy shows and to buy tickets online,
visit www.burlingtoncomedy.com 

T

he phrase “I love you” isn’t exclusive to romantic couples, nor should Valentine’s Day be either. In fact, there are myriad ways that love shows up in our lives — through family, friends, pets and more. This year, don’t wait for romantic inspiration (or a change in your Facebook relationship status) to plan your perfect Valentine’s Day. We’ve come up with fun ideas to celebrate alone, with family or friends — without the pressure of romance. 

Express your family love

For moms and dads, it can be tempting to argue that every day is a testament to their love for their kids. But Valentine’s Day is a reminder to tell your kids how much you love and value them — even when they don’t unload the dishwasher or finish their homework. Here are some ways to celebrate together: 

Bake with heart – Start the day with heart-shaped pancakes and maple syrup, or bake “heart-y” cookies, preparing icing and candies for decorating after school. Visit Nicety’s in Downtown Oakville for cookie cutters and other baking implements. 

Love-inspired chocolate – Treat the family to a stunning gift box from Chocolate and Love in downtown Oakville, filled with their award-winning Fairtrade certified organic chocolate bars so you can spread love to your kids, and the Earth. 

By candlelight – Make meal time special with a candlelit dinner for the entire family. Before eating, invite each person to share something they love about everyone at the table. Don’t feel like cooking? Treat yourself to takeout. Try Familia Fine Foods or The Platter Company in Burlington; and for dessert, try The Sweetest Thing in Kerr Village.

Crafted with love – For young kids, consider an afternoon of crafts at home or at a kid-friendly studio. For inspiration, visit Lollipop Art Lounge in Oakville or a 4 Cats studio in Burlington and Oakville.  

Single in the suburbs

Being single has its perks, even on Valentine’s Day. While you could watch a romantic movie alone while devouring chocolate fudge ice cream (tempting though it is), consider these decidedly more celebratory ways to enjoy this day on your own or with friends:

I heart spa days – Book a luxurious spa treatment to get your glow on. Whether it’s a massage, pedicure or facial, try something outside your usual beauty routine at a local spa like Yellow Door Selfcare Studio in Oakville.

Galentine’s Day dinner – Officially the day before Valentine’s Day, it’s a great excuse to grab your besties for a culinary night at one of the many local restaurants with delicious fare and great atmosphere. Some faves are: Isabelle or Radius in Burlington;
Plank or Beacon in Oakville. 

Burning love – If fitness is your gateway to good vibes, plan for an extra-long workout to sweat it out and feel the burn. Step it up by booking a personal trainer or ditching your usual routine to try something new like a class at SpinCo in downtown Oakville.

Retail therapy – Who can resist the power of retail therapy to boost your self-love and heal a broken heart. You can go small with a treat from a bakery like Anna Cakes or Sweet! Bakery in Oakville. Or fresh flowers for a lovely pick-me-up to yourself or a friend from Floral Collective in Oakville. If you crave more extravagance, consider selecting a piece of jewellery you can love and treasure for years to come. 

Valentine’s Day is more than an invitation to express love to those you care about, it’s a chance to spread loving vibes in a world that can often feel lacking. Prolific love song writer, Burt Bacharach expressed it best: “What the world needs now, is love sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” 

For winter enthusiasts, the choice between cross-country skiing and downhill skiing becomes a pivotal decision that defines how you enjoy the season. Even though both types of skiing require skis, these two sports are actually very different, each offering unique thrills and challenges. In the quest for the perfect winter sport, we compare downhill and cross-country skiing to help you decide how to spend your snowy days.

Downhill skiing: Also known as alpine skiing, in downhill skiing you ride a chairlift to the top of a mountain or hill and ski down. Downhill skiing can be a heart-pounding adrenaline-fueled adventure as you speed down the mountain. 

Cross-country skiing: Also known as Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing involves gliding through forested trails that are most often flat or slightly hilly. 

Whether you prefer the rhythmic glide of cross country skiing through serene landscapes or the adrenaline-fueled descent in downhill skiing, the type of skiing you’ll enjoy comes down to the type of winter experience you’re seeking, how far you’re willing to travel and physical fitness levels. 

Go the distance

You don’t need to travel far to find cross-country trails in Halton region. Crawford Lake, Mountsberg and Hilton Falls are popular areas for Nordic ski enthusiasts.

Mountsberg Conservation Area has two ski trails that run along the shoreline and through the woods and sugarbush. Bronte Creek Provincial Park is home to plenty of trails, although not all are maintained. Hilton Falls and Crawford Lake in Milton also offer various cross-country ski trails. 

For downhill skiing, the most accessible locations near Halton are Glen Eden in Milton, Chicopee in Kitchener and Hockley Valley near Orangeville. If you’re willing to take on a longer road trip, there’s Mount St. Louis Moonstone just north of Barrie and Blue Mountain in Collingwood.

While there are more cross-country trails in Halton region than alpine ski hills, you are reliant on Mother Nature to grace those trails with snow. Alpine resorts will make their own snow throughout the season as long as the weather is cold enough.

Physical challenge

Cross-country skiing provides a full-body workout. “Cross-country skiing can be more physically taxing for a first experience as it requires the skill to master that sliding, as well as the physical exercise aspect to keep moving through the trails,” says AJ Leeming, senior manager, programs & services at Glen Eden. Downhill skiing has gravity on your side to keep you moving, and lifts to help you get to the top of the hill. 

Comparing costs

Getting equipped for downhill skiing will typically ring up a higher bill than cross-country, but savings can be found if you purchase second hand. For both sports, you’ll need skis, boots, poles and warm gear to withstand the cold outdoors. Downhill skiing will additionally require goggles, a helmet and ski pants (none of which are necessary for cross-country). 

If you’re downhill skiing, you’ll also require a lift ticket every time you hit the slopes, which can quickly add up. These often run from $50 to $100+ for an adult; season’s passes can lower the cost per day if you plan to ski a lot. Cross-country skiing at a Halton conservation area will set you back the cost of a day pass (around $12 per adult). 

Ready to give skiing a try?

If you’re new to downhill skiing, Leeming recommends a beginner lesson. “A lesson with a certified instructor will help make it safe and fun, ensuring you discover all the little tips and tricks to make it as easy as possible,” he says. Ask if instructors are Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) certified. Cross-country lessons can also be helpful, but watching a couple of YouTube videos can be enough to get you started. 

Whether you crave the exhilarating speed of downhill skiing or the picturesque landscapes of cross-country, both offer a unique experience to enjoy our
snowy winters. 

Advent calendars have certainly evolved over the years, leaving behind those flimsy cardboard calendars filled with often stale and ambiguously shaped chocolates. (Was that supposed to be a reindeer or a goat?)

Advent calendars trace back to 19th-century Germany, where families marked the days leading up to Christmas by lighting candles or hanging religious images. The first printed advent calendar, as we know it today, was created in the early 20th century, featuring little doors to open each day through December 1 to 24. 

Over time, these calendars have become more creative and diverse, opening the door to a wide array of imaginative and personalized options.

“You can get as creative as you like or keep it simple. The true magic is in creating fun, family-friendly ideas to get into the holiday spirit,” says Sarah Gunn of Gunn and Co, who specializes in holiday decor. 

Last year, Sarah’s family counted down to Christmas with adorable DIY paper bag advent gingerbread houses. “The larger ones can hold colourful socks, small toys or sweet holiday treats. The smaller ones are perfect for a message from the Elf on the Shelf or a note with a suggestion for a holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy together.” 

To create a quick and easy version of these gingerbread houses (pictured on the next page), fold over the top ¼ of a brown paper lunch bag and decorate it with a white paint pen and other embellishments. Then hole punch at the top, and tie closed with twine or red ribbon. Better yet, turn it into a crafting session; kids love decorating for the holidays, especially if hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies are involved. 

Another easy and budget-friendly advent calendar can be crafted using holiday gift tags. Number each tag from one to twenty-four and attach them to a length of ribbon or twine, which you can hang on a mantle or wall. Write an activity for each day on the back of each tag using pencil or sticky notes – so you can reuse next year or shuffle activities as needed. Refer to your calendar to ensure you save the big adventures for weekends or when everyone is available.

Remember, no peeking! The element of surprise is a big part of the fun. 

LOCAL LINKS

Retro Festive
1100 Invicta Drive, Oakville
retrofestive.ca

Walkers Chocolates
3350 Fairview Street, Burlington
1011 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville
walkerschocolates.ca

Lollipop Art Lounge
338 Church Street, Oakville
lollipopartlounge.com

Simply Gifted
491 Brant Street, Burlington
simplygifted.ca

L’Occitaine en Provence
162 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
loccitane.com

With shorter days and longer nights, board games are a great way to gather with family or friends for an affordable and fun evening’s entertainment.

While board games have always been popular, Megan Edmonds, co-owner of The Bard and The Bear Games Cafe in Hamilton, believes there’s an even greater appetite for human connection, post-pandemic. “Board games are a great way to connect in-person and take screens out of the equation,” she says. 

Kevin Bileski has been part of a bi-weekly games night in Burlington with the same group of friends for six years. “Playing board games is a great way to come together,” he says. “It’s a Sunday afternoon alternative where the only thing on the table are chips and chocolate.” 

Okay, but which board game do you choose?

If you’ve moved on from collecting $200 every time you pass Go in Monopoly, fear not. There’s a slew of new games to re-invigorate your next board game night! 

For families with young children

Orchard: Edmonds says co-operative games, like Orchard, are a great way to introduce board games to young kids without someone winning or getting upset. 

Drop It: Similar to the classic Connect Four, players strategically drop pieces into the stand to land them as high as possible without touching anything of the same shape or colour.

Catan Junior: Children ages six and up slip into the role of pirates who build their hideouts – called pirates’ lairs – on islands and set sail to find new places to build more pirates’ lairs.

For building your games collection 

Klask: A popular option for hockey fans – Edmonds like to call it the love child of air hockey and fridge magnets. This two-player game is very similar to air hockey in play, but uses magnets to move the pieces and create hazards.

Bohnanza: One of Edmonds’ favourite sleeper hits is this German card game where you harvest beans. More exciting than it sounds, Bohnanza is great for a large group of friends as every player gets to trade on each turn.

Pandemic: This older game has had a resurgence in popularity. Bileski likes it because all the players must work together as disease-fighting specialists on a mission to keep four deadly diseases at bay. 

For strategic thinkers 

Scout: This card game about making sets and runs seems simple but actually requires a lot of strategy making it a hit among folks who normally play heavy strategy board games. 

Ticket to Ride: This cross-country train adventure board game challenges players to constantly monitor the board state, which cards they need, and what their opponents are up to.

Carcassonne: Inspired by the medieval fortress in southern France of the same name, Carcassonne is a tile-laying game where players need to strategically fill in the countryside around the fortified city. 

Kulami: A two-player game with simple rules that’s easy to learn and quick to play, it encourages you to replay it again and again as you develop more complex strategies. 

5 PLACES TO GET YOUR GAME ON

Torchlight Games and Hobbies
4033 New Street, Burlington
torchlightgh.com

Lords of War Games & Hobbies
124 Kerr Street, Oakville
lordsofwargames.com

The Bard and Bear Games Cafe
237 James Street North, Hamilton
thebardandbear.com

Mastermind Toys
1011 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville
1035 Brant Street, Burlington
mastermindtoys.com

Enter the Battlefield
2172 Speers Road, Oakville
etboakville.com

With Halloween creeping up on us, let’s unmask some ghoulishly great ways to celebrate.

Take a ghost tour

You don’t have to wait for Halloween night to get your ghostly thrills. There are some eerie locations around Oakville and Burlington that are screaming out for you to visit – if you dare. 

Erchless Estate is rumoured to be the most haunted house in Oakville, with employees claiming to have seen ghostly figures walking the museum grounds. And if that’s not spine-tingling enough, visit Dingle Park after dark, where you might catch a glimpse of the ghost who is said to reside there. 

If you happen to be in downtown Burlington on the night of a full moon, pay a visit to the statue of the soldier at the cenotaph at City Hall. Legend has it that he descends from his pedestal to wander under the full moon’s light.

If that’s too scary for you, same ghoul, same. I’m team “playful pumpkins” over “ghostly figures” every time. 

Pumpkins After Dark in Milton is a family-friendly way to conjure up some Halloween spirit. Also, check your neighbourhood Facebook groups for “Haunted Houses” near you. Several homes in Oakville and Burlington boast Halloween activities and decor that are eerie-sistible. 

Get this party startled!

A costume swap isn’t just budget-friendly; it’s also eco-friendly. Invite friends to bring their gently used costumes, and let the trading begin. Combining elements from various costumes can result in a unique look. Think Fairy-Ogre, Manchester United-Monkey, Space-Kitten, or Flamingo-Werewolf – guaranteed to stand out in any Halloween parade.

Consider hosting an “Upstairs Downstairs Party” to make it easier for parents of young children to socialize. Parents can bob for apples upstairs while their little ones enjoy treats and games downstairs, under the watchful eye of a few teens hired by ‘mummies’ (and daddies). 

Organize a scary movie marathon (Author’s Note: At the first sign of a clown, I’m out of there faster than you can say, “It.”) Serve up terrifying treats like Halloweenies and petrified popcorn and you’ll be the ghostess with the mostess. Remind guests to BYOB (Bring Your Own Boos). 

Trick or treat yourself

Many local shops and restaurants welcome young trick-or-treaters with candy-filled bowls. It’s a great opportunity to support local businesses while collecting some sweet treats.

Instead of going the usual candy bowl route, add a dash of creativity to the Halloween mix! Set up a “Witches’ Cauldron” using some dry ice for an extra eerie effect, or create a “Mummy’s Tomb” brimming with treats. And hats off to my ingenious neighbours who send treats down a PVC pipe from an upper window – we applaud your wicked engineering.

Welcome trick-or-treaters with glowing jack-o-lanterns, a Halloween music playlist on a loop, festive lights or some creepy cobwebs to set the mood. Let your imagination run wild, but within reason. I had to remind my spouse not to jump out in his vampire costume to scare unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. While it may sound amusing in theory, the bone-chilling scream from our neighbour (and her young child) haunted me for months. She gave us resting-witch face until Christmas. 

Keep celebrations inclusive and safe

Some children may have dietary restrictions, while others may have sensory sensitivities. Consider offering a mix of treats and non-food items (stickers, bubbles, fidget toys, glowsticks, slime) to accommodate all trick-or-treaters. 

If your children are old enough to venture out on their own, be sure to review safety rules and common courtesies. Remind them to take only a few treats from unsupervised bowls left out on doorsteps and to respect property – only monsters and ghouls stomp over flower beds.

There you have it, a how-to guide for a Halloween that’s frightfully fun for all ages! Whether you’re swapping costumes, exploring haunted houses, or simply enjoying the treats, have a safe and scary Halloween, everyone! 

by Lisa Thornbury