Ontario Kids Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treaters North in Ontario

Safety Tips for Trick or Treaters

Well, we can be glad Sandy is tapering off in time for Halloween, however, chances are it will still  be a cold wet night for trick or treaters North in Ontario.

Safety is priority number one for the kids. The kids are excited and most are too young to be aware of all the dangers that lurk while out in the neighbourhood on a dark evening.

Below are some tips from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment (originally posted in the Midland Mirror) for parents and kids who will be out having fun on the neighbourhood streets tomorrow.

•  Wear bright and reflective clothing

•  Carry a flashlight

•  Walk, don’t run, and watch for cars

•  Use makeup or face paint instead of a mask, but, if this is not possible, make sure the eyeholes are large enough to see through

•  Young children should be accompanied by an adult carrying a cellphone

•  Older children who go out with friends should plan their route, share it with their parents and stick to it

Have a spooktacular & safe night!

•  Obey all rules of the road, remembering to always look both ways before crossing the street

•  Never trick-or-treat alone or eat anything that hasn’t been inspected by an adult

•  Never go into a house, and refrain from attending those where the outside lights are off

•  Try to wear costumes that don’t have any hanging pieces that can result in a person tripping or can catch fire

•  Wear fire-retardant costumes where possible.

~Motorists are also reminded to exercise extra caution on Halloween evening, as some children might be difficult to see due to dark costumes.~

See our HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS on our website. 

Have a great night! 

Mabel the Ontario Maple Fall Colours for Kids UPDATE - October 25

Well, her day has come. Mabel may have taken a while to change colour but not to lose her leaves. Time to mulch!

Mabel the Ontario Maple - October 25, 2012

It's a clear view to the water now but for Mabel's friend beside her. Today was a warm day, over 20 degrees and we all enjoyed some time in the great outdoors.

Fall colours continue in many areas North of Toronto. The air is filled with fall and many family and kids events are taking place offering fun and exciting activities.

See our website for the FAMILY EVENTS CALENDAR of family and kids events North of Toronto and the GTA.

Family and Kids Events North of Toronto for October 26-28 including Halloween Events

This weekend holds many Halloween events and activities as the final weekend before the holiday itself, next Wednesday (Oct. 31) .

Ontario Kids are PACKED WITH HALLOWEEN EVENT FUN!

Haunted barns, harbours and houses are thrilling kids and families in many towns North of Toronto and the GTA. Corn mazes, wagon rides, pumpkin patches, zombie walks and even a marsh monster are all waiting to make your family laugh and scream.
~we encourage parents to follow our links and review the event and make sure it is not too scary if you have wee ones or even older ones that scare easily~

Includes Halloween Fun!

Friday October 26 is a PA/PD Day for some little ghouls and boys. Huronia Museum is offering a Halloween themed day camp for kids in the Midland area.

Ski and snowboard gear swap and sales continue to a great place to get good deals on what your family needs to have a good year out on the slopes and tracks. Rumour has it we will make up for last year's mild winter in the winter months to come, why not have some great snow-filled family recreation. 

BARRIE
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | HAUNTED ADVENTURE: Chappell Farms. Pick your own perfect pumpkin! Experience the corn maze, wagon rides, haunted barn, Magic shows, live entertainment and more.
*make a weekend out of - see Carriage Ridge Resort's Fall Festival Package
FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: (Sunday) Regional artist leads the whole family in creating hands-on collaborative art projects with a wide range of materials at the MacLaren Art Centre.
ZOMBIE WALK: Swarm to Heritage Park at 12pm for the 4th Annual Zombie Walk and Halloween Festival.
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: Have a 'spook'tacular time with a variety of activities and attractions to celebrate Halloween at the Kozlov Centre. Including costume parade haunted house and more.

Stay at BARRIE HOTELS

BUCKHORN

Dare to meet the MARSH MONSTER!

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Pumpkin Festival opens on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend (Closed Thanksgiving Monday) and continues on each weekend throughout the month of October, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

MIDLAND/PENETANGUISHENE
HAUNTED HARBOUR: Walk the candlelit trails through a 19th century naval historic site to see what is lurking in the dark and buildings at Discovery Harbour.
MARSH MONSTER MADNESS:  The Wye Marsh is hosting a variety of spooktacular events.
PAY DAY CAMP: Friday, October 26. Halloween themed day camp at the Huronia Museum.
SPOOKTACULAR EVENTS: Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives.

Stay at MIDLAND HOTELS

SUDBURY
KEEPSAKES CHRISTMAS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: At the Sudbury Exhibition Centre.

Stay at SUDBURY HOTELS

Haunted Harbour at Discovery Harbour

THUNDER BAY
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: BEGINS Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 11AM to 5PM Weekends until Halloween.
HAUNTED CORNFIELD: The path through the Cornfield is haunted and so too the BOO Barn and the Stable Of Animals.

Some family favorite Ontario attractions may be shutting down soon for the winter season. Now is your chance to have once last kick at some non-snow fun at Ontario family and kid friendly attractions.

Looking for more than a day trip?
See our FALL FAMILY GETAWAYS.

See our list of more family friendly activities on our website. 

Mabel the Ontario Maple Fall Colours for Kids UPDATE - October 19

The winds along the shores of Midland Bay have been strong and many of Mabel's leaves have been blown to the ground. Her and her friends are a beautiful solid orange, I think the show is all but over as we watch the last leaves fall to the ground.

Here's a picture of Mabel at around 4pm:

Mabel the Ontario Maple at 4pm - 18 October

It was a regular evening of family dinner and play time. We stayed inside because the winds were high and the skies were getting dark and then, out of nowhere the brightest rainbow we've ever seen appeared right behind Mabel. It was so bright, you could every colour in the rainbow. We were very excited and please to see not only one rainbow but two. Yes, Mabel and a double rainbow! What a way to perk up a Thursday night.

Rainbow over Midland Bay and Mabel

Mabel and the Double Rainbow (sorry about the power line!)

Have a rainbow kind of weekend, everyone!

Family and Kids Events North of Toronto for October 19-21

Fall is falling away before our very eyes. Only a few weeks left of fall colours, fall festivals and a frightening amount of Halloween fun!

Fall Festival on now.

As a note, we wish to remind parents that the events we post are to be at your discretion depending on your children. Some of the Halloween events may not be appropriate for smaller children who scare easily, or adults even! We encourage parents to follow our links to learn more about the event and whether or not it is appropriate for their family members.

MANY ONTARIO TOWNS
CINEPLEX COMMUNITY DAY: Cineplex Odeon is offering FREE movies this Saturday, October 20, 2012 for Community Day. All proceeds go towards the Starlight Children's Foundation Canada.

BARRIE
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | HAUNTED ADVENTURE: Chappell Farms. Pick your own perfect pumpkin! Experience the corn maze, wagon rides, haunted barn, Magic shows, live entertainment and more.
*make a weekend out of - see Carriage Ridge Resort's Fall Festival Package
FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: (Sunday) Regional artist leads the whole family in creating hands-on collaborative art projects with a wide range of materials.
ANNUAL SKI SWAP AND JOB FAIR: Horseshoe Resort - Ski & Snowboard Equipment Sales Discounted Ski & Snow Sort Membership Sales, Ski School & Kid's Korral Program Sales.
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND SKI SWAP: Hardwood Ski and Bike - Largest Nordic Ski Swap in North America.

Find your perfect pumpkin

Stay at BARRIE HOTELS

BRUCE COUNTY / BRUCE PENINSULA

FISHING DERBY: Sauble Beach. Derby Tickets $12 or $20 for a family.
HARVEST CRAFT SHOW: Owen Sound
ZOMBIE WALK: Please bring a non perishable food item(s) or a cash donation for The Food Bank.

See our tips for FISHING WITH KIDS

BUCKHORN

Check out the VIEW at SCENIC CAVES

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Pumpkin Festival opens on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend (Closed Thanksgiving Monday) and continues on each weekend throughout the month of October, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

THUNDER BAY
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: BEGINS Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 11AM to 5PM Weekends until Halloween.
HAUNTED CORNFIELD: The path through the Cornfield is haunted and so too the BOO Barn and the Stable Of Animals!

Some family favorite Ontario attractions may be shutting down soon for the winter season. Now is your chance to have once last kick at some non-snow fun at Ontario family and kid friendly attractions.

Ontario Kids Halloween Fun

Looking for HALLOWEEN EVENTS north of Toronto? We have that too!

Looking for more than a day trip?
See our FALL FAMILY GETAWAYS.

See our list of more family friendly activities on our website.

Mabel the Ontario Maple Fall Colours for Kids UPDATE

Today is October 12. After many wet, cold and dark days,  the sun is shining, the sky is blue and waters of Midland Bay are calm and sparkling like a jewel!

So far we've been chronicling the colour changes of Mabel the Ontario Maple (see earlier blog posts for pics). To date she's been slow and hanging on to her dark green colour of her sunnier summer days.

Finally, a sunny day and less green on Ms. Mabel! She's starting to go a greeny yellow while those around her are bright orange. That's Mabel, just trying to be different!

Mabel October 12

We hope you have a great weekend filled with family and kids fun in the great outdoors. It's chilly but so pretty!

Mabel and her friends watching the sailboats go by

See our website for family friendly events and festivals taking place this weekend.

Family Events North of Toronto for October 12-14

Kids and family fall fun continues in all areas North of Toronto. This time of year is all about corn mazes, wagon rides, cranberries and enjoying the last of the snow-free great outdoors!

Move over turkey, it's cranberry's turn!

BALA
CRANBERRY FESTIVAL: Celebrate the cranberry!

See family accommodations in the Bala area

BARRIE
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | HAUNTED ADVENTURE: Chappell Farms. Pick your own perfect pumpkin! Experience the corn maze, wagon rides, haunted barn, Magic shows, live entertainment and more.
*make a weekend out of - see Carriage Ridge Resort's Fall Festival Package
FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: (Sunday) Regional artist leads the whole family in creating hands-on collaborative art projects with a wide range of materials.

Stay at BARRIE HOTELS

BLUE MOUNTAINS
BLUE MOUNTAIN HALF MARATHON & 5K FAMILY RUN: This not-for-profit event benefits natural health research and promotes active lifestyles for children.

Stay at BLUE MOUNTAINS & COLLINGWOOD ACCOMMS

BUCKHORN
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Pumpkin Festival opens on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend (Closed Thanksgiving Monday) and continues on each weekend throughout the month of October, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

THUNDER BAY
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: BEGINS Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 11AM to 5PM Weekends until Halloween.
WATERFOWL VIEWING DAY: Enjoy a family outing to see migrating waterfowl from the park's observation platforms and then take a walk through the scenic trails.

Halloween is coming!

Looking for more than a day trip?
See our FALL FAMILY GETAWAYS. 

More weekend fun can be found at any family friendly Ontario attraction.

See our list of more family friendly activities on our website.

Find Halloween events and festival on our website. 

Mabel the Ontario Maple Fall Colour Update for kids - October 5, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from Mabel and everyone at 411ontariokids.com

Here is Mabel the Ontario Maple on a grey day ~

#mabeltheontariomaple - October 5, 2012

While most colours north of toronto are near or at peak, Mabel is a still holding on to summer. Can you blame her?

Here is a shot of her and her friends - who are little quicker on the colour turn. :-)

Mabel and friends on the shores of Georgian Bay

Have a great, safe Thanksgiving weekend everyone!

See below our list of family events and activities happening all weekend long North of Toronto!

Family Events North of Toronto for Thanksgiving Weekend - October 5-8

Gobble Gobble!

Most parents are probably wondering what happened to the last 4 weeks. Thanksgiving weekend is here. Fall has been kind to us so far, weather has been good, the colours are beyond stunning and the family calendar is so jammed packed with events, festivals and activities, I guess really, there is no wonder as to where the last 4 weeks went.

Hoping that by now most families have taken a road trip to see the colours, taken in a fall fair, pumpkin or apple 'fest or just had fun exploring and finding treasures on an Ontario Trail. If not, fear not, there's more of all that this weekend - with an amazing turkey dinner to follow, or you can get that too (without the mess)!

It's also not too late to find a PERFECT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND GETAWAY

BARRIE
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | HAUNTED ADVENTURE: Chappell Farms. Pick your own perfect pumpkin! Experience the corn maze, wagon rides, haunted barn, Magic shows, live entertainment and more.

Stay at BARRIE HOTELS

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS / COLLINGWOOD
APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL: Blue Mountain Village - Free activities, live music, Apple Pie Trail, pumpkin carving, buskers, hiking, biking and fall driving tours.
TURKEY TENT EVENT: Blue Mountain’s Annual Turkey Tent Event is back and bigger than ever before!
TOUR OF THE ARTS: 14 well established locations with 20+ artists and guests in Thornbury, Clarksburg Kimberly and Craigleith.  Paintings. Photography.  Pottery. Fashion.  Sculpture.  Jewellery. Wood.

STAY IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS & COLLINGWOOD AREA

BUCKHORN
THANKSGIVING HARVEST CRAFT SHOW: More than 120 artisans from across Canada offer jewelery, designer clothing, soaps, woven goods, handmade furniture, home accessories and even local gastronomical delights including candy, honey, jams and jellies.

ELMVALE
FALL FAIR: Enjoy the midway or the tractor pull. Other highlights are the Heavy Horse, Cattle and Sheep Shows along with the Farm Animal Display and the Small Animal Show.

Lift Rides and Ski Swap @ Sir Sam's

HALIBURTON:
SIR SAM'S SKI SWAP: Scenic chairlift rides, complimentary food, drinks and draws.
COUNTY STUDIO TOUR: Visit the studios of Haliburton County's artists and craftspeople while enjoying the autumn colours of the Highlands.

STAY AT HALIBURTON & AREA ACCOMMODATIONS 

KINMOUNT
HOMECOMING STUDIO TOUR: This tour offers a perfect opportunity for family and friends to spend time together touring beautiful fall scenery and exploring Studios and Artists, all within a 15 km radius of Kinmount.

LAKEVIEW
THANKSGIVING DINNER: The Irwin Inn, Lakefield - $39.95pp

LION'S HEAD
PUMPKIN TOSS: Machines of all sorts slingshots, catapults, trebuchets and even air cannons, compete to see who can chuck a pumpkin the farthest.

Annual Harvest Show at Sainte Marie in Midland

MIDLAND
THANKSGIVING HARVEST FESTIVAL ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Showcasing over 40 outstanding artisans and crafters during this two-day festival.
FARMER'S MARKET: Downtown Midland, across from the town docks.

SEE MORE MIDLAND HOTELS & ATTRACTIONS 

NORWOOD
FALL FAIR: Fun-filled Thanksgiving tradition taking place just a short drive East of Peterborough, Ontario, in the beautiful village of Norwood.

ORILLIA
FESTIVAL OF BANNERS: Colourful banners themed Sunshine Sketches, designed & hand-painted by community members, transform our streets into a vibrant outdoor art gallery.

Stay at ORILLIA ACCOMMODATIONS

PENETANGUISHENE
THE BAY STUDIO TOUR: Local artists will be showing their work at their studios or at a host site.  The eclectic range of offerings include, painting in various mediums, photography, pottery, stained glass, fibre art, fine craft and mixed media.

SEE MORE MIDLAND HOTELS & ATTRACTIONS 
SEE PENETANGUISHENE ACCOMMODATIONS & ATTRACTIONS 

Family Fall Fair Fun

SAUBLE BEACH
THANKSAVINGS FESTIVAL: The Sauble Beach Thanksavings Festival on October 6th and 7th is an amazing weekend event featuring sidewalk sales and live entertainment.

VICTORIA COUNTY
ANNUAL STUDIO TOUR: Come by car or bus to the City of Kawartha Lakes or by boat along the scenic Trent-Severn Waterway during the Fall season and experience the changing colours first hand – and our Artistic interpretation on site with practising and professional artists.

WOODVIEW:
Thanksgiving Dinner: Join Viamede Resort on Thanksgiving weekend for a family dinner without the cleanup.

More weekend fun can found at any family friendly Ontario attraction.

See our list of more family friendly activities on our website.

Have an event you'd like to submit for promotion consideration? Email us at info@411ontariokids.com