Last December, we took our 15-month-old daughter to Calgary, and we had such a lovely time! If you’re visiting Calgary with a toddler, don´t let the potential cold hold you back as there are so many activities that make winter enjoyable for the whole family. Here are some of our favourite things to do in Calgary with a toddler in December.
1. Ice Skating at Bow River Pathway
One of the highlights of our trip was ice skating at Bow River Pathway. The scenic views of the city and mountains made it a beautiful outing, even though my daughter wasn’t quite old enough to skate by herself yet, it was such an amazing experience to take her with us in our stroller on the ice! (it´s not as slippery as you might think). You can rent your ice skates right in the park! We went once in the week before Christmas, and then again on January 1st (which had noticeably a lotttt more people!)
2. Heritage Park Once Upon a Christmas
The Christmas market called Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park was an absolute must-see. The already beautiful village itself was beautifully lit up and decorated, and we wandered through the market sipping hot chocolate and taking in the festive charm. There were lots of activities, storytelling, writing letters to Santa, etc. My daughter loved the lights and the sights, and it made us go big-time holiday spirit like in the movies! Entrance is 20 CAD per person and children under 3 are free!
3. Indoor Playgrounds for Toddlers
Granted, there were some days in which temperatures dropped to -22 and we desperately needed to warm up. There was a really nice indoor playground at the Mall the Core (downtown Calgary) as well as some nice jungly-vibes parks at the Devonian gardens. Our little one also really loved the ROAR Play Park in Southcenter Mall with a zoo theme.
One we got recommended but in the end did not check out is the Sky Castle. Not in a mall and also not free, but fairly cheap and it´s website looks amazing at least.
5. Calgary Public Library
We have spent a lot of time at the Calgary Public Library. The children’s section is massive, cozy and filled with books, playing areas and toys that kept my toddler busy. There are also story times around specific themes (such as Christmas, Frozen, etc.) check out the times and themes here
6. Local Community Center Christmas Celebrations
One of the sweetest experiences during our trip was visiting a local community centre for their Christmas celebrations. The centre hosted gingerbread-making sessions, where families could decorate their own gingerbread houses—such a fun, creative activity for toddlers. My daughter loved looking at all the houses! And, of course, no Christmas celebration is complete without meeting Santa! Sure, it was a little scary at first for a 15-month-old, but once the music turned on, it was all dancing. It was a lovely way to connect with the community and share in the holiday spirit.
Bonus: TELUS Spark Science Centre
Something else we got recommended but did not go to due to time constraints was TELUS Spark Science Centre. With interactive exhibits and a dedicated toddler area, it´s another great option for toddlers to learn and stay warm inside!
Final Thoughts: Family-Friendly Winter Activities in Calgary
Calgary really surprised me with how much it offers for families with toddlers during the winter months. Whether you’re skating on the Bow River, visiting a Christmas market, or warming up inside, there’s something for everyone. We had such a special time, and I’m sure your family will too if you’re looking for things to do in Calgary with a toddler in December.
Are you wondering how you´re going to survive a plane travel with your baby? Check out my blog here!
