Activities & Sports

Families

Kingston offers many opportunities for families to spend their leisure time together in casual or organized activities.

Depending on the season, Kingston's many parks and green spaces are ideal for hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, boating, skating and skiing. During the warmer months, it's not uncommon to see parents with young children strolling or cycling around city parks and along the waterfront.

During the cold weather, family activities change to skating, cross-country skiing and other winter sports. The city has several hilly areas where parents can take their children sliding and tobogganing in the winter. Outdoor skating rinks and playgrounds are also natural gathering spots for parents and children.

Families can also participate in planned activities. The city has a number of "moms and tots" programs where parents and young children can take part in musical activities, swimming and other organized physical movement. The Kingston Frontenac Public Library has programs for children ranging from babies up to teens. The Ontario Early Years Centre offers programs for parents with children aged six and under.

The Kingston Family YMCA delivers a wide range of programs for individuals and families that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Throughout the year, the city has many "fun runs" that raise money for charitable causes and attract physically active families.

Kingston also has many museums and historic sites that are popular with families. The Agnes Etherington Art Centre offers family programs that include tours of the galleries. Fort Henry is another local landmark that offers many different programs and special events geared to families.

A detailed listing of programs and activities for people of all ages is published every spring and fall in the city's Recreation and Leisure Magazine. Free copies are distributed throughout Kingston, can be obtained from City Hall, libraries and recreation centres, or can be downloaded from the city's website.