Dartmouth Sportsplex
Dartmouth Sportsplex is Family Fun!
**PLEASE NOTE: Closed for Renovations end of May 2017 to Fall 2018**
I had heard of the Dartmouth Sportsplex, but had never been before. So, this Christmas break our family decided to check it out!
According to the website, the Dartmouth Sportsplex is an indoor sports and community centre in Dartmouth. It houses an arena, two swimming pools with water slides, and other fitness, leisure and events facilities.
Wow! It is impressive!
On this trip, we checked out the swimming pool because we had heard about the Pirate’s Cove.
The Pirate’s Cove is a section of the pool that is in the shape of a pirate ship! It has 3 water slides leading off it, and is it ever fun!
To ride the slides at Pirate’s Cove you have to be 48” tall and be able to swim a length of the pool. They did not test the kids while they were there, but they are strong swimmers, so we weren’t worried.
At the bottom of the slides, there is quite a bit of a current, so you really do need to be able to swim well. Parents are not allowed to catch children at the bottom, but can wait on the sidelines to help them out if need be.
There are three different coloured slides in Pirate’s Cove: yellow, red and green. At the bottom of the yellow slide, you fly off the end, while the green slide has a big drop into the pool.
Separate from Pirate’s Cove is a blue waterslide that curves around and then has a big drop. The kids loved the slides! This is open even when the Pirate’s Cove is not.
It wasn’t my cup of tea, as I don’t like my head being under water, but I challenged myself and took a ride on each slide! But once was enough for me!
The boys, however, kept going for the entire swimming session!
Also in the pool area is a swinging rope. Jump on, swing to the middle of the pool and let go!
There is also a hot tub and a smaller very warm, shallow pool that is great for smaller kids.
The Pirate’s Cove is only open certain hours, and you need to check ahead before going. If you’re just going the once, it’s worth going when it’s open so you get the full spectrum of activities!
Location
The Dartmouth Sportsplex is located at 110 Wyse Road in Dartmouth. This is literally at the entrance to the MacDonald Bridge and across from the Holiday Inn Harbourfront.
Just follow the signs for the MacDonald Bridge, and you can’t miss it!
Getting In
The Dartmouth Sportsplex is a bit of maze. It is surrounded by a one-way street and many lanes of traffic!
There are several doors to get in. It doesn’t matter which one you take. We went in the door off the parking lot
head down the stairs and follow the blue line to the pool.
Alternatively, if you go in the door facing the Holiday Inn, you will be right there!
Basic Swim Prices
Children $6.00+ $2.00 = $8.00
Adults $6.25 + $2.00 = $8.25
Seniors $5.00 +$2.00) = $7.00
Family $14.00 +2.00/person max. of $6.00 = $20
To see when the Pirate’s Cove is open, check the website
If you are looking for a fun family time in the city, head to the Dartmouth Sportsplex.
Stay at the Harbourview Holiday Inn
To make it even more of an adventure, try staying at the Holiday Inn Harbourview in Dartmouth, right across the street from the Sportsplex!
Besides kids 12 and under eating free in the hotel restaurant, you get a free pass to the Dartmouth Sportsplex upon checking in! This however, does not include the Pirate’s Cove waterslides, but gives you the rest of the access to the facility!
All the more reason for lots of family fun!
Glow in the Dark Balloons
Glow in the Dark Balloons
*Disclosure: We received a box of Nouwee party supplies to test with our family in exchange for a series of blog posts. All opinions are our own. Who doesn’t love to add a bit of fun to a party?*
“They are absolutely beautiful!”
This New Year’s Eve, our family celebrated with Glow-in-the-dark balloons from Nouwee.
Here’s what the website says
Did you know that balloons were first made out of intestines? But since the 20th century, people began to make it out of latex, which is way better in our opinion!
Now in the 21st century, NOUWEE brings you a light augmented balloon: the new generation of balloons! Use it to play with your kids, at your music show or just to decorate your party!
For our family New Year’s Eve party, we pulled out the balloons to give them a try.
They come in a package of 6, so each of us could pick a colour.
The balloons were so easy to use with only 2 steps.
Inside each one there is a plastic tab. Pull this out, and the glow mechanism starts.
Blow up the balloon (with either air or helium)
knot it, and PLAY!
We took ours outside to play on the deck in the snow. They were so beautiful in the night sky against the wind.
We did have a bit of trouble with them blowing on to the roof because of the windy night, but because they are weighted at the bottom, they always came back down. This just further added to the enjoyment.
The kids (not to mention the adults) had a lot of fun playing with the balloons.
“The balloons were crazy awesome!”
“It’s so weird that balloons glow in the dark.”
“It was very fun to use.”
And, the great thing is that the glow charge lasts up to 20 hours, so the kids were still able to play with the balloons the next evening!
IN FACT! 6 days later, our balloons are STILL glowing!
Product Qualities
• LED light attached to the tip of the balloons
• Box content: 6 different coloured luminous balloons
• 11 inches balloons made out of high quality latex
• Plastic trigger to turn on the light
• Can be filled with helium or air.
• Colours: Blue, red, green, pink, white and yellow
• Lasts at least 20 hours (brightest hours are the firsts)
Warning: Lighted balloons are normally really attractive to kids! Minimum suggested age to use the product of 8 years old and over or with adult supervision.
The next time you are having a night-time party, try adding the Nouwee balloons to your celebration. We think they’d be great for
– New Year’s Eve
– Camping trips
– Sleep overs
– Birthdays
Or just about any other celebration!
Family New Year’s Resolutions
How to Make Family New Year’s Resolutions
I can’t take any credit for this idea. It was all my 9-year-old son’s idea.
“Mommy, I have been working on an activity in my mind since Boxing Day.”
We had been talking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions and what they mean, and whether we should make them or not. We also talked about picking one word to focus on for the year.
This is when Daniel piped up with his idea. Hesitant at first, it ended up being one of the best family bonding experiences.
How to make family New Year’s Resolutions
Sit around a table. Each person has a piece of paper and a pencil.
Write your name at the top of the paper. Put numbers down the edge of the paper – the number in the group plus 1. We had 4 people, so we wrote to the number 5.
Pass your paper to the left.
As you pass the paper around, write down one resolution for that person. Something that they need to work on, or a goal you think they should try to achieve.
Keep passing the paper around until it returns to you.
Now, write 2 resolutions/goals for yourself.
The results were outstanding.
Instead of it being really negative and accusatory, it was so positive on how we can make changes to make our family stronger.
– Learn to bake together
– Don’t complain so much at supper time
– Turn off the computer when the family is around
– Develop better sleep habits
I urge you to try this activity this January, and be prepared to have your eyes and mind opened, but be prepared to work on these goals together. Post them somewhere where you can refer to them.
Happy New Year!
Dear Santa Lantern
Dear Santa Lantern
*I received a “Dear Santa Lantern” from Nouwee to test – who wouldn’t want to? All opinions are our own*
You’ve mailed a letter to Santa.
Maybe you had your letter read on the radio or printed in the newspaper.
If you’re in England, maybe you’ve sent your letter up the chimney.
But… Have you ever sent your letter to Santa on a paper lantern that looks like a hot air balloon?
This year, we did!
When I was contacted by Nouwee to test the Dear Santa Lantern, I couldn’t resist. The boys (7 & 9) still mostly believe in Santa, and are at the perfect age to try it out.
According to the website, the “Dear Santa” Lantern’s goal is to create those magical moments with your child and to offer them the world’s greatest gift: your presence.
If you could take a happy memory, a milestone event or a family get together and make it even more special, would you?
This Holiday Season, imaginative Quebec-based NOUWEE is asking Canadians to create the magic of memories through unforgettable party accessories. In time for the holidays, the brand has expanded into Ontario with newly developed, family-friendly party favours.
This includes the Dear Santa Lantern
DEAR SANTA: This year, children can send their letters directly to the North Pole with the NOUWEE Dear Santa Lantern – a mini hot air balloon with a letter attached for Santa that kids can customize with their wish list and personal messages.
How it Works
The Dear Santa Lantern is SO EASY. That’s the first thing I loved about it.
All the instructions are clearly marked on the back of the box. There are very few of them.
Take the lantern out of the box, and “fluff” it up into a balloon shape.
There is also a postcard inside that is addressed to Santa. Write a personal letter (we made sure our address and last names were NOT on the card as Santa would magically know it was from us, anyway!).
At the bottom of the lantern is a cardboard combustible square. Light that on fire.
Once the balloon fills with the warm air (about 2-3 minutes), we let it go into the air!
Our Experience
We first attempted to light the Santa lantern with our friends when we went to the mountain to cut down our own Christmas tree.
However, it was far too windy. The lantern would not light, and then the wind was starting to rip the lantern. So, we decided to pack it up and try again another day.
After days of waiting for the wind and rain and snow to pass, we finally found a clear day!
We lit it in an open area at the top of a hill. We also decided to light it during the day, as we thought the pictures for this blog post would be clearer.
Ideally, you should light it at night.
Picture the scene in the movie Frozen with all the lanterns being released, and you know what I mean!
Safety
To light it safely, it is good to have two adults. One to hold the top of the lantern, while the other lights it and hold the bottom.
We were worried that the fire might burn the sides of the lantern, but it never did!
The lanterns are actually small hot air balloons made out of flame-resistant rice paper. It is made to go up until the fuel burns out and come back down slowly afterwards.
So it is perfectly safe to release it into the air while it was still burning. However, the instructions do recommend having a water source nearby for emergencies!
Only adults are to light the lantern!
Environmental Concerns
The second thing I love about the Santa Lantern is that it is biodegradable. So, you can feel better about releasing it into the air, than a helium balloon. Two thumbs up.
Our Launch
When we launched it into the air, we had no idea what to expect, but when it went, and kept on going, it was utterly amazing.
The kids stood in awe and wonder!
We stood in awe and wonder, watching it for over 10 minutes until it went beyond our sight lines.
What a magical moment, and one I would love to do every year!
I asked Thomas (7) how he thought Santa would get the letter (especially as it was heading south!)
“I think a polar bear will find it and give it to Santa,” he said.
“Either that, or when Santa is out snow gardening, it will land on his snow lawn, and he will find it.”
And that’s part of Christmas – the childhood wonder and magic of it all, which Nouwee’s Dear Santa Lantern can help to create!
Order yours online today to get it before Christmas! (Retail $13.99)
Or, if you miss your chance to make a Dear Santa Lantern, try out the Wish Lanterns, where you make a wish and send it into the sky. How wonderful for a birthday or a summer party! (retail $19.99)
Become an Earth Ranger
Kids! Become and Earth Ranger!
**This is NOT a sponsored post. We just love the program and want to spread the word!**
“Earth Rangers is an animal saving site where you go on missions and try to help animals and the environment.”
That’s how my son accurately describes it.
After Daniel and his friends had a bake sale to save pandas through the World Wildlife Federation
one of my friends suggested that he sign up for Earth Rangers.
Before signing up, we did some research into the organization to make sure it was completely legitimate. It is! It is part of the Government of Canada’s Conservation Plan and the website is “Kid Safe Certified.”
As an Earth Ranger, Daniel was mailed a membership card which he proudly keeps in his wallet.
The first thing he did was to complete a fundraising mission. He went through the website and decided to raise money to save the Western Screech Owl.
His goal was to raise $125. (Depending on how much you raise, will determine how many badges and bonus things you earn).
To save the Western Screech Owl, he decided to sell cookies. He canvassed the neighbourhood with a menu of 5 different types of cookies, and took orders.
He came home, baked and delivered them – earning his $125!
He was never so proud!
Besides fundraising missions, there are other environmental missions that the kids can sign up for. These do not cost any money.
The first was to save the bees. He was mailed a packet of seeds which he planted.
On the site was also instructions on how to build a bee colony which he and his father built and installed in our garden.
Other challenges he’s done include wasting less water, recycling batteries
and making a bird feeder.
There are hundred more projects, and all things that kids can do – and mostly on their own!
There are also lots of games and videos on the site which are worth checking out!
Internet Safety
When a child becomes an Earth Ranger, they can sign up through their own email address, but must always put in an adult’s address as well.
Every time that Daniel does something on the site, it sends me an email to let me know what he’s done.
It often asks me for my approval before mailing him things. I really like this. Daniel feels like he is independently and Earth Ranger, but I can still keep an eye on what he’s doing.
If your child has an interest in helping the environment or endangered animals in Canada, definitely check out the Earth Rangers site!
You never know what will interest them!
Natural Centrepieces
How to Make a Natural Centrepiece
When we were kids, my mom would often make these beautiful centrepieces with us. She always had bags of pinecones and mixed nuts in the basement, and we would go down, dig them out, and start gluing to our hearts content.
So, this year at our family Christmas party, I decided to make these with the kids. They were a huge hit!
Here’s how to do it.
Make a base
Start with a round piece of wood or sturdy cardboard. We’ve used both before. We happened to have wooden discs left over from another craft, so it worked out perfectly.
Collect materials
Over the course of the fall, I collected ice cream buckets full of a variety of nuts.
On my mom’s street there happens to be a walnut, acorn and horse chestnut tree.
When you are drying the nuts, lay them flat on a tray for a week or so. I didn’t do this, and some of them started to mold at the bottom of the bucket.
I also collected a variety of sizes of pinecones.
Alternatively, a far easier solution is to go to the grocery store and buy a bag or two of mixed nuts (or from the Bulk Barn) and the pinecones from a craft store.
Candles
Start by gluing a candle to the centre of the base. Use a hot glue gun.
We ensured that we had enough glue guns with one per child. This avoids frustrating and waiting for turns.
The candles can be any shape or size. We opted for taller glittery candles, while I used a short one for my own creation.
Create
Lay buckets of nuts in the centre of the table and let the kids glue on whatever they want, however they want!
You will end up with the most unique and beautiful creations.
We always completely filled our bases so that you couldn’t see anything through it. So, after the kids went to bed, I made one of my own! But, let the kids create how they want to.
Shellac
After the glue has dried, go outside and spray them with a clear shellac. I got mine at the hardware store. This gives a lovely shimmer and shine to the final product.
Enjoy!
You can light the candles (and just glue on a new candle when needed) or leave the centrepieces as a decoration.
These are beautiful crafts that will last from year to year. And, the kids are so proud of their creations!
