Kids Eat for Free
Where Kids can Eat for Free in the Annapolis Valley
When I started this list, I thought there would be a lot more great deals to share, but realized that there are just a couple.
Most restaurants will at least have a kids’ menu, but some places also special promotional nights just for kids!
If you know of other great deals, please send them to info@valleyfamilyfun.ca and we’ll keep the list going.
**Please note: information changes quickly, so please contact the restaurant to double check.
Tuesday
Jungle Jims, New Minas – Did you know that Tuesday Night is PAY-BY-YOUR-HEIGHT NIGHT at Jungle Jim’s?
That’s right! Safari Kids pay JUST-A-CENT-A-CENTIMETRE every Tuesday night! For 10 years and under
Swing On In and see how YOU measure up.
Pizza Delight, Greenwood – Kids eat for free!
Kids 10 and under get a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal.
Applewoods, New Minas – Kids eat for half price Tuesday’s at applewoods
Wednesday
Swiss Chalet, New Minas – Wednesday from open to close, buy any adult entree and get a kids meal for free. For those 10 or under. The meal includes a main, a side, a beverage, a dessert, a toy and they can sign up for our birthday club too! Menu includes such things as Pizza Mini Burgers Pasta Chicken Strips Quarter Chicken BBQ Ribs.
What other Valley restaurants have special promotions for kids, other than just a great kids’ menu?
Racers Rec Room
Racers Rec Room
PLEASE NOTE: THIS BUSINESS HAS NOW MOVED TO MONCTON, NB.
*Disclosure: Racers RecRoom offered us a family party in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own.*
“It was awesome!”
“It was really fun because we got to race cars!”
Racers Rec Room, now under new ownership in Coldbrook, is a hot-spot destination for all ages.
Racers’ Rec Room is the only precision-scale model raceway in Atlantic Canada where you can race slot cars on a 110 foot, off-set figure-eight, 6 lane race track.
Originally popular in the 1950s, slot car racing has been making a comeback thanks to Racers’ RecRoom!
When to Go
Racers Rec Room is the perfect place for your next party.
Birthday party
Staff Party
Family Party
Adult party with friends
You name it, and you can celebrate it at Racers Rec Room. In fact, you don’t even need an excuse – just go and have some good old-fashioned fun!
We decided to have a family party at Racers Rec Room, inviting kids who were ages 4 to adult. It was a great mix of ages and something that we could all do together.
How it works
The track is set up as a figure-8 loop. Each player sits on a coloured stool that matches the colour car he is racing.
Squeeze the trigger, and you are off to the races!
Remember to go slowly around the corners, or your car will come off the track! This is why it’s great to have people stationed around the track who are responsible for just putting the cars back on the track.
This is a fun activity, too, without the pressure of racing! Especially when there is a pile up!
Numbers
It is best to have 12 people at the party.
There are 6 lanes, meaning that 6 people can race at a time. With 12, you can play games where you tag-team a partner, or you can switch back and forth quickly and easily. But any combination of over 6 people works great!
Ages
The children aged 6+ were best able to race the cars. They understood the concept of slowing down and speeding up around the corners, and had better control.
The younger children did get a chance to play while sitting on their parents’ laps and being “helped.”
Owner Mike Robicheau has the capacity to turn down the speed so that the younger children can really try to race as well. Because we were having an all-ages family party, we kept the speed at a minimum.
Of course, when it’s just adults, Mike says he cranks the speed to the highest level!
The System
The New Racers Rec Room has a completely new computer system!
At its former location in Lakeville, the system ran on a Commodore 64. Now, there is a new lap timing system at the track. You can now watch your lap times and position in the race on the flat screen! It also comes complete with sound effects!
The system can also record each individual’s scores for the afternoon. However, we opted to just go by the colour of the car. Although it was a race, we were just doing it for fun, and we really didn’t care who won.
Ok. Most of us didn’t.
Facilities
Besides the room with the racing track, there is also a party room on site.
Bring your own snacks, drinks and cake and use the room for a break or to open presents. Some of the younger children also used this room to play in when the main room got too noisy for them!
Did you know the walls are covered in chalkboard paint and you can mark on the walls?
There is also a small Mario Kart racing game in the corner where the younger kids played while the older kids did the slot car racing. This was a great bonus addition!
Price
The cost of parties really depends on the number of people you have playing. All parties are 1.5 hours.
Usually the first 30 minutes are used for warm up and getting used to the track. Then, there is a break for cake and presents, followed by another hour of racing and racing games.
6-9 children is $75
And 10-12 children is $100
For prices for adult parties, please contact Racers Rec Room directly so it can be customized.
Other Opportunities
Racers Rec Room has an afterschool program on Mondays from 3-5pm. There is an $8 drop in fee. Kids can bring snacks and have parents pick them up anytime before 5pm. If kids are getting off the bus (from Coldbrook school) please let Mike know so he can watch for them.
This program is open to kids from any school, though!
How to Get There
Racers Rec Room is located at 7088 Hwy #1 in Coldbrook. On the main floor is Dance Conxion.
Drive around to the back of the building, and you will see the entrance to Racers RecRoom at the lower level.
Overall
The kids (and adults) had such an awesome afternoon! It’s a great place to go on a rainy or snowy day and with an intergenerational group.
The kids couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had and can’t wait to go back. In the car on the way home my son said he was DEFINITELY having his birthday party there!
And, the adults have already planned a night out on our own there!
It’s a place you’ll want to keep coming back to! Definitely add Racers Rec Room to your bucket list! No skill required, and in fact, that makes for a way more fun time!
Contact
Give us “like” on Facebook!
(902) 692-1534
Mike.robicheau@outlook.com
**Racers Rec Room was originally located in Lakeville and was started by Mike Mason who sold it to Mike Robicheau. Mike Robicheau happened to be the very first paying customer of Mason’s when he first opened!
Mike Mason’s legacy will live on.
Uggly Pet Shop
Ugglgy Pet Shop
*Disclosure: Our family received samples of the Uggly Pet products to try out. All opinions are our own.*
Things are about to get UGGLY here!
Step inside the craziest pet shop in town! Your one-stop-shop store with fun galore, where you’ll find the grossest pack of pets that ever roamed the streets!
When the box of toys arrived in the mail, the boys were just a little bit excited to crack into it!
You can imagine their delight when we pulled out the Uggly Pet Shop!
With 101 wild characters to collect, you need to watch where you step because hidden amongst this group are 36 surprise poops to find! Who knows which Gross Home or 8-pack they will poop up in!
Perfect for kids aged 5+.
The Ugglys Pet Shop Toys are available from: Toys ‘R’ Us, Red Apple, Walmart, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Club Jouet, Showcase, The Northwest Company, Funky Toys, Indigo, and Benjo and range in price from $3.99-29.99.
The boys received The Ugglys Pet Shop Pet Store Pack.
It is described as a place to go for a laugh and a barf! This stinky store is your one stop Uggly shop “whiff” the lot! But watch your step- these crude critters aren’t house-trained! Open up the roof of the store to release your Gross Home with your exclusive Uggly pet. Press his home down to make a nasty sound! Be warned, this stinky store has grossness galore.
The Ugglys Pet Shop came with a Manic Monkey, which they had fun using it to explore the Pet Shop.
Of course the part that they, and all the neighbourhood kids loved the best was that when you press down on the roof, it makes gross sounds! Each time you press it, it makes a different noise! Try not to push down on it each time you walk by!
The boys also loved playing with the Pet Shop with other toys such as their Trash Packs, as they were just the right size!
Here, Daniel (9) gives you a tour of what it’s all about.
Overall
The boys really enjoyed playing with the Pet Shop, especially making all the funny noises!
Daniel (9) felt that the toy would be best suited for younger kids, 5-7.
Thomas (7) agreed. He and his friends loved the noises and thought it was a hilarious toy!
Mom loved that the batteries were included!
Available Products
The Ugglys have a whole series of products to choose from and combine.
The Ugglys Pet Shop 2 Pack
Approx. Retail Price: $3.99/Ages 5 years and up)
Start your gross collection today! Open up a can and unleash the madness! What putrid pet will you get? But watch out, they’re not house-trained! Includes: 1 can, 2 pets and 1 collector’s guide.
The Ugglys Pet Shop!™ Series 1 – Figures, 8-Pack
(Approx. Retail Price: $12.99/Ages 5 years & up)
Hang out with the Uggly gang! This 8 pack of putrid pets will add to your smelly tally of Ugglys! When you dare to buy this pack you are guaranteed at least one hidden poop to add to your collection. So come and get this gruesome gang. They are friendlier than you stink! Includes: 8 figurines, 1 or 2 hidden poops and 1 collector’s guide.
The Ugglys Pet Shop!™ Series 1 – Gross Homes
(Approx. Retail Price: $17.99/Ages 5 years & up)
Build up a stinky stack of gross homes to create the Uggliest Pet Store in town. Each gross home comes with its own smelly sound and exclusive pet. There are 6 horrid homes to collect: The Bone Home, Poop Coop, Doggy Dump, Mutt Hutt, Cat Shack and Rank Tank. Includes: 1 Gross Home with sound, 1 exclusive figurine, 0 or 1 surprise poop(s), 1 collector’s guide. Batteries included.
The Ugglys Pet Shop! Dirty Dog Wash Van
(Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Ages 5 years and up)
Ugg Town has gone to the dogs. It’s time to drench the stench and clean up this Pawful place with the Dirty Dog Wash Van. It’s full of nastiness for you to discover! Find out where your pet sits on the Uggly Scale. Dunk your dogs in the tub for some sickly sounds. Sit them down on the toilet and stand back! Push the van along to HEAR its nasty noises! This is one of the grossest vans in the land! It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it! These guys are all washed up and it’s not going to be pretty! Let’s Roll! Includes: 1 Dirty Dog Wash Van, 1 exclusive figurine. Batteries included.
The Ugglys Pet Shop Pet Store Pack
(Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Ages 5 years and up)
Welcome to the Ugglys Pet shop. The place to go for a laugh and a barf! This stinky store is your one stop Uggly shop “whiff” the lot! But watch your step- these crude critters aren’t house-trained! Open up the roof of the store to release your Gross Home with your exclusive Uggly pet. Press his home down to make a nasty sound! Be warned, this stinky store has grossness galore. Includes: 1 playset, 1 exclusive figurine. Batteries included.
For more information
Your chance to Win the Ugglys Pet Shop Gross Homes Pack (ARV $17.99)
Click on the banner to enter to win.
For one extra ballot, leave a comment to tell me who you would give the Ugglys Pet Shop Gross Homes Pack to!
Enter daily until December 9, 2015
This contest is open to Canadians only.
Test the #SubZeroDifference: High Quality Dog and Cat Food
High Quality Dog and Cat Food Test the #SubZeroDifference
This post is sponsored by Nutrience, PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the launch of Nutrience Subzero in PetSmart Canada but Valley Family Fun only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nutrience and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.
Meet Gracie. We rescued her from the pound 11 years ago and she’s become a central figure in our family. But now that she’s getting older, and grayer (who isn’t?) we want to make sure she is getting the best care so we can have her around as long as possible.
We are a busy family (who isn’t?). We don’t have a lot of time to shop around. We don’t have a lot of time to compare pet food.
We believe in supporting Canadian products.
We believe in giving our pets the best that we can.
Now, we can do all that and more with the new SubZero™ cat and dog food by Nutrience®.
Here’s really what you need to know:
It’s healthy and it’s grain free!
Tate, my parents’ dog will love this, as she is allergic to all dog food that contains grain! This will definitely not make her itch!
SubZero contains, amongst other things, multiple sources of proteins for a complete and more diverse essential amino acid profile. It has coconut oil and marine source omega-3 for a healthy skin & coat.
The most interesting part is that it uses freeze-dried technology. Ingredients are gently freeze -dried to lock in the natural goodness of raw foods.
There are 4 key ingredients that make up NUTRIBOOSTTM each with their own unique nutritional benefits.
- Green-Lipped Mussels – A natural anti-inflammatory to support joint health
- Pacific Cod Liver – A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy skin & coat
- Pumpkin – A good source of dietary fiber to support digestion
- Acadian Kelp – A variety of seaweed loaded with natural antioxidants to support a healthy immune
system
And, best of all it’s a Canadian pet food made in BC! It is produced in small batches for
superior quality control. Wild -caught fish, meat and poultry are sourced in Canada and
delivered fresh to the production facility!
You can’t get fresher than that!
How do I get some?
SubZero cat and dog food is available at PetSmart®. In Nova Scotia, this means it is available in Bedford, Dartmouth Crossing and Bayers Lake in Halifax.
Try some for FREE!
Head to any of the PetSmart locations on Saturday, November 28, 2015 for the launch of SubZero pet food! Bring in a bag of pet food from a competitor and receive a bag of SubZero for FREE!
To learn more, visit
PetSmart
Follow PetSmart on Facebook
Local Charity Roundup
Local Charity Project Roundup
“I’d like a one-stop shopping list of all the places that I could donate locally to Christmas projects. And preferably contact people or places. Thank you kindly.”
That’s the email that I got from my sister last year.
I was able to list off a few ideas of family projects to do this holiday season. Then, I realized that if she has this question, others might, too!
There is no greater lesson than having your kids participate in a family charity project. Teach your kids that Christmas is not all about getting, but giving to others as well.
Advent Random Acts of Kindness Calendar
Consider doing small acts of kindness each day on the lead up to Christmas. We did this last year and will definitely do it again this year.
There is a sample calendar that you can up load here.
It is always worth checking ahead with the organization to see what they most need, as things change over time.
List of Local Charity Roundups – 2019
Adopt an Animal
Adopt a Whale – Brier Island whales can be adopted. Pick the whale you would like to support and you will receive an information package.
Adopt a Turtle – At the Mersey Tobiatic Research Centre near Keji, you can adopt a turtle. Kits are to support research and monitoring of the endangered Blanding’s turtle in Nova Scotia.
Or, you can adopt a turtle through the Clean Annapolis River Project.
Angel Trees
Salvation Army: The County Fair Mall in New Minas, has an angel tree sponsored by the Salvation Army. It will run from Dec 7th-Dec 23nd.
The Greenwood Mall has a Tree of Helping Hands starting Dec.1st. Take a tag off the tree. It lists a Christmas present to buy for a child in need. Buy it, and put it under the tree with the tag attached.
Trees of Hope can be found in many locations, and can vary a bit from year to year. Windsor Home Hardware, Swinamer’s Home Building,
Animal Shelters
Animal shelters have lists of needs ranging from pet food to paper towel, vinegar, bleach, and kitty litter. Contact each shelter directly for their list of needs
Wolfville Animal Shelter Wish List
Camp Brigadoon
Camp Brigadoon on Aylesford Lake – always has a wish list. One year, our book club collected gently used children’s board games for the cabins at the camp.
Chrysalis House
Chrysalis House – shelter for women, based in Kentville, has a wish list. These range from household items to personal care items.
Churches
Contact a church near you to find out what charitable projects are happening. Many churches collect food, clothing, or make hampers for families in need. You may also be able to sponsor a family in need through a local church.
Coats for kids
There are several places in the Valley that will collect coats for kids. Drop them at Vail’s Dry-cleaning in New Minas or at any Sleep Country location for their Give a Kid a Coat program. (there is one in New Minas).
Food bank
As with any time of the year, the food banks always need donations of non-perishable food items. They will often take toys and books, too. Always ask first. Find a food bank near you.
Hants County Christmas Angels
DO YOU WANT TO HELP? There are four ways to donate
1. Sponsor a child’s wish for a toy or an entire family
2. Donate a new un-wrapped toy at the toy drive sponsors Rose Realty or Chuck Porter’s office or Kent in Windsor
3. Donate at www.christmasangels.ca
4. Donate your time as they need many volunteers
Kaleidoscope New Minas
Kaleidoscope New Minas is a program being developed by parents and volunteers to create social and recreation opportunities for adults with special needs.
As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, keep Kaleidoscope New Minas in mind before you toss away the “junk” that easily hides in the closet, the craft room, or the playroom.
They are looking for a few things so they can offer choices to the participants. Needed donations include books, puzzles, craft supplies and more. See their wish list.
Kids Action Program and 89.3 KRock –
All donations go directly to Valley kids and their families through the Kids Action Program.
Join us at the K-Rock on Santa’s Little Helpers Day, Thursday December 12 from 6 am – 6 pm for a full day of giving and Christmas spirit where you can make your donation live in our studio!
What to donate: Toys, clothing, household goods, and cash donations to make the season bright for kids and their families.
Kings County Family Resource Centre
The Kings County Family Resource Centre supports families throughout Kings County. We always appreciate any donations. The centre is located at 503A Main Street Kentville (in the basement of the Baptist church. We have things on hand to give away on a regular bases. For more information feel free to call 902-678-5760.
During the Christmas season we can always use
Formula all brands
Baby Wipes
Printer Paper
Pens
Play Dough
Children’s craft supplies: paint, glue, pom poms, construction paper, etc…
Thank you cards
Winter Hats, mittens, scarves
Blankets
Adopt a bit of Nova Scotia wildlife or a plot of nature. There is a catalogue with a variety of price points.
Open Arms Shelter
Open Arms shelter – Located in Downtown Kentville, Open Arms always appreciates donations.
Open Arms takes clothing and stores some for emergency needs and does a giveaway once a month.
Also needed:
Socks and underwear
Toiletries
Please drop off donations at Open Arms at 32 Cornwallis St. Kentville
Schools
Our schools always have needs. Contact the main office of a school near you to find out what is on their wish list. Donations to the school breakfast programs are always appreciated (anything nut-free, and low sugar). Often the resource departments have needs like socks, underwear and lice kits.
You may also be able to sponsor a family in need directly through the school.
Santas for Seniors, Annapolis Valley
The goal of the Santas for Seniors program is to spread happiness during the Holiday season! Local seniors’ homes have sent wish lists from residents who may not receive gifts for Christmas. These seniors are available for community members to “adopt”!
Stockings were Hung
A community fundraiser collecting items to fill stockings to donate to local youth for Christmas. More details here
Valley Regional Hospital
Through our book club, we have done a lot of donation projects for the hospital. To find out what is needed most, contact the main desk to speak to someone there. Or, contact the Valley Regional Foundation office.
Here is what we have donated in the past:
Sleepers (newborn, preemie or 0-3 month sizes)
Band-Aids for kids – ones with cool characters or colours on them. These are given to kids when they come in for blood work.
Colouring Books – these are also given to kids who come in for blood work or other procedures
Toothbrushes and mini Tooth Paste – if people have to stay unexpectedly in the hospital, these are the items that get requested the most.
