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Hey Reader!

Have you started thinking about the summer? I don't know if my brain is in that place yet, but since Parks Canada is opening campground reservations next week, I guess it's time!

In today's newsletter you'll find:

• Tips on booking a campsite in Alberta
• Ways to entertain the kids while camping (or just getting them outside)
• Featured destination: Banff
• At home: Introduce a family activity
• Events happening around the province
• School lunch ideas

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✨ What's Happening at Alberta Mamas

I've started reviewing all the camping content on the website. There is a lot to go through!

Let's start this camping season out by highlighting the first step - finding a campsite!

Parks Canada Reservations: Tips, Tricks and Dates Alberta's first reservation window opens January 21, but the first ones in Canada open January 16! Read article

Best Websites to Find Campgrounds in Alberta Don't want a GoA/GoC campground? Here are the best websites to find alternatives! Read article

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🛍 Find of the Week

I've been sitting on this one for a couple weeks waiting for this newsletter! This kid-friendly microscope is SO COOL (and super popular with close to 1000 sales across colours in the last month).

I'm going to order one for our trailer this summer as another activity for the kids to do (here are 150 other ideas!).

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⭐ Feature: Banff

Of all destinations in Alberta, Banff is by far the most popular and globally known, and there's a reason! It's an absolutely stunning location.

The campgrounds in Banff will open for booking on January 23rd. With the Canada Strong Pass over the summer you don't need a park pass, and campsite fees are 25% off!

Getting started on planning a trip to Banff? Here are some of my top tips:

• ​Where to Stay - my top picks are
  • ​Buffalo Mountain Lodge​
  • ​Douglas Fir - the only waterslides in town
  • ​Fox Hotel - the most amazing hot tub
• ​What to Do With Kids​

If you're planning to visit this winter, here is a list of things to do specifically during the low season (my personal favourite time to visit!):

• Gondola: you can get a double admission for both the day and night show - or time it so you go up, eat at the restaurant, and then take in the evening show
• Hot springs: Banff Upper or drive out to Golden
• Museums: Cave & Basin NHS, Whyte Museum, Buffalo Nation Indigenous Museum
• Hikes: popular winter hikes include Johnston Canyon, Troll Falls, Heart Creek Bunker, Fairview Lookout
• Sites/Views: Surprise Corner, Lake Minewanka, Bow Falls, Morant Curve train viewpoint
• Winter activities: dog sledding, tubing, ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, snow shoeing

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🏠 At Home Activity

Have the January Blahs hit your house yet? The holiday excitement is over, all the get togethers have happened, the shine is gone from new Christmas toys...

This is the perfect time to introduce a new family tradition. Here are a few ideas:

• ​Family game night​
• ​Retro movie "education"​

Or reach out to a mom friend and set up a sleepover swap so you can both get a date night!

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📅 Events Around Alberta (This Weekend)

There's always a lot happening around Alberta. Here are a few highlights from this coming weekend:

• Calgary: Mac & Cheese Festival​
• Edmonton: Deep Freeze: Byzantine Winter Fest​
• Rocky Mountains: SnowDays Festival, Banff
• Southern Alberta: Lethbridge Wildlife Festival​
• Central Alberta: Wetaskiwin Legion Pancake Breakfast​
• Northern Alberta: stretching here - Jasper in January (I just couldn't find anything else, I'm sorry!)

🎯 Find more through your local event calendar!

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👨‍🍳 Recipe to Try

Burned out on making school lunches? 🙋‍♀️

Hopefully this post will give you a small spark of creativity to get through until Teachers' Convention!

School Lunch Ideas ​ Get the Recipe

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📌 Alberta Fact of the Week

Banff is Canada's first national park, created to preserve the area around hot springs found on Sulphur Mountain in 1883.

Find more about Alberta in any of these great books about Alberta.

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💭 Share Your Thoughts

Are you going camping this summer? Hit reply and tell me "Yes!" or "No."

Can't wait to hear from you!

Jen

P.S. We’ve written a lot about camping in Alberta - start here for all the tips and destinations.

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