WestIslandKids.com

The 11th annual camp fair will be held on Sunday February 19th from noon to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Pointe Claire. Admission is free.

Here’s your chance to meet with around 50 day and sleep away camp representatives in one afternoon. The Camp Fair brings together representatives of summer camps from Quebec, Ontario and the United States. Held at the Holiday Inn Pointe Claire, this FREE event will give parents a chance to meet the staff from various day and residential (sleepover) camps.

This is a perfect solution for busy parents who don’t have the time to visit camps individually or do extensive research online. Staff and directors attending the fair will be displaying photos, showing video footage and handing out brochures. If parents find a summer program that interests them, most camps will allow you to sign your child up on the spot.

The Holiday Inn Pointe Claire is located at 6700 Trans Canada Highway (Highway 40 & St. Jean Blvd.)

If you have any children under 5 years old and are looking for a way to pass a few hours, there’s a “Drop-In Café” housed in the basement of the Beth Tikvah synagogue in DDO (program is not religious in nature). The cost is $5 for one child and there is no commitment or registration required. It’s a drop-in playroom (fantastic space with slide, mats, ball pit, tons of toys and a wonderful animator). Parents can chat over coffee as the kids play. Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30.

The play area is located at 136 Westpark in Dollard des Ormeaux. For more information call Shelley at (514) 683-5610, email them at info@playfulparenting.ca or visit the website at PlayfulParenting.ca.

Now that winter is finally here, several West Island communities are organizing some fun outdoor activities for the entire family.

Here are some to keep in mind when looking for things to do with your children.

Pointe Claire Winter Ice Breaker

On Saturday January 21st, 2012 Pointe-Claire will hold a Winter Ice Break event from noon to 4:00 pm. They will have a BBQ, dog sledding and ice sculptures as some of the featured activities. For more information and directions to the event visit their Winter Ice Break information page.

Kirkland Carnival 2012

Although the Kirkland Carnival runs from Wednesday January 25, 2012 to Saturday January 28, 2012 the majority of the family activities will take place on Saturday the 28th of January at Meades Park and Sports Complex between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Activities include face painting, crafts, sleigh rides, ice sculptures, inflatables and outdoor games. For a full schedule and more information download the event brochure at The Kirkland Winter Carnival site.

Family Skate Day in Pointe-Claire

On Saturday, February 4th, 2012 Pointe-Claire will have a Family Skate Day at Hermitage Park from noon to 4:00 pm.

Dorval Winter Festival 2012

Dorval will host a winter festival from February 8th - February 12th, 2012. Events include sleigh rides, winter inflatables, entertainers and refreshments. A complete schedule of activities can be found on their Winter Festival Dorval 2012 page.

Dollard des Ormeaux Winter Carnival 2012

This year’s winter carnival in DDO takes place on Sunday February 12th, 2012 from noon to 4:00 pm. Some activities offered include horse drawn carriages, inflatables, ice sculpting and tobogganing. Visit Dollard-des-Ormeaux Winter Carnival Page for an up to date list of activities.

Sainte Anne de Bellevue Winter Carnival 2012

The winter carnival in Sainte Anne de Bellevue takes place from February 16th to the 19th, 2012. Friday night a disco on ice skating party at Parc Aumais. Saturday activities start at noon with sleigh rides, ice sculptures, inflatables and refreshments. Saturday evening there will be a food tasting from many of the village merchants followed by a fireworks show at 8:00 pm. Visit the Winter Carnival 2012 page for complete details.

Fête des neiges de Montréal

If you can’t get enough of winter activities on the West Island, the city of Montreal has more activites as part of it’s winter festival that takes place over three weekends starting January 21st. More information is avalable on the Fête des neiges de Montréal 2012 site.

The Québec Winter Carnival

Let’s not forget the world’s largest winter carnival just hours away in Quebec city. This year it runs from January 27th to February 12th, 2012. The Official Site of the Quebec Winter Carnival has all the details planned for this years event.

Every year Canada Post offers an opportunity for your children to write to Santa and receive a letter back from him. You can find details about this in our Letters to Santa post.

This year, instead of just a letter why not create an individuaized video straight from the North Pole. The process is easy and free. In just a few simple steps you can create a customized video from Santa to your children, friends or family. Your video could be for a child or adult who has been either naughty or nice this past year. Visit the site Portable North Pole and click on the Start Here button. You will be asked to provide some information about the person you want to send the video to and in a few minutes you will receive a link to your video. A simple and fun gift your children, famly and friends can enjoy. Merry Christmas from the West Island Kids Team!