Summer Bucket list for Parents & Babies
Ah, summer, the easy breezy, warm and sunny time of year that most Manitobans look forward to all year long. It’s short, sweet and wonderful!
Here are our suggestions to make the most of summer in Manitoba with your littles.
☀️ Water Fun & Splash Time
1. City-run Splash Pads & Wading Pools
Explore Winnipeg’s network of splash pads and wading pools—perfect for little ones who aren’t yet walking or just learning. Ideal spots include Kildonan Park, Corydon CC and The Forks splash pad. These are free, safe, and stroller-friendly.
- Corydon CC- River Heights site or Crescentwood. River Heights location is well shaded, with soft rubberized surfaces on the playground beside the splashpad. There’s fence around the perimeter which is ideal in case you have any “runners”, or multiple children. Crescentwood location is new with rubberized surfaces and worth a visit.
- Kildonan Park Outdoor Pool. Has a really great outdoor pool with a deep end, shallow end and beach entry. There’s also a splash pad which is great for crawlers and new walkers, and lots of shade. Go early as it fills on weekends and hot afternoons.
- Bridgwater Lakes Fountain (next to a playground) or Bridgwater Trails Fountain
- Vimy Ridge Park- centrally located and super little kid/baby friendly with beach entry, lots of shade and a fence all around.
- The Forks splash pad- run by Parks Canada, this splash pad has different opening dates and hours compared to City of Winnipeg locations.
2. Beach-entry Pools for Crawlers & Walkers
Pools like Seven Oaks and Pan Am feature gradual beach entry—lovely for introducing babies to water in a gentle way.
🌳 Park Strolls & Picnics
3. Picnic at Kings Park
Enjoy a shaded, relaxed afternoon beside University of Manitoba. It’s stroller-friendly and perfect for low-key time outdoors.
4. Assiniboine Park – Gardens, Play & Zoo
Take in the English Garden, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, or the Zoo’s Polar Playground—interactive elements that fascinate infants and toddlers alike.
5. Nature Trails & Quiet Green Spaces
Walk stroller-accessible trails in places like Bois‑des‑Esprits or Assiniboine Forest. They’re quiet, shaded, and a calm escape in the city.
6. Fit Together Stroller Fitness and Adventure Club
Make a weekly commitment to get some exercise and fresh air with Fit Together. Our flexible make-up class policy also helps you work around trips and vacations. Schedule
🏛️ Indoor & Educational Outings
7. Manitoba Children’s Museum at The Forks
Perfect even for babies, thanks to the Tot Spot toddler area and sensory-rich exhibits like the train engine, splash lab, and illusion tunnel.
8. Manitoba Museum
Toddler-friendly with expansive space, exhibits on Prairie, Arctic life, and the historic ship Nonsuch – a great sensory exploration experience.
9. Winnipeg Public Libraries.
Check out your local library or visit a “destination library”. Bill and Helen Norrie library has wonderful baby and kid friendly reading nooks, an outdoor patio, as well as an amazing accessible playground steps outside the door. Windsor Park library was built new in 2018 and features gorgeous window walls. Cornish Library is a cosy historic building with a stunning glass reading room added in 2021.
🐾 Animal Encounters & Nature Centre
10. Assiniboine Zoo’s Journey to Churchill
Watch polar bears swim overhead, explore Arctic habitats, and enjoy the interactive Aurora Borealis wall—stimulating and fascinating for little ones.
11. Living Prairie Museum & Monarch Festival
Free to visit and features walking trails through native prairie, plus live butterflies and family-friendly events like the Monarch Butterfly Festival in July.
🍋 Local Eats, Culture & Light Exploring
12. Visit The Forks Market
Sample local treats in a family-friendly space, then take a scenic stroll or a short historical boat ride along the rivers.
13. Folklorama (August)
If your baby can last into the evening, consider checking out one of the family-themed pavilions during Folklorama—a vibrant cultural celebration with sensory-rich visuals and music.
🧺 Chill-at-Home & Simple Joys
14. Backyard gardening with baby
Spend slow, sunny mornings planting flowers or veggies with your little one nearby. A sensory-rich, peaceful bonding time.
15. Family-friendly food experiences
Pick up local berries, watermelon, or visit Jardin St. Leon in St. Boniface for fresh produce. Munching outdoors always feels a bit more magical.
16. Blow bubbles
Head to the nearest park and dazzle baby with bubbles on the wind. We recommend the bubble wands from the dollar store, or definitely the spill proof ones if you have toddlers or little kids.
🧺 Day trips and bigger adventures
17. Baby’s first camping trip
This is a rite of passage for many Manitoba Families. Check out our Camping with Littles blog post.
18. Go to the beach
A classic Manitoban activity that is on the list for many families this summer is to visit one of our gorgeous beaches.
- Birds Hill Park (can be paired with Grandma’s Cupboard Ice Cream in Lockport). The closest beach to city limits, Birds Hill Beach is a one a man-made lake, with several playgrounds, washrooms, a food stand, and walking paths.
- Grand Beach is the biggest and most lively beach on the list. Washrooms, a playground, food and retail kiosks and a board walk are available. It’s quieter down by the camp grounds.
- Patricia Beach is a little known and quieter beach on the way to Grand Beach. Parking is very close, and there is one food stand with non modern washrooms. The beach has lots of trees and plants, so you can likely find privacy and a bit of shade.
- Gimli Beach- a nice beach with restaurants, shops and a coffee place nearby. A great day out!
✅ Optional Bonus:
- Tinkertown amusement for older toddlers and small-sibling visits to see rides they'll one day enjoy.
- Fort Whyte Alive for stroller-friendly nature walks and a glimpse at live bison from a safe distance.
- Movies in the Park at the Lyric Theatre
This is a fun outing for the whole family if baby doesn’t mind staying up a bit or likes to sleep outdoors. Early movie is 6:30 and late one is 8:45 PM. details
Best wishes for an exciting season!
Aileen and the Fit Together team
PS please join us for our Fit Together Stroller Patio Crawl on Tuesday September 2, 1 PM. RSVP and details here
