Boring, boring, boring… that’s what Sarnia is in the winter. There’s nothing to do. I hear it all the time. Sure it’s boring if you don’t make any effort to find the fun! I get in a rut sometimes, too, so here is a little list I have come up with of budget friendly family fun ideas:

1. Stones and Bones Museum – A local treasure! There are real dinosaur bones and a fluorescent minerals light show! What kid wouldn’t like that? Plus, you can get a family membership for an entire year for around $30 and visit as often as you like. Membership also includes a discounted rate in the souvenir shop which has some super cool stuff. You can’t beat the value.
2. *Drop In Programs – There are actually a ton of drop in programs around the city! Visit the EarlyON Lambton and St. Clair Child and Youth Drop In Calendar. The main drop at the College is even open Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm (holiday and summer hours may vary). Depending on time of year, the is a fantastic drop in playgroup at Temple Bapist Church Wednesday mornings from 10 -11:30. This was always a favourite with my kids because there was so much room to run around and play.
3. *Go play outside. Seriously. Even if it’s just for a half hour… get on your winter gear and pull your kids around in their sleds. Fun for the kids, good exercise for you! It’s a win-win. Make snow angels, snowmen, build a snow fort, fill up squirt bottles with water and food colouring and “paint” the snow (my kids LOVE doing this).
4. *Children’s Animal Farm – Not quite as fun in the winter but it’s still open 8am-3:30pm and there are still a few animals to visit.
5. Go swimming. Sarnia’s Jerry McCaw Family Centre YMCA and Petrolia YMCA both have open family swim times both on the weekdays and weekends! Go make a splash!
6. Go to the movies! I know the Cineplex can get pricey but it makes for super fun memories for the kids and is a nice way to spend an afternoon indoors. Every Saturday morning at 11am, there is the Cineplex Family Favourites (is listed as “A Family Favourites Presentation” on showtimes list) that is only $2.99 admission!
7. Bowling. What kid does not love to throw balls? Marcin Bowl and Hiway Bowl have you covered! Family Rock N’ Bowl is always a ton of fun.  See their websites for their other hours and rates.
8. *Visit the Judith and Normal Alix Art Gallery. This is a great way to teach kids about the arts and encourage their creativity! Every Sunday afternoon from 1-3pm, the gallery offers a free family art drop in  where you can get hands on and make a special art project to take home.
9. *Wander around the Lambton Mall.  You don’t have to buy anything (just steer clear of Toys R US ;)).. My kids love going and just running around in there. It’s a great way for them to blow off some steam on the days it’s too cold to be outside.
10.  *Go skating! During the winter months, there is a FREE public skate Monday – Thursday for kids 5 years and under from 9-10:30am at Clearwater Arena. There are also public and family skating times on the weekends for just $2. See the Public Skating schedule here.
11. *Take your kids to the Sarnia Children’s LIBRARY! That big building downtown that is full of things you can browse and even borrow if you want! Cds, DVDs, video games, magazines, books. Real books. Made of paper. It’s all free! The children’s library also has toys and a train table to entertain your kids while you look at their books.
12. *About once a month, Lowes and Home Depot offer free building workshops for kids (usually ages 4+ but is noted per project on the websites)! Visit their websites for info and registration. They make some pretty cool stuff!
13. Visit District Beta! There are a old video game consoles, arcade games, virtual reality chambers, air hockey and fuseball tables and is just in general a cool place. It is in the same building as Sarnia Laser Tag and rockclimbing and Hiway Bowl (there is a restaurant here) so you could really make a fun day out of it if you wanted to.

You’re welcome.

If you have any other ideas, I would love to know them! Leave a comment below!

* Denotes FREE activities

*UPDATED March 2019 from original publish in 2015.