Cultural return | We go out as a family

Under the snowflakes or warm indoors, here are four suggestions for family outings to start the year off right.

Celebrate winter in Laval

Snowball fights, obstacle courses, snow sculpture workshops, disco on skates… This is just an overview of the many activities offered as part of the 17^e edition of Laval en blanc, which will be held from January 26 to 28, at the Center de la nature. Various shows, including a concert by the children’s group Les Petites Tounes, and fireworks will also brighten up these free winter festivities.

Laval en blanc, from January 26 to 28, at the Laval Nature Center

Travel to the theater

Go on a journey to discover the unknown with Nora the walker. In this puppet show intended for ages 4 and up, we follow the journey of a little girl whose precious scarf flies away just as she begins her adventure. As she tries to find this present offered by her grandparents, she meets surprising people. A piece that highlights not only the art of puppetry, but also drawing and music.

The room Nora the walker is presented at the Maison de la culture Claude-Léveillée, in Montreal, on January 27 at 3 p.m. Four other performances are planned in the metropolis in February.

Tinkering at the museum

Young visitors to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and their parents are invited to express their creativity. During the “Farfelus hurluberlus” workshop, they will be able to use their imagination and make funny characters from mixed materials. Will their creation have a slender neck? Short legs? Huge feet? Toddlers, aged 2 to 5, can take part in the “Comical Cocos” workshop and design a short-lived fanciful character. Please note that entry to the museum is free for those aged 20 and under.

Farfelus hurluberlus, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., until January 28
Comic Cocos, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., until January 28

Dancing in the open air

Music and the outdoors. Here is the winning combination for the Polar Rendezvous at RécréoParc de Sainte-Catherine. Located a stone’s throw from Montreal, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the place offers three Saturdays of special activities in January and February. It all begins on January 20 with an “extreme challenges” day, during which young and old will have to climb, crawl and climb to overcome a series of obstacles in an entertaining course. In the evening, a DJ will keep the crowd dancing to music from the 1970s and 1980s. On site, it is also possible to go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or skating, weather conditions permitting.

January 20 and February 3 and 10, from noon