Kids in the Capital

What's keeping you sane right now? Answer with a GIF or comment What's keeping you sane right now? Answer with a GIF or comment

Looking for a great local art class that your child can do virtually? We checked out Good Morning Creative Arts and Preschool's creative arts clases and my daughter had so much fun. I love that it doesn't require any special art supplies! ~ Misty

What are some of the new things you’ve tried or ways you’ve adapted during the pandemic?

Who remembers the struggle? - Tracy

This is a fun contest from our friends at Kiddie Kobbler Stittsville / Kanata! Have you celebrated a milestone birthday during COVID? You could win prizes!

Have you checked out the Lime Kiln Trail in Stony Swamp? It’s a great trail because you can do a short walk with little ones to the lime kiln ruins (lots of climbing opportunities) or you can go for a longer 5km hike. And of course - feed the sweet chickadees!! Warning: the mosquitos are still TERRIBLE!!! Bring bug spray! ~ Misty

Have you ever checked out the Orleans waterfall? A fun place for kids to climb and explore! ~ Misty

The Ottawa Public Library / Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa is back with recommendations on stories about friendship. They share books suitable for newborns up to age 12 (and a little older) and all of them celebrate the joys of friendship in its many forms. - Tracy https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca///stories-about-friendship #childrensbooks #booksforkids #librarybooks

These are funny ~ Misty

I love seeing how inclusive people are becoming. I hadn't heart the term chestfeeding but I fully embrace using language that doesn't exclude anyone. Way to go Ottawa Public Health! ~Lara

I created this backdrop in my office for zoom calls and then we did one in my daughter's room too. Multi purpose and a fun project for us to do together! https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca/blog/trianglemural

If your kids are homeschooling, this would be a fantastic Facebook live event to check out today at 1pm! Who remembers Charles from the Toronto Zoo? I used to visit him as a kid, and he's still alive and well today! ~ Misty

Would you eat this? Would your kids eat this? I asked my 12-year-old daughter and she said she would rather throw up in her mouth. - Tracy https://www.facebook.com//photos/a.7760/10157498017617283/

Good news - online booking at Brewer is now open!

Do your kids enjoy reading graphic novels? The Ottawa Public Library / Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa shares some of 2020's best in their latest KITC guest post. - Tracy https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca//22/great-graphic-novels-2 #ChildrensBooks #LibraryBooks

Ohhh..... - Tracy

FYI: a pop-up testing site this weekend!! ~ Misty

I was just talking about these scenarios with a fellow parent this morning. - Tracy

This is a serious problem :( Have you had a similar experience? ~ Misty

For those who have started school (virtual or in-person), we're curious to hear how you're all doing. What are some of the wins you've had? Challenges? My kiddos are in-person and started Sept 3rd, so it's been a couple of weeks already! One win is that they love their teachers and everyone has been so kind and supportive of the kids. Our big challenge is how LOUD things get, as kids are not moving around the school as much and stuck in one class most of the day. Both my kiddos are coming home complaining of headaches from all the noise ~ Misty

Right now, a lot of us aren’t feeling OK for a lot of reasons. Whatever we’re doing as parents, we feel like someone else out there is judging us for being a bad parent. So, we want to be the voice that tells you it’s OK! https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca//parenting-in-a-pandemin-y

We can hope, right!? ~ Misty

Librarians recommend 15 books for kids dealing with anxiety. - Tracy

Have you been back to visit Parc Omega yet? It's beautiful there in the fall!! ~ Misty

Two ways I measure this: does it smell bad, and is there anything hairy growing on it? ~ Misty

I keep hearing about how many criticisms people are getting for all their decisions through this pandemic so I want to be a voice that tells you we’re ok. Sending love - Lara https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca//parenting-in-a-pandemin-y

Thinking of heading out for a hike this weekend? ~ Misty

If your child is struggling with anxiety, this blog post addresses childhood anxiety and suggests some informative books and websites that may help when it comes to learning more about childhood worries and anxiety. - Tracy https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca//back-to-school-and-childh

Apple picking is open at the Orleans Fruit Farm, and there are a few changes this year - Lara visited with her family and tells us all about it!

Many of you are apple picking this weekend. A family-favourite orchard is the Log Cabin Orchard in Osgoode. Where are you picking apples this year? - Tracy https://kidsinthe-capital.squarespace.com//pick-your-own-a

How are you spending the long weekend? Whether you’re apple picking, camping or having a quiet weekend at home, we hope you’re having fun!How are you spending the long weekend? Whether you’re apple picking, camping or having a quiet weekend at home, we hope you’re having fun!

Every time ~ Misty

The Canadian Museum of Nature - Musée canadien de la nature reopens tomorrow! Great news for those who miss seeing the dinosaurs, other permanent exhibitions, and their newly installed earth sculpture in their atrium! - Tracy Learn everything you need to know about their COVID-19 safety protocols here >> https://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/admission/welcome-back

Face masks aside, back to school fashion has definitely changed over the years - Tracy

Kids in the Capital/ The Biz Studio with Lara Wellman has been spending a lot of the last week or so pulling business owners from around Ottawa together to help school kids going back to school in the OCDSB, specifically kids who come from families that will have a hard time affording some of the extra costs and needs that come with COVID-19 Today my daughter and I delivered 1150 water bottles and some boots and other outdoor gear to 7 schools around the city and the gratitud...e from these schools let me know just how needed these things were. We're still hoping to help more schools with new water bottles (anyone have canceled sports tournaments in the spring with water bottles that could be donated to kids who can't afford them and won't be able to drink from the water fountains??) and we're collecting gently used outdoor clothing (boots, rain coats, snow suits and winter boots and mitts) and backpacks for a couple of the schools we visited today. (Message our page to find out how you can help too) I specifically want to thank some of the businesses that stepped up with donations to help out including David Hollingsworth, Ottawa PersonaI Injury Lawyers, Tag Along Toys, Merry Maids of Ottawa, Kiddie Kobbler Stittsville / Kanata. There have also been many other business owners who have made personal donations to buy more that the kids need. In a time when a lot of things feel hard, seeing how many people stepped up to make something really good happen made my heart feel really good! ~Lara

Happy first day of school to Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est students today. Have a safe and fun first day!Happy first day of school to Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est students today. Have a safe and fun first day!

Do you you have a teen who loves Dungeons and Dragons? The Ottawa Public Library / Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa is offering free online Dungeons and Dragons sessions for teenagers aged 13-18. Each session will be over the course of two weeks, from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays. They are offering five different sessions which can be found at the link below

We know for some families figuring school out for the fall is more complicated. Our friends at Fresh Legal are offering some support for free with thei covid-19 helpline. ~Lara **** Do you have questions about Covid-19 and co-parenting? Wondering about returning to school or activities? We are still offering our free Covid-19 helpline. Book a call here: https://www.freshlegal.ca/covid-19-helpline