Capital EX 2012: 10 Things To Do With Your Young Kids

Capital Ex is rolling into Edmonton from Friday, July 20 – Saturday, July 28, 2012 and we’ve rounded up the ten ‘must sees and must dos’ for young families with kids aged six and younger.

1. Go To The Parade

This is Edmonton’s biggest parade and the one we wait for longingly. 100 marching bands, floats, horses, clowns plus, new this year, 60’ helium balloons and a helium float.  The theme this year is music and they’ll be handing out goodies to people dressed as their favourite musician or wearing a concert t-shirt starting at 10am.

When: Thursday, July 19 at 11am – 12pm. (Note it starts an hour earlier this year.)
Where: Parade route. Travels west down 102 Ave starting at 99 St to 105 Street, then back east along 103 Ave.

2.  Kids MidWay

Rides and games petite sized and appropriate for the little ones. Watch their little faces light up and get your camera ready for the perfect shot.

Where: On the northside of the grounds, between the Edmonton Expo Centre and Rexall Place.   

Consider also wandering down to the big slide. It's a fun ride to go on together.

3. The Farm

This interactive exhibit is a favourite. Kids under 10 will enjoy learning about the farm - barns, gardens and tractor pits while participating in activities such as calf roping, cow milking and potato planting. Go shopping at the end of the exhibit and connect the food from farm to plate.  

Where: Hall C, Edmonton EXPO Centre

4. Capital Ex Train

Take a ride on a mini steam train around Bonanza park. This train runs every 10 minutes and carries 120 passengers. A great way to get off your feet and have a break.

Where:  On the east side of the midway, just south of the large slide.  

5.  Pancake Breakfasts

Capital Ex week wouldn’t be the same without sticky Pancake Breakfasts. While it appears there won’t be daily breakfasts like years past, there are still four to choose from. Plus Celiacs will be happy to know that Kinnikinnick will be serving gluten free pancakes at these four events!

• Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast / Capital Ex Pancake Breakfast @ Churchill Square – July 19th (7 – 10am). $4
• Canadian Celiac Association Gluten Free Pancake Breakfast @ Kinnikinnick, 10940 120 St NW – July 21st (9 – 11am). $5
• Premier’s Pancake Breakfast @ South Legislature Grounds – July 24^th (7 – 9am). Free.
• Heritage Safeway Pancake Breakfast @ Heritage Safeway Location – July 26th (7:30 – 10am). $4

UPDATE JULY 20 --> Thanks to City and Baby Fan, Carrie, for directing us to the Safeway Pancake Breakfast schedule. Hooray!

6. TELUS Stage Family Entertainment

Capital Ex is bringing some much loved television characters to the stage this year with shows at 1:00pm and 3:30pm.  This is a not-to-miss highlight if your little one is head-over-heels for one of these:

• Dorothy the Dinosaur and Friends –  July 20, 21, 22
• Thomas and Friends – July 23, 24, 25
• Strawberry Shortcake’s Musical Playdate – July 26 & 27
• Caillou Musical Playdate – July 28 & 29

Snap a picture or two with your child and one of these characters during a meet and greet. They happen daily at 5:30pm.

• Chuck the Dump Truck – July 20 & 21
• Pingu- July 22 & 23
• Angelina Ballerina- July 24 &25
• Strawberry Shortcake – July 26 &27
• Caillou – July 28 & 29

Location: Hall C - Family Fun Town Stage, Edmonton Expo Centre

7. Rhythms of the World

Celebrate Edmonton’s multicultural heritage with entertainers, artists, storyboards
and interactive activities from the First Nation, Metis, Ukranian, Italian, Chinese and Indian
cultures. Great opportunity to expose your children to different cultures. Check out the schedule for details.

Where: Hall B, Edmonton EXPO Centre

8. Live Music for Kids

Also on the Family Fun Town Stage are two well-known and well-loved kids entertainers.

Fred Penner is performing July 20 – 24.

Shows at 2:30pm and 4pm.
Additional show on July 21 & 22 at 7:30pm.

I’m so excited about seeing Fred Penner because I remember listening to him as a child.

Splash’N Boots is performing July 25 – 29

Shows at 2:30pm and 4pm. Additional show on July 28 & 29 at 7p.m.

 Location: Hall C - Family Fun Town Stage, Edmonton Expo Centre

9. Construction Zone

This interactive kid-sized world will give Children the opportunity to use their imaginations to build structures out of large blocks. Perfect activity for busy kids. The mini construction hard hats are adorable. Make sure to take a picture.

Where: Hall C, Edmonton EXPO Centre

10. Bixby’s Inflatable Rainforest Fun Center

Conservation and going green is the theme of this attraction. The puppet shows and crafts will be worth checking out. But we’re betting on the inflatable’s maze, slide and 20,000 ball crawl will capture the most attention.

Where: Hall C, Edmonton EXPO Centre

What's your favourite part of Capital Ex?

Are you going to Capital Ex or have you already been this year? What are you looking forward to? What did you and your kids enjoy the most? We’d love to hear your reviews. Please share in the comments below.