Ottawa Family Fun

For those of you who planned ahead enough to get a babysitter (good for you!) here is what I have been able to find regarding things to do.

As a Couple:
Brookstreet in Kanata is a really nice place and if you are looking for a fancy place to go (and are not to worried about your budget), you might consider this.

As a Family or as a couple
For a more economical, but still very nice, the Marshes also has a dance and buffet (and kids are allowed at this one). Check out the website for Brookstreet for all of the options (http://www.brookstreethotel.com/index.htm) (See the right hand column for New Year’s Eve Festivities)

To do some research on any restaurant in the Ottawa area, check out RestaurantThing.com It is kind of an epinions for Ottawa restaurants. (The main page shows 100 restaurants randomly - if you want to see all of them, there’s a link in the left hand margin) There are too many for me to list. This site allows you to find some hidden gems that you might enjoy.

As a Family
For a family event, check out the free Family Alcohol-Free (not free alcohol!) party at Ben Franklin Place. It looks like Rick Chiaralli (City Councelor) has organized this: http://www.rickchiarelli.com/newyearseve.html. It ends at 10:00 PM with fireworks. (Sleigh rides, Skating, Face Painting, other activities).

And, for the most complete New Year’s Eve Guide I have found for Ottawa, check out Ottawa Start’s New Year’s Eve Guide.

At Home with Family and Friends
If you plan on having a fun night at home with the kids (and maybe some friends), here are some great games you might consider:

The Cranium games have been a favourite of mine.
- Their latest Family Fun game is great for families with kids over 7 yrs old.
- Twister is fun for kids of all ages.
- Trouble (or Frustration)
- Connect Four
- Pen Hockey (I loved playing that as a kid)
- Card Games (Sanp, Spoons, War, Fish, Hearts, … Texas Hold Em!?)

Our kids love to dance, so putting some tunes on and letting them boogie is another great idea.

Have fun and have a Happy New Year!

For those of you who planned ahead enough to get a babysitter (good for you!) here is what I have been able to find regarding things to do.

As a Couple:
Brookstreet in Kanata is a really nice place and if you are looking for a fancy place to go (and are not to worried about your budget), you might consider this.

As a Family or as a couple
For a more economical, but still very nice, the Marshes also has a dance and buffet (and kids are allowed at this one). Check out the website for Brookstreet for all of the options (http://www.brookstreethotel.com/index.htm) (See the right hand column for New Year’s Eve Festivities)

To do some research on any restaurant in the Ottawa area, check out RestaurantThing.com It is kind of an epinions for Ottawa restaurants. (The main page shows 100 restaurants randomly - if you want to see all of them, there’s a link in the left hand margin) There are too many for me to list. This site allows you to find some hidden gems that you might enjoy.

As a Family
For a family event, check out the free Family Alcohol-Free (not free alcohol!) party at Ben Franklin Place. It looks like Rick Chiaralli (City Councelor) has organized this: http://www.rickchiarelli.com/newyearseve.html. It ends at 10:00 PM with fireworks. (Sleigh rides, Skating, Face Painting, other activities).

And, for the most complete New Year’s Eve Guide I have found for Ottawa, check out Ottawa Start’s New Year’s Eve Guide.

At Home with Family and Friends
If you plan on having a fun night at home with the kids (and maybe some friends), here are some great games you might consider:

The Cranium games have been a favourite of mine.
- Their latest Family Fun game is great for families with kids over 7 yrs old.
- Twister is fun for kids of all ages.
- Trouble (or Frustration)
- Connect Four
- Pen Hockey (I loved playing that as a kid)
- Card Games (Sanp, Spoons, War, Fish, Hearts, … Texas Hold Em!?)

Our kids love to dance, so putting some tunes on and letting them boogie is another great idea.

Have fun and have a Happy New Year!