FIVE THINGS TO DO DURING MARCH BREAK
HAYLEY JUHL
Most Quebec grade schools are breaking for a pre-spring holiday the week of March 6. Here are several ideas to keep yourself and your kids from going stir-crazy.
BE FREE
It’s electric, that moment when a butterfly alights on your shoulder or outstretched hand. Light as air, bright as Skittles, thousands of butterflies from around the world have been set free at the Botanical Garden. After spending some time with the butterflies, you can get to work checking out the Atta Ants exhibition, where “each ant is assigned a task based on its age.” Just like at home. New this year is the Insectarium’s Génial! app (in French only), which has tons of extra information in the form of videos, games, and quizzes. $8-$20.25. 4101 Sherbrooke St. E., espacepourlavie.ca, 514872-1400.
HAVE AN ART ATTACK
Take your busy bees to an art hive. The Sherbrooke Forest Art Hive in N.D.G. is part of a movement that aims to strengthen communities by making art together. People of all ages are welcome to visit the volunteerrun studio for a few minutes or a few hours to create masterpieces using supplies that have been donated by people in the community. There are animators to offer inspiration and encouragement, plus coffee, tea, and snacks. The art hive is free, though they accept donations of supplies or money to help buy supplies. Monday to Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 6462 Sherbrooke St. W., Apt. 2. sherbrookeforest@gmail. com, 514-484-6595.
IT’S A CIRCUS OUT THERE
Kids have so much energy to burn off during the break, you might start to think you’re living in a clown car. Round them up and send in the clowns — to TOHU. Free activities at the self-styled circus mecca include watching performers practise, plus hands-on introductions to acrobatics and trapeze, and workshops. There are paid but low-cost activities as well, like catching a French circus-themed movie ($6) and face painting ($3). 2345 Jarry St. E., tohu.ca, 514-376-TOHU (8648).
OH, SUGAR OFF
The maple has already started to flow, thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures in southern Quebec. There are scores of cabanes à sucre within a two-hour drive of Montreal, including the always-busy Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud, with its Santa Claus look-alike owner (450451-0831, sucreriedelamontagne. com); Bouvrette, which has been a landmark in St-Jérôme since 1947 and has a train ride as well as horse-drawn sleigh (450438-4659, bouvrette.ca), or the more upscale Un Chef à l’érable with Laurent Godbout at Scena at the Old Port (no petting zoo, though), 514-288-0914, scena.ca.
GO TOWARD THE LIGHT
Montréal en lumière is like going to the carnival, only it’s downtown and it’s wintertime. Check out the Ferris wheel, curling, zip line, slides and other games. The outdoor site is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and there are costs associated with some activities. Once the sun goes down (still before bedtime), walk the Illuminart circuit to see works by various artists, engineers, and set designers. The 3.5-kilometre route starts near Bleury and SteCatherine Sts. and winds its way to Berri-UQAM métro, but of course you can pick and choose your light art as you go along. Quartier des spectacles and area, montrealenlumiere.com, experienceilluminart.com.
AND THERE’S MORE
If those ideas haven’t tickled your fancy, don’t fret. Here are four bonus suggestions:
Art souterrain: Walk Montreal’s underground city to discover art on the theme Play & Distraction. Free, artsouterrain.com.
Funtropolis: The giant indoor playgrounds in Laval and St-Hubert are offering special activities during March Break. Open every day starting at 9 a.m., $6.95-$14.95, funtropolis.ca.
FIFEM: The Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal is like sending your kid to Cannes, at a fraction of the cost. The 20th edition of the festival runs from March 4 to 12. 4067 St-Laurent Blvd., 514-284-9388, fifem.com.
Scavenger hunt: Stroll through Old Montreal and learn a thing or two about our history. Only don’t tell the kids they’re learning. bit.ly/gazhunt.