Family ƒun

From science museums and historical landmarks to beaches, amusement parks and waterslides, there are hundreds — no, make that thousands — of family friendly activities to do this summer. Whether you have a day, a weekend, a long weekend or an entire week

DAY TRIP SPOTLIGHT St. John’s, Newfoundland YOUR MORNING

Planning to spend a day touring around St. John’s? Whale-watching is a must-do. While there’s no guarantee you’ll spot them, you will get to see something even cuter: Newfoundland puffins! Watch them try to fly right from the water — it’s pretty darn adorable.

YOUR AFTERNOON

Let the kids run wild at Bannerman Park, where there’s a larger playground, a public swimming pool and plenty of green space for picnics and outdoor games. Younger kids may prefer the play area at Rotary Young Children’s Playground, where there are also cool walking trails designed in Celtic knot patterns.

If the weather’s not the best, pop into the Aquarena Water Park to take advantage of the Olympicsized pool and HUGE waterslides — we’re talking two of the biggest indoor water slides east of Alberta.

WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT Halifax, Nova Scotia SATURDAY

Take the kids into the brand-new digs of the Discovery Centre so they can experience three floors of interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) adventures.

Just down the boardwalk, you’ll find the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, with marine exhibits and a great outdoor playground. Stop for lunch in between at one of the great waterfront restaurants, where you can eat on an outdoor patio atop the ocean!

SUNDAY

Spend the morning exploring the lush grounds of the Public Gardens or Point Pleasant Park. Make sure you’re close to Citadel Hill just before noon, and you’ll hear the BOOM of the daily cannon.you can experience life as a soldier in 18th and 19th centuries, try to solve a 100-year-old mystery using a comic book guide and learn to send coded messages.

Then it’s off to the Museum of Natural History, which focuses on the geography, geology and zoology of Nova Scotia. There’s even a 94-year-old turtle named Gus who’s lived in the museum decades.

LONG WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT New Brunswick FRIDAY

Magic Mountain’s a classic kidfriendly summer destination in Moncton, with eight waterslides for older kids and four smaller slides for young children.the whole family will love bobbing in inner tubes along the “lazy river,” and there are swimming pools and hot tubs to soak in, too.

SATURDAY

Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton has more than 625 animals and you can watch them really come alive at mealtime. Spend the day, have lunch and take your time visiting with each animal.

SUNDAY

Make it a beach day at Parlee Beach Provincial Park, where you’ll find the warmest salt water anywhere in Canada.

MONDAY

Don’t miss the experience of going to Hopewell Rocks, where you can watch 100-billion tonnes of salt water slowly fill the Bay of Fundy when the tide comes in.the difference between high tide and low tide is truly staggering, and you and the kids can even “walk on the ocean floor” during low tide.

WEEK-LONG VACAY Prince Edward Island MONDAY

Get soaked at Shining Waters Family Fun Park in Cavendish, which has a brand-new ride debuting this summer: The Surf Coaster. There are more than 40 other attractions in this kiddie paradise — 36 acres of splashy fun.

TUESDAY

Spend the day across the street at Sandspit Amusement Park. (Pssst, you can buy “Slide and Ride” passes that give you unlimited entry to Shining Waters and Sandspit.) Scream with delight on the “Ride the Cyclone” roller coaster and feel yourself lift off the seat when you plunge 40 feet down on the Cliffhanger. Eat all of the treats. Repeat.

WEDNESDAY

Take a stroll through Avonlea Village’s shops and attractions and embrace your inner “Anne with an ‘e.’” It isn’t a visit to P.E.I. without a few scoops (daily) of legendary COWS ice cream. Get the scoop on how it’s made during one of the free selfguided tours, and don’t forget to take a cheesy photo next to their bovine mascot

THURSDAY

Dinosaur-loving kids (and their parents) will have a roaring good time at Jurassic Bart’s, which boasts the largest collection of real dinosaur eggs in eastern Canada. See real T-rex bones and even dinosaur poop! There’s also a petting zoo (no dinosaurs to pet, sadly) and a playground. (Cavendish, P.E.I.)

FRIDAY

Plan a beach day and soak up the famous P.E.I. sun and sand. If it’s rainy, head to Yippee’s Playcade in Cavendish and have fun with more than 50 new and classic arcade games, from Crossy Road to Skee Ball.win tickets and redeem them for prizes, because who doesn’t need oversized novelty sunglasses?

Follow it up with a trip to Summerside’s indoor play area and trampoline park, Off the Wallz. Challenge your kids to a game of trampoline basketball or whoop them on the ninja obstacle course.

SATURDAY

Take a side trip to Burlington, P.E.I. to check out an amusement park with three go-kart tracks — including the longest track east of Montreal. Burlington Amusement Park also has bumper cars, bumper boats, batting cages and a mini-golf course. (Starting this summer, there’s unlimited go-kart racing on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday nights.)

Just six minutes away is Kensington, P.E.I., you will find Mad Dr. Spooky’s Haunted Mansion. This three-floor Tudor-style home is full of eerie surprises and gotcha moments. Tour the spooky streets of London, deep in the dungeons of the mansion, or enjoy the carnival rides in Dr. Jack’s Playland. It’ll be a screaming good time.