March Break Activities

Almost exactly two years ago, the world shut down. Amidst a toilet-paper frenzy and episodes of Tiger King, people did a singular, horrifying thing: they found hobbies. Friends cheered each others’ terrible paintings on; siblings ate cakes that tasted suspiciously like paint with only the smallest of grimaces; parents tried (they really tried) to be supportive of indoor martial arts. Needless to say, we’ve all had our fair share of trying to keep ourselves occupied during stretches of quarantine. Determined to make this March Break different, The Paw Print has curated a never-seen-before March Break Bucket list that guarantees a good time and definitely won’t dredge up any memories that sound of awful lot like the search results that come up when you type “what to do when you’re bored” into Google.

Snowshoeing

Take advantage of the snow and go out and enjoy some winter activities. Snowshoeing at one of the many trails in Gatineau is the perfect way to enjoy the magnificent forest scenery and get some fresh air. Especially after so much time spent in lockdown, we all need a change of scenery.

One especially great snowshoeing route is Lac-des-Fées Trail which has many different difficulty levels depending on the trail. The Lac-des-Fées trail is an easy 0.9-kilometre trail.

The starting point of this trail is located on the Lac-des-Fées Parkway, near Brodeur Street.

Trail 65 is a difficult 2.6-kilometre loop that starts at parking lot P2.

Trail 67 is an easy 1.2-kilometre trail that starts at parking lot P1.

Indoors

If you are looking for something a little more local, and indoors, you can check out Minto Recreation Complex here in Barrhaven. It has an indoor skating rink, an indoor swimming pool, indoor gyms and so much more. They also include many activities and organised events that accommodate all ages. You can find out more about Minto Recreation Complex and the scheduling at the link below. https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-facilities/facility-listing/minto-recreation-complex-barrhaven

Bowling

Grab a few friends and spend the afternoon bowling at one of the many nearby bowling alleys. Merivale Bowling Centre, West Park Bowling, and Goulbourn Lawn Bowling club, are just a few places you can go. Order some pizza, grab your bowling shoes and get ready for a day of fun.

Sledding

Sledding is a fun and fresh activity to participate in. Being in high school doesn’t mean we can’t go back to our childish ways! The best part about sledding is you can make it your own. There isn’t a rule that says you only have to sled on a legitimate toboggan. Use a garbage bag, a laundry basket, you can even slide down on your stomach. Get creative! Sledding is a good source of adrenaline. Test your limits and find a steep hill to shoot down. Carlington Park, Grasshopper Hill Park, and Utman Park are just a few nearby places you can go sledding. Make it a good time!

Baking

Now, baking isn’t for everyone but it can be a blast. Having a sweet treat is one thing but making that sweet treat is much better. There are lots of easy recipes that anyone can make and the majority of the time…not mess up. Chocolate chip cookies, a chocolate cake, brownies, muffins, you name it. An advantage of baking is that most of the ingredients you need are probably already hidden somewhere in your cupboards. It’s a calming activity with a delicious outcome. You can check out The Paw Print recipe page or holiday recipe book for some delicious recipes that will brighten your break.

Arts and Crafts

Time to get those creative juices flowing! There are no restrictions when it comes to what you can do with crafts. Whether you have craft items lying around or not; they’re cheap and easy finds. Make a Harry Potter wand out of glue and rolled up paper or make fun bracelets out of beads and string. Your mind will thank you.

As the world regains its momentum, people are letting go of the curious hobbies they picked up during these last two years. Instead, we encourage you to celebrate by baking a cake. Even if it tastes like paint.