5 Free Things for Kids to Do in Halifax

It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Nova Scotia, but since the province is mainly located on a peninsula, there are a lot of beaches. You’ll find one of the area’s best at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park in Sambro, where soft white-sand shores face the surprisingly warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Pennant Point hiking trail, popular with bird-watchers, starts here; make a game out of seeing who can spot the most varieties.

For six days in early August, the streets along the Halifax waterfront are full to bursting with the energy of performance artists from around the globe doing their very best to entertain the public. Entertainers run the gamut from acrobats, musicians, magicians and dancers to contortionists, comedy acts, living statues and performers whose parents actually allow them to play with fire.

Sports aficionados will want to take a peek at the exhibits in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, in the Scotiabank Centre, to learn about the past 150 years of Nova Scotia sports history. From newborns to grandparents, admission is free for the entire family. It's a great spot to check out, especially on a chilly day.

Tweens and teenagers are likely to appreciate the library at Province House, as it looks like it’s straight out of a Harry Potter movie; its walls are covered with books from floor to ceiling and decorated with oil paintings of royals and political figures from long ago. Take a free tour of this Georgian building where the Nova Scotia legislature has met since 1819. In spring and fall, attend a legislative session.

Halifax is covered with snow November through April and there are plenty of adventures to be had involving the cold white stuff. Ride a sled down Citadel Hill at Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, 5425 Sackville St.; or go ice-skating on the Emera Oval, 5775 Cogswell St., a manmade rink the size of three hockey fields. Strap on snowshoes and hit the trails at Cole Harbour Heritage Park, 256 Bissett Rd. in Cole Harbour, where you may spot eagles’ nests if you look closely.