It’s March break and you may be in need of some ideas for activities to keep children and teens busy.

There are many events happening within Waterloo region and Guelph.

Cambridge Public Library

Formerly the Idea Exchange, the Cambridge Public Library has a number of drop-in activities over the week at all branches.

There’s a Happy Birthday To You party so everyone can celebrate a birthday on Monday at the Preston branch, a St. Patrick’s Day party at Queen’s Square, Down on the Farm at the Hespeler branch, Fantasy Adventures at Clemens Mill on Thursday and a Block Party Bash at the Old Post Office on Friday.

There’s also tween chess drop-in, tween crochet drop-in, juggling chefs, teddy bear camp, a Carnival of Animals Mime show and Rainbow Honmoon, a KPop Demon Hunters adventure.

Kitchener Public Library

The week kicks off with a KPop Demon Hunters Dance Party at the main branch. 

Then there are events at all the branches including Rainbow Craft Time, Amazing Aliens, Popsicle Stick Palooza, Pokemon Palooza, March Break Mysteries, more KPop fun, and balloon artist Drew Ripley caps the week with a Balloon Making Show on Friday.

The programs are free but space is limited. Registration isn’t required, but the library is giving out tickets an hour before some events.

Region of Waterloo Library

There are several events happening at the various branches, from Curious Celestial Cartographers in New Hamburg to St. Patrick’s Day crafts and games in Wellesley to Puppet Adventures! At the Bloomingdale branch.

Other highlights include making friendship bracelets with the We Belong Here Campaign at the Elmira branch, learn how to draw comics and anime from a professional artist at the New Dundee location and Operation Autopilot! where participants use Lego kits to design and build autonomous rovers inspired by NASA’s Perseverance rover at the Linwood branch.

All of the events are free but registration is required.

Waterloo Public Library

Some of the events planned at the library now have a wait list, including the Erick Traplin Concert on Tuesday.

But there are plenty of free, drop-in events including a STEM pop-up with Engineering Science Quest, a Glow Dance Party for kids ages four to eight, St. Patrick’s Day crafts and games, Family Lego Club, Pet Hospital where kids can bring a stuffie to role play medical scenarios and Outdoor Family Play Day, including the one on Thursday at the Heasley Park Tennis Courts located at 455 Parkside Dr.

Glass painting for tweens and teens is being offered a couple of times during the week and as of Friday there were still some spots open for registration.

Guelph Public Library

A lot of the programs you need to register for at the Guelph Public Library branches are full and have wait lists.

But there are drop-in programs including at the West End branch where people use Perler beads to craft, a concert with Erick Traplin on Wednesday morning at the main branch, evening art on Wednesday at the main branch, Mad Science on Thursday at the east side branch and a Family Fun Magic Show at the Westminster Square branch on Friday.

Museums

Schneider Haus in Kitchener will have all things fossils with the University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum. They are also hosting a meet and greet with Speaking of Wildlife during the day on Tuesday and Thursday. This is included in the cost of admission. There will be at least one reptile out all day plus other critters being brought out throughout the day.

Guelph Civic Museum has Roots and Rhythms drop-in dance sessions on Tuesday afternoon. This is included in the cost of admission. There is also a Family Shorts film screening in collaboration with imagineNative on Friday.

Other fun (and free) events

Downtown Showdown on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Kitchener will see the Kitchener Rangers play a live three-on-three road hockey tournament with six short games and a final championship game. Players will be on hand to sign autographs and mascot Tex will be available for photos. There will also be music, games, fire trucks, hot chocolate, maple taffy and more.

Meet the Zamboni on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wilmot Rec Complex, Baden. Families can join the Meet the Zamboni! The Coolest Machine on Ice event. This is a 90-minute program with stories with an outdoor visit to look at the Zamboni. Registration is required.

A free, drop-in skate with the Region of Waterloo Library at the Bill Gies Rec Centre in Wellesley on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. People are asked to bring their own skates and helmets. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age and older.

There’s a free skate at Albert McCormick Community Centre in Waterloo on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

There are free skates at several arenas in Kitchener over the entire week. The ice rink in front of Kitchener’s city hall is also open.

Are we missing a free or low-cost event? Email us to let us know.