It’s March break again, the time of year when parents eagerly try to find enjoyable and affordable activities to keep kids busy. With more than half of Canadian households having pets, fun activities are actually closer than many people realize. Pets can help kids learn patience, empathy and respect. PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre in Toronto offers up the following suggestions to keep the kids smiling this March break (while also teaching them about responsible pet ownership):

Activity: When I grow up
Materials: Local library, imagination

• An easy, inexpensive way to discover jobs with animals is to take a trip to the local library. Ask kids to pick a book out about their favourite animal. Next, challenge them to uncover the people who care for them – it could be a zookeeper, a dog-walker or a marine biologist.

Activity: Run doggie run
Materials: Family dog, stop watch, pen and paper, enthusiasm, doggie cleanup bag

• Map out a route with your child and set them out to walk the family dog. Time how long it takes them to finish the route using a stop watch. Give them parameters to stick by (such as walking only, stopping at each corner for five full seconds before crossing the street, picking up all doggie poop, etc) and when they get home, track their time. The next day, challenge them to try and beat their time from the day before. This will get them out of the house, give the family dog some exercise and who knows, maybe they’ll keep it up after March break ends.

Activity: Doggie or Kitty cam
Materials: Family pet, video camera/drawing materials, creativity

• Help your kids discover how the family pet sees the world! Arm them with either a video camera or drawing materials and have them follow the family pet, at their eye-level, around the house to experience their point of view. Next, encourage them to make a video of the experience or draw a few pictures based on their observations.

Activity: Teach an old cat new tricks
Materials: Family cat, cat treats, patience

• Have your kids hold a treat in front of the family cat’s nose, just out of reach of her front paws. Next, have them move the treat from side to side, in a waving motion, while telling the cat to “wave.” As she reaches for the food, she’ll appear to be waving. Once your cat’s motion simulates a wave, praise her and give her the treat.

Families who live near Toronto or plan to visit the city can also bring the kids to PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre. It is a unique event centre located at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto dedicated to the understanding and celebration of pets. It’s a place where pets, owners, and pet lovers can come together to enjoy exhibits, activities, special events and more. With free admission, the centre is open to people and pets from Monday, March 15^th through to Friday March 19^th from 11a.m. until 4p.m. and on weekends from 11a.m. until 6p.m. More information can be found about the free classes available this March break at www.pawsway.ca.

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Aly Ruiz
416-969-2763
aruiz@environicspr.com