Winter Survival Guide: How Chatham Families Burn Off Big Energy

You know winter has truly arrived when your kids are doing sprint laps between the couch and the fridge and every sentence seems to end in a sibling wrestling match. The snow is pretty… but the cabin fever is real.

The good news? Chatham-Kent is packed with places where kids can run, climb, skate, slide, and splash their energy away—without destroying your furniture in the process. Here’s a winter survival guide full of specific, family-friendly adventures you can plug straight into your evenings and weekends.

1. Glide around Thames Campus Arena

If your kids love to be on the move, Thames Campus Arena is an easy win. This Olympic-size rink at 999 Grand Ave. W in Chatham is home base for learn-to-skate programs, figure skating, hockey, and plenty of community ice time.

Check the municipal ice skating schedule for public and family skate times, then turn it into a full outing.

It’s close, easy to get to, and a great way to burn off a ton of energy.

2. Jump the wiggles out at Flying Squirrel Chatham

Some days the windchill is so intense even the dog refuses to go out. That’s your cue to head somewhere built for bouncing.

At Flying Squirrel Chatham, kids can launch, flip, climb, and race their way around the park while you enjoy the sweet relief of not having to say “Please stop jumping on the couch” for an entire afternoon. With trampoline arenas, kid-friendly areas, and extra attractions like climbing walls and the Drey Café, there’s more than enough to keep every age group busy.

Perfect for:

• Winter break “we need a big day out” missions
• Birthday parties and friend meetups
• Last-minute “everyone is bouncing off the walls” emergencies

Bonus: the car ride home is often suspiciously quiet (unless you count the sound of snoring).

3. Toboggan runs at Kingston Park

Nothing burns energy like trudging up a slippery hill 400 times (by choice).

Kingston Park in Chatham is a go-to spot when you want that classic toboggan experience. Local guides point families to Kingston Park (along with Watson Park in Ridgetown and Ferguson Park in Thamesville) as prime sledding territory when the snow cooperates.

It’s simple, low-cost, and pretty much guaranteed to end with rosy cheeks and early bedtimes.

4. Go on a winter trail quest around Chatham-Kent

If your kids have energy to burn but need a change of scenery, winter trails are your best friend.

Chatham-Kent has over 130 km of trails, plus two provincial parks—Rondeau and Wheatley—within easy driving distance. Families come here year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, with routes that work for everything from stroller-friendly walks to longer adventures.

Fresh air plus movement usually equals calmer evenings—and some pretty great family memories.

Pro tip: bring along a thermos full of hot chocolate for a mid-hike break.

5. Warm up with a swim at local indoor pools

When you’re officially over snow pants and mittens, swap ice for water.

Chatham-Kent runs two main indoor pools: Gable Rees Rotary Pool in Blenheim and Sydenham Pool in Wallaceburg. They offer recreational swims, lessons, and family-friendly times, with schedules posted online throughout the winter.

Closer to home, the Chatham-Kent YMCA also has an indoor pool and other ways to keep kids active under one warm roof.

Bookmark this now and save your sanity later

Winter in Chatham doesn’t have to be months of, “Stop jumping!” and, “Get off your brother!” With a few go-to spots and some built-in adventures, it can actually be a season of memory-making—and yes, glorious early bedtimes.

And whenever the energy level hits “mayhem,” remember: there’s always a place to bounce it out at Flying Squirrel Chatham.