Chatham’s best-kept secrets: The world’s largest indoor trampoline park & more

Chatham. A town where neighbours still wave, where kids ride their bikes until the streetlights flicker on. You know it well—maybe too well. But shake up the routine, peel back the familiar, and suddenly, it’s a whole new town waiting to be explored.

Time to see Chatham through fresh eyes. Time to remind yourself why raising a family here is one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Here are some things to do in Chatham, ON.

1. Flying Squirrel Chatham

Brand new. Trampolines everywhere. A sea of movement. Kids soaring, flipping, scrambling up indoor rock climbing walls, chasing after dodgeballs in mid-air. It’s controlled chaos, and that’s exactly the point.

Wall-to-wall trampolines for non-stop elevation. Slam-dunk hoops—because dunking is better at 10 feet high. Obstacle courses designed to challenge even the most fearless. Aerial dodgeball—think fast, jump higher, stay airborne.

And when gravity wins? There’s the arcade, the foam pits, the café for an energy recharge. Perfect for birthdays, snow days, “we-need-to-get-out-of-the-house” days. This place is a lifesaver.

 

2. Thames Grove Conservation Area

You’ve passed by it a hundred times. But have you ever truly stopped to take it in? The Thames River doesn’t rush, doesn’t hurry—it meanders, inviting you to do the same.

Easy, shaded trails perfect for kids and strollers. Wildlife waiting to be spotted—herons, turtles, and the occasional fox. A peaceful launch for kayaks, canoes, and skipping stones.

It’s an exhale. A reset. A place where time slows, and kids can explore without screens or schedules.

 

3. Chatham Capitol Theatre 

Big-city entertainment, right in the heart of downtown. The kind of place where kids fall in love with live performances and parents remember what it’s like to get dressed up for a night out.

Live musicals, concerts, and theatre productions. Classic movie nights on the big screen. Kids’ performances that bring magic to the stage.

Before you default to another movie night on the couch, check the schedule. You might find something worth trading in the sweatpants for.

 

4. Mud Creek Trail 

Not every adventure requires a road trip. Sometimes, the best ones are hidden right in town. Mud Creek Trail is proof of that.

Wide, stroller-friendly paths for easy exploring. Birdwatching, wildlife, and plenty of space to roam. A short enough route that even little legs won’t tire out too fast.

It’s the perfect blend of fresh air, exercise, and a break from the noise of everyday life.

 

5. Buxton National Historic Site 

Some history lessons happen in textbooks. Others? You walk through them.

Schoolhouses, homes, and landmarks that hold powerful stories. A deep, moving look at Chatham’s role in history.

Buxton National Historic Site is about remembering. And making sure your kids do, too.

 

Chatham: The Familiar, Made New Again 

You know this town. Every street, every shortcut, every best spot for coffee. But sometimes, all it takes is looking at it differently—seeing it through your kids’ eyes, through a lens of curiosity, through a desire to shake up the routine.

From bouncing at Flying Squirrel to wandering quiet river trails, from catching a show to stepping into history, isn’t it time you rediscovered Chatham?