The Lobster Kids' Guide to Exploring Halifax

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

How could a kid living in or visiting Halifax ever be bored? From
sailing on the Bluenose II to dolphin watching, from bowling, water
slides, dress-up, or storytime to touching a sea urchin, this guide is
packed with more than 100 activities for kids aged 1 to 12. Though
centred on Halifax, the pocket-sized guide also includes activities in
the greater Halifax–Dartmouth area, plus 16 sites in Cape Breton and
Prince Edward Island.

The details given for each activity include location, cost, hours,
website addresses, nearby sites, and the approximate length of time to
allow for a visit. The costs range from free to pricey. Each activity is
rated with one, two, or three lobsters, a scale that indicates value for
the cost, enjoyment and learning opportunities for children, and
accessibility from the Halifax ferry terminal. A string of lobster icons
accompanies each listing, indicating services such as washrooms,
telephone, picnic tables, wheelchair/stroller accessibility, wildlife
watching, parking, ice cream stand, and first aid.

The variety of activities is exceptionally rich, partly due to the
unique nature of the Halifax area, and partly thanks to the author’s
knowledge of what excites and engages kids. With this guide in hand,
families can plan a vacation that includes the opportunity to hear
whales singing along to fiddle music, dine on eel stew, pat a live sea
star, tour a garbage recycling plant, “land” a plane on a flight
simulator, saddle up for a trail ride through a Wild West town, visit a
puffin sanctuary in the Atlantic ... pure kid appeal.