Take a ‘Story Walk’ at MacEwan University and Read, Walk and Connect
This week, our family explored out the Story Walk at MacEwan University in Edmonton, and we wanted to share how wonderful of a way it was to get outside - and inside - with kids.
This month: Ten Ways to Hear Snow
Lina wakes up to a quiet morning filled with fresh, white snow. She puts on her warm clothes and walks through the snowy streets to visit her grandmother. As she walks, Lina starts to notice the sounds of snow, like the crunch of her boots and the soft swoosh of skis. With help from her Sitti (the Arabic word for grandmother), Lina learns that even when it’s quiet, the world is full of sounds! In Ten Ways to Hear Snow, Cathy Camper and Kenard Pak show the love between family members and the importance of culture. They remind us to slow down and enjoy the quiet and beautiful things around us.
What is a Story Walk?
If you haven’t heard of a Story Walk before, it’s simple and brilliant: pages of a children’s book are displayed along a walking path, so kids get to read a story while moving their bodies. At MacEwan University, the setup is welcoming and easy to follow, with plenty of space for little legs to wander ahead and curious minds to soak it all in.
What we loved most was how naturally it brought learning and play together. The kids were excited to find the next page, stopped to talk about the pictures, and asked thoughtful questions about the story - all while walking! No screens, no pressure, just shared moments and discovery.
It created a really great space for connection. We chatted while walk, comparing our favourite parts and predicting what was going to come up next in the story.
Click here to Read: 75+ FREE Things to do in February with kids
If you’re looking for a free, low-stress outing that supports literacy, movement, and quality family time, we highly recommends keeping an eye out for Story Walks like this one.
The Storywalk Path at MacEwan University
Know Before You Go: MacEwan University Storywalk
Make sure the campus is open! Check the most current building hours here: Building Hours and Location. Access the current library hours here: Library Hours and Location . To access parts of the Storywalk, you’ll have to visit during opening hours.
Parking: Underground parkades (e.g., 107 Street Parkade & Allard Hall Parkade) provide convenient access to key buildings. Street parking is also available - but can be tricky to find. Transit is an easy option!
Combine this with other activities at MacEwan University, like the Makerspace, Children’s area in the Library, Mitchell Art Gallery and kihêw waciston (Indigenous Centre).
There are both indoor and outdoor areas - keep this in mind when you’re planning the layers needed. This is an all-season activity.
