Children's Programs

Child Playing with Hoop

The Municipality of Port Hope is excited to offer children's programs from the Fall through Spring, with each session bringing something new and exciting. There is a program for everyone, whether you like sports, art, cooking, or science! Each program is facilitated by a trained Program Staff and focuses on fun, team building and fostering friendships. Please note that registration is required for all children's programs.

megaphoneSummer Registration Details

Summer Aquatics: Registration opens June 23, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
Summer Programs/Fitness: Registration opens June 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

 

Child throwing ball through a hoop in Port Hope
Registered Children's Programs

There are no registered children's programs during the summer. Children's programs will resume in the fall with information becoming available in August. 

Registered children's programs schedule
Three balls on the floor in a gym
Children's Drop-In Activities

Looking for something to keep your kids active? Join us for some drop-in activities that require no pre-registration or commitment.

Children's drop-in schedule

children jumping outside

We’re all about Camp!

Looking for something fun and engaging for your child? Day camp is available during school holidays and throughout the summer for children ages 4 to 12 years old. 

Discover our day camps

Children with their hands up celebrating

P.A. Day Craze

Keep the kids entertained on P.A. Days! Enjoy swimming, skating, and crafting for just $5. Supervision is required for children aged 10 and under.

P.A. Day Craze schedule

Birthday cake

Celebrate with us

Looking for a cool, fun, affordable birthday party option? Our staff will lead your party, leave the stress and mess to us!

Find a party package

Calendar on phone

Event Calendar

Enjoy a variety of experiences and activities throughout the seasons. The Easter Bunny and Santa are just a few stars of the year. 

View the recreation calendar

Programming Guidelines

We are members of some important initiatives that play a part in our programming.  

HIGH FIVE® programming

The Municipality of Port Hope is a HIGH FIVE® accredited community. Our camp, program, and aquatic staff are certified in the Principles of Healthy Child Development. This allows our staff to make sure your child has the best experience possible. 

What is HIGH FIVE®

High Five LogoHIGH FIVE® is Canada's only quality standard for children's programs and is an innovative approach to help us enhance program quality and provide positive experiences for children. HIGH FIVE® supports us with Training and Development, Program Assessments, Policies and Procedures and Awareness. HIGH FIVE® is a standard committed to assisting children along the path of healthy child development by:

  • Ensuring that program practitioners develop a high level of knowledge and expertise in child development; 
  • Helping parents to make informed choices and; 
  • Providing practitioners with the tools for enhancing and maintaining a high level of program quality. 

The Municipality of Port Hope is proud to be an Accredited HIGH FIVE® organization, maintaining the highest standard in Canada. 

For more information, visit High Five Programming.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

It is proven that being active helps young kids develop self-confidence, improve learning and attention, improvement movement skills and feel happier. Discover the recommend physical activity guidelines for children below. 

Children 0 to 4 years

It is recommend by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology that infants (less than 1 year) should be physically active several times daily, particularly through interactive floor-based play. Examples of floor-based play include tummy time, reaching for toys, and crawling around the home. Toddlers (aged 1 to 2 years) and preschoolers (aged 3 to 4 years) should accumulate 180 minutes of physical activity at any intensity spread throughout the day. These activities include:

  • Activities in different environments
  • Activities that develop movement skills
  • Progression toward at least 60 minutes of energetic play by age 5 years

Children 5 to 12 years

It is recommended by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology that children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This should include vigorous-intensity activities at least 3 days per week. Moderate-intensity activities include bike riding and playground activities. Vigorous-intensity activities include running and swimming.

It is also beneficial to include activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days per week.