Tracey Tong

Parenting Times chatted with DC Educational Publishing editor Kara Cybanski. Photo Courtesy Kara Cybanski

Real talk: Editor to editor

Have you always wanted to write and publish a book… but didn’t know where to start? Parenting Times editor Tracey Tong asks DC Canada Education Publishing editor Kara Cybanski your burning questions about getting published as a children’s author   […]

... or fancy. Photo Credit iStock

Winter’s last hurrah

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from the Winter 2026 for March Break 2026   March Break and freshly fallen snow in the nation’s capital? Yes, please! Whether you are looking for a low-key March Break activity or just […]

Players at G-Anime 2025. Photo Courtesy Just Push Play

The gift of belonging: Game on

Volunteer-run grassroots organization Just Push Play builds friendships and communities through video gaming experiences Editor’s Note: This story was a part of the series The Gift, which ran in the March 2026 issue.   A child of the 1980s, Ottawa […]

Parenting Times editor Tracey Tong, right, and her daughter Ellie. Photo Courtesy Tracey Tong

From the Editor

  There are so many things we should obviously be grateful for when we have them. A roof over our heads. Full bellies. Clean water. Good health. Vehicles that get us where we need to go. Living in peace. Freedom. […]

Elena Kraemer, 11 (right) is focused on her ice carving work, as is her sister Emilie (in the background). Photo Credit: Tracey Tong

Learn to carve ice in the capital

This past year, Ottawa-based world ice-carving champion Suguru Kanbayashi was trying to think of ways to introduce his art form to his young children.   “It’s a 100 per cent easily recycled medium with very little impact environmentally,” says Kanbayashi, […]

“Making ice look cool digitally is extremely challenging, says Suguru Kanbayashi, pictured here at Winterlude in 2022. “When seeing art in person, people are far more forgiving than seeing an image or video on screen. People expect perfection when looking at something on their screen and ice sculptures have so many variables that it's tough to convey its beauty.” Photo: Courtesy Suguru Kanbayashi

Ice, ice baby

Ottawa’s Suguru Kanbayashi was six years old when his father became one of the original ice sculptors at Winterlude. More than four decades later, Kanbayashi’s work is highlighted annually during the festival at Confederation Park and on Sparks Street   […]

Photo: Courtesy National Capital Commission

12 Great Family Fun Events

Here’s to a fun start to 2026! Here’s what’s happening in the National Capital Region this winter   What: Wizard of Oz, the 3D Experience Where:  Ottawa Family Cinema, Rideau Community Hub, 815 St-Laurent Blvd. When: Saturday, Jan. 24 Why: […]

It's in the details: LEGO's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' set has Easter eggs from the 1993 film. Photo Credit Tracey Tong

Building memories

Our family shares an activity that’s fast become a new holiday tradition – and a source of continued entertainment   When I was growing up in the 90s, Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was my favourite movie. This was […]

Canadian books we’ll be devouring this fall

Parenting Times did not receive any financial compensation for this piece.   The fireplace is turned on for the first time this season, colourful and crunchy leaves blanket the ground and… is that the smell of hot chocolate heating on […]