7 Things to Know This Week — #3

Libraries Are Having a “Third Place” Moment

Public libraries across Canada are reporting major bumps in card sign-ups and program attendance—particularly among families. Post-pandemic usage hasn’t just recovered; in many communities, it has surpassed 2019 levels, with record demand for children’s programming, holds and digital borrowing.

Sociologists call spaces like this a “third place”—not home, work or school, but a community hub where people gather without any sort of associated cost. And as ever, libraries are filling that role beautifully.

Between story times, maker spaces, homework help and “Please just let me browse in peace for five minutes” energy, it’s the easiest winter outing for kids of all ages (and it won’t cost you $60 in snacks!).

If you haven’t checked your branch’s events calendar lately, this is your sign. The free, cozy hangout you’ve been looking for might be right around the corner.

👉 For more on how libraries are evolving well beyond books, click here.

March Break Travel: “Anywhere But the U.S.”

The conversation around U.S. travel that started early last year has continued into 2026 (yes, #elbowsup is still going strong). Many families have actively booked March Break options that don’t involve crossing the border, citing political tension, exchange rates, health insurance costs and general uncertainty.

And this isn’t anecdotal. A recent national survey found that 62 per cent of Canadians say they’re less likely to visit the United States in 2026 even compared to last year, with many redirecting travel dollars to other destinations.

Instead, families are exploring domestic trips that feel bucket-list worthy (Banff, Quebec City, PEI and more), all-inclusives in tropical locales or even European city breaks if time and budgets allow.

Nostalgic Parenting Is Everywhere

When Pinterest released its 2026 Parenting Trend Report on Tuesday, one development was front and centre: Parents are leaning into their own childhoods as they raise their kids.

Searches are up for:

• Vintage toys

• Classic birthday party ideas

• ’90s and early 2000s aesthetics

• Old-school sleepovers

• Analog crafts

And it’s not just about entertainment trends, either—it’s also about parenting style. Families are intentionally reviving memory-rich rituals they can do together, like roller rinks (yes, they still exist!), bead kits, friendship bracelets and baking homemade cakes that actually look homemade.

Call it inflation core, comfort parenting or just the desire for a simpler time. Whatever the label, it’s clearly resonating.

👉 Check out our list of 25 retro activities to try with your kids. Weekend made.

Birthday Parties Are Recalibrating

After a few years of balloon arches that require an engineering degree to assemble and grazing tables that look like wedding buffets, something is shifting. Parents are still getting creative, but many are opting for smaller guest lists, tighter timelines and home-based celebrations that aim to be joyful rather than performative.

The current cost of living is part of the equation (those elaborate parties of 2022 could run well into the thousands). Burnout is also a factor. But whatever the reason, there’s less appetite for parties that feel like productions and more interest in events kids will actually remember and treasure—skating with a handful of friends, backyard movie nights, build-your-own dessert bars, you name it.

The pendulum hasn’t swung all the way back to sheet cakes in the basement, but we’re no longer going for Instagram-worthy spectacles either.

👉 No matter the size of the party, you’re gonna need a killer theme. We can help.

The “Invisible” Trend That’s Sweeping Middle Schools

Orthodontists are reporting sustained demand post-pandemic, as delayed consultations during the COVID-19 lockdowns continue to ripple through the system (remember when no one got their teeth cleaned for years?). What’s different now is how common clear aligners are becoming for tweens and teens. Invisalign and other “invisible” aligner systems are increasingly offered as alternatives to traditional metal braces—particularly for mild to moderate corrections.

They’re not always cheaper—costs can be comparable to braces—but they’re perceived as less visible, which makes them easier to manage socially (and that matters a lot in middle school). Traditional braces are still often recommended for more complex cases, and not every child is a candidate for aligners. But if your kid suddenly seems to be the only one without a plastic ortho case in their backpack, you’re not imagining it.

And while we’re talking teeth: Good oral health starts long before the tween years.

👉 For how to get started on dental hygiene well before braces are even a consideration, click here.

Saving for the Future—Without Crushing Passion

Doug Ford’s recent “basketweaving” comment reignited the all-too-familiar debate about the value of certain educational pursuits. But for most parents, the real takeaway isn’t about dismissing entire fields of study—it’s about the cost of post-secondary education and experiences. Futures are expensive, no matter the path.

Whether your child chooses university, college, trades training, apprenticeships or entrepreneurship, these plans require serious financial planning. And tuition is only part of the math you need to consider. Housing, materials, certifications, living expenses—they all add up quickly.

But that’s why the return-on-investment conversation is shifting. And despite the premier’s short-sighted comment (who says your kid can’t turn a passion for basketweaving into a career?), it’s less about steering away from creative options and more about helping build sustainable ways to reach those dreams. RESPs, dual credit programs, scholarships, paid apprenticeships, strategic gap years…there are many options, and families are thinking more deliberately about how to fund possibility without defaulting to a single, tired definition of success.

In other words, it’s less “don’t study art” and more “how do we make your art sustainable?”

👉 For tips on how to save for your child’s post-secondary education, regardless of their chosen area of study, we’ve got the goods.

Winter Glow Is Just One Crafternoon Away

Illuminated outdoor skating trails draw families in every winter—winding forest paths lit at night, equal parts exercise and enchantment. But the glow doesn’t have to stop at provincial parks.

On TikTok and Instagram, families are sharing their own DIY versions: using solar lights, lanterns or frozen ice luminaries to line backyard rinks, shovelled snow paths or even driveway loops for evening skates and glowy walks. The effect is surprisingly magical—and far more doable than it looks.

It taps into something bigger, too. It all feeds into that “nostalgic parenting” trend of creating core memories that we already mentioned. A lighted path through the snow? That delivers.

👉 Want to try it yourself? Click here for step-by-step instructions to make DIY ice luminaries using pretty finds from your winter garden.