News and Events
Welcome to our News and Events page! At The Circle of Curious Minds, we regularly host free family workshops in Cochrane that foster creativity, curiosity, and community. Here you’ll find updates on upcoming events, seasonal activities, and engaging opportunities for children and families to connect, learn, and explore together.
Why We Host Events Like This
At The Circle of Curious Minds, we believe in building community through creativity, curiosity, and connection. Whether it’s through nature-based learning, playful exploration, or art and design, we aim to offer children in Cochrane a space where their minds and hearts can grow freely.
A Play-Based Spanish Enrichment Series
(Ages 3–6)
Sábados en Español is a small-group Saturday enrichment program designed to introduce young children to Spanish in a natural and engaging way.
Led by an experienced Early Childhood Educator and native Spanish speaker, this 4-week series invites children to explore language through songs, movement, storytelling, and hands-on activities. The focus is on joyful exposure and growing familiarity with everyday vocabulary.
With a maximum of six children per group, sessions are calm, interactive, and developmentally appropriate, allowing children to build comfort and confidence at their own pace.
Program Details
- Saturdays: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- Session Length: 4 weeks
- Cost: $130
- Group Size: Maximum 6 children
- Minimum Enrolment: 4 children required for the program to run
- Registration Deadline: April 11, 2026
- Program Begins: April 18, 2026
At The Circle of Curious Minds, we believe language can be experienced as something playful, rhythmic, and alive — and early exposure can spark lasting curiosity.
Ready to register?
Contact us here:
Planning ahead? Registration for the 2026-27 opens in January 2026.
Come visit our space and meet our educators at our Open House
on January 31, 1pm-5pm
A cozy place where young minds feel at home. ✨
Located in a beautiful heritage building near the heart of town, our preschool offers a warm, nurturing space where children can slow down, explore, and grow with confidence.
Each day is filled with:
🎨 Moments that spark creativity
🌱 Time to notice, wonder, and connect with nature
🤝 New friendships and shared discoveries
💛 Experiences where patience meets curiosity
If you’re looking for a preschool where curiosity grows and creativity thrives, we’d love to welcome your family.
Spots available!
🧠 Preschool Care
📩 [email protected]
📍 128 1 St E, Cochrane, AB
Remembrance Day – Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future
This week, our curious minds learned about the meaning of Remembrance Day — a time to honour the courage, sacrifice, and hope of those who served. 🇨🇦
Through art and conversation, children reflected on peace and gratitude by painting beautiful poppies, the symbol of remembrance in Canada. Each poppy represented kindness, empathy, and the wish for a peaceful world. 🌺
Moments like these help our learners connect with history and values that shape our community — reminding us all to remember and to care. ❤️
Lest we forget.
👻 Halloween fun was in full swing at The Circle of Curious Minds! 🎃
From decorating pumpkins and reading spooky stories to sharing laughter and imagination — our curious minds celebrated creativity in the most boo-tiful way! 💜
These moments remind us how play and wonder make every day magical. ✨
Spooky stories 👻 + Pumpkin magic 🎃 = Happy hearts 💜
Supporting families
through this unexpected pause
With the recent announcement of the Alberta Teachers Association strike and the resulting school closures, we understand that many families are seeking continued learning opportunities and supportive environments for their children.
We want to reassure our Cochrane community that the Circle of Curious Minds afternoon program is running as usual.
We currently have a limited number of spots available for families looking for engaging, child-led, and enriching experiences during this time.
If you are looking for a safe and inspiring space for your child while schools are closed, we warmly invite you to connect with us.
For more information or to register, please contact us at [email protected]
The Circle of Curious Minds Opens in Cochrane!
The Circle of Curious Minds to participate in Cochrane’s Back to School Family Resource Fair a Spray Lake Sawmills Centre.
Join us for the Back to School Fair on Saturday, August 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Spray Lake Sawmills Centre, 800 Griffin Rd E. This free, family-friendly event is an opportunity for Cochrane and area residents to meet our team and explore our services. For more information, visit the Town of Cochrane website here.
📍 Location: Spray Lake Sawmills Centre. 800 Griffin Rd. E.
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, August 16th. 10 am to 2 pm
💸 Cost: Free!
Good news for the families at Elizabeth Barrett & Holy Spirit School!
Both schools fall within the designated school bus route area, making it easier to get to and from our program space at The Circle of Curious Minds.
🧠 Preschool & Afterschool Care
📩 [email protected]
📍 128 1 St E, Cochrane, AB
Saturday, August 16th. “Curious Collectors Nature Scavenger Hunt”.
Join us for a guided nature exploration at the Cochrane Ranche Historic Park! Using scavenger cards, children will observe, collect, and reflect on textures, sounds, and colors in the world around them
Why is it Valuable for Children? This event will boot attention and mindfulness, build empathy for nature, and encourage journaling and storytelling in children.
📍 Location: At the Cochrane Ranche Historic Park in Cochrane
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, August 16th. 2 pm to 4 pm
💸 Cost: Free!
Saturday, July 26th. “See What I See”. Learn to draw with a Camera Lucida!
Hosted at The Circle of Curious Minds, this event offers children and parents the chance to draw with a camera Lucida: A 19th Century tool for 21st Century Curiosity!
What is a Camera Lucida? An optical device that reflects an image onto a surface using mirrors or prisms so it can be traced. A precursor to the photographic camera, it teaches visual focus and alignment.
Why is it Valuable for Children? This even will provide an opportunity for children to develop their Focus and observation, Hand-eye coordination, Spatial awareness as well as provide a fresh take on drawing and seeing.
📍 Location: The Circle of Curious Minds @ 128 1 St E, Cochrane (In front of the Cochrane Christian Academy) in Cochrane
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, July 26th. 2 pm to 4 pm
🎨 What to Expect: Hands-on use of a real camera lucida, create personal portrait or still life drawings, display your drawing on our community gallery wall!
🧒 Who’s Welcome: Children ages 4 –10 and their families — no experience needed!
💸 Cost: Free! Materials provided.
RSVP or Questions?
Please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our Contact Page to reserve your spot or to learn more. Walk-ins welcome!
Sunday, July 13th. Free Family Origami Event
We’re excited to invite families from across Cochrane to our very first Free Community Origami Workshop! Hosted at The Circle of Curious Minds, this event offers children and parents the chance to explore creativity through the ancient art of paper folding — all in a fun, relaxed, and welcoming space.
📍 Location: The Circle of Curious Minds @ 128 1 St E, Cochrane (In front of the Cochrane Christian Academy) in Cochrane
📅 Date & Time: Sunday, July 13th. 2 pm to 4 pm
🎨 What to Expect: Learn how to fold simple and beautiful origami animals, flowers, and shapes
🧒 Who’s Welcome: Children ages 3–10 and their families — no experience needed!
💸 Cost: Free! Materials provided.
Event Details:
Why Origami?
Origami is more than just paper folding — it’s a hands-on activity that supports fine motor skills, concentration, creativity, and patience. It’s also a great way for children and parents to spend quality time together.
Sneak Peek: Watch Our Young Artist in Action!
Check out this short video of one of our own curious minds — Maja — showing off a her origami creation.
Why We Host Events Like This
At The Circle of Curious Minds, we believe in building community through creativity, curiosity, and connection. Whether it’s through nature-based learning, playful exploration, or art and design, we aim to offer children in Cochrane a space where their minds and hearts can grow freely.
RSVP or Questions?
Please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our Contact Page to reserve your spot or to learn more. Walk-ins welcome!