Ten things to do around Hamilton this weekend

A family skate at FirstOntario Centre this Sunday rocks our weekend planner, which also includes a free Try Lacrosse event, tobogganing hills, metal detecting relics, frogs at the RBG and so much more.

You might be a little chagrin to see a little more snow over the weekend, with temperatures hovering just below freezing and flurries and snow in the forecast.

Here are 10 things to do around Hamilton this weekend.

Try Lacrosse

The Hamilton Lacrosse Association is running a free Try Lacrosse clinic for children on Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Soccer World, 104 Frid St. Sessions are geared to new players and their families and will give brand new players the skills necessary to start their box or field lacrosse season. A caged helmet is required. All participants must preregister at hamiltonlacrosse.com. Sticks are available to borrow during the session.

• A girls' field lacrosse free Try Lacrosse event is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Calling athletes

Young athletes in the Hamilton area, regardless of their sports backgrounds, are encouraged to sign up for the RBC Training Ground, a free program that returns to the David Braley Athletic Centre at McMaster University on Saturday.

Metal detecting

Hamilton's pop-up Metal Detecting Museum is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the RHLI Building, 1353 Barton St. E., just east of Kenilworth. The free one-day museum is hosted by Mike Guarascia of the Cable 14 series Dirt Fishing," and Gary Wright, YouTube's Timeless Digger." Numerous relics and memorabilia found in the Hamilton area will be on display.

Magic with Static

Learn all about the magic of static electricity and the science behind different magic tricks and illusions. Kids, ages seven to 12 years, will leave with a kit of magician supplies and a secret booklet of illusions. After this workshop, they will be able to amaze audiences with magic tricks using the mysterious power of static! Cost is $25 per child, museum admission for accompanying adults is $9. Drop-off is optional. Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology, 900 Woodward Ave. hamilton.ca

Cinema in Hamilton

The Playhouse starts showing Living" this weekend. Living" is the story of an ordinary man, reduced by years of oppressive office routine to a shadow existence, who at the eleventh hour makes a supreme effort to turn his dull life into something wonderful. Playhouse is located at 177 Sherman Ave. N. For showtimes, tickets and a listing of other films available, visit playhousecinema.ca.

Skate at FirstOntario Centre

A free family open skate benefiting Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice is on the ice at FirstOntario Centre on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monetary donations can be made at the door in support of the Hamilton hospice. Bring your own skates, rentals and sharpening are not available on-site.

Tobogganing hills

You might be asking, where can you toboggan in Hamilton now that we have snow? Here are Hamilton's five city-approved hills. 1. Chedoke Golf Course - Beddoe Course, 563 Aberdeen Ave. Find the Beddoe Course, hole #1; 2. Garth and Stone Church Reservoir - 1515 Garth St. Riders can use either the northeast corner or the south side (east of parking lot); 3. King's Forest Golf Course - 100 Greenhill Ave., hole #9, just in front of the 9th green; 4. Waterdown Memorial Park - 200 Hamilton St., Waterdown. Northeast corner, west of baseball diamond #3; and 5. Dundas Driving Park - 71 Cross St., Dundas. Parkside Hill, adjacent to baseball diamond #1. hamilton.ca

Dead of Winter Dinner

In The Dead of Winter Beer Dinner and Celebration at Merit Brewing, 107 James St. N., is on Sunday, 6 to 9 p.m. They're talking five courses, five (or more, probably) beers, and one magically warm night with friends around eight dinner tables. Tickets are $129, which includes tax and tip. meritbrewing.ca

Frogs

Of course, there is always the frog exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens. On until April 16, this time-ticketed exhibit is worth the hop. rbg.ca

Game day

Hamilton Bulldogs play Saturday at 4 p.m. in FirstOntario Centre with the Ottawa 67s in town. hamiltonbulldogs.com

Looking ahead

Hamilton Black History Month launch is Monday from 12 to 2 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St. W., in council chambers. The Hamilton Black History Council in partnership with Hamilton Black-led Organizations and the City of Hamilton invite community members to attend and celebrate the launch of national Black History Month and unveiling of We Are Hamilton - Black History Remembered, a project co-organized by Black-led organizations and the City of Hamilton.

Submissions are open for the 18th Hamilton Film Festival. hamiltonfilmfestival.com

Hamilton 2023 Winterfest with more than 60 events across the city runs Feb. 2 to 20. For the first time ever, the roof of Jackson Square will be transformed into the Winterfest Hub, with light installations, murals, and exhibits. hamiltonwinterfest.ca

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com