50 things to do with kids in Ottawa
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Ottawa has so many amazing things to see and do with kids! We wanted to put together the ultimate list, so that you can grab loads of ideas from one spot.
From museums, indoor activities, outdoor activities and parks - there's always something to do in Ottawa, no matter the season!
A trip to the National Gallery is fun and FREE for kids aged 11 and under
MUSEUMS
Having lived in other cities in Canada, I think the best thing about Ottawa is our amazing museums. There are many options that will please young and old!
National gallery
Explore art and make your own creations at the National Gallery
You wouldn't think an art gallery, with really beautiful, expensive art, would be a great place for kids, but if you follow some tips, it can still be a fun outing. Check out their Family Sundays, or take a walk around with your baby.
Billings estate
Visit the historic estate of one of Ottawa's founding families and spend the day enjoying one of their special events (including awesome themed teas!) or kid-friendly programs.
Bytown museum
The Bytown Museum offers plenty of interactive activities for our young and young at heart visitors!
Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum
Snuggly animals, food demonstrations, and special events - the agriculture museum has it all!
Canadian Aviation and Space Museum
Aviation is the third museum, along with Agriculture and Science and Tech (which is currently being rebuilt!), that makes up a great 3-in-1 membership for families. This museum is perfect for the little ones that love planes, space and so much more. There are daily kids activities, camps and a special play area for the kiddos!
Canada Science and Technology Museum
We’re so excited to finally be adding this one back into our “50 things” post! Completely renovated, this museum offers SO much for all ages. The best part for little ones (under 8) is the new Zoom exhibit!!
Canadian War museum
When you think "kids," you may not think the war museum - but the little ones still get a kick out of looking at all the exhibits. And if you have older children, you may all get lost in there reading and exploring!
Children's museum
My kiddos LOVE this museum, and we make it a special treat. Their main attraction changes every few months or so, but the regular exhibits are a huge hit. And don't forget to try to check out a movie at the Imax theatre!
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
My daughter's Sparks group recently spent the day at the Cumberland Museum, and we had SO much fun! What a fantastic way to teach our children about the past, with many activities and displays scheduled throughout the day. Also check out their special events, including the Village of Lights in the winter!
Diefenbunker
Check out Lara's trip to the Diefenbunker with her kids! This giant underground bunker was built during the cold war to house government officials in the event of nuclear war. It's sure to be a fun place for kids to explore.
Museum of Nature
The first time I visited the museum, I didn't allocate enough time. Floors of amazing exhibits, activities for kids young and old, and an Imax theatre. The special exhibits that arrive every six months or so are always a big hit!
Vanier museopark
What's better than a park and sugar bush smack in the middle of an urban neighbourhood? A great place to walk your dog too!
ATTRACTIONS
Governor General estate
THE NAC has so many amazing children focused events
Whatever season, Rideau Hall is a beautiful place for a visit. Special events are often held there, and winter is great for a skate or celebration!
NAC children's events
The National Arts Centre has some fantastic children's programming, and you can read about French Youth Theatre here!
High tea at the Chateau Laurier
Your kids will love you forever if you take them for high tea at the superb Chateau Laurier. Who doesn't love tiny sandwiches?
The Mint
Call ahead to book a tour at the Mint! Our experience has been that tours are great for children ages 5 and up, although most kids will get a kick out of the facility that produces Canada's investment and collector coins.
Parliament Hill
The free sound and lights show on Parliament is SPECTACULAR, and a must-see if your kids are able to stay up until 10pm in July, 9:30pm in August and 9pm in September. Check out our blog post from the Mosaika show.
Changing of the guard
Not for the wee ones, the changing of the guard would be great for your tweens and teens who have the patience and interest to sit for the show. If you have little ones they may still enjoy watching a few minutes!
FESTIVALS
Children’s Festival
Winterlude!
Award-winning programming from Canada and across the world! Check out one of our reader's past experience at the festival.
Ottawa International Buskerfest
The ultimate live performance event, Buskerfest is a huge crowd pleaser!
PuppetsUp
Looking for a creative outing for your crafty kids? The brains behind Almonte's beloved Puppets Up! festival are hosting PuppetCon August 11-13 and they've got some amazing workshops for kids and families. Learn how to turn an umbrella into a dragon or make your very own puppet head out of foam or latex! Then relax and enjoy a hiliarious family-friendly puppet show about pirates! Check out www.puppetsup.com/PuppetCon for more information!
Winterlude
This festival is an essential part of Ottawan life, even if you're not too fussy about snow and ice! Whether you're snow tubing, skating, or maybe just enjoying a beaver tail, there is much to see and do! Check out our tips for heading down to the festival.
The Tulip Festival
The Tulip Festival is one of many great things to enjoy about Spring in Ottawa. There's nothing better than seeing the tulip bulbs pop up when the snow has melted!
INDOOR PLAY
Cosmic Adventures
Flying squirrel trampoline park
Kids of all ages can have a blast at Cosmic, an indoor play place in Gloucester (east end of Ottawa.) There are slides, climbing structures, ball pits and a smaller area for the wee ones. A place to go on really cold, hot or rainy days!
Kids Kingdom
With locations in the West and East end of the cities, this indoor play place is a local favourite - they also have daycare for parents looking for a fun and active centre for their child. Birthday parties and laser tag are other faves!
Funhaven
Perfect for those in the West end (or even if you're willing to make the drive!) The number of things you can do indoors at Funhaven is astounding - games, jungle gym, toddler play, laser tag, mini bowling, and so much more!
Flying Squirrel
Another great indoor trampoline park in the East end!
Altitude climbing gym
Lara got a chance to check out Altitude gym last summer, and her three kids really enjoyed the indoor climbing walls.
Public swimming / wave pools / wading pools
There is nothing better than heading out for a swim when you're stuck for something to do with the kids. In the summer it's great to check out the outdoor pools and wading pools, but in the winter, sometimes we just want to imagine we're on the beach, getting hit by a huge wave. Happy swimming!
Public skates
There are some great outdoor skating rinks to enjoy in the winter (including the free one at Lansdowne,) but it can be a fun summer activity to cool off on a sweltering day. Check out the City of Ottawa for public skating schedules, or maybe you have a local pond to discover when everything freezes over!
OUTDOOR PLAY
Parc omega
Calypso Water Park
We visited Parc Omega for the first time last summer, and I was really impressed by the experience. The property is SO huge, but there are options to take nature walks and picnics if you don't feel like sitting in your car.
Peak to Peak Zip Line and Coaster at Camp Fortune
There’s a peak to peak zip line and a coaster that goes down mountain at Camp Fortune. You must be at least 8 for the coaster and 100lbs for the zip line.
Interzip
If you’re interested in a slower paced zip line, check out the Interzip and zip from Ontario into Quebec with beautiful views of the Parliament buildings. You must be at least 70lbs and under 250lbs for this zip experience.
Mont cascades
A lovely, small water park, nestled in the Gatineau hills. And you really can't beat the price when taking the whole family!
Eco odysee
A water maze adventure in the Outaouais region!
Calypso
A water park that invented the saying "go big or go home." This is the ultimate water park experience for your family, and just a quick jaunt just outside Ottawa!
Gatineau Park
THE best place in the Ottawa region to see the Fall leaves, head out for a nighttime snowshoe (yup, kids would enjoy this too!) or spend a bit of time there with both winter and summer camping. There are also great hikes for the older kids, and a short walk around Pink Lake for the younger ones.
Rideau canal boating or skating
Boating in the summer, or skating in the winter - everyone can enjoy this beautiful heritage site in the heart of Ottawa!
Rideau canal Locks
Don't want to boat OR skate on the canal? Just head down with the kids in the summer to see a boat make its' way through the locks!
Kayaking
Yup, kids can definitely kayak, and it's easier than you think! Check out Lara's post on kayaking and SUPing (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) with her kids.
Pirate adventures
Take an imaginary pirate adventure along the Rideau Canal, and have a barrel of laughs! Arrrrr!
Feeding the ducks near billings
There are so many activities in Ottawa that don't cost an arm and a leg, and kids will have so much fun - feeding cute ducks is definitely one of those activities to file away for the days when your kids are whining "I'm bored!!" (According to wildlife experts, bread is actually dangerous for ducks and other water birds (like the swans.) We suggest these alternatives: lettuce, peas and sweet corn!
Geo caching
Who knew there were secret treasures hiding all around this city? And people are on the hunt to find them!
Saunders farm
Boasting one of the best mazes in the city, along with fantastic activities all summer long (and check out their spooky Halloween activities!) this is a place you'll want to visit again and again.
Valleyview Little Animal farm
A farm with a tiny train to ride and animals to pet, located in Southwest Ottawa. A great alternative to the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum if you feel like switching things up!
Proulx Farm
We love this farm out in the East end, with their horse-drawn wagon rides, pancake breakfasts, pumpkin patch, strawberry picking and so much more! Proulx Farm is also a staple at some of the farmer's markets around the city.
Mer Bleue Boardwalk
The perfect walk for little ones, with ample snow and ski trails in the winter. Don't forget to bring the bird seed to feed the chickadees!
Mooney's Bay
The perfect place to cool off in the summer, check out Ottawa's Dragonboat Festival, or take a picnic to the park!
Sunday bike days
Each year from mid-May to early September you can cycle along some car-free roads in Ottawa every Sunday. Don’t forget your yearly bike tune-up!
Petrie Island
In the East end, this beach is great in many seasons, with summer fun and beautiful Fall colours. For the avid naturalist, it's also a great place to spot turtles and participate in Nature Camps!
Ottawa Farmers' Markets
My kids LOVE the Ottawa Farmer's Market. There are locations all over the city, and we usually visit the Orleans location or the big Landsdowne location. My girls enjoy the free samples, picking out fruit and vegetables, and the occasional special events like face painting or balloon animals.
PARKS
Canada-Themed playground at Mooney’s Bay
We have so many awesome parks in the city, and when we surveyed YOU, our lovely readers, you told us that these four were your favourites:
Canada-themed playground at Mooney's Bay
And that's a wrap on our 50 things to do with kids in Ottawa - what's YOUR favourite things to do?
