Activities for Teens and Tweens in Ottawa and surrounding areas
/Having been around for 13 years, a lot of the families that first started following Kids in the Capital now have teens and tweens!
We have so many great attractions in and around Ottawa to check out but we’ve mostly written about them from a kid perspective. This post is going to focus specifically on attractions we think teens and tweens will like. Some we have our own content on and others we’re working to get. Stay tuned as this post will continue to be updated regularly!
Outdoor adventures
Eco Odyssee
Eco Odysée has a variety of water mazes that you can take in a paddle boat, kayak, or SUP. They also have daytime and evening mazes, as well as additional walking mazes on site.
Pricing ranges from $40-55 depending on the maze, but they are also piloting a program where you can bring your own kayak/SUP and the cost is $30.
Marked Adventure Park
Marked Adventure Park has obstacle courses, paintball, axe throwing, archery tag, disc throwing, watergun fights and more.
They are located on Highway 7 just past Carleton Place.
Many of their activities are available by reservation only so check out their website and plan for the best time to visit!
Waterslides
We have two great waterparks in the Ottawa area that are great for teens and tweens. Many parents of teens have also recommended buying their teens summer passes and drop them off at the park weekly.
Here are reviews written a few years ago targeted more for children but with good info to have when deciding to take your teens and tweens as well.
Ziplining
Camp Fortune has a great peak to peak zipline experience.
Interzip is a nice and short zip lining experience. It doesn’t go too fast which makes it good for those who don’t love the thrill of ziplining and it’s right in the city, so easy to get to.
Arbraska Lafleche has ziplines and they also have cave tours.
Great Canadian Bungee has a zipline called the RipRide that our teen blogger David got to enjoy recently.
Art
Ottawa Art Gallery
The Ottawa Art Gallery is a lovely place to go and enjoy local art. It’s free (though they appreciate donations) and they have four floors of exhibitions.
From July 2023 to February 2024 they have an exhibition called
83 ‘TIL INFINITY 40 YEARS OF HIP-HOP IN THE OTTAWA–GATINEAU REGION where “where we see, hear, and move with stories and experiences of hip-hop in the Ottawa–Gatineau region that flow from decades-long conversations about the craft and values of hip-hop's five pillars: breaking, emceeing, DJ-ing, graffiti, and knowledge.”
Indoor Activities
Room Escape
Room Escape is located on Bank Street near Walkley and has six escape rooms to choose from. They are open 7 days a week and the cost is $29/person.
This was a bit hit with the three teens who are big escape room fans and recently got to try out Undermined.
Where: 1860 Bank Street, #3B
Cost: $29/person
Hours: Monday/Tuesday - 5pm - 10pm
Wednesday/Sunday - 10am - 10pm
Archery Games
Archery Games is located on Bank Street in the same facility as Room Escape and is an indoor archery game space. We sent a family with kids ranging in ages from 8-14 and they had a blast!
Where: 1860 Bank St, #3B
Cost: $29/person
Hours: Monday/Tuesday - closed, Wednesday/Thursday - 5-10pm, Friday - 5-9pm, Saturday/Sunday - 11am-9pm *Bookings outside of these hours are available by appointment only and require a minimum of 10 players.
Bad Axe Throwing
Bad Axe Throwing is a fun activity and Bad Axe welcomes kids to try it out. While there is no official minimum age we believe 10+ is a good guideline. It’s also good to note that axe throwing is an activity where there might be adults using adult language so if you were prefer your kids not be in that environment you may want to pass on this or go in earlier in the day.
Address: 1580 Liverpool Ct #8, Ottawa ON
Booking Hours: Monday-Sunday 8am-11pm
Walk-in Hours (schedule subject to change - call before heading over): Friday 6pm-9pm, Saturday (2pm-7:30pm), Tuesday (3pm-4:30pm)
Cost:
Walk-ins - $26.98pp (45 minutes)
Bad Axe Booking - $41.99pp with a minimum of 6 people (1.5 hours)
VR Adventures Zone
If your teens/tweens like video games, VR Adventures Zone is a fun way for you to do something they love together!
Location: 1642 Merivale Rd Unit 300 (Merivale Mall)
Cost:
Pricing differs based on which experience you choose and how long you play, but expect about $25-40/person.
Hours:
They are open daily from 11am-10pm and on weekends they stay open until 11pm.
Important to know:
Kids must be at least 7 years old to play and anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a parent to participate.
Rollerskating
4Wheelies
4Wheelies has just opened in Ottawa and is a roller rink and arcade. Located at 1101 Baxter Road, the cost to skate is $16.99. You can bring your own traditional roller skates (no in-line skates are allowed) or you can rent a pair for $5.
They are open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays) from noon - 9pm.
Drive in Movies
Drive-in movies are nostalgic for many parents and there are some options in the Ottawa area!
Port Elmsley is located halfway between Perth & Smiths Falls Ontario and is open 5 nights a week!
Your price includes a double feature and they recommend getting there early to get a good spot.
Ticket prices include HST and are per person.
Age 5-12 $6
Age 13+ $15
Skylight Drive-In Theatre is located in Pembroke, Ontario.
They are open seven days a week and your price includes at least two movies.
Every night is Carload Night! (except for select Dusk to Dawn nights - please check website for details)
$25 Carload Up to 6 People OR
$14 adult
$7 Youth (4-14)
Children up to 3 free.
Movie Program starts at dusk.
Events
House of PainT Festival
The House of PainT Festival is a FREE Outdoor HipHop Jam that showcases Graffiti, Breakdancing, Dj’s and MC’s from across Canada and this year is their 20th anniversary!
The Main Event happens Saturday, August 12th, with amazing performances from DJs, MCs, artists, and dancers.
Location: Dunbar Bridge 100 Brewer Way
Graffiti & Murals/Dance Battles/ Choreography Performances/ Community Workshops/Art Vendors/Music/Poetry/Food Vendors/
Featuring Music, Art, Workshops and Dance Battles
Tickets are not needed to attend but registration is encouraged to stay up to date with House of PainT news, updates, and relevant information. The Main Event on August 12th is free to attend. Donations are encouraged and appreciated!
PuppetCon
It's time to get your Con on! Join us for PuppetCon in Almonte, August 11 – 13, 2023 for a weekend of workshops, shows and panel discussions.
Theatre
There is lots of great theatre in Ottawa and many teens and tweens love taking in a show with their parents.
Broadway Across Canada
Broadway Across Canada has a great series of shows every year. Upcoming shows in the 2023/24 season include Hairspray, Ain’t Too Proud: Life and Times of the Temptations, Disney’s Frozen, and Six.
Odyssey Theatre
Odyssey Theatre is running a summer production of the Miser at Strathcona Park from from July 27-August 20, 2023 Tuesdays through Sundays at 8pm, with matinees on Sunday afternoons at 2pm, PWYC. Tickets are on sale now, with 50% off opening weekend (July 27th to 30th).
The Miser is satire about greed and love is performed in the style of commedia, featuring mask performance, choreography, and singing. Our show is recommended for ages 8 and up, runs for about 2 and a half hours with a 15 min intermission, and takes place next to the banks of the Rideau River..
Rock Climbing
Altitude Gym
Altitude Gym now boasts three locations (Gatineau, Kanata, and Orleans) and the Gatineau location has clip’n’climb.
Coyote Climbing Gym
Coyote Climbing Gym is located at 1737B St Laurent and a youth climbing pass is $15. They also have 10 pass punchpasses for $125 as well as memberships.
If you have any suggestions to add to the list of if you’d like to write some content for us, comment below or email us at kidsinthecapital@gmail.com!
