23 Fun Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids (2026)

Ottawa is an amazing place to visit with kids.

The city has a walkable downtown, surrounded by historical buildings and scenic beauty, and it has some of the best museums in all of Canada/

Whether you’re a local or a tourist in Ottawa, you’ll find that Ottawa is very family-friendly, and has lots of things that are fun for kids and adults.

As an Ontario mom, I’ve been to Ottawa a number of times over the course of my life. I’ve rounded up the things to do in the city, and just outside of it, so you can plan an amazing trip there with your family.

So, let’s jump in – the best things to do in Ottawa with kids!

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Ottawa

Whether you’re looking for indoor toddler activities in Ottawa, or the weather just isn’t cooperating, there’s still lots of things to do. Here are the best things to do with kids indoors in Ottawa

1. Visit the iconic Parliament Hill

Recommended age group: All ages

If it’s your family is new to Ottawa, then visiting Parliament Hill is a must. Everyone should get family photos in front of the iconic Parliament buildings, and young kids can be told that this is where the prime minister works, where the laws are made, and where world leaders meet to make decisions.

It’s very easy (and completely free of charge) to visit the outside of Parliament Hill, and even go inside the buildings if they’re open. You’ll see lots of other people taking selfies and photos.

If you have older kids and want to get some deeper knowledge of the parliament, there are free tours of Parliament Hill, that last 45 to 90 minutes. There are a few different tour options, which you can view by visiting their website.

Pro Tip: For families, the “Immersive Tour” might be more captivating to hold attention of younger kids. You get to walk through Centre Block, and there’s an exhibition and a 360° multimedia show. The Immersive Tour is 45 minutes andalso free of charge. (So, if your kids are bored, then you haven’t lost anything.) Click here for info and to book.

2. Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature

Recommended age group: 3+

The Canadian Museum of Nature is one of the best places to visit as a family. My close friend lives in Ottawa, and this is one of their family’s favourites they’ve been to multiple times. I’d put this close to the top of your list if you have kids who love animals or dinosaurs.

It’s a great place to get kids interested in science and living things – real-life looking animals, fossils, plants and a dinosaur bones exhibit.

The museum looks like a castle from the outside, and is almost worth visiting just for the heritage building itself. A movie is included with admission and offered in both English and French.

Useful to Know:

• The Museum of Nature is located a bit outside of the downtown core, about a 15-20 minute walk depending on where you’re staying.
• You can bring a lunch or snacks to the museum if visiting with kids, but there’s also a Nature Café onsite that serves healthy food
• Its open from 9:30-4:30 every day except for Tuesday.

3. Stroll through the Byward Market, and see the OTTAWA sign

Recommended age group: All ages

The ByWard Market is a large farmer’s market, located in walkable neighbourhood known as the Byward Market District. It’s a heritage district in the city, that most first-timer visitors should add to their Ottawa itinerary. The huge OTTAWA sign is located in this area, just a 5 minute walk up the street from the market.

Inside the ByWard Market there are local vendors selling food products and handmade crafts. You can find some unique Canadian souvenirs in here.

The OTTAWA sign is popular for photos during the day, and its always lit up at night. If there are any festivals or events going on, they’re often held in this area.

There are tons of restaurants and hole in the wall cafe’s in the market area too – pho, Japanese, Indian and more. Just west of here is Major Hill’s Park, where you can get photos of the iconic skyline of Ottawa from across the river.

Good to Know: The ByWard Market area is touristy during the day, but turns into a bit of a club/partying scene at night. Parking here can also be a challenge during the day, so I’d recommend walking if possible! It’s a short walk if you’re staying in downtown Ottawa

4. See Canadian and indigenous art at the National Gallery of Canada

Recommended age group: All ages

The National Gallery is a gorgeous building on the outside, and it holds some famous pieces of Canadian and indigenous arts. They really want to encourage families to walk through here, so they offer free admission to anyone 11 and under, and discounts for youth (12-17.)

When you go to the National Gallery, you’ll see a huge spider-like statue out front. This is called the Maman, and its owned by the gallery. It makes for some memorable, unique photos, and it may remind older kids of Stranger Things (although the statue has nothing to do with the show.)

The gallery occasionally has special events, some which are geared at kids. You can get free family passes for the whole family by visiting an Ottawa library, or you can book on their website.

5. Explore the Dominion Arboretum

Recommended age group: All ages

There’s a gorgeous, beautifully landscaped greenspace right downtown Ottawa; across the river from Carlton University. It’s called the Dominion Arboretum and a peaceful oasis with a pond, paved trails, lots of gardens, weeping willow trees, and wildlife.

It’s so large, green and lush that is surprising that this place is located in the middle of a major city. It is well kept, peaceful, and can be visited in all seasons.

It’s completely free to enter the arboretum grounds, and its open all day, every day. You can walk, or if you have a bike, there are plenty of paved trails.

6. Walk over the bridge to the Canadian Children’s Museum

Recommended age group: 1- 12 years old

The Canadian Children’s Museum is located right inside of the Canadian Museum of History, and you have access to both museums when you buy a ticket.

They’re located just across the river from mainland Ottawa, in Gatineau Quebec. You walk over a huge bridge to get to the museums, and it takes about 30 minutes to walk.

You can also drive to the museums in 10-minutes drive from downtown Ottawa.

If you’re in Ottawa with a toddler, its good to know that the Children’s Museum isn’t the most stroller-friendly, and there are many ‘hiding spots’ so it can be hard to keep track of little ones.

Grab tickets to Children’s Museum + History Museum here (they sell them combined!)

7. Learn about science at the Canada Science and Technology Museum

Recommended age group: 3+

At Canada’s Science and Technology Museum, you can learn about Canada’s science and technological heritage through visual displays and interactive exhibits. Its very popular with families with kids.

There are lots of efforts to engage young visitors here, including a Zoom room which is a hands-on interactive play area for young children to explore their curiosity. It’s perfect for if you’re traveling with a toddler or if you live in Ottawa and are looking for things to do with young kids.

The Science and Technology museum is in the Sheffield Glen neighbourhood, about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Ottawa (so either a car, or public transit would be needed to get here.)

8. Ride the first intro-provincial zip line

Recommended age group: Kids or adults who weigh 70 lbs +

InterZip is a 1,400 foot zip-line starting in Gatineau, Quebec and allows you to sail over the Ottawa river into the city of Ottawa.

There is no age requirement for the zip-line, so kids of any age can try it – but the weight requirement is 70 lbs. A parent will need to sign a release form for the participation of any children under 18.

Its the first zip-line located between two Canadian provinces, and gives you incredible views as you sail across. You sail at 50 km (31 miles) per hour at 50 feet high, and it takes a total of about 40 seconds to get to the other side.

InterZip only runs during the summer months, from June to September. It’s highly recommended to book InterZip in advance, especially if you’re planning for a Friday or Saturday in the summer as it can fill up!

9. Try Ottawa’s Private Investigator Exploration Game

Best time to go: Anytime throughout the year
Age group: 5+

With with Private Investigator Exploration Game, you get to explore Ottawa’s historical landmarks while solving puzzles.

During the game, you’re given a story with clues, and as you solve challenges, you’re brought from different locations, including some of the most Instagrammable spots in Ottawa.

The PI Exploration Game is perfect for families to work together on a project. Kids as young as 5 can participate in helping older family members solve some of the puzzles. It takes around an hour to complete (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.)

If you’re hoping to explore the landmarks as you visit them, then budget for closer to 2 hours. After you book, you receive a link to download the game onto your phone.

If you’re not super interested in booking this, then there’s also the option of making your own scavenger hunt (Ottawa-related or not) as a fun challenge to keep the kids busy.

Book the Private Investigator Exploration Game in Ottawa here (Cost is $13 CDN)

11. Burn off some energy at an indoor playground

Recommended age group: 1- 12 years old

Ottawa has a number of indoor playgrounds where kids can run around, burning off energy and having a blast. It makes a great indoor toddler activity in Ottawa, or perfect for a rainy day for kids of all ages up to 12.

One important thing to know about most indoor playgrounds in Ottawa is that most of them are located in the outskirts of the city, so you’ll need a car in order to get to most of them. You could also take an Uber.

Here are some of your indoor playground options in Ottawa:

• Little Monkeys – open every day, in the Blossom Park suburb
• Cosmic Adventures – east of the Vanier neighbourhood, completely cashless so you’ll need card
• Bubblesea Adventures (although its indoor, it looks like you’re in a swimming pool!)

Good to Know: If driving or taking an Uber isn’t possible, then the closest thing to an indoor playground downtown Ottawa is the Children’s Museum, or the Science and Technology Museum. Both of them offer the interactive play, and the ability for children to run free playing and exploring.

12. Canadian Aviation and Space Museum

Recommended age group: All ages

If you have older children interested in space, then the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in downtown Ottawa would be a real treat.

It’s a wide, open area with a lot of visuals to look at, so its perfect for any age – even if your kids are too young to understand space.

You can see full-sized airplanes and even a space shuttle up close. The museum is located at 11 Aviation Pkwy, Ottawa which is just a 15-minute drive from the downtown core.

The cost is $12.43 for youth (3-17 years of age), and $18.46 for adults. Tickets can be booked online in advance here.

13. Do a free tour of Rideau Hall

Recommended age group: All ages

Rideau Hall is the Canadian residence of the governor-general of Canada. They offer free guided tours for all ages, and there are also family-friendly events happening throughout the year.

The inside of Rideau Hall is like a castle, full of art and Canadian history.

Before or after your visit to Rideau Hall, you can take a leisurely stroll or sit outside in the landscaped gardens outside. There are different trees planted that are gifts from different leaders around the world. There’s also a playground on-site that the kids can play on.

Guided tours to Rideau Hall need to be booked online in advance (but are free of charge.) However, you can drop by to enjoy the gardens and playground anytime without a booking. There’s free street parking nearby.

14. Play games at Funhaven

Recommended age group: 6+

Funhaven is the ultimate one-stop shop for things to do with kids in Ottawa. Perfect for a rainy day, or special celebration (it’s very popular for families in Ottawa to host kid’s birthday parties.)

It has arcades, laser tag, escape rooms, and even bumper cars. It’s located southwest of downtown, and a car would be the easiest way to get here.

Funhaven has a restaurant on site, which makes it easy to spend hours there.

15. Go mini-golfing

Best time to go: May through October (closes for the year after Thanksgiving)
Age group: 5+

Mini Golf Gardens is a great place to teach kids how to golf in an outdoor setting. There are 18-hole mini-golf courses, and suitable for all ages and ability levels.

Mini Golf Gardens is a nice place to spend the day. Along the golf course there are gardens, streams and waterfalls, and plenty of benches in case you want to take a break. There are washrooms and a place to get refreshments and snacks on-site.

Their hours differ depending on the season, but during the summer holidays (June through August) they’re open 7 days a week from 10am to midnight. Kids from 5-12 are $13.50, and adults are $16.50. Reservations aren’t required; simply show up.

16. Step into the past at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Best time to go: May through October (closed during the cold months)
Age group: All ages

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is located in Cumberland, which is a 25 minute drive from downtown Ottawa. It’s worth considering if you have access to a car.

Kids and adults can explore what life in Ottawa was like in the early 1900s. There’s a train station, a general store, old school house, and homes as they looked in that day in age.

It’s a great place to walk through with kids, getting a feel for what the past was like. There are animals outside in the summer, and you can go inside some of the buildings to check them out. Both kids and adults will learn, and have a great time.

While the Cumberland Heritage Museum is usually closed in the cold months, they host the Vintage Village of Lights on weekends leading up to Christmas. It’s a great way to experience a vintage holiday season with family.

Be sure to give yourself at least 2-3 hours to walk through this heritage museum. Children 5 and under are free of charge.

17. See animals at the Valleyview Little Animal Farm

Best time to go: between March- October
Age group: All ages

Valleyview Little Animal Farm is one of the best things to do in Ottawa with kids. It has train rides, puppet shows, and a barn where you can see animals up close.

There are alpacas, geese, sheep, goats, and pigs. You can also visit an old farm museum to learn about agriculture in the past.

While all ages will appreciate seeing animals somewhat, I’d recommend Valleyview especially for younger children under 8.

Valleyview Little Animal Farm is located near Napean, just a 20 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.

18. Hit the Beach (warmer months only)

Best time to go: May 20 – September 4th
Age group: All ages

With its location right on the Ottawa River, Ottawa is surrounded by beaches. The beaches in Ottawa are sandy, and most of them have plenty of shade, and good amenities for a day out during the summer months.

If you have young children, some of the most family-friendly beaches are the Petrie Island Beaches. There are three beaches in total on Petrie Island, which is 21 minutes from downtown Ottawa. They life lifeguards, a play area for small children. Parking is $2.

Aside from Petrie island, the City of Ottawa also has three other beaches:

• Brittania Park and Beach (15-minute drive from Ottawa, free parking, lots of amenities)
• Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach (15-minute drive, paid parking )
• Westboro Beach (10-minute drive, no lifeguard)

For updates to the City of Ottawa beaches, including water quality and openings, click here.

19. Learn about maple syrup at the Vanier Museopark

Best time to go: March and April for sugar shack season
Age group: All ages

The Vanier Museopark is located near the Vanier neighbourhood in east Ottawa. Its the only francophone museum in the Ottawa area, so it might be a good way to get exposure to learning a new language. (But you absolutely don’t need to speak French in order to visit Vanier Park)

You can learn all about the history of maple syrup production. There’s a sugar shack, and a sugar festival held in March, as well as other special events throughout the year.

Sugar shacks are very popular throughout Ontario, but its unusual to find one in a city centre, such as this one. Vanier Museopark is a piece of nature in the middle of the city.

Best of all? Children under 17 are free of charge to the museum and adults are only $6.50. On Thursdays, admission is free for everyone.

20. Celebrate the holidays at Saunders Farm

Best time to go: During special events only
Age group: All ages

Saunders Farm is family owned, 100-acre farm that has been open since 1976. You can grab food at the Cider House, shop in the Farm shop,

Depending on when you visit, there are special events happening throughout the year, such as Pumpkin Fest during the Thanksgiving season, and Fright Fest close to Halloween. Visit during weekends from June to August for summer maze days. Check out your visiting options on their website here.

Saunders Farm is a 35 minute drive southeast of Ottawa.

21. Indulge in winter activities

Best time to go: Between December and March
Age group: Any, depending on the activity

Ottawa is one of the best places in Ontario for a winter vacation. There are ski hills nearby, toboggan hills within the city, and skating in nearby forest trails.

When the Rideau Canal is open, you can skate for free on the world’s largest outdoor skating rink.

In addition, the parliament and heritage buildings downtown are extra pretty covered in snow. One particularly special time to visit in winter is during Winterlude, Ottawa’s winter festival where you can play games, eat delicious comforting snacks and see ice sculptures.

For ways to have a blast in Ottawa with kids in winter, read my guide on Ottawa in Winter.

22. Take part in the Tulip Festival

Best time to go: May
Age group: All ages

Ottawa’s tulip festival is the largest tulip festival in the world. It has historic roots coming from the tradition of Netherlands giving tulips to Canada as a thank-you for liberating Holland. It has been running for over 70 years.

You can simply walk around, getting beautiful family photos among the tulips. There are over 100 different varieties of tulips and other flowers.

There are also food trucks and vendors, and some special events like moves in the park, a sound and light show, and tulips after dark.

The festival takes place in several different places around the city. The vast majority of the tulip gardens are in Commissioner’s Park on Dow’s Lake, but there is also some on the Hill and Major Hill’s Park.

In 2024, the tulip festival will be taking place between May 10th -20th. The flowers differ each day depending on the weather and how ‘bloomed’ they are. You can use the tulip metre to determine the best time to go.

Good to Know: On weekends, the festival can be very crowded with thousands of people wanting to get their photo with the tulips. Get there early if possible.

Things to Do in Ottawa with Teenagers and Older Kids

In addition to museums and outdoor activities here are some fun things to do in Ottawa that are ideal for older children and teens

1. Do a haunted walk

Going on the Ottawa ghost tour allows you to see the downtown area of Ottawa at night, and learn about Ottawa’s dark past.

During the walk, you’ll hear about all about some of the mysteries, crimes and accounts of paranormal activity in Ottawa.

Ottawa has a lot of historic, Victorian buildings which go well with a ghost tour and bone-chilly tales.

The minimum age to participate in Ottawa’s haunted walk is 10 years old, as some of the stories might be scary for younger children.

Book your haunted walk in Ottawa here ($34 per person, 1 hour and 15 minute activity)

2. Put your brain to the test at an escape room

Escape rooms have been growing in popularity in popping up in many Canadian cities, and Ottawa is no exception.

Escape rooms are good for all ages, but a lot of the puzzles can be pretty challenging to figure out (even for adults who aren’t used to escape rooms) so . That being said, I’ve brought my pre-teen daughter to an escape room and she enjoyed it.

Here are your options for escape rooms in Ottawa:

• Room Escape Ottawa –open daily until 10pm
• Escape Manor – three different Ottawa locations

3. Take a class at the Heritage Museum

Although the museum is closed during the colder months, there are special classes offered year round, such as leather-working and hand quilting.

Its a great way to learn some old-fashioned skills and lost arts. Check the heritage museum special classes page here to see upcoming workshops and events.

4. Visit a real Cold War bunker

The Diefenbunker (also known as Canada’s Cold War Museum) was built during the Cold War to protect Canada from a potential nuclear war.

Everything at the Diefenbunker looks as it did 50 years ago. Everything down to the maps, notes and the way it was kept looks the same. It is well preserved and a great way to experience Canadian history.

You have the option of a guided or self-guided tour at the Diefenbunker. I would set aside about 2 hours, regardless of which option you choose.

The Cold War Museum is best for kids over the age of 12, unless they are truly fascinated by history. However, adults and teenagers interested in history will love it, as it’s unlike anything else you can find in Canada.

Where to Stay in Ottawa with Kids

Here are the most kid-friendly accommodations in Ottawa that bring you close to the family-friendly Ottawa attractions

• Budget: Byward Inn -offers a 2 bedroom suite and delicious free breakfast, located right downtown
• Mid-range: Capital’s Retreat – cozy home with lots of space
• Luxury: Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown – indoor swimming pool, free breakfast and on-site restaurant right downtown

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for somewhere kid-friendly to stay in Ottawa that is super budget and don’t mind a few downsides (being far from the downtown, and living in someone’s basement) then I stayed at this Airbnb with my daughter during a trip to Ottawa and felt comfortable and enjoyed our time

Things to Do NEAR Ottawa with Kids (1-2+ hours of driving)

There are a lot of fun things to do in Eastern Ontario, and many charming small towns to visit, and other amazing cities like Kingston (which used to be Ottawa’ capital.) If you’re willing to drive up to an hour or two, you’ll find lots of family friendly things to do. I’ve put these things in a separate category, because not everyone visiting or living in Ottawa has a car.

1. Drive through Parc Omega

Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour

Parc Omega in Quebec is a 12 km (7.5-mile) safari where you get to drive through a nature reserve to spot Canadian wildlife from your car. You have the chance to see animals like wolves, bears, beavers, and lots of birds that live in the area.

If you’ve ever been to the African Lion Safari near Toronto, Parc Omega is very similar, except the wildlife here is all Canadian native animals.

Theres also a 1 km (0.6-mile) trail on-site where you can hike in the warm months, or snowshoe in the cold months. You can do this before or after your drive through the park.

2. See aquatic life at the Brockville Aquatarium

Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour, 10 minutes

My friend in Ottawa swars by the Brockville Aquatarium – they’ve brought their kids there a number of times. The Brockville Aquarium has fish, otters, turtles and other marine life that are native to the St. Lawrence River. Its designed to be a fun, educational way for kids to learn about local aquatic life to this part of Ontario.

There are also places for kids to play, such as an interactive water table. The Brockville Aquatarium is open from 10am -4pm from Fridays to Mondays only. You can book online, or simply buy your tickets at reception upon arrival.

3. Visit Mountain Orchards

Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour

Mountain Orchards is

4. Sanbanks Provincial Park

Distance from Ottawa:

5. Go hiking in Algonquin Provincial Park

Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Algonquin Park is the 3rd largest provincial park in Ontario, and also the oldest; having opened in 1883. Its very large, at over 7,000 km sq feet.

It’s a great place to get out and experience incredible nature – most of the lakes are free of motorized boats. You can go canoeing, hiking, and even camping.

Algonquin is especially beautiful (and popular) in the fall season, when the leaves change colour.

Algonquin Provincial Park is a scenic drive from Ottawa. This can be done in a day trip, or you can stay in the park or nearby overnight.

Things to Do in Ottawa with a Baby

There are a number of things to do in Ottawa with a baby, or even young toddlers. There are parks, playgrounds, beaches, splash pads, indoor playgrounds and family-friendly museums.

So, depending what season you’re visiting Ottawa, there are lots of ways to get you out exploring the city with your baby in tow, whether they’re a newborn or toddler age.

• Go on a stroller-friendly walk outside. If St-Laurent by the mall, head west to the Rideau River paths. If near Manor Park, head to the Ottawa River pathways. If South, head to Lynda Lane Park.
• Visit one of the indoor playgrounds
• Visit one of the city splashpads, beaches or swimming pools. Info on the city website here
• Walk through a museum. The Museum of Aviation or the Canadian Nature museum would both be eye catching and interesting for kids and babies alike

Ottawa with Kids: FAQs

Here are the most commonly asked questions about visiting Ottawa with kids

Does Ottawa have an aquarium?

Ottawa does not have its own aquarium like the Ripley’s in Toronto or the Aquarium du Quebec in Quebec City. However, there is the Brockville Aquatarium which is just over an hour from Ottawa.

Is Ottawa kid friendly?

Ottawa is definitely a kid-friendly city. The downtown core is very safe and walkable. Regardless of the season you visit, there’s a good mix of interactive museums, outdoor activities, and heritage landmarks to explore and learn about as a family.

Does Ottawa have a zoo?

Ottawa doesn’t have a zoo with exotic animals, but there is a farm which operates as a petting zoo just outside the city, as well as an aquarium just 1 hour away. There’s also Parc Omega, which is a drive-through safari where you can see native Canadian animals in their natural habitat.

Final Thoughts: What do Do in Ottawa with Kids

By now, you know of some of the best things to do in Ottawa with kids of all ages. Whether you’re in Ottawa with a toddler, or teenager, there’s a lot of family friendly things to do in the Canada’s capital. This is part of what makes it one of the best places to live, and visit in our province.

I’ve crafted a good Ottawa itinerary that can be done with or without kids.

While Toronto has the largest museum in Canada, Ottawa has the most variety, and kid-friendly museums. It has more family-friendly museums with interactive exhibits that interest children than anywhere else in Canada, and it has great outdoor activities for kids of all ages, year round.