March Break in Ottawa; 15 Fun Things to do with Kids

Ottawa
Written By Sofie Sharom
two people walking in front of Parliament building winter blue skies Ottawa March Break

If you’re looking for a fun family getaway this march, Ottawa is full of cool march break activities that your kids will love. As a city that knows how to embrace the winter, there is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy, as well as plenty of indoor activities to keep everyone warm and entertained. Plan your mid-winter getaway with these fun family-friendly march break activities in Ottawa.

When is March Break in 2026

Families from both Ontario and Quebec visit Ottawa during the school break in March, while the dates differ for each province. March Break in Ontario takes place from March 16-20, 2026, while for school boards in Quebec, March break is from March 2-6, 2026. Many attractions and activities in Ottawa run special March Break programming during both spring breaks to accommodate people from both provinces.

Go Museum Hopping

Ottawa is the ultimate destination for museum lovers, with tons of activities to keep kids busy - while at the same time keeping it interesting for adults. Spend a day learning and exploring at one Ottawa’s seven national museums, many of which offer special kid-friendly programming during March Break, and showcase fun special exhibitions throughout the year. Ottawa also has several independent museums which offer unique looks into both local, and Canadian history.

If you plan on visiting multiple museums during the week, be sure to check out the Ottawa Museum’s pass; this will provide you with a significant discount on your museum visits and is well worth it.

Visit a Local Maple Sugar Shack

March Break falls perfectly in the peak of maple syrup season in Ontario, making a visit to an Ottawa sugar shack a great family activity. Spend a morning at a local sugar bush, learn how sap is turned into syrup, and chow down on fluffy pancakes doused in liquid Canadian gold.  

Parc Omega

Go on a Canadian-style safari from the comfort of your own car at Parc Omega. Located in Montebello, QC, this unique adventure allows to you drive through 12 kilometers of paved trail alongside habitats full of North American wild animals. Snap pics of bison, elk, deer, bear, foxes and wolves, and bring a bag of carrots (or buy one onsite), and let the kids feed the friendly deer from the backseat.

Parc Omega also has numerous other activities including animal presentations, night walks, an aerial boardwalk, walking trails, snow tubing and horse-drawn sleigh rides on weekends.

Ice Skating

Two people skaking towing child in sled outdoor skating trail Patinage en Forest ice skating ottawa

Ottawa has some great places to ice skate, with several refrigerated outdoor rinks that stay open into mid-March. These include the Sens rink of dreams, Lansdowne Skating Court, and the rink at Rideau Hall. Many naturally frozen rinks and outdoor skating trails attempt to stay open in March; however, this completely depends on the weather. If you’re hoping for a skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the odds are slim. However, it’s not impossible in early March, so cross your fingers. Tight!

Hit the Trails - Snowshoe, Hike, Cross-country ski or Fat Bike

Ottawa has an amazing winter trail network, with hundreds of kilometres of free trails to enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking and cross-country skiing in the city.  Many multi-use winter trails have tracks groomed for classic skiing, with a section for those skate skiing, snowshoeing, biking and walking in the middle.

The trails are both scenic and peaceful and pass by beautiful natural areas like the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. The majority are located right in the city, and are easily accessible by public transit, many with free parking available nearby.

Indoor Play Areas – Trampolines, Mini-golf, Go Karting, Arcades and More

When it’s time for the kids to work off some steam, and you’re hoping to stay warm inside, head to one of Ottawa’s fun indoor play areas. From trampolines and rock climbing, to go karting, virtual reality and mini putt, let the kids get active while staying warm indoors. Here are out top picks:

Gatineau Park

Only minutes away from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park is a mecca for winter sports. With an extensive network of cross-country skiing, snowshoe, hiking and fat biking trails, there are plenty of opportunities to get active outdoors.

If you’re looking for a unique winter experience, try winter camping in Gatineau Park. Choose to brave the elements in your own tent, or stay cozy in one of their ready-to-camp yurts, cabins and four-season tenets, accessible for ski or snowshoe.

Daily passes are required for access to Gatineau Park trails, which can be purchased online in advance of your visit. Winter equipment such as skis, snowshoes, ski sledges and fat bikes can be rented from Relais plein air.

Indoor Tours of Historic Buildings

A great indoor activity, that is both interesting and educational, is touring some of Ottawa’s and iconic buildings. Llearn about the history of processes of these important Canadian institutions with these popular free tours:

Alternatively book a free tour of Rideau Hall; the official residence of the Governor General of Canada. Explore elegant state rooms including the iconic and colourful Tent Room, and learn more about this historically significant home.

Ski and Snowboard at Camp Fortune

Just a short drive north of Ottawa in Chelsea, QC, Camp Fortune is the place to go for downhill skiing and snowboarding near Ottawa. Pack the family skis and snowboards, buy a lift ticket and carve away, or sign the kids up for Camp Fortune’s 3-day March Break program. The 3-day learn to ski/snowboard spring break programs are open to kids 5-14yrs of age, and consist of a 1.5-hour lesson each day.

If you’re looking for a 1-day, learn-to-ski lesson (for kids or adults), opt for the 2-hour group beginner lesson for anyone 7+ yrs, which includes rentals and a lift ticket. 

Enjoy Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea isn’t only for grown-ups in Ottawa. Many of Ottawa’s top spots for high tea also cater to kids, with similar but smaller, kid-friendly offerings. Make a reservation at Zoe’s in the iconic Fairmont Chateau Laurier, at Quelque Chose Patisserie, or the Vanitea Room, and spend an afternoon sipping and snacking with your pinkies up.

Catch a Hockey Game

Nothing beats the excitement of live sports, and watching one of Ottawa’s winter sports teams in action is a great way to spend time with the family. For NHL fans, head to the Canadian Tire Centre and catch an Ottawa Senators game, or stay downtown and head to TD Place to watch the Ottawa 67’s (OHL), or the Ottawa Charge (PWHL) in action.

Go Tobogganing

A fun free activity, and a great way to enjoy the winter weather, is to go sledding at one of Ottawa’s fun toboggan hills. With a variety of hills throughout the city, you can choose from a modest slope for small kids, a large hill for speed seekers, and even hills lit in the evening for night sledding.

Escape Rooms

Search for clues, solve puzzles, and put logic to work at one of Ottawa’s fun escape rooms. With a wide variety of experiences throughout the city, escape rooms are great for families; especially those with tweens or teens.

Problem-solve your way out of some cool and challenging escape rooms, including the award-winning Diefenbunker escape room; the world’s largest, spanning 25,000 square feet, located in a cool Cold War-era underground bunker!

Matinee at the Movies

Kids love movies, and Ottawa has some unique movie theatres worth visiting. Catch a screening at the historic Mayfair Theatre, Ottawa's oldest active movie theatre, in operation since 1932. You can also get those vintage cinema vibes at the Bytowne Cinema, specializing in independent or foreign films. If you’re looking for a traditional mainstream theatre, the Lansdowne Place Cineplex is a popular spot close to downtown to catch the newest releases.

Indoor Swimming

If you’re looking to escape the cold, and have kids who love the water, Ottawa has some great options for indoor swimming. Pack a towel and head for a public swim at the Plant Recreation Centre, or Dovercourt Recreation Centre, which have free drop-in swims times for kids and families throughout the week.

Ottawa also has several fun indoor wave pools, great for those looking for a little more wave action:

If your family loves swimming, and you plan on staying at a local hotel, consider choosing a hotel with a pool. This is a great way to have unlimited access to swimming, without having to travel far from your luggage.

Hotels with Swimming Pools in Ottawa:

  • Westin Ottawa

  • Fairmont Chateau Laurier

  • Delta Ottawa City Centre

  • Cartier Place Suite Hotel

  • Ottawa Marriott Hotel

  • Lord Elgin Hotel

  • Les Suites Hotel

  • Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa downtown

  • Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa east

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Ottawa East

  • Brookstreet Hotel

Sofie Sharom
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