Ottawa Family Activities; 25 Fun Things to do With Kids This Summer
Canada’s capital is a great place for a summer family vacation, and there is no shortage of things to do with kids in Ottawa. Choose from exciting outdoor activities like ziplining, white water rafting, biking and paddling, to more relaxed activities like sightseeing, beach days, city strolls, museums and local farms. Plan your summer getaway in Ottawa with these fun activities for families.
Sightseeing, Attractions and Events
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill is a highlight of any summer visit to Ottawa. Watch soldiers dressed in traditional red uniforms and bearskin hats perform drills on the front lawn of Parliament with military precision. This time-honoured tradition takes place daily from July to mid-August at 10am on Parliament Hill, with the full parade - starting from Cartier Square Drill Hall up Elgin St. to Parliament Hill, taking place Wednesday-Sunday.
Rideau Canal Locks
No summer visit to Ottawa is complete without watching boats lock through the Rideau Canal Locks. Locks 1-8, sandwiched between the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Parliament Hill, are the most impressive. Watch boats slowly make their way up or down the flight of locks, as Parks Canada staff manually open and close the locks by hand.
While you’re waiting for the next lock to fill up, make a stop at the Bytown Museum, located at the base of the locks, and learn about the history of Ottawa from its First Peoples and early days as Bytown, to the Ottawa you see today.
Family-friendly Festivals
Ottawa summers are full of family-friendly festivals fun, and it’s definitely worth planning a trip to the city during these cool events. Some notable festivals with kid-centric activities are the Ottawa Children’s Festival, Ottawa International Buskerfest, Canada Day celebrations, the Capital Fair, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, and the Grand Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy fireworks.
Ottawa Museums
For a great rainy-day activity or much-needed break from the heat, plan a visit to one of Ottawa’s cool museums. Whether it’s planes and tanks, or art and animals, Ottawa has a museum for kids of all ages and all interests. If you’re looking to visit several museums during your visit, consider purchasing an Ottawa Museums Pass, which will provide you will significant savings, allowing you to visit unlimited museums over 1 or 3 days.
Calypso Waterpark
Highly recommended for any summer family vacation in Ottawa, Calypso Waterpark is Canada’s largest water park, and a summer must. Let the kids explore the 35 water slides, two lazy rivers, heated pools, 100 water games, three children’s areas, and Canada’s largest wave pool. Waterslides vary in “thrill level” from extreme to tame, and there are numerous rides where children can ride with parents in rafts of 2 or 4. Calypso also offers Cabana rentals, kid-friendly beach grub, as well as tropical cocktails for thirsty parents.
Boat Tours
A region defined by its unique river system, Ottawa is a great place to explore by boat. Hop on an Ottawa River Cruise and explore cool riverside sights while learning about the history of the city, or opt for a relaxing Rideau Canal cruise on the Ekeau 100% electric solar-powered boat. For a fun family experience opt for a boat/bus combo with the Lady Dive amphibus, taking in the sights from land and water, all from one seat.
Another shorter option for those looking for a cool way to travel between Ottawa and Gatineau, QC is Aqua Taxi Eh. Making stops at the Canadian Museum of History, Richmond Landing, and the base of the Rideau Canal locks, this is a fun way to explore downtown at your own pace, and for kids with smaller attention spans.
NCC Riverhouse
A century-old heritage building that has been converted into a beautiful summer oasis, the NCC Riverhouse is a great place to spend a summer afternoon. Watch the kids swim in the unique, supervised enclosed swimming area in cool waters of the Ottawa River, launch a boat from the public dock, or enjoy lunch, a snack or an ice cream on their scenic riverside patio.
Pirate Life Adventures
Bring the kids, bring your imagination and set sail on a theatrical pirate boat cruise adventure with Pirate Life. Find the perfect pirate outfit, decide on a pirate name, then depart from Mooney’s Bay and enjoy an immersive and interactive sail around the high seas of the Rideau River while you fire cannons, watch epic sword fights and search for treasure
Outdoor and Adventure Activities
Biking
With over 200km of multi-use pathways, the Ottawa region is perfect for families who love exploring on 2 wheels. Rent bikes, including kids’ bikes and tandem bikes from Rent-a-bike or Escape Bicycle Tours, then hit the tarmac and spend a day exploring Ottawa by bike. If you’re visiting on a Sunday be sure to take advantage of Weekend Bikedays, where numerous streets around the city are closed to traffic allowing ample space to bike on local roads car free.
Hiking
With an immense amount of green space in and around the city, hiking in Ottawa a great summer family activity. Head into Gatineau Park, for numerous hikes of varying lengths and difficulty, including the popular Pink Lake Trail, Waterfall and Lauriault Trail (beside the Mackenzie King ruins), or the King Mountain trail. Alternatively opt for a hike in Ottawa’s greenbelt including Mer Bleue Bog, Mud Lake, Stoney Swamp and Shirley’s Bay Trails.
Camp Fortune Mountain Pipe Coaster
Camp Fortune’s Mountain Pipe Coaster is a unique activity in the Ottawa region, and if your family likes adventure, than this attraction is for you. Cruise down the 1km-long monorail track at up to speeds of 40km/hr. while you navigate twists, turns and tunnels. Speeds are controlled by the rider with a hand break, allowing you to go as fast or slow as you want. The Mountain Pipe Coaster is also family friendly with children 8 yr+ being permitted to ride alone, while younger kids can ride as a passengers accompanied by a parent.
Interzip
The first interprovincial zipline in the world, Interzip lets you cruise between two provinces in less than a minute. Perfect for teens or tween weighing over 70lbs, this super-fun zipline lets you glide 120 ft above the Ottawa River from Ottawa to Gatineau at speeds of over 50km/hr. Catch cool views of Parliament Hill, downtown Ottawa, and local attractions as you soar through the air from province to province.
Ottawa City Rafting
Looking for a whitewater experience fit for the family? Then raft down the Ottawa River with Ottawa City Rafting. This fun 3hr rafting experience is a great introduction to white water rafting for beginners, families and kids, and passes through class I and II rapids, as well as sections of flat water. Participants don’t have to paddle for the entire journey, making it great for people of all fitness levels. While you’ll be guaranteed excitement, the tours are great for families with kids (ages 5+), non-swimmers, and those who want to get their toes wet in the world of white water.
Camp Fortune Aerial Park
If you have adventurous kids, and like a little challenge yourself, then add the Camp Fortune Aerial Park to your Ottawa summer itinerary. Located at Camp Fortune just outside Gatineau Park, this fun aerial park will challenge you and your kids to scale ladders, balance over tight ropes, navigate zigzag bridges, and zip line through the forest canopy. There is a designated children’s course for small kids, as well as the main explorer course for teens, tweens and parents.
Paddling
If your kids love outdoor activity and being on the water, then spend a day paddling Ottawa’s beautiful waterways. Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboat at the Dow’s Lake Marina and either explore Dow’s Lake at leisure, or be adventurous and paddle the Rideau Canal to downtown Ottawa for iconic views of Parliament Hill.
By nature, the Rideau Canal’s waters are extremely calm, making it the perfect place to paddle with kids – no crazy waves, no crazy wake. If you have your own boat there are other locations to drop in your boat along the Rideau Canal, as well as put-ins along the Rideau River and Ottawa River for paddling families more experienced with navigating currents.
Parks, Beaches and Places to Eat
Mooney’s Bay Playground -Giver Park
If you’re looking for a relaxing place to let the kids run wild for a few hours, head to the popular Mooney’s Bay Playground, also known as Giver Park. Created in 2017 to celebrate Canada 150, this playground is one of the largest in Canada and has an immense amount of uniquely designed, Canadian-inspired play structures including a lighthouse slide, orca shaped monkey bars and canoe-shaped teeter totter.
Beaches
While not a beach destination in itself, Ottawa has some great beaches located along its extensive river system that are great for a beach day. From long sandy beaches buzzing with activity, to smaller secluded riverside gems, there’s a perfect stretch of sand, no matter what your family’s vibe. Some of the most popular spots include Britannia Beach, Petrie Island and Mooney’s Bay Beach.
Ice Cream Shops
Parents love ice cream just as much as kids, and Ottawa has an amazing selection of ice cream shops for a summer scoop. Choose from traditional dipped cones from Lois ‘N’ Frima’s, authentic Italian gelato from Farinella, artisanal small-batch ice cream from Moo Shu, or a customizable ice cream creation from Marble Slab Creamery.
Patios
Dining al fresco is one of the joys of summer, and Ottawa has some great family-friendly restaurants with epic outdoor patios. Head to the Grand Pizzeria’s for wood-fired pizzas, Felena’s or Banditos for tasty Mexican fare, the King Eddy for all-day breakfast and diner eats, Fatboys Smokehouse for southern BBQ, and Tavern on the Hill or Tavern on the Falls for gourmet hotdogs with a view.
Farm and Animal Experiences
Berry Picking
A fourth-generation family farm just 25 minutes east of downtown, Proulx Farm is the place to go for berry picking in the Ottawa region. With the trifecta of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries growing onsite, there are always berries to pick during the summer months. Take the beautiful country drive to Proulx Farm with the family and enjoy fresh local produce, straight from the farm.
Ottawa has many other seasonal fruit farms dedicated to strawberries and blueberries located on the outskirts of the city and in the surrounding countryside. Check out our top spots for berry picking in Ottawa.
Parc Omega
Embark on a Canadian-style summer safari from the comfort of your own vehicle at Parc Omega. Located only an hour from downtown Ottawa in Montebello, QC, this unique wildlife park provides 12 kilometers of paved trail alongside habitats full of North American wild animals including elk, bear, bison, deer, foxes and wolves.
Bring a bag of carrots (or buy one onsite) and let the kids feed the friendly deer and elk from your car windows, or for the ultimate adventure rent one of their caged-in golf carts for an up-close and personal wildlife experience. Parc Omega also has a host of other activities including birds of prey presentations, an aerial boardwalk, wolf observatory, along with tasty spots for snacks onsite.
Saunders Farm
Known for its famous hedge mazes, Saunders Farm is a hub for family activities in the summer months. The farm has a wide range of activities for kids of all ages, especially the young ones, including wagon rides, ziplines, puppet shows, digging for gems, a cool farm-themed playground, splash pad, giant jumping mats and of course their awesome hedge mazes.
Valleyview Little Animal Farm
Experience country life on a working farm at Valleyview Little Animal Farm. Kids will love visiting the animal barn and country walk where they can see and interact with a variety of animals including horses, alpacas, donkeys, zebus, goats to and geese. Other farm activities include mini train rides through the farmer’s fields, farm-themed playground, puppet shows and a cool farm museum.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Another great spot to get up close to farm animals is at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Take a stroll through the barns to see dairy cows, horses, alpacas, pigs, goats and sheep, learn about agriculture, and enjoy daily cooking demonstrations which show how food goes from farm to table.
