Things To Do in Ottawa with Kids (2026 Guide)

Looking for a list of things to do in Ottawa with kids to help plan your trip?

I’ve been to Ottawa three times now. My first trip was as a teen, then I did a four-day family trip with my young kids, and most recently, a two-day stop on our East Coast Canada road trip with my teens. Our last trip didn’t give us enough time to see everything the city has to offer, but planning it helped me put together a great list for our next family vacation in Ottawa. I have so much planned for our next trip already, I may need to make it a full week.

If you’re not a big planner and just want a one-day Ottawa itinerary that’s already done for you, check out this post. For more details on some of the attractions, you can read my reviews on the Chateau Cartier Hotel, Keona Spa, Calypso Waterpark, and the Museum of Nature. Or, if you prefer visual inspiration, you can check out my Ottawa videos on TikTok.

In this post, I’m sharing the top 12 things to do with kids in Ottawa. I’ll also share all the other attractions and activities for kids in the city that go beyond just the usual tourist attractions. Plus, I’ll cover the best restaurants, my personal list of the top Ottawa hotels for all budgets, and all the must-knows so you can plan a stress-free Ottawa family vacation.

When to Go to Ottawa

Spring and fall are by far the best times to visit Ottawa. The weather is comfortable and the crowds are lower, so you can actually enjoy walking around and exploring the city.

September and October are great if you want to see all the fall colours in the parks and trails. If you prefer the spring colours, May is the best choice because of the Tulip Festival (mid-May). But if you prefer a visit without the festival crowds, April or June are much quieter and still lovely.

Summer in Ottawa is fun, but it’s busy. You might catch one of the big festivals like Bluesfest (mid-July) or Chamberfest (late July to Early August). But keep in mind, this is peak tourist season, so hotels will cost more and the best ones will book up quickly.

Winter is the most difficult season to visit, in my opinion. It can get really cold, especially in January and February. Plus, we can get a lot of snow, which makes walking around a bit more difficult. That said, there are some perks to visiting in the winter, like the Winterlude Festival (on Jan 29 – Feb 15, 2027) and being able to skate on the Rideau Canal. Another bonus is that hotel prices will be much lower this time of year.

Of course, if you want to take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass free or discounted admission to many museums in Ottawa, then you’ll want to visit before the program ends on September 7, 2026. We used it during our trip in summer 2025 and saved a lot of money on a couple of museum visits, which made our trip much more affordable. The Canadian Government has yet to announce whether it will renew the program for the summer of 2027, but I will update as soon as I hear anything.

How Long to Stay in Ottawa

Ideally, you’ll want to plan for three to four days for an Ottawa trip with kids. That will give you enough time to take your time exploring the top museums and see the best sites, like the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill, without feeling rushed to get to the next attraction. We only had one full day to explore Ottawa on our last trip, but I plan to do a long weekend again soon so we can see everything we missed.

How to Get Around Ottawa

Downtown Ottawa is very walkable, with most of the top attractions being fairly close together.

For attractions that are a bit farther out, public transit will be easier than driving since downtown gets pretty busy. Plus, it’s very family-friendly, with kids 10 and under riding for free.

Uber is another good option, as long as you’re not traveling with kids young enough to still need car seats, since most drivers don’t provide them. Even though we had a car on our last trip, we took an Uber downtown so I could avoid the stress of driving in a busy, unfamiliar city and having to find parking.

If you’re planning to stop at a lot of attractions that are farther apart, the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus is the best choice. A one-day pass starts at $38 for kids and $45 for adults. The route stops at the Canadian Museum of Nature, ByWard Market, Rideau Hall, the RCMP Stables (weekdays), Canada Aviation and Space Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History, and a main kiosk within walking distance of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. On select days, the extended tour also stops at Lansdowne Park, Dow’s Lake, and the Canadian Agricultural and Food Museum. I remember doing this tour on my first trip as a teen, and my cousin and I loved sitting up top on the double-decker bus. Those double-decker buses are always a highlight for the kids.

The 12 Best Things To Do in Ottawa with Kids

1. Parliament Hill

A visit to Parliament Hill is a must on a trip to Ottawa.

The standard free guided tour of the Parliament buildings usually isn’t that exciting for kids. A better option is Parliament: The Immersive Experience, a 45-minute exhibit with a 360° multimedia show that brings the history and architecture of the Centre Block to life.

For my kids, the real highlight here is the Changing of the Guard or the Ceremonial Guard Band performance, which happens daily at 10:00 AM during the summer. The full ceremony with soldiers and the band is only on Thursday through Sunday. Monday to Wednesday is just the band performance. On our last trip, we only saw the band, but my kids still enjoyed the performance.

MOM TIP: Get there 15–30 minutes early to get a good spot.

• Cost: Free to explore
• How long to plan for: 1-2 hours
• Where it is: 111 Wellington St, Ottawa (right on the Ottawa River)

2. Rideau Canal Locks

@mamasonvacation

We stopped to watch boats go through the Rideau Canal locks in downtown Ottawa. It’s a fun and unique thing to see in the middle of the city. Visit MamasOnVacation.com for more things to do in Ottawa. Ottawa ottawatourism OttawaWithKids canadafamilytravel FamilyTravel TravelWithKids ThingsToDoInOttawa CanadaTravel TravelTips

♬ Countryside – The Folks

Watching boats go through the locks on the Rideau Canal is another great summer activity for kids in Ottawa. We stopped to watch on both our trips, and my kids loved it as much as they did when they were little.

From June 19 – September 7, the Lockstations open at 9:00 AM (May 15 – June 18 and September 8 – October 12 they open at 10:00 AM ). A great way to start your day in Ottawa is to head to the Locks first, watch a few boats pass through, then go grab a spot for the Changing of the Guard ceremony before 10:00 AM. It’s a great way to scratch off some free things to do in Ottawa before moving on to paid attractions.

• Cost: Free to explore
• How long to plan for: 30-45 minutes
• Where it is: Locks 1-8 are on Wellington St (between the Parliament Buildings and Château Laurier)

3. Canada Science and Technology Museum

Probably the best museums for kids in Ottawa, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is fill of interactive, hands-on exhibits. It’s a great follow up to some of the less engaging attractions.

Adults and teens will enjoy Artifact Alley, the museum’s collection of science and technology artifacts. The kids will love the Crazy Kitchen and the Upside-Down Lab, exploring two vintage locomotives in Steam: A World in Motion, or experimenting and playing in ZOOOM – Children’s Innovation Zone (for kids up to age 8).

Tip for special needs families: The Canada Science and Technology Museum offers Sensory-friendly mornings, called “Mellow Mornings”, with less unexpected sensory triggers and less visitors. See our post on sensory-friendly activities in Ottawa for more places that offer sensory friendly times.  

• Cost: $22 (adults), $17 (Student 18+ with student ID), $14 (ages 3-17), Free (2 and under)
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 2-3 hours
• Where it is: 1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa

4. Canadian Museum of History

Another must-do in Ottawa with kids is the Canadian Museum of History.

The exhibits include First Peoples Hall and Grand Hall, the Canadian History Hall, and the Canadian Stamp Collection, (which has over 3,000 stamps) plus rotating temporary exhibits. The museum also has a CINÉ+ theatre showing documentaries on Canadian history and wilderness. Teens and older kids will enjoy these, but the real highlight for younger children is the Children’s Museum. This huge, interactive play area lets kids explore through hands-on, pretend-play exhibits.

MOM TIP: The Children’s Museum can be chaotic and crowded during the summer, so aim to visit in the early morning or on weekdays if you want to avoid the crowds. When you’re done inside, head outdoors to check out the Zen Garden, take in the city skyline, or print the Museum Quest-ory Outdoor Edition activity for the kids.

Tip for special needs families: The Museum offers sensory support, including ear defenders available to borrow at the Information desk. The museum also accepts the Access 2 Card for free admission for one support person. Read our review on how autism friendly it is for more info.

• Cost:  $22.50 (adults), $16.20 (ages 2-17), Free (2 and under) – get tickets here
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 2-3 hours
• Where it is: 100 Laurier Street in Gatineau (beside Jacques-Cartier Park)

5. The Canadian Agricultural and Food Museum

While it sounds like this museum would be pretty boring, the Canadian Agricultural and Food Museum is actually one of the best museums for kids in Ottawa! It’s a real, working farm with live animals like cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. Kids get to watch demonstrations on the farm and in the kitchen, explore interactive exhibits, and play in the hands-on areas.

We haven’t visited yet, but it’s at the top of my list for our next trip now that I know what’s there.

• Cost: $17 (adults), $14.41 (ages 3-17 and students 18+ with student ID), Free (2 and under)
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 2-3 hours
• Where it is: 901 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa

6. Bank of Canada Museum

The Bank of Canada Museum is another one that might sound boring for kids, but it’s actually full of interactive exhibits and games. It’s also free, so it’s definitely worth a stop if your family has the time. It’s on our bucket list for our next trip.

Tip for special needs families: This museum is on our list of Sensory-Friendly Ottawa Attractions, as they offer a sensory-friendly experience on select Sundays.

• Cost: Free
• How long to plan for: 30-minutes to 1 hour
• Where it is: 30 Bank Street (near Parliament Hill)

7. Canadian Museum of Nature

@mamasonvacation

If you’re in Ottawa with kids, here’s a look inside the Museum of Nature so you can see what to expect. Older kids and teens will enjoy it, but younger kids may lose interest fast. It also gets crowded, so planning your visit helps. Full review is on my site — link in bio or MamasOnVacation.com. museumofnature Ottawa ottawatourism OttawaWithKids canadafamilytravel FamilyTravel TravelWithKids ThingsToDoInOttawa CanadaTravel

♬ Happy Mood – Syafeea library

The Canadian Museum of Nature is huge, with each permanent exhibit taking up about half a floor.

The regular exhibits cover the Arctic, Birds, Earth, Mammals, Water, and Fossils. There are also two special exhibits: Life onto Land: The Devonian (running until October 12, 2026) and Wild Colour (running until January 10, 2027). While there’s a lot to see and many interactive exhibits, it may not be the best museum for younger kids. There really aren’t any play areas or hands-on exhibits geared towards little ones.

It’s a great option for teens or older children, but if you have kids under 8, you may want to skip it. For more details, check out my full review.

How long you’ll need here really depends on your kids’ ages and their interests. If you do go with younger kids, expect to get through quickly, stopping for just a few of the highlights (like the dinosaurs). I’d say you could easily get through the museum in two hours with little ones, but could need up to four for older kids who actually want to read and try out all the interactive exhibits. Brie had little interest here and moved through quickly, but Zen could have stayed much longer.

Tip for special needs families: The crowd here can be pretty overwhelming. Some areas, like the dinosaur gallery, are especially busy and loud, so bringing headphones is a must. For a detailed look at the museum from a sensory perspective, read my Is It Autism Friendly review!

• Cost: $23.40 (adults), $17.10 (ages 2-17), Free (2 and under)- get tickets here
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 2-4 hours
• Where it is: 240 McLeod Street in downtown Ottawa (20 minute walk from Parliament Hill)

8. RCMP Stables

From May 1, 2026 to August 29, you can visit the RCMP Stables to see the horses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. There is a free, half-hour guided tour, that walks you trhough the RCMP history and how they train for the show.

• Cost: Free
• How long to plan for: about an hour
• Where it is: 1 Sandridge Road, Ottawa

9. Canada Aviation and Space Museum

If your child is into planes or space, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum will be perfect for them. You could easily spend a few hours here.

But for kids who aren’t plane/space lovers, it won’t hold their interest as long. There are planes kids can climb into and a small play area, but probably only enough to keep them engaged for about an hour. I brought my kids when they were little, and they loved dressing up in space suits for a group activity, but the rest of the museum didn’t hold their attention for long. We skipped it on our last visit.

• Cost: $19.50 (adults), $17 (students 18+ with ID card), $13.50 (ages 3-17), free (2 and under)
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 1-3 hours
• Where it is: 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa

10. Royal Canadian Mint

A tour of the Royal Canadian Mint isn’t very exciting for younger kids, but older kids and teens may enjoy seeing how money is made, plus you get a chance to lift a real gold bar! It’s a fun, unique experience for families looking for something a little different to do in Ottawa.

• Cost: $14 (adults), $10 (ages 5-17), Free (4 and under)
• How long to plan for: 1 hour (tours are 45 minutes)
• Where it is: 320 Sussex Dr, Ottawa (15-minute walk from Parliament Hill)

11. National Gallery of Canada

You might think an art gallery would be boring for little ones, but my kids actually had a great time at the National Gallery of Canada on our first trip! Aside from admiring the art, there’s also the Inspiration Space where kids can create their own. While the art gallery may hold their attention for a little while, don’t expect to spend long there, and be prepared to leave before seeing everything if they get restless.

Tip for special needs families: The Art Gallery can be a great low-sensory activity to do between more intense attractions. For more tips on planning your itinerary with a special needs child, see my post Travel Tips for Autism.

• Cost: $22 (adults), $15 (ages 18-30), $12 (ages 12-17), Free (11 and under)- get tickets here
  • From June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission is free for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off for youth aged 18 to 24 with the Canada Strong Pass.
• How long to plan for: 1-2 hours
• Where it is: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa (10-minute walk from Parliament Hill)

12. ByWard Market

The ByWard Market can be a fun stop for families. This historic market has lots of unique vendors selling everything from toys and home décor to fresh produce and local treats. Foodie families will especially enjoy the ByWard Market Food Tour, with 7 tastings, from BeaverTails to poutine and maple syrup.

• Cost: Free to explore
• How long to plan for: 2-4 hours
• Where it is: 55 ByWard Market Square, Ottawa (10-minute walk from Parliament Hill)

Other Things To Do in Ottawa with Kids:

The rest of these attractions aren’t as exciting for younger kids since they don’t have many hands-on exhibits or play areas. But for older kids with specific interests, they can be a great fit. I’ve included links to each so you can explore them in more detail:

• Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
• Diefenbunker (Canada’s Cold War Museum)
• Canadian War Museum
• Bytown Museum
• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
• Rideau Hall Tours
• Billings Estate National Historic Site
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Other Activities in Ottawa for Families

There are so many museums, historical sites, and monuments in Ottawa; you could easily fill a trip with just what’s on my lists above. But when you’re traveling with kids, you need to mix in some active play. My kids always enjoy a quick stop at a playground or trampoline park to burn off some energy before a longer stop at a museum or a tour.
Luckily, Ottawa has a lot of play centres for little ones, and recreationa/adventure activities for older kids and teens. Here are some of the best Ottawa kids’ activities for fun and movement:

Adventure and Recreational Activities

• Zipline over the Ottawa River.
• Go rock climbing at Latitude Gym.
• See turtles on the Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour.
• Skate on the Rideau Canal in the winter.
• Go roller skating and play in the arcade at Skate & Play.

Parks and Indoor Play Centres

• Let the kids burn off some energy at the playground or skatepark at Lansdowne Park.
• Go to Funhaven, an indoor amusement centre with an arcade, escape rooms, laser tag, bumper cars, a roller coaster, VR games and rides, and a playground. 
• Play at Cosmic Adventures, an alien-themed indoor playground with an arcade.
• Bring the little ones to Bubblesea Adventures, an indoor play centre with a playground, cars and trikes, blocks and Legos, and more.  
• Check out Mini Space Kids Club, an indoor playground and dramatic play centre for young children (20 minutes from Ottawa).
• Play at Little Monkeys indoor playground, jumping pillow, and more. 
• Go to the Flying Squirrel, an indoor trampoline park with a playground, ropes course, and rock-climbing walls.

Arcades and Other Activities

• Play arcade games, VR games, and try the claw machines at Crazy Bear.
• Play pinball at the Ottawa Pinball Arcade.
• Play vintage video games at House of TARG.
• Try your luck at the claw machines at Claw World or Den Den Claw.
• Do a virtual reality experience at VR Adventures Zone or Zero Latency Ottawa.
• Try out an escape room at Lockdown Ottawa Escape Room or Escape Manor.
• Play some board games or video games together at Level One.
• Play a round or two of laser tag at Laser Maxx Canada.
• Have a family Nerf war or archery battle with rubber arrows at Archery Games Ottawa.
• Take teens (age 13+) axe-throwing at LumberJaxe.
• Take younger kids on a one-and-a-half-hour pirate experience boat ride, with Pirate Life (20 minutes from downtown).

Best Festivals in Ottawa for Families

Going to a festival is always a fun option for families in Ottawa, and there are lots to choose from throughout the year. If the events below don’t line up with your trip, you can check out a full calendar of activities to see what’s going on during your visit here.

• Winterlude in February
• The Tulip Festival in May
• Ottawa Children’s Festival in May
• Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival in June
• Ottawa Fringe in June
• Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in June
• Canada Day in the Capital on July 1
• Ottawa International Buskerfest in August

Daytrips from Ottawa for Families

@mamasonvacation

Planning a day at Calypso Waterpark? Canada’s biggest waterpark is massive, and there’s a lot to figure out before you go. 🔗link in bio for my full Calypso Waterpark review and planning guide. calypso calypsowaterpark ottawasummer ThingsToDoInOttawa Ottawa ottawatourism OttawaWithKids canadafamilytravel FamilyTravel TravelWithKids CanadaTravel TravelTips

♬ Hey, look at this! Look!Hey! – aqunos

There are also a lot of great places to visit outside the city. On our last trip, we only had two full days in Ottawa, but we pent one day at Calypso Waterpark. The kids loved it! We’ll definitely go again on our next trip.

Here are some of the best attractions and activites for kids near ottawa that are worth the day trip:

• Have a beach day at Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach (a 20 minute drive from downtown), one of the two Petrie Island Park Beaches (25 minutes), Britannia Park and Beach (20 minutes), or Westboro Beach (10 minutes).
• Go to Calypso Waterpark -read my review (40-minute drive).
• Visit Parc Omega or book a private 5–7.5-hour tour (1-hour drive)
• Go to Valleyview Little Animal Farm to see llamas, donkeys, ponies, horses and sheep, or play in the Creative Play Area (25-minute drive)
• Visit Saunders Farm, a play farm with unique playgrounds, a maze, and more (40-minute drive).
• Go Horseback riding at Captiva Ranch (35-minute drive).
• Go for a walk with Alpacas at Maple Hill Urban Farm (20-minute drive).
• Visit Wilderness Tours Rafting Resort for white water rafting or kayaking, sea kayaking, lazy river tubing, and more (an hour and a half drive).
• Go on a pedalboat, canoe, or kayak water maze at Éco-Odyssée (1-hour drive).
• Go skiing in the winter, or spend the day at the waterpark in the summer, at Mont Cascades (1-hour drive).

Final Thoughts

Our visit to Ottawa was way too short to fit in everything we wanted to do. Stopping in the city worked well to break up our East Coast road trip, but next time, we’ll need a full “only Ottawa” trip so we can visit the rest of the spots on my list.

With so many fun family things to do in Ottawa, plus these top restaurant and hotel picks and day trip ideas, planning your Ottawa family vacation should be a lot easier.

Are there any other fun things to do in Ottawa with kids that I missed? Drop a comment on my Facebook post, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or TikTok for more family travel inspiration!

Family Travel Planning Resources

Ottawa

• One day in Ottawa with Teens
• Calypso Waterpark Review
• Canadian Museum of Nature Review
• Kōena Spa Review + Tips
• Château Cartier Hotel Review
• Sensory Friendly Activities Ottawa: A Complete Guide

Ontario Destinations

• Niagara Falls, Ontario Travel Guides and Reviews
• Ottawa, Ontario Travel Guides and Reviews
• London, Ontario Travel Guides and Reviews

Canada Destinations

• Halifax, Nova Scotia Travel Guides and Reviews
• Quebec City Travel Guides and Reviews

U.S.A. Destinations

• Disney World Guides
• Michigan Travel Guides and Reviews

More Resources

• Alternatives to Hotels for Families: Summer Residence/Dorm
• Travel Tips
• Gluten Free Travel Reviews
• East Coast Canada Road Trip