Things To Do in Ottawa with Kids

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—first as a teen, then on a four-day family trip with little ones, and most recently for 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.

If you’re not a big planner and prefer 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 review, 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, plus other attractions and children’s activities in the city that are worth checking out. I’ll also cover the best restaurants, my personal list of the top Ottawa hotels for all budgets, and everything else you need to know to plan a stress-free Ottawa family vacation.

When to Go to Ottawa

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Ottawa. The weather is comfortable, and you can actually enjoy walking around without feeling rushed or packed in with crowds.

September and October are great months to visit if you’re interested in seeing all the fall colours in the parks and trails. If you’re visiting in spring, May is a great choice because of the Tulip Festival.. But if you prefer things a little quieter, April or June are much quieter and still lovely.

Summer in Ottawa is fun, but it’s busy. You’ll likely catch one of the big festivals like Bluesfest or Chamberfest. Just keep in mind, this is peak tourist season, so hotels will cost more and the popular spots will sell out quickly.

Winter is the toughest season, in my opinion. It gets really cold, especially in January and February, and the piling-up snow makes exploring harder. That said, there are some perks in the winter, like Winterlude in February or skating on the Rideau Canal. Another bonus is that hotel prices drop quite a bit this time of year.

Of course, if you want to take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass, which gives families free or discounted admission to many museums in Ottawa, then summer 2026 will be the best time to go. We used it during our trip in summer 2025, and it made visiting all these great museums so much more affordable for our family.

How Long to Stay in Ottawa

Ideally, plan for three to four days in Ottawa with kids. That gives you enough time to explore the top museums and see the city’s most famous sites, like the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill, without feeling rushed. 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 many of the best Ottawa attractions for families close together.

For attractions that are a bit farther out, public transit is usually easier than driving since downtown gets pretty busy. Plus, it’s super family-friendly—kids 10 and under ride OC Transpo for free!

Uber is another good option, as long as you’re not traveling with little ones who 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 (available in one- or two-day passes) is a great choice. It makes it easy to see many of the family activities Ottawa has to offer. 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 Canals. 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—my cousin and I loved sitting up top on the double-decker bus.

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 is the Changing of the Guard or the Ceremonial Guard Band performance, which happens daily at 10:00 AM during the summer months.

Tip: The full ceremony with soldiers and the band runs Wednesday through Sunday, while the band performs alone on Mondays and Tuesdays. Arrive 15–30 minutes early for a good spot. On our last trip, the full ceremony wasn’t happening, but the kids still loved watching the band.

Plan to spend an hour or two here, depending on whether you do the immersive experience or just watch the ceremony.

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

Another fun summer activity for kids in Ottawa is watching boats go through the locks on the Rideau Canal. My kids have loved seeing this on both of their Ottawa trips.

In the summer, the Lockstations open at 9:00 AM. You can head to the Ottawa Locks, right beside the Château Laurier, and watch a few boats pass through before going to the 10:00 AM Changing of the Guard ceremony at Parliament Hill. It’s perfect for starting the day with some free things to do in Ottawa with kids before moving on to paid attractions.

You only need about 30–45 minutes to walk down to the bottom of the locks and back up while watching a set of boats go up or down one lock.

3. Canada Science and Technology Museum

Clean up- The Canada Science and Technology Museum is one of the best museums for kids in Ottawa, with lots of interactive, hands-on exhibits.

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).

This museum is definitely on our bucket list, and I plan to give us at least three hours to see everything.

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.  

4. Canadian Museum of History

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

The permanent exhibits include First Peoples Hall and Grand Hall, the Canadian History Hall, and the Canadian Stamp Collection, which has over 3,000 stamps. Teens and older kids will enjoy these, but the real highlight for younger children is the Children’s Museum—a huge, interactive play area where kids can explore through hands-on, pretend-play exhibits.

Tip: The Children’s Museum can be chaotic and crowded during peak season, so aim to visit in the early morning or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

The museum also has a CINÉ+ theatre showing documentaries on Canadian history and wilderness. Once you’ve explored 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.

Plan on spending 2–3 hours here to see all the exhibits and give your children plenty of time to enjoy the Children’s Museum.

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.

5. The Canadian Agricultural and Food Museum

Don’t let the name fool you. 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 can watch daily demonstrations in the farm and kitchen, explore interactive learning 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. Based on what I’ve read (and knowing my kid loves animals), I’d plan to spend 2–3 hours here.

6. Bank of Canada Museum

The Bank of Canada Museum might sound boring for kids, but it’s actually full of interactive exhibits and games that teach them about money, the economy, and financial literacy. It’s also free, so it’s definitely worth a stop if your family has the time. It’s still 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 it offers a sensory-friendly experience on select Sundays

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, 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: Butterflies in Flight (running until March 30, 2026) and Life onto Land: The Devonian (running until October 12, 2026). While there’s a lot to see and many interactive exhibits, there aren’t many dedicated play areas for younger kids.

This makes it a great option for teens or older children, but not the best choice if your kids are little. For more details, check out my full review.

How long you’ll need really depends on your kids’ ages and interests. Younger kids who move quickly can see the highlights in about two hours, while older kids who want to read and explore all the interactive exhibits may need up to four hours.

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

8. RCMP Stables

From May through August, you can visit the RCMP Stables to see, for free, where the horses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride are cared for and trained. A free, half-hour guided tour is available, where you can learn about RCMP history and how they train for the show.

Expect to spend no more than an hour here.

9. Canada Aviation and Space Museum

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum has an impressive collection of aircraft and artifacts.

Kids can climb into some of the planes, and there’s a small play area, but younger children might not stay engaged for long. I brought my kids when they were little, and they loved dressing up in space suits for an interactive group activity—but the rest of the museum didn’t hold their attention. We skipped it on our last visit.

If your child is into planes or space, this is the perfect children’s activity in Ottawa. You could spend up to three hours here. But otherwise, an hour is usually enough.

10. Royal Canadian Mint

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

The guided tour takes about 45 minutes, so plan for around an hour if you want time to browse the gift shop too.

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 on our first trip! Besides looking at the art, there’s an Inspiration Space where kids can create their own, making it a great stop if you’re checking out things to do in Ottawa with kids using the Canada Strong Pass.

Kids will enjoy the National Gallery of Canada for a little while, but don’t expect to spend more than an hour or two—and be ready to leave before seeing everything if they get restless.

Tip for special needs families: A stop at the 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.

12. ByWard Market

The ByWard Market is a fun stop for families in Ottawa.

This historic market has tons of unique vendors selling everything from toys and home décor to fresh produce and local treats. For an extra fun experience, you can take the Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour,—a two-and-a-half-hour tour that shares the area’s history while letting you sample local foods and treats.

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

Ottawa is packed with museums, historical sites, and monuments—you could easily fill a four-day trip with just what’s on my lists above. But when you’re traveling with kids, I’ve learned it’s important to mix in some adventure or active play. My kids always enjoy a quick stop at a playground or trampoline park. It gives them a chance to burn off energy so they can last longer at museums or tours, and it keeps the vacation fun for everyone.

Luckily, Ottawa has plenty of play centres for little ones, plus recreational and adventure activities for older kids and teens. There are also arcades and other spots the whole family can enjoy. These are some of the best Ottawa kids activities for fun and movement.

Adventure and Recreational Activities

• Go ziplining over the Ottawa River.
• Go rock climbing at Latitude Gym.
• Go skating on the Rideau Canal in the winter.
• Rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and paddleboats at Dow’s Lake Pavilion.
• 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, that is 20 minutes from Ottawa.
• Play at Little Monkeys indoor playground, jumping pillow, and more. 
• Go to the Flying Squirrel, an indoor trampoline park with an indoor 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 the city has plenty 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 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

While looking into things to do in Ottawa with kids, I found lots of fun activities just outside the city. On our last trip, we only had two full days in Ottawa, so we spent one day at Calypso Waterpark. The kids loved it! We’ll definitely be going again on our next trip.

Here’s a short list of other nearby attractions and activities that are worth a day trip—or even just a few hours:

• Have a beach day at Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach (20 minutes from downtown), one of the two Petrie Island Park Beaches (25 minutes from downtown), Britannia Park and Beach (20 minutes from downtown), or Westboro Beach (10 minutes from downtown).
• Go to Calypso Waterpark (review coming soon- follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss it), a 20-minute drive from Ottawa.
• Visit Parc Omega, a safari park that’s an hour from Ottawa, or book a private 5–7.5-hour tour.
• Visit Saunders Farm, a play farm with unique playgrounds, a maze, and more, that is a 40-minute drive from Ottawa.
• Go Horseback riding at Captiva Ranch, a 35-minute drive from Ottawa.
• Go for a walk with Alpacas at Maple Hill Urban Farm, a 20-minute drive from Ottawa.
• Visit Wilderness Tours Rafting Resort, an hour and a half from Ottawa, for white water rafting or kayaking, sea kayaking, lazy river tubing, and more.
• Go on a pedalboat, canoe, or kayak water maze at Éco-Odyssée, an hour from Ottawa.
• Go skiing in the winter, or spend the day at the waterpark in the summer, at Mont Cascades, an hour away from Ottawa.

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 hit 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!

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