Looking for something fun to do with the kids over Ottawa’s March Break (March 10 to March 18)? Here are a few family-friendly road trip ideas in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, West Quebec and upstate New York. Remember: If they’re communing with butterflies or burning off energy on a ski slope, they can’t be secretly conducting unauthorized science experiments in your kitchen while you’re on the phone.
NOTE: Many events require advance registration, so do check their websites and make sure there’s space before hitting the road.
For the artsy and craftsy
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.
Here’s a deal for everyone: You can spend a few hours exploring Almonte’s super-cute shops while your budding Picasso enjoys a drop-in class at JB Arts. Depending on the day, kids aged 6 to 14 can dig into painting, drawing, cartooning, pottery and other types of art.
The Merrickville Public Library has organized drop-in fun for school-aged kids throughout March Break—everything from jewellery making to computer coding.
For outdoorsy types
Why not take this chance to get out on the slopes a few last times before spring really arrives? Calabogie Peaks has March Break camps for kids aged 4 to 19. And Mount Pakenham is offering three-, four- and five-day skiing day camp programs for kids aged 6 to 14.
Photo courtesy of Wheeler’s and Lanark County Tourism.
Puppet shows, pancakes and tree-tapping demonstrations are among the fun on the menu during Maple Madness (March 10 to 18, March 24 and 25, and March 31 and April 1) at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston. And in McDonald’s Corners in Lanark County, Wheelers Maple has a March Break Maple Festival.
The Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village in Pembroke has a range of kids’ activities for March Break, including an Ottawa River adventure on Monday, March 12, and an Alice in Wonderland-themed session on Thursday, March 15.
For animal lovers
Photo copyright Laura Byrne Paquet.
Critter-loving kids will probably run out of time before they run out of things to see and do at Space for Life, a collection of attractions in the shadow of Montreal’s old Olympic Stadium. Comprising the Insectarium, the Biodome, the Planetarium and the Montreal Botanical Garden, it’s fun anytime but especially so at the minute for butterfly lovers, as the Butterflies Go Free event has taken over the garden’s tropical greenhouse. Countless jewel-toned butterflies flit about, and this year’s displays focus on butterflies’ relationship with their habitat.
Closer to home, the Canadian Museum of Nature is hosting Butterflies in Flight, another great opportunity to get up close and personal with the pretty insects (it runs until April 2). The museum is usually closed on Mondays in the winter, but it’s open every day from March 3 to March 18.
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is rolling out its annual Barnyard Break (March 3 to 18) to draw families during March Break. You and the kids can learn how to make maple taffy, pies or Algonquin dishes, or groom a calf, meet a rabbit or watch lumberjacks in action.
For history buffs
At the Canadian Museum of History, you can see jugglers and acrobats entertaining the crowds to enhance screenings of Madagascar 3 (March 3 to 19). And if you haven’t yet caught the Dreamworks Animation exhibition, March Break offers the perfect opportunity.
Do you have a small royalist in the family? Then the Commonwealth Day celebrations at the Bytown Museum (March 11 and 12) may be just his or her cup of Earl Grey tea (in fact, you’ll get a free cuppa with your admission that day). Learn about the days when the sun never set on the British Empire, and the more recent history of Britain’s former colonies around the world.
For science fans
Photo by NASA on Unsplash.
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is inviting kids to learn “All About Space” this March Break (March 3 to 18). Each day, the museum will highlight a different aspect of astronaut training, with crafts and interactive activities for kids of all ages.
At the recently re-opened Canada Science and Technology Museum during March Break (March 3 to 18), kids can see old favourites like the Crazy Kitchen, check out new interactive exhibitions like a children’s innovation zone, and (depending on the day), learn about coding or engineering.
Lee Valley is hosting a series of Scientists in School March Break camps for kids of all ages, with topics ranging from birding to magnets.
For nature lovers
Ontario Parks has a blog post devoted to March Break activities in its parks across Ontario, including Algonquin Park.
For parade lovers
March Break coincides with St. Patrick’s Day this year, so there are lots of chances to see marching bands, clowns and floats in a variety of parades. You can check out parades on March 17 in Hudson or Syracuse, and on March 18 in Montreal. (Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said that Ottawa’s parade was on March 17; it is actually on March 10 this year.)
For Kingston visitors
Photo of Kingston by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Tourism Kingston has an idea-packed roundup of things to see and do over March Break. Find out where your kids can splash in an indoor waterpark, make maple syrup or see hockey’s oldest puck.
For package deal seekers
Want a staycation? The Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata has a March Break package that includes a movie rental, popcorn, a backpack for each child and more. Further afield, Tourism Laurentians has a whole page devoted to family-friendly discounts in March.
For Toronto tourists
Photo of Toronto by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Tourism Toronto’s suggestions for March Break family fun in The Six include the last chance to visit with Canada’s only giant pandas at the Toronto Zoo and a chance to put on Viking helmets at the Royal Ontario Museum.
For Quebec March Breakers
Quebec’s spring break is this week (March 3 to 11), so if you’re looking for ideas, Tourisme Outaouais and Tourisme Montréal have plenty.
For frequent (and not-so-frequent) flyers
Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash.
Are you taking the kids to a far-off destination this year? Check out these tips from Travelzoo about keeping your tots happy at the airport.
For Ottawa staycationers
If you’ve exhausted all these options, Ottawa Tourism has collected tons more, from rock climbing to escape rooms.
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