17 Fun Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids in 2024
Are you planning a trip to Ottawa with the family? Not only is it a beautiful city to visit, but there are a ton of fun things to do in Ottawa with kids!
We have visited our Nation’s capital several times as a family. And no matter what time of year you choose to go, Ottawa is pretty jam-packed with awesome experiences.
Whether you are the outdoorsy type, an adventure seeker, or you prefer history and museums, you are sure to find something that sparks some interest in this incredible city.
From skating on the Rideau to devouring our Canadian favourite treat, Beaver Tails, you can be sure that your itinerary will be full of interesting experiences.
In this post, we have listed several of our favourite family activities. Even if you don’t have kids in tow, the list is perfect for anyone travelling to this incredible Canadian city.
17 Fun Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids
Depending on the time of year that you choose to visit Ottawa, there are a variety of things that you could fill your itinerary with. We found the city to be easy to navigate and for the most part, walkable.
So grab a pair of comfy shoes, as well as your list of must-see attractions, and head out to experience some of the best things to do in Ottawa with kids!
1. Take a Selfie with the Ottawa Sign
Located in the ByWard Market, the “Ottawa” sign is the perfect place to grab that highly Instagrammable photo and selfie. Originally created for the 2017 Canada 150 celebrations, the sign was so popular, that the city decided to keep it around.
The current updated version of the sign has programmable LED lighting, allowing the sign to glow in an ever-changing palette of colours and patterns throughout the year. Surrounding the sign, you will find an array of colourful Muskoka chairs and tables. There, you can enjoy the scenery or have a bite to eat.
2. Enjoy a Treat in the Byward Market
The ByWard Market is a large outdoor marketplace located in downtown Ottawa and just a few blocks from Confederation Park.
With over 600 unique businesses located in the Market, you can find everything from shopping, dining, museums, arts, and entertainment, to professional services like hair and nail salons.
Take a stroll through the market, shop for souvenirs or interesting little trinkets, and admire the street art. If you look carefully, you will even come across the Dancing Bear sculpture. Just a hint, it is tucked away in a hidden courtyard just off the market.
Fun Fact: The Dancing Bear is one of the first public art pieces by an Inuit artist from Nunavut, to be placed in Ottawa.
The courtyard is peaceful, and the perfect place to sit and enjoy a little break from the noise and chaos of the market.
3. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Notre Dame Cathedral is the largest and oldest standing church in Ottawa. The Basilica is located near the ByWard Market and directly across from the National Gallery of Canada.
Inside, Notre Dame is a gorgeous display of Canadian religious art. From the vibrant stained glass to the magnificent sculptures and the incredible organ, you will definitely be in awe.
The Cathedral is not just beautiful, it is also filled with historical significance. As a result, in 1978 both the National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa designated the Cathedral a heritage property.
Then in 1990, the Cathedral was declared a National Historic Site of Canada.
4. See Some Art at the National Gallery of Canada
There is always something new to explore at the National Gallery of Canada. There are several rotating exhibits on display, including Canadian and Indigenous art, that are sure to capture your attention.
Take a guided tour, or stroll through the gallery on your own. Either way, there is plenty to see and learn about.
Families with kids can drop by the Fred & Elizabeth Fountain Garden Court. There, they can pick up a self-guided activity kit, packed with fun ways to explore the Gallery.
The Gallery also has free activities and special workshops designed to help families explore the creative possibilities of art.
And don’t forget to take a peek at the large spider sculpture in front of the gallery. Created by the artist Louise Bourgeois, “Maman,” is made from bronze, stainless steel, and marble.
Fun Fact: The sculpture of the spider is among the world’s largest, measuring over 30 ft high and over 33 ft wide. It includes a sac made of ribbed bronze containing 32 marble eggs in its abdomen.
5. Explore the City by Bicycle
One of our favourite things to do in Ottawa with kids is to rent bicycles and explore the city.
When the weather is warm, there is no better way to see Ottawa, than to take advantage of all the wonderful paved bike paths.
Head over to Sparks Street where you will find Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals. This amazing little local business will have you set up with a bike, helmet and lock in just a few minutes.
You have the choice to take part in one of their many tours or to head out on your own to explore the city. We chose a self-guided tour, with the help of preprogrammed routes in the Ride with GPS app.
Our route took us along the Rideau Canal to Dow’s Lake, and back. We also took the bicycles up to Parliament Hill.
There, we visited a couple of monuments, before heading down to the waterfront path. We then made our way along the canal locks before circling back through the ByWard Market.
Bicycles can be rented from one hour, up to several day rentals. And with a variety of bikes available, including e-bikes, tandems, tag-alongs and kid’s bikes, you are sure to find one to suit your needs.
6. Learn How the Canadian Government Works
Looking for an educational and iconic activity that won’t cost a dime? Look no further than a free guided tour.
Starting in 2023, the City of Ottawa is offering 3 tours, a new tour schedule, as well as a new ticketing system for guests. With the closure of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block for extensive renovations, the city has needed to pivot its tourism experiences.
Guided tours of Parliament Hill are offered daily and are a great way to learn about the history and function of Canada’s government. Guided tours are offered in either English or French and run from about 8:40 am until about 4:40 pm.
You have three different tour options to choose from. Explore the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building at the newly renovated Senate of Canada Building. Once Ottawa’s old train station, today, you can learn about the unique role and history of Canada’s Upper Chamber.
Guided tours are free of charge and last approximately 30 minutes. Tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance.
You can also visit the House of Commons at West Block. This tour of the newly restored West Block will teach visitors about the history, functions, art and architecture of the House of Commons.
Guided tours are free of charge and last approximately 40 minutes.
Fun Fact: The Peace Tower clock was modelled after the Big Ben clock tower located at the British Parliament in London, England.
The last available tour option is visiting the historic East Block. This was the centre of Canada’s government during the late 19th century.
Guided tours of the east Block take you inside four restored heritage rooms to explore early parliamentary life.
Tours last approximately 50 minutes and are available on a seasonal basis.
Keep in mind, that you will need to go through a security check in order to enter the Parliament buildings. Backpacks and larger bags will also not be allowed, so it’s best to leave them in your hotel.
7. Visit the Royal Canadian Mint
Opened in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint can be found in a historic building in central Ottawa.
The Ottawa facility, which acts as the Mint’s headquarters, is where the collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions are produced.
Take a guided tour of the Mint to learn more about the incredible skill that goes into precision coin design.
You will not only learn about the Mint’s gold refining process, but you will get a chance to see the Vancouver 2010 athlete medals and learn about the record-breaking Million Dollar Coin, which is the largest coin ever produced.
Don’t forget to visit the gift shop, where you can add to your coin collection, or find some pretty unique souvenirs and Mint memorabilia.
8. Take a Cruise on the Rideau Canal
One of the most relaxing excursions on our list of things to do in Ottawa with kids was to take a cruise on the Rideau Canal. After a full day of sightseeing, it was nice to sit back, take in the scenery and listen to the guide give a little history about the Canal.
There are several different cruising options to choose from with a variety of different companies. We went with Ekeau Tours which operates 100% electric passenger vessels.
Our cruise took us from the National Art Center to Dow’s Lake and back. The cruise lasted approximately 90 minutes and was amazing! This is a great way to see some of Ottawa for kids!
Although the boat was covered, it is open-air with unobstructed views out the sides. You could get up and walk around for different vantage points as well, but we were more than happy to stay in our seats.
9. Visit a Monument
Given that Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, you will find no shortage of monuments spread around the city.
In fact, we even made a short list of the monuments we were interested in seeing, and with the help of Google Maps, set out to find them.
Visiting the monuments should definitely be on your list of free things to do in Ottawa with kids, as it is a great way to learn about Canada’s history and some of the people who were instrumental in the formation of our incredible country.
We visited the National War Memorial, the Centennial Flame, the Canadian Flags Monument, the Valiants Memorial, the Territorial Prerogative, and the Canadian Police Memorial, which were all within walking distance of the Parliament buildings.
After seeing the Terry Fox Memorial during our trip to Thunder Bay last summer, the kids were interested to see the statue in Ottawa.
Although technically not a monument, the statue is located right across the street from the Parliament and was an easy one to find.
10. See the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in front of the National War Memorial in Confederation Square. It is definitely a poignant place to visit.
The tomb contains the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in the First World War.
In May of 2000, the Unknown Soldier was repatriated from France and was buried in front of the National War Memorial.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier serves as a reminder of the 116,000 Canadians who sacrificed their lives for the peace and freedom of our country.
It is a great opportunity to sit and have a conversation with the kids.
11. Go on a Ghost Tour of the City
One of my favourite excursions from our list of things to do in Ottawa with kids was to take part in a Ghost Walk.
We went with a company called The Haunted Walk, which offered a couple of different tours that were approximately 75 minutes long.
We chose the Haunted Jail Tour. This tour takes you on a brief walk through the streets of Ottawa, before touring Ottawa’s historic jail.
This tour is not recommended for kids under 10 years of age.
The tour was filled with tales of hauntings, mixed in with factual details about death row and the last working gallows in Canada.
Unfortunately, the creepiness of the jail proved a little much for our youngest, Mr. Bump (who was 12 at the time), so Hubby had to leave the tour early.
The tour was pretty cool, and our guide was incredibly animated. We would definitely recommend this experience for families with teens and older.
12. Visit a World-Class Museum
Ottawa is home to several world-class museums that are both family-friendly and super interesting.
Depending on what you like, you can find a museum that will pique your interest! From agriculture to science and technology, history, nature, aviation and war, the choice is yours!
For us, visiting the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum was at the top of our list of things to do in Ottawa with kids.
Mr. Bump would love to be a pilot someday, so we try to visit any aviation museum that we come across on our travels.
And the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum definitely ranks as one of our favourites!
With both a massive exhibit hall to view a variety of aircraft in, as well as a nicely done exhibit dedicated to life onboard the International Space Station, there was something there for everyone.
The main exhibit hall is organized into what the museum calls “Thematic Islands”. In other words, every area has a specific theme – Early Aviation, First World War, Vertical Flight, etc.
So, if you are interested in a specific type of aircraft, it is pretty easy to locate the exhibit area. The main hall also features interactive exhibits and flight simulators.
Some of the Best Kid’s Activities in Ottawa!
During our visit, the kids were given a scavenger hunt activity to complete in order to claim a small prize (it ended up being some stickers and colouring sheets).
The scavenger hunt was pure genius though!
The clues were geared towards kids and really made them slow down and look carefully at all the aircraft.
It was a great way to give kids the opportunity to learn new things while having fun. We loved it!
For the younger crowd, this Canadian museum also provides a variety of aviation-themed ride-on toys for children to zip around the hall.
Although our kids are clearly too old, they still did one or two (or three!) laps around the hall.
Hubby’s favourite part of the museum was seeing the nose section of the Avro Arrow. This piece is the only surviving part of the aircraft after it was disassembled in 1959.
Because the Avro Arrow is a huge part of Canadian aviation history, Hubby was so happy to be able to teach the kids a little about it.
Life in Orbit
My favourite part of the museum, on the other hand, was the Space displays.
Here, you can learn about Canada’s space program, our contribution to the International Space Station, and what life in space is like, as well as learn all about some of Canada’s astronauts.
I loved it! While I was in NYC a few years ago, I had the opportunity to see Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield, speak at the Hayden Planetarium.
What an amazing night! So, to be able to learn more about him while visiting the museum was pretty neat!
If you are planning a visit to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, you will need at least 3-4 hours to get the full experience.
13. Take Part in a Festival
Depending on what time of the year you are visiting Ottawa, you can take part in some pretty great festivals that are fun and family-friendly.
The Canadian Tulip Festival
If you are visiting in the spring, the Canadian Tulip Festival runs for two consecutive weekends in May. Not only will you find some of the most incredible blooms around, but there are also a lot of fun and free things to do at the venues as well.
In Commissioners Park you will not only find over 300,000 tulips, but you can also shop for fresh-cut flowers and crafts at the tulip boutique.
For the kids, head to Tulip Town where the activity area has large lawn games like Chess and Connect Four set up, as well as food trucks, music, and even bingo games.
In the evening, enjoy a blacklight boardwalk experience, free outdoor movies, and the Victoria Day fireworks. The festival does get quite busy, so be sure to make any reservations for hotels or attractions ahead of time.
Winterlude
If you are looking for some awesome things to do in Ottawa with kids during the winter, then be sure to head into the city for Winterlude. Attending this festival should definitely be on your bucket!
Winterlude is not only a celebration of Canadian winter fun but also of Canada’s rich artistic and cultural diversity. It is a festival that transforms Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec, into a winter wonderland during the first 3 weeks of February.
First introduced in 1979, the festival features some of the world’s greatest snow and ice sculptors, concerts and performances by some of Canada’s most talented artists, and a massive playground of ice slides, tube rides and sled tracks.
This is all topped off with the beautiful Rideau Canal transforming into the world’s longest skating rink.
14. Try Ice Skating on the Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes skating the 7.8km (4.8 miles) stretch extra special.
Not only is the Skateway open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but thanks to its universally accessible facilities like access ramps, heated change rooms, and washrooms, it’s a great place for families to visit.
Not to mention, all along the Skateway you can find food and drink kiosks, warming huts, as well as skate and accessory rentals.
As one of Canada’s most iconic skateways, this should definitely be on your family ice skating experience bucket list!
Skating on the canal is open from late January to early March, weather permitting of course, and is totally free!
During Winterlude, it gets a little busier, especially around the first half-kilometre stretch.
And if you have forgotten to bring your ice skates, you can rent a pair for $15-$20 right along the Skateway.
It took our family several hours to skate the full length of the trail and back. We made sure to stop in the warming stations a couple of times to rest, as well as to enjoy some hot chocolate.
We would definitely recommend this experience. The ice was a little rough in places, but all the amenities certainly make up for it!
Because we started our skating adventure a little late in the day, by the time we got back, it was dark. Something to keep in mind if you are planning to cover the full distance with kids.
15. Go Kayaking at Dow’s Lake
If you are visiting Ottawa during the summer, Dow’s Lake is a wonderful place to spend the day. Head to the Pavilion where you can find rentals for kayaks, canoes, SUPs, pedal boats, or even bicycles.
All watercraft rentals come with lifejackets; however, they do not provide wet bags.
You will need to either check your belongings in paid lockers located across from the rental area or provide your own wet bags.
During our visit, we took out 2 tandem kayaks. The staff was helpful in getting us into (and out of) the water.
Paddling the lake and the Canal was definitely one of our favourite things to do in Ottawa with kids.
Since we were a little pressed for time, we only rented the kayaks for an hour. This was plenty of time to paddle all around the lake, as well as to head into the canal for a short time.
Rentals will run you from $20 to $33 for the first hour, depending on the watercraft you select. Bike rentals cost $12.50 for the first hour and include a helmet.
16. See Some Street Art
Like many other cities in Ontario, Ottawa is filled with a variety of street art. It seems like around every corner, there is an incredible piece of urban art just waiting to be discovered.
And while some of the murals, sculptures, miniatures and graffiti can be easily found in the downtown area, others are hidden in smaller neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city.
In either case, we found the art pieces to be incredibly interesting, and a definite way to make the city’s streetscape and green spaces come alive.
Some of the best places to begin your search are the ByWard Market, along the Rideau Canal, the Glebe, Little Italy, and the Wellington West area.
We especially enjoyed the pieces that were commissioned by local artists who have a real connection with their community.
Head to Dalhousie Street, where the giant whale and hunter mural can be found at the corner of George Street.
This mural was a collaboration between the Ottawa School of Art and a group of young Inuit artists.
17. Try a Beaver Tail
One of the best things to do in Ottawa with kids is to head over to Beaver Tails. There, you can sample an iconic Canadian treat!
The amazing smells wafting from the shop will be sure to pull you in!
First created in 1978, Beaver Tails are large, flat, deep-fried pastries. Beaver Tails are typically served covered in cinnamon sugar.
But nowadays, there are approximately 120 different flavour combinations available (with chocolate hazelnut spread being the most popular)!
Fun Fact: 48.7 tons of chocolate hazelnut spread goes into making BeaverTails® each year! To put that in perspective, that’s the same weight as 70 moose!
If you have never tried one, what are you waiting for?! Expect to pay about $7-10 CAD for one Beaver Tail.
However, they are pretty big so two people could easily share one. But that’s IF you are actually willing to share!
Where to Stay in Ottawa
There are a ton of great places to stay in Ottawa. Depending on your budget, where you would like to be centred, and whether you would like to stay in a hotel or rental property, there are many options to choose from.
We enjoyed being centrally located so that we could walk to the attractions and not have to worry about finding parking. But just be warned, hotel parking is pretty costly!
Fairmont Château Laurier
For our stay in Ottawa, we chose the Fairmont Château Laurier. The hotel is located right in the middle of the downtown area. It is within walking distance of several of the attractions we were interested in seeing.
If you have ever stayed at a Fairmont hotel, you know that they are absolutely amazing! And the Château Laurier is no different.
The hotel itself is gorgeous! High ceilings, beautiful architecture, and very friendly staff were the first things to greet us. Parking is valet only and is an extra charge added to your bill.
The rooms were well-appointed, with all the amenities we needed for the weekend. Although breakfast was not included in our stay, there are several restaurants conveniently located right inside the hotel.
And when we travel with the kids, we always try and make sure that the hotels we stay in have a pool.
The pool at the Château Laurier is quite nice. It has more than enough lounge chairs for parents to supervise along the sidelines.
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
For a more budget-friendly option, we also enjoyed our stay at Les Suites Hotel Ottawa.
This all-suite hotel is located just a few minutes walk from the ByWard Market. We were able to park our car for the entire weekend and walk to where we needed to go.
Les Suites was a little on the dated side, but clean and with some great amenities. We loved the fact that we had an in-suite washer and dryer.
Not to mention, a full kitchen that was stocked with enough dishes to make a decent meal was also very practical.
The pool was also a big hit with the kids. Unfortunately, the hot tub was out of service during our stay, but it was not a deal-breaker.
The hotel also has plenty of on-site self-parking. And although it is paid parking, you do have in and out privileges.
Where to Eat in Ottawa
Ottawa is a world-class city with many wonderful places to grab a bite. Whether you want some quick take-out or a celebratory meal in a fancy restaurant, you will be able to find it downtown.
During our visit to Ottawa, we enjoyed trying a variety of food at the ByWard Market. From sushi to soft-serve, and everything in between, you will love the sheer variety of things you can find for even the pickiest of eaters.
Zak’s Diner
One of our favourite places to eat breakfast (or even lunch) while in Ottawa, is Zak’s Diner. Located in the ByWard Market, this family friendly eatery is everything you imagine a classic diner to be.
Great food, reasonable prices, a family-friendly atmosphere, and great service combine to make this restaurant the perfect place to head to during your Ottawa adventure.
Wilfred’s
If you decide to stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier and don’t feel like venturing out after a long day of sightseeing, Wilfred’s is an excellent option. A little more on the pricier side, this restaurant was a splurge during our trip to Ottawa.
We found the menu to be pretty varied, with each of us finding something that was appealing. There is even the option of a 4-course Discovery Tasting Menu. This turned out to be a pretty fantastic option for adults!
Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids – FAQs
Yes! Ottawa not only has a very walkable downtown area and has super friendly people, but it is a safe city with great public transportation, plenty of parks and green spaces, awesome dining options, and plenty of amazing attractions.
Parliament Hill is the most visited Ottawa attraction. Not only do many events happen in front of this iconic building, but it is completely FREE to visit and tour inside.
Yes. Overall, Ottawa is very walkable. In fact, Ottawa is the 8th most walkable city in Canada.
The distance from Toronto to Ottawa is approximately 450 km and will take between 4 and 4.5 hours to drive.
Yes, the majority of people speak English in Ottawa. In fact, approximately 45% of Ottawa’s population has English as a first language. Approximately 44% of Ottawa residents are bilingual speaking both English and French.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Ottawa with Family
Even though we have travelled to Ottawa several times as a family, our kids love to go back. In fact, each time we visit, it is never difficult to find something interesting to capture the kids’ attention.
We hope that we have given you some ideas for the best kid’s activities in Ottawa, to make your family travel experience memorable.
There really are a ton of fun things to do in Ottawa with kids. We can’t wait to head back!
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Related Posts:
- 26 Fun and Free Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids
- 17 Fun Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids
- The Ultimate Guide to the Ottawa Tulip Festival
- 9 Best Hotels Near the Tulip Festival in Ottawa
- Winterlude in Ottawa 2024 – The Ultimate Itinerary
- 12 Best Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
