Looking for the best things to do in Ottawa with kids? Canada’s capital is surprisingly family-friendly, packed with interactive museums, outdoor adventures, seasonal festivals, and walkable neighborhoods that make exploring easy.

I you’re visiting in summer, winter, or during peak fall foliage, you can find  the top kid-approved attractions in Ottawa — including free activities, hands-on museums, and outdoor spaces where kids can actually run.

Quick List: Top Ottawa Attractions for Kids

• Canadian Museum of History (with Children’s Museum)

• Canada Science and Technology Museum

• Canada Aviation and Space Museum

• Rideau Canal (boats in summer, skating in winter)

• ByWard Market

• Parliament Hill

• Gatineau Park

• Lansdowne Playground

• Mosaiculture in Jacques Cartier Park

• Winterlude Festival

• Canadian Tulip Festival

Whether you’re visiting Ottawa with toddlers, elementary-age kids, or teens, there’s something here that will keep everyone engaged.

Rideau Canal: Skating, Boat Tours & Family Walks

Rideau Canal (pronounced Rid-oh) runs through the center of town.

The Rideau Canal is one of the easiest and most family-friendly things to do in Ottawa with kids. In summer, you can walk or bike along the canal paths while kids watch boats move through the locks. In winter, it becomes the world’s largest skating rink — and yes, families really skate to school and work.

The flat pathways make this stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of places to stop for snacks or hot chocolate.

Best for: All ages
Free activity: Yes (unless renting skates)
Time needed: 30 minutes to 2 hours

We missed both boats and skating as we visited in October. But we enjoyed the autumn leaves as we walked along the canal.

The system of locks that are still in use today is fun to walk across to explore the other side of the canal.

Plan on 30 min to an hour to walk along the canal—longer to skate or boat ride.

ByWard Market: Food, Street Performers & Easy Family Meals

This colorful market has farmers’ stalls, handicrafts, and food. Bright-colored produce and music from street performers fill the air, and the smells of food from around the world will delight your senses. If you know our family, you know that food markets are our thing!

 

My kids love a market, and we bought a big bunch of radishes and lots of strawberries. My oldest son declared them the sweetest and best strawberries he had ever had.

Stalls are inside and outside the market, and don’t forget to go upstairs! There is a really neat paper mache sculpture.

Plan on an hour.

 

Parliament Buildings (Quick but Impressive Stop)

Parliament Hill is worth seeing even if you don’t go inside. The buildings are ornate and impressive, and there is space for kids to move around outside.

Tours are free but require early tickets. If you miss out (like we did), don’t worry — the exterior alone makes it worth visiting.

Best for: Elementary age and up
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Outdoor + Indoor option

There are daily tours of the interior of the center building (called the center block), but you need to wake up much earlier than we did to get a free ticket. By 10 am the ticket line was insane!

Hog’s Back Park and Falls

Hog’s Back Park and Falls (Let Them Run)

Sometimes kids just need space. Hog’s Back Park gives them exactly that. There are paved trails, picnic areas, and a waterfall that makes it feel like more than “just a park.”

This is a great reset spot between museums.

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Outdoor activity: Yes

 

Lansdowne Farmers Market and Playground

Sometimes the highlights of a trip are the unexpected finds. We went to the Landsdowne farmers market and found the coolest playground right next to it!

The market itself is smaller than ByWard, but the playground next to it was the real star for us.

If you’re traveling with active kids, this is an easy win. The rope climbing structure and skate park nearby mean they can burn off serious energy.

Best for: Younger kids and active elementary ages
Time needed: 1 hour or more
Outdoor activity: Yes

The farmers’ market is very different from the Byward market. It catered to organic and gluten-free customers. Luckily, that meant that my oldest could get some goodies!

The playground was a hit with everyone! My husband climbed with the boys on the rope structure. I spun around and around on a padded metal disc. The kids wished they had brought their scooters and skateboards because there was a nice skate park next door.

 

Best Kid-Friendly Museums in Ottawa

Ottawa is home to tons of museums and galleries that are perfect for families with children.  There are so many museums, you could spend 3 days visiting museums alone. But I recommend you pick and choose according to what your kids are into. Here are a few that are worth a visit:

Canadian Museum of History (Best Overall Museum of Kids)

If you’re only going to visit one museum in Ottawa with kids, make it this one. The Canadian Museum of History is large, interactive, and surprisingly engaging for children of all ages.

The Children’s Museum inside is especially perfect for younger kids (ages 3–10). It’s designed like a miniature world where kids can explore different countries, dress up in costumes, and play hands-on games. It’s one of those rare museums where touching is encouraged.

Older kids and teens will enjoy the First Peoples exhibits and large totem poles, while parents appreciate the sweeping views of Parliament across the river.

Good for: Toddlers through middle school
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Indoor activity: Yes (perfect rainy-day option)

Canadian Children’s Museum (Perfect for Younger Kids)

Located inside the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Children’s Museum is specifically designed for younger visitors. It’s structured like a miniature global village where kids can explore different cultures, dress up, and role-play.

This is one of the easiest museum experiences in Ottawa with toddlers and preschoolers because everything is built at kid height and meant to be interactive.

Best for: Ages 3–10
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Indoor activity: Yes
Parent tip: Go early in the day before it gets crowded.

 

Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Best for Plane-Loving Kids)

If you have a child who loves airplanes, this is one of the best things to do in Ottawa with kids. The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is filled with full-sized aircraft, military planes, helicopters, and interactive exhibits.

The planes are enormous, which makes this museum exciting even for younger kids who don’t read exhibit signs. There’s plenty of space to move around, and the visual impact keeps attention spans from fading too quickly.

Best for: Ages 5+ (great for elementary and middle school)
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Indoor activity: Yes
Why kids love it: Big planes + space exhibits = instant wow factor.

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Canada Science and Technology Museum (Most Hands-On Museum)

If your kids need to touch and experiment to stay engaged, this museum is a winner. The Canada Science and Technology Museum has interactive exhibits on transportation, communication, engineering, and everyday inventions.

It’s especially good for curious kids who like pressing buttons, testing things out, and seeing how machines work. There are plenty of opportunities for movement, which makes this one easier with active children.

Best for: Ages 4–12
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Indoor activity: Yes

Gatineau Park (Nature Break Just Outside the City)

If your family enjoys hiking or being outdoors, Gatineau Park is worth the short drive. Especially in fall, it’s beautiful.

There’s a flat 2 km loop right off the parking lot that works well for families and even strollers. My boys spent an hour sword fighting with sticks while we wandered.

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Outdoor activity: Yes

This one requires a drive or a bus ride but is worth the hassle. Especially in the fall! Gatineau Park is in the town of Chelsea, Quebec, which is a 10-15 minute ride from downtown Ottawa. It is great to get outdoors in nature and enjoy theis spectacular park.

The park is famous for its fall foliage and didn’t disappoint. As soon as we walked into the forest on a trail we were surrounded with shades of gold and soft green. It was magnificent. We ambled away for about an hour while my boys sword-fought with sticks.

Tip:

• There is a 2 km loop to walk right off the parking lot. It’s a relatively flat walk with hard-packed soil. It would be great for strollers or those who aren’t great hikers.

Plan on 1-3 hours, depending on the trail you take.

 

Mosaiculture in Jacques Cartier Park Gatineau

This was another unexpected find. We drove over the wrong bridge and found this magical park.

Best for: All ages
Time needed: 45–60 minutes
Outdoor + Seasonal

Mosaiculture is an art form similar to topiary. But instead of cutting into a growing tree or bush, mosaiculture uses steel frames. These frames are covered with annual plants that fill in and make a living sculpture.

These works of art are unlike anything I have ever seen! We oohed and aaahed over each individual sculpture. We admired the plantings that tie them all together. This is a must see!

Tip:

Due to the nature of this exhibit, it is seasonal. Check hours and prices before you go!

What to Eat in Ottawa with Kids

BeaverTails are a must. They’re fun, sweet, and very Canadian. Kids love picking toppings.

Joey was one of our best restaurant experiences. The menu is broad enough that everyone found something they loved — including sushi for the kids.

Beaver Tails

These delicious pastries are about as Canadian as you can get. They are wheat dough that is stretched and deep fried to resemble a beavers tail.

They are topped with an assortment of toppings. My favorite is Nutella and banana.

I have eaten these delicious treats in Prince Edward Island and Quebec. I have tried to recreate them at home and I have had no luck! But I will try again with a fresh taste in my mind and on my tastebuds.

Joey

Joey has several locations across Canada. The one at Rideau Center is fabulous! Literally, everything we put in our mouths was above the norm. The kids were fans of the sushi, and I recommend their tuna salad.

Seasonal Events

Ottawa is a city that is full of events and activities year-round. Many of these events are perfect for families with children. Here are two seasonal events that are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

Winterlude

Winterlude is one of the most popular events in Ottawa and takes place in February each year. This event is all about celebrating winter, and there are plenty of activities that kids will love. Some of the highlights include:

• Ice sculptures: Check out the stunning ice sculptures on display throughout the city.
• Skating: Head to the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink.
• Snow slides: Take a ride down one of the many snow slides that are set up throughout the city.
• Beavertails: Sample this delicious Canadian treat from one of the many Beavertails stands that are set up around the city.

Canadian Tulip Festival

The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in May each year and celebrates spring. The festival is centered around the beautiful tulips that bloom in Ottawa during this time of year. Some of the activities that kids will love include:

• Tulip displays: Check out the stunning tulip displays set up throughout the city.
• Tulip tours: Take a guided tour of some of Ottawa’s most beautiful tulip gardens.
• Family activities: There are plenty of family-friendly activities that take place during the festival, including face painting, crafts, and more.

Overall, these seasonal events are just a few of the many reasons why Ottawa is a great destination for families with kids

3 Days in Ottawa with Kids

 

Day 1: Classic Ottawa Highlights

Morning: Parliament Hill + Rideau Canal
Lunch: ByWard Market
Afternoon: Canadian Museum of History
Evening: BeaverTails and canal walk

Why this works: Walkable, no car needed, balances indoor + outdoor.

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Day 2: Museum Day

Morning: Canada Science and Technology Museum
Lunch: Casual downtown stop
Afternoon: Aviation and Space Museum
Evening: Dinner at Joey

Why this works: Perfect for colder months or rainy days.

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Day 3: Outdoor Adventure

Morning: Gatineau Park hike
Lunch: Picnic
Afternoon: Lansdowne Market + Playground
Optional: Mosaiculture (seasonal)

Why this works: Slower pace, active kids day.

Where to stay in Ottawa?

We found Ottawa to be a very affordable city and a very walkable city. For that reason, I highly recommend staying downtown. Most hotels offer free or reasonably cheap parking on the premises. Plus, you will love being able to walk to farmer’s markets for breakfast or being able to get in line early for the Parliament tour. (don’t be like us!)

 

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Is Ottawa Good for Kids?

Yes — and surprisingly so. Ottawa is walkable, safe, full of interactive museums, and packed with green space where kids can run. Many of the city’s biggest attractions are free or low-cost, making it one of the most affordable capital cities to visit with children.

 

 

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