Categories > Guides and Tips

things-to-do-with-kids-canada-featured-banner

12 Things to Do in Canada with Kids

Clever Canadian Written By: September 2023

Canada offers a myriad of exciting and memorable experiences for families with kids. From breathtaking natural wonders to museums to amusement parks, this country has plenty of fun-filled activities for everyone.

So, pack your bags as we dive into the exciting things to discover in Canada for families with young children!

Discover the wonders of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Website: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/ 

Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripleysaquaca/ 

Contact details: (647) 351-3474

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Price: 

  • Adult – $44.00
  • Youth (6 – 13) – $29.00
  • Child (3 – 5) – $12.50
  • Senior (65+) – $29

The Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is definitely worth checking out for a fun activity in Toronto. With its impressive 5.7 million litres of water and over 20,000 aquatic animals, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

One of the highlights of this place is its lengthy underwater viewing tunnel, the longest one in North America. Here, you’ll meet great white sharks, turtles, stingrays, and the beloved characters from Finding Nemo!

A fun and one-of-a-kind experience is the sleepover with your kiddos at the Dangerous Lagoon Tunnel. If you’re lucky, you might get to see a sawfish sleep on the glass above you!

Pro Tip:

Pack light and wear comfy shoes when visiting the aquarium—and eat before you go! Be prepared to spend several hours at the aquarium because kids tend to observe the tanks longer than teenagers and adults.

Beat the heat at Calypso Theme Waterpark

Website: https://www.calypsopark.com/ 

Address: 2015 Calypso St, Limoges, ON K0A 2M0, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calypsopark/?hl=en 

Contact details:

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (seasonal opening)

Price:

  • Tall ticket (1.32m and over) – Starting from $54.99
  • Small ticket (less than 1.32m) – Starting from $44.99
  • Kids under 1m – Free

The Calypso Theme Waterpark is a great way to cool off and have fun in the summer. It’s open from June or July until early September, around the same time as the Canadian summer break.

One exciting activity to enjoy with your family is racing down the Fast Track slides. It has 8 side-by-side slides so you can compete with your kids down the finish line.

But if you prefer a more laid-back experience suitable for children aged three and up, you can ride on a giant inner tube and let the river guide you along the Kongo Expedition.

Pro Tip:

Bring your own food and drinks because the food there is pricey. There are many picnic tables at the waterpark for families.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Website: https://tyrrellmuseum.com/ 

Address: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royaltyrrell/ 

Contact details: 

  • Toll-free in North America: 1-888-440-4240
  • Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000 then 403-823-7707

Operating hours:

  • May 15 – August 31
    • Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • September 1 – May 14
    • Monday: Closed (except holidays)
    • Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Price: 

  • Adult (18 – 64) – $21.00
  • Senior (65+) – $14.00
  • Youth (7 – 17) – $10.00
  • Children (6 and under) – Free (ticket is required)
  • Family (2 adults + children 7 – 17) – $50.00

If your kids are dinosaur enthusiasts, a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a must—it combines entertainment and learning.

One of the most impressive displays is the “Cretaceous Alberta” exhibit, which offers a unique perspective of what Alberta looked like 69 million years ago. You’ll find this exhibit right at the front of the Galleries section, just ahead of the entrance.

But the star of the museum is probably the remarkably preserved fossil of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, commonly called the “Black Beauty” due to its shiny dark colour. 

You can even watch how fossils are prepared at the “Preparation Lab!”

Pro Tip:

Get there early to avoid long lines at the admission hall, especially if you plan on going on a weekend.

Observe wildlife at Calgary Zoo

Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/ 

Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecalgaryzoo/ 

Contact details: 

Operating hours:

  • Summer months only
    • Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Price:

  • General (16 – 59) – $34.95
  • Child (3 – 15) – $24.95
  • Senior (60+) – $32.95

With over 100 species of animals to see, Calgary Zoo is definitely worth a visit in the province of Alberta. A few animals at the zoo are usually seen out in Canadian wildlife, but they are still a sight to behold.

There, you can observe an array of animals such as penguins, lions, bears, giraffes, hippos, gorillas, gibbons, komodo dragons, and more!

While the Prehistoric Park section is a bit cheesy for adults, the animatronic dinosaurs are definitely a hit among kids!

Pro Tip:

Calgary Zoo has a ZOOLIGHTS festival in the wintertime—complete with winter-themed activities. There are usually a few cancellations in December due to weather conditions so try going in November if you don’t live in Calgary.

Brave the heights at CN Tower

Website: https://www.cntower.ca/ 

Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tourcntower360/ 

Contact details: (416) 868-6937

Operating hours: 

  • Main observational level
    • Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price: 

  • General admission
    • Adult (14 – 64) – $43.00
    • Youth (6 – 13) – $30.00
    • Child (3 – 5) – $14.00
    • Senior (65+) – $30.00

The high-speed elevators at the CN Tower will swiftly take you and your kids from the ground to the top in a mere 58 seconds! If you want to see the best views in Toronto, this is the place to be.

This popular Toronto destination is sure to thrill young ones as they gaze up from the main observation level to find themselves soaring above the ground at a height of 346 meters (1,136 feet)! 

Pro Tip:

Visit in the morning to avoid crowds and get the perfect family photos at the observation deck.

Face the rapids at Athabasca Falls

Website: https://rmriverguides.com/ 

Address: 618 Connaught Dr, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TourismJasper/ 

Contact details: 

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Price: 

  • Athabasca Mile 5
    • Adults (13 & up) – $90.85
    • Children 5-12 – $45.42

If you and your family love the outdoors, consider taking a trip to Athabasca Mile 5 in Jasper National Park for some exciting rafting.

This beginner-friendly adventure is a great way to introduce children as young as five to the world of white water rafting. The scenic views are a plus!

That’s why many families visit Athabasca Falls time and time again. Some have even upgraded to the more turbulent waters.

Pro Tip:

Hire a shuttle bus to Jasper to avoid driving three to four hours from the Calgary and Edmonton International Airports, respectively.

Become a theatre kid at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

Website: https://www.draytonentertainment.com/ 

Address: 40 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON N2V 2J9, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DraytonEntertainment/ 

Contact details: 1-855-372-9866

Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The charming St. Jacobs Country Playhouse is located in the Market District of Waterloo and is a beloved local theatre.

Apart from the excellent shows—some past shows were Wizard of Oz and The Prom—the lounge offers a fantastic selection of drinks and ice cream you can enjoy in the comfort of your seat.

Pro Tip:

Don’t forget to explore the lovely village of St. Jacobs. After seeing a show, try the apple fritters at The Fritter Co. —they are wonderfully light, fluffy, and crispy.

Learn about history at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Website: https://www.warplane.com/ 

Address: 9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope, ON L0R 1W0, Canada 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadianwarplaneheritagemuseum/ 

Contact details: 

Operating hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Price:

  • Adult (18 – 64) – $16
  • Senior (65+) – $14
  • Student (13 – 17)  $14
  • Youth (6 – 12) – $11
  • Child (5 & under) – Free

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a must-visit for young kids who love planes—who doesn’t? With a range of vintage aircraft and exhibits, the museum is dedicated to preserving Canada’s rich aviation history—a nice educational activity for kids.

You can see the aircraft up close, which are in excellent condition, and some are still operational. If you’re a member of the museum and have kids over 13, you can purchase a flight!

Pro Tip:

We recommend checking out the planes with open cockpits so that you can sit in them. Just ask the staff member, and they’ll even give you a guided tour of the aircraft’s dials and buttons.

Reach new heights with the Banff Gondola

Website: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com 

Address: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursuitbanffjasper/ 

Contact details: 

Operating hours:

  • June 28 – September 4
    • Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM 
    • Last ride up: 8:30 PM
  • September 5 – October 9
    • Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Last ride up: 7:30 PM

Price: Subject to change

  • Adult – $65.00
  • Child (6 – 15) – $42.25
  • Infant (5 and under) – Free (ticket required)

One of the most convenient methods to reach the summit of the Canadian Rockies is by taking the Banff Gondola, which also offers stunning views of the town. It’s undeniably expensive but beats taking a long hike as an alternative.

Canadian summer (June to August) is typically the best time to ride the gondola because there aren’t usually weather-related cancellations compared to winter time. It is still possible in the summer, so don’t repeat our mistake of not checking the schedule.

Pro Tip:

We suggest purchasing the Family Experience to save money because one child is free of charge with a regular-priced adult.

Explore your curiosity at Science World

Website: https://www.scienceworld.ca/ 

Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scienceworldca/?hl=en 

Contact details: 

Operating hours:

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (until 8:00 PM from July 4 – August 30)
  • Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Price: Exclusive of taxes

  • Adults (19+) – $33.20
  • Senior (65+) – $26.75
  • Youth (13-18) – $26.75
  • Child (3-12) – $22.50
  • 2 and under – Free

With plenty of interactive exhibits and live shows, Science World in Vancouver is definitely an experience that kids should have at least once while in Vancouver.

The exhibitions at Science World frequently change, but they’re all designed to pique kids’ interests, making it a fun learning experience. There are 20-minute live performances showcasing how gravity, electrical energy, and air operate!

Pro Tip:

Check the schedule for closed exhibits due to renovations and check the ticket prices because they offer discounts on certain days.

Ventures into the mines at the Britannia Mine Museum

Website: https://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca/ 

Address: 150 Copper Dr, Britannia Beach, BC V8B 1J1, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britanniaminemuseum/ 

Contact details: 1-800-896-4044

Operating hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Price: 

  • Adults (18+) – $39.95
  • Seniors (65+) & Students – $35.95
  • Youth (13-17) – $30.95
  • Child (5-12) – $21.95
  • Pre-School (4 & Under) – Free
  • Daily Family Rate – $140.00

At the Gold Panning Pavilion, both kids and adults can participate by using a shallow bowl to search for gold. Whatever you discover during this activity is yours to keep!

For an exciting adventure, we suggest taking the Underground Tour to one of the biggest copper mines in 1914. You’ll hop on a train and witness the working conditions of the past.

Pro Tip:

Wear comfortable shoes because it can get muddy and don’t forget to bring a jacket because the underground is actually chilly—that was surprising to us, too.

Canada’s Wonderland

Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com/ 

Address: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadaswonderland/ 

Contact details: (905) 832-8131

Operating hours:

  • Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price:

  • Daily tickets – from $49.99
  • After 4:00 PM – from $39.99
  • Fast Lane – from $75

No family vacation is ever complete without a visit to an amusement park! Canada’s Wonderland, situated just north of Toronto, boasts an impressive 200 attractions, 18 of which are roller coasters.

The Leviathan, the tallest ride in the park, is a wild ride for daring kids! The highlight has got to be the rapid 5-second drop, which is then followed by several camelbacks.

For kids who don’t meet the height requirements and feel intimidated by tall rides, the Thunder Run is more manageable because it has limited thrills and is a smaller-scale rollercoaster.

Pro Tip:

Splurge on the Fast Lane tickets to avoid long lines if you plan on going during the summer. Also, try to check Costco Canada since they sometimes sell tickets at a reduced price.

Related topics