Cheap Things To Do With The Kids Around Ottawa

Jul 23, 2010 by Natasha

As of 4pm today I am officially on a one-week vacation and will be spending it with my Husband and Baby H. We have decided to stay in Ottawa and take in some of the great things our area has to offer.

During my “staycation” planning, I began researching activities for us and Baby H to do and came across a few that were very cheap. So I’ve decided to make a list of some free/cheap outings that are child-friendly.

• Mont Cascade Waterpark- It is located 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. They have several water slides for kids of all ages. The admission is $10 per person. If you want to pack a lunch and stay for the day, they have great picnic areas that are open to you.
• Beach Day is a great and inexpensive way to beat the heat. Ottawa has four great beaches to enjoy across the city. Again, packing a lunch and a few sand toys will make sure that your little one is enjoying him or herself without hurting your wallet. If you are not a beach person there are several toddler wading pools and splash pads around the city which are free and a great way to cool off on a hot day.
• The Children’s Museum– They have 30 permanent exhibits that help children explore the world. There are several interactive activities that children can do and admission is free on Thursdays from 4 to 8pm. Children under the age of 3 are admitted for free (hey that rhymes!).
• The Buskers Festival – Begins on July 29 and goes till August 2. There are a variety of Buskers that perform all along the promenade at the Sparks Street Mall. It is great entertainment for all ages and the location enables you to partake in some great activities around downtown (like the item next).
• Changing the Guard – It takes place every day on Parliament Hill at 10 a.m. After the show, you can walk around the Byward Market that has many great little shops and restaurants. There is also the Rideau Canal Locks, with some good timing and luck you may be able to see a boat go through.
• RCMP RockcliffeStables – You can tour the stables, walk through the tack house, meet the horses and browse through the Mountie Shop.
• Experimental Farm – Pack a lunch, walk around the Arboretum, visit the Canada Agriculture Museum and animals. If your kids are anything like Baby H, they will absolutely love to see all of the animals. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for kids (3-14), $6 for students and seniors; $16 fro families and children under 3 are free.
• Sunday Bike Days – If you are an adventurous family you can take the kids for a bike ride, walk or rollerblading along the stunning Ottawa River Parkway from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
• AMC Theatre in Kanata has $1.00 movies on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. The doors open at 9:00 and you can purchase advance tickets online. All admission and concession proceeds will benefit two AMC charities, Variety – The Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
• Valleyview Little Animal Farm – We recently took Baby H here and he loved it. It is a great little animal farm in Barrhaven, that charges $7.50 per person and allows free admission for children under 2.

On nice and sunny days, you can always plan a little picnic in any of Ottawa’s great parks like Dow’s Lake or Gatineau.

For more money saving options you can check out Attractions Ontario, which has discounts for several activity spots and museums. We will be going to some of the places I’ve listed above during my week off. If you have any ideas and tips for a cheap family outing in the area, please share it with me.

Have a great weekend.