20+ ideas for March Break in Ottawa, the Outaouais and beyond

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Looking for something fun to do with the kids over the Outaouais Spring Break (March 4 to March 8) or Ontario’s March Break (March 11 to March 15) in 2024?

Here are a few family-friendly ideas for March Break in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, West Quebec and upstate New York.

Remember: If your kids are communing with owls or snowshoeing through the forest, they can’t be secretly conducting unauthorized science experiments in your kitchen while you’re on a Zoom call.

NOTE: Many events require advance registration, so do check the organizers’ websites and make sure there’s space before hitting the road.

Cover photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.

For families who love variety

Here’s a series that offers a little something for everyone! Every morning during Ontario March Break (March 11 to 15), White Pine Books in Arnprior will be offering free kids events! Each day has a different theme, led by a local expert: dinosaurs (Monday), performing arts (Tuesday), fire trucks (Wednesday), painting (Thursday) and brain science (Friday).

For performing arts fans

At the Canadian Tire Centre, you can get your fill of skating cartoon characters at the oddly named Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic (March 7 to 10). And at the National Arts Centre, the youth orchestra OrKidstra is presenting two free concerts in the lobby on March 7 and 8.

For syrup lovers

Visiting a sugar bush to see how maple syrup is made is a time-honoured Ontario tradition, and this year many local sugar shacks are welcoming visitors. Check my big list of sugar bushes for details on which sites are open and when, and what activities they’re offering. Possibilities include March Madness—maple-themed fun every weekend in March, as well as March 11 to 15—at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston.

For the artsy

The National Gallery of Canada has a range of March Break activities available from March 2 to 17, including story time, drop-in sketching sessions and an open art studio.

For animal lovers

The Canadian Museum of Nature has special spring break activities from March 2 to 17. Kids can meet owls, see a movie about a young palaeontologist, enjoy a scavenger hunt and more.

At the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, March Break activities for kids (March 2 to 17) include cooking with eggs and chocolate, crafting farm-themed puppets, watching family movies, and meeting calves, lambs, rabbits and donkeys.

At Little Foot Alpacas in Spencerville, you can book a visit or walk with the farm’s namesake charming critters.

I’m not sure whether this falls under the “animals” category, but in Brockville, the Aquatarium is once again presenting its popular show Mermaids (March 9 to 17). Attractions include underwater performances by “actual Mermaids” (hey, who am I to doubt?), mermaid stories and mermaid-themed activities.

Espace pour la vie is a collection of attractions in the shadow of Montreal’s old Olympic Stadium. Comprising the Insectarium, the Biodome, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium and the Montreal Botanical Garden, it’s offering all sorts of spring break fun throughout March (but mainly from March 2 to 10. Among other activities, kids can see a show about the upcoming eclipse, learn about biodiversity, and go hiking and birdwatching,

For history buffs

At the Canadian Museum of History, craft workshops, a treasure hunt in the Canadian History Hall and nature movies are on the agenda (March 2 to 17). For the smallest visitors, the Canadian Children’s Museum—housed within the Canadian Museum of History—offers lots of opportunities for educational play.

During March Break at the Canadian War Museum (March 2 to 17), kids can learn how to camouflage a ship using techniques from the First World War and delve into the history of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (popularly known as the Wrens).

A dozen museums, historic sites and other attractions in Kingston, Brockville, Gananoque and Smiths Falls are participating in March of the Museums. From March 11 to 15, admission will be free and there will be kid-friendly activities and displays at each location.

For science fans

During March Break at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, young visitors can try their hand at Lego robotics (advance tickets required), space art or even crater creation.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is offering March Break fun for kids of all ages (March 2 to 17). Cardboard Extravaganza encourages visitors to build structures from oversized cardboard blocks, while Botanical Music Interactive explains how plants can generate electricity. Robotics, video games and even elephant toothpaste aim to draw kids into the wonderful world of science.

Carleton University’s annual Chemistry Magic Show (Sunday, March 10) is an hour-long demonstration packed with flames, explosions and colour changes. You must register online using the link above. Admission is free, but cash or non-perishable food donations to the Ottawa Food Bank are welcome.

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 16 in Syracuse, March 16 in Hudson and March 17 in Montreal. Note that, sadly, Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been cancelled again this year.

For package deal seekers

Want a staycation? The Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata has a family package that includes a movie rental, café treats, a backpack for each child and more. Further afield, Tourism Laurentians has a whole page devoted to discounts and offers.

For Toronto tourists

Tourism Toronto’s March Break ideas page includes everything from eating inside a heated snow globe to walking along a catwalk high up on the CN Tower. I can highly recommend the Little Canada attraction—tiny dioramas of cities and attractions from various parts of the country—as well.

For frequent (and not-so-frequent) flyers

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.

More ideas for Quebec March Breakers

Here are some ideas for March Break fun in the Outaouais, Montreal and the Eastern Townships.

For Ottawa staycationers

If you’ve exhausted all these options, Ottawa Tourism has collected tons more, from rock climbing to escape rooms.

Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter! I will never spam you—promise.