30+ ideas for March Break 2026 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 2 to March 8) or Ontario’s March Break (March 16 to March 20) in 2026?

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

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 performing arts fans

At the National Arts Centre, regular free events include French story time (Monday mornings) and Toddler Tuesdays.

The Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans is presenting two family-friendly performances over Ontario March Break: Enchanted Wonders—A Family Magic Show on Tuesday, March 17; and separate English and French performances of a marionette show called 176 Steps (176 pas) on Thursday, March 19.

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 16 to 20—at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston (advance registration required).

For history buffs

At the Canadian Museum of History, kids can craft a beaded snowflake, build bigger structures from blocks and, on certain dates, see live performances (February 28 to March 22). 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 5 and March 19), kids can design and colour a paper tank.

During March Break (March 2 to 6, and March 16 to 20) at the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa, kids can learn about the history of counterfeiting and find out how Canada prevents it.

A dozen museums, historic sites and other attractions in Almonte, Amherstview, Bath, Brockville, Gananoque amd Kingston are participating in March of the Museums. From March 16 to 20, there will be kid-friendly activities and displays at each location.

For the artsy

The National Gallery of Canada has a range of March Break activities available during Quebec March Break (March 2 to 6) and Ontario March Break (March 16 to 20). The fun includes a watercolours open studio, sketching opportunities and family tours.

The Ottawa School of Art is offering a wide range of March Break classes for various age groups (from 6 to 15) at its downtown and Orleans campuses.

Many Indigo bookstores offer craft classes for kids during March Break. This year, the events include origami, painting and friendship bracelet workshops. Spaces are limited, so register in advance to avoid disappointment.

For animal lovers

At the Canadian Museum of Nature, kids will probably love Butterflies in Flight, an exhibition where you can walk among live butterflies. The show runs until March 30. Make sure to buy your timed tickets in advance, as this show is always popular and March Break may be especially hectic. And, as always, kids can learn about fossils, mammals, minerals, birds, bugs, aquatic life and the Arctic throughout the museum.

At the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, March Break activities for kids (February 28 to March 8, and March 14 to March 22) include learning to make maple oat cookies, doing crafts, watching family movies (with cereal!), and meeting calves, lambs, rabbits and horses.

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 14 to 22). 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 from March 2 to 8. Among other activities, kids can learn about edible insects, enjoy an acrobatics show and dive into an immersive experience featuring lifelike humpback whales.

For science fans

During March Break at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, young visitors can operate a Canadarm-inspired mechanism, join a scavenger hunt, learn about gravity or even create craters (February 28 to March 8, and March 14 to March 22).

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is offering March Break fun for kids of all ages February 28 to March 8, and March 14 to March 22). Kids can build structures from oversized cardboard blocks and Lego, step into the world of virtual reality, and learn about the intricacies of the brain.

Kids aged 6 to 12 can learn the squishy, gooey secrets of slime during a Slime Workshop on Saturday, March 14, at the Canterbury Recreation Complex in Ottawa’s Alta Vista neighbourhood.

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 teenagers

Many March Break activities are geared to younger kids, but what if you have an antsy teenager or two at home for the week? If they’re weighing post-secondary choices, perhaps they could check out one of these open houses and tours.

• Carleton University, Ottawa (Saturday, March 14)
• Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston (March 16 to March 20)
• Trent University, Peterborough (Friday, March 20)
• Queen’s University, Kingston (Saturday, March 21)
• St. Paul University, Ottawa (on request)
• Algonquin College, Ottawa (on request)

For Southern Ontario tourists

If you’re headed to Southern Ontario, you’ll find lots of Ontario March Break ideas in Ontario Tourism’s March Break post. (That post actually covers the whole province, but it’s heavily Southern Ontario-centric.)

More ideas for Quebec March Breakers

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

More ideas for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario fun

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

The Municipality of Mississippi Mills is offering a wide range of family activities throughout Ontario March Break, including free skates every weekday in Almonte and Pakenham; a St. Patrick’s Day dance in Pakenham on Tuesday, March 17 ($25 per ticket); a free screening of Zootopia 2 in Almonte on Wednesday, March 18; a free exotic animal show in Pakenham on Thursday, March 19; and a magic show ($5 per ticket) in Almonte on Friday, March 20.

The Carleton Place Public Library is offering a range of March Break activities from March 16 to 20, including craft and Lego robot workshops; some require advance registration. And here’s a list of many more March Break activities in Carleton Place.

And here’s a roundup of March Break fun in Perth, including programming at the Perth Museum and free swims at the Perth and District Indoor Pool.

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.

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.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.