I’m not going to lie. I kinda wish I was spending March Break on a beach, playing in the waves and basking in the hot sun. But, that isn’t in the cards this year, so thank goodness the city of Ottawa offers up so many great things to do with the kids (this will hopefully help me forget I’m not lying on a sandy beach). There really are so many options for fun activities to do with the family – between the museums, sugar shacks, and special events for Canada’s 150th birthday. I’ve put together a pretty comprehensive list of some of the awesome going-ons in Canada’s capital!

Museums

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

March 11-March 19, 9:30am-4:00pm

March Break is such a wonderful time of year to visit the Experimental Farm. There are so many new baby animals to see! The annual Barnyard Break also celebrates all things maple. I will definitely be checking this one out with my kids. In addition to various animal demonstrations, there will be special features such as cooking with maple syrup and maple taffy on the snow. Plus, young visitors can listen to a classic children’s story and get creative with a Canadiana-themed craft.

Canadian Museum of Nature

March 11-March 19, 9:00am-5:00pm

March Break at the Museum of Nature is all about reptiles! See live reptiles, bask like a reptile, and even walk through a giant, inflatable reptile (leatherback turtle)! There is a jam packed list of activities including live animal demonstrations by Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo on March 17 and March 18 (10 am and 1pm English, 11am and 2pm French).

Canadian Museum of History

March 12-March 19, 10:00am-4:00pm

The Museum of History is offering up special, all-ages March Break activities that explore the evolution of play, inspired by the future Canadian History Hall’s three signature galleries: Early Canada, Colonial Canada and Modern Canada.

Canadian War Museum

March 11-March 18, 10:00am-4:00pm

Test your tactical skills and build alliances on a family-friendly battlefield of strategic board games. With a variety of classic games available, there is something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned players.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

March 11-March 19, 10:00am-5:00pm

Visitors to the Aviation and Space Museum can participate in some out-of-this world activities during March Break. Learn what the atmosphere is like on Mars, discover what could help improve human living conditions in space, and help figure out how to protect objects from being damaged as they are launched into space!

Stanley Cup Tribute

Aberdeen Pavilion, March 17

Hockey fans take note! On March 17 head down to the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne to meet some NHL alumni and have your photo taken with the Stanley Cup.

Rogers Hometown Hockey

Aberdeen Pavilion, March 18-19 12:00pm-10:30pm

The hockey fan’s dream weekend continues when the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour makes a stop here in Ottawa. The FREE festival kicks off at Aberdeen Pavilion starting at 12pm on Saturday March 18th and will feature family-friendly programming and activities all weekend long. Help celebrate Canada’s game by picking up a virtual autograph inside the Rogers Tent, meet your favourite NHL Alumni in the Scotiabank Community Locker Room, test your skills in the Chrysler Pacifica Stow N Go Competition, and cheer for your local minor hockey teams in the Cheer Like Never Before contest.

On Sunday night, in front of the Sportsnet mobile studio, the Hometown Hockey hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will broadcast live from Ottawa. Stick around for a live performance from local musicians and watch as the Montreal Canadiens take on the Ottawa Senators.

Indigo-Chapters

Indigo-Chapters locations are offering FREE march break activities in-store Monday-Friday at 11 am, 1pm and 6pm.

• Monday: Qixel Crafts
  Tuesday: Klutx Crafts
  Wednesday: Hasbro Gaming Day
  Thursday: Hats off to Dr Seuss
  Friday: Come Play-Doh with us

Please sign up in-store or by calling the store ahead of time.

Bonus: Parents can get their STARBUCKS fix at the store too!

Ottawa Art Gallery

The Ottawa Art Gallery Annex at City Hall is offering free morning drop-in activities for children aged 5–11 during March Break (March 13-March 17). Every day of the week there will be a different daily art exploration inspired by works of art in the OAG collection. No registration required

• Monday: Painting
• Tuesday: Drawing
• Wednesday: Printmaking
• Thursday: Photography
• Friday: 3D

Imagine That

742 Manitou Drive 

Imagine That offers up project-based, hands-on learning projects that get kids thinking and doing!

Try out the STEAM-based program at one of the MARCH BREAK workshops full of leprachauns, rainbows and gold nuggets  $20/class

NOODLE NOGGINS for ages 4-6
March 15 from 10:00-12:00pm
March 17 from 2:00-4:00pm

Sugar Bushes

March Break is a perfect opportunity to hit up the many sugar bushes in the Ottawa area. All of the sugar bushes are up and running and open for the March Break, and a number of them have special activities going on during the week.

Check out my complete guide to Ottawa’s Top Sugar Bushes.

Ottawa Valley Wild Care Centre

734 Moodie Dr, March 11-19th from 12pm-3pm.

For a $5 donation you can make a suet feeder or build a nest material box. You can also enter the colouring contest for a chance to win prizes. Your kids will also enjoy checking out some of the rescued birds at the Wild Care Centre, and if the weather is decent definitely enjoy a walk along Beaver Trail! It is a favourite for my family. Check out our experience here.

The Farm and Forest Centre

Hwy 17/ Scheel Drive, Braeside, Ontario

*Tuesday March 14, 10am-12pm

Come and visit with the Farm Animals; sheep, goats, and chickens from 10am-11am. At 11am join in with a Camp Fire Sing-A-Along. This event is PRE-ORDER ONLY: SPACE LIMITED

Tickets $15/family (adults and upto 3 children $5 each additional child). For families and children ages 1 – 8 years.
For tickets email farmandforestschool@gmail.com

*Thursday March 16, 10am-12pm

Want to pat a sheep? Watch the baby goats jump around? Join in with the farm yard fun. $5/ person (adults with children are free, support workers free). Drop in; email ahead for accurate address and directions – farmandforestschool@gmail.com

Monkey Rock

Hunters Public House, Wednesday March 15, 5:00pm

Monkey Rock is always a favourite with kids and this musical event is sure to delight! Come out and have fun on this March Break night!

Show starts at 5:30, and its a good idea if your kids eat first.

Call to make your reservation – 613-822-7171

Princess Dance Party (Superheroes Included)

The Centurion Conference and Event Centre, Thursday March 16, 5:00-8:00pm

The 2nd Annual Princess Dance Party is back with a new location. It’s a fun celebration for all Superheroes & Princesses in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada! This event features delicious snacks, a dance party, VIP Dinner, music, princess beauty parlour, superhero hair styling, entertainment, lots of princesses, superheroes…and so much fun. Could be one to check out!

http://childrenswish.ca/princesspartyottawa

Little Ray’s Reptile Show

Tanger Outlets, Friday March 17 11:00am-3:00pm

Get up close and personal to snakes, spiders and lizards during March Break and see Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo Friday, March 17th from 11 am until 3 pm.

FREE admission. Bring the whole family, take selfies with your favorite reptiles, and get your souvenier reptile hat.

The show will be held in vacant unit 825, across from American Eagle Outfitters.

Reptile Shows:
11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM and 2:30PM.

BONUS: maybe Mom can squeeze in some outlet shopping!

Family Movies

Treating the kids to a day at the movies is always a lot of fun, especially if the weather outside isn’t great. There are a few movie theatres running special admission prices and offering a ton of family movie options.

Cineplex

Barrhaven and Silvercity Gloucester

Monday-Friday 4 family favourite movies starting at 11 am for only $2.99

movies showing: Fantastic Beasts, Storks, The Secret Lives of Pets, Trolls.

Landmark Cinemas

Kanata and Orleans locations

Select family flicks are just $3.00 and $1.00 from each March Movie Break ticket sold goes to Kids Help Phone. Plus, you’ll receive $16 in “Thanks for Helping” SAVINGS at Boston Pizza and Landmark Cinemas.

movies such as : Monster Trucks, Monsters vs Aliens, Puss in Boots and Fantastic Beasts.

So good luck with your March Break “vacation”! Hope to see some of you out at these activities.