Best Arcades for Kids in Ottawa

Ottawa's arcade scene covers everything from massive entertainment centres to Japanese claw machine arcades. Whether your kids want to smash buttons on classic games, jump on trampolines, bowl, catch plushies, or dive into VR — there's a spot for every age and budget. Here are 13 family-friendly options.

1. Funhaven — The Ultimate Everything

Funhaven is the biggest all-in-one entertainment centre in Ottawa. 100+ arcade and prize games, Ottawa's only indoor roller coaster, multi-level laser tag, VR rides, bumper cars, mini bowling, a climbing wall, and a jungle gym — all under one roof.

• Ages: All ages. Comfyland soft play area for ages 12 months-5 years
• Arcade: 100+ games, credit card system (4-35 credits per game)
• Unlimited Arcade Play: $25/person (up to 5 hours)
• Credit Packages: $15 (40 credits) to $300 (1,670 credits)
• Birthday Parties: 7 private party rooms
• Food: Full-service restaurant + bar, frozen yogurt bar
• Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-10pm, Thu-Fri 11am-12am, Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-10pm

Best for: Ages 3-14. The one-stop shop when you need to entertain a group with different ages.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (1050 Baxter Road)

2. Cosmic Adventures — Best for Little Kids

Cosmic Adventures is Ottawa's largest indoor playground at 20,000 sq ft. The "Starcade" game room adds arcade games to the climbing, sliding, and ball pit experience. Two dedicated toddler soft play areas make it the best option for kids under 5.

• Ages: 0-12 (optimal: 4-10). Teens 13-17 only with adult + child under 12
• Admission: 0-11 months free | 1-2 years $24.99 | 3-12 years $29.99 | Adults $13.99
• Arcade: Starcade game room (cosmo-card system, extra cost)
• Birthday Parties: ~2h15min packages (30min games + 45min play + 1hr party room)
• Hours: Daily 9am-8:30pm
• Note: Socks required, shoes off. Cashless facility. Security gate at entrance

Best for: Ages 1-8. Parents can sit in the café while kids burn energy.

Neighbourhood: East End (1373 Ogilvie Road)

3. House of TARG — Retro Arcade + Pierogies

House of TARG is a basement retro arcade on Bank Street with 17+ pinball machines, 45+ arcade cabinets, and legendary handmade pierogies. The vibe is pure nostalgia — classic Pac-Man, Galaga, and modern pinball titles.

• Family Hours: Sat-Sun Noon-8pm | Tue 5-11pm (All Ages)
• After 8pm: 19+ ONLY (physical ID required)
• Arcade: $0.25/play (classic), $2/play (pinball)
• Unlimited Free-Play: $12.50 + tax
• Food: Famous handmade pierogies, vegan options available
• Note: Basement — steep stairs, no stroller/wheelchair access. Step stools for kids at pinball machines. Ear protection recommended for young kids

Best for: Ages 6+ who love retro games. Come Saturday or Sunday before 8pm.

Neighbourhood: Old Ottawa South (1077 Bank Street)

4. Ottawa Pinball Arcade — 36+ Pinball Machines

Ottawa Pinball Arcade is Canada's largest pinball arcade with 36+ machines on rotation — from vintage 1970s classics to modern Stern titles like Godzilla, James Bond, and Foo Fighters.

• Family Funday Sunday: 11am-4pm | Adults $20, Kids (12 & under) $10 — unlimited play, tax included
• Regular Play: $1/game (standard), $2/1 game or $3/2 games (Stern Premium)
• Wednesday Unlimited: $15 (5pm-close)
• Location: Inside the Neighbourhood Pub — pub food available (wings, etc.)
• Note: Children under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times

Best for: Ages 8+ who are into pinball. Sunday Family Funday is the best time for families.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (2559 Baseline Road)

5. Putting Edge — Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf + Arcade

Putting Edge is 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf under blacklight — fluorescent paint, UV lights, and glow bracelets. The arcade section with prize games adds replay value after the round.

• Mini Golf: $16 + tax/person | 3 & under free with paying adult
• Arcade: Embed card system (cashless, prices on-site)
• Birthday Parties: Golf N' Go and Golf N' Gamer packages (min 12 guests)
• Hours: Mon-Thu 12-10pm, Fri 12pm-12am, Sat 10am-12am, Sun 10am-10pm
• Note: Cashless facility (card/debit only). Reservations recommended. Nepean location has no party room — no on-site food

Best for: Ages 5-12. Great birthday party option.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (5 Roydon Place)

6. Flying Squirrel — Trampoline + Arcade

Flying Squirrel is primarily a trampoline park, but the arcade section with air hockey, basketball, hurricane simulator, and more adds a gaming element. Ninja obstacle course, foam pit, trampoline dodgeball, and slam dunk hoops round out the experience.

• Prices: 1hr $23 | 1.5hr $30 | 2hr $40 | Toddler (1-3) $20 (includes parent)
• Extras: Climbing wall +$5 | Grip socks required $3.50
• Birthday Parties: $300 (Mon-Thu) / $400 (Fri-Sun), 10-22 guests
• Hours: Mon 10am-9pm, Tue-Thu 2-9pm, Fri 2-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm
• Special: Monthly sensory-friendly sessions (1st Tuesday each month)

Best for: Ages 4-14. The trampoline is the main draw, arcade is the bonus.

Neighbourhood: East End (1901 Cyrville Road)

7. VR Adventures Zone — Virtual Reality for Tweens

VR Adventures Zone at Merivale Mall is Canada's largest VR gaming park — 13,000+ sq ft with 60+ VR experiences. Free-roam arena VR and VR escape rooms take gaming beyond screens.

• Ages: 7+ (under 18 requires parental waiver)
• Prices: $35/60min — $60/120min
• Birthday Parties: $230-$700 (4-16 guests, includes pizza, drinks, photo booth, loot bags)
• Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Best for: Ages 8-16. The premium option for tween/teen birthday parties.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (Merivale Mall, 1642 Merivale Road)

8. Splitsville Kanata — Bowling + Arcade

Splitsville Kanata is a 26,000 sq ft entertainment centre with 18 lanes of 10-pin bowling, a modern arcade section, and a full-service restaurant with a kids menu. It's the best option in Kanata for families.

• Bowling: Adults $8.99+/game | Kids/Students/Seniors $7.49+/game | Family Pack (4) from $31.32
• Arcade: Game card system (prices on-site)
• Birthday: "Strike 'N Play" from $149 (up to 6 guests, includes bowling + food)
• Hours: Mon-Tue 10am-11pm, Wed-Thu 10am-12am, Fri-Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-11pm
• Wheelchair accessible, free parking

Best for: All ages. Best Kanata option for bowling + games family outings.

Neighbourhood: Kanata (255 Kanata Ave, Kanata Entertainment Centrum)

9. Merivale Bowling Centre — Budget Bowling + Arcade

Merivale Bowling Centre is the budget-friendly bowling and arcade option with 48 lanes and an arcade zone. Rock 'n' Bowl glow bowling on Friday and Saturday nights adds extra fun.

• Bowling: $7.99/game/person (tax included) | Shoe rental $3.50
• Birthday Parties: $19.99-$23.99/person (5+ guests, 1hr bowling + 1hr food)
• Arcade: Classic and modern games
• Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12am
• Note: Bumpers available for young kids. Debit/credit only

Best for: Budget-conscious families. Cheapest bowling birthday parties in Ottawa.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (1916 Merivale Road)

10. Crazy Bear Amusement — Claw Machines + Arcade

Crazy Bear Amusement on Merivale Road is a family entertainment centre with 120+ games — arcade cabinets, VR experiences, rhythm/dance games, multiplayer air hockey, and a massive Claw Zone that's one of the most popular in Ottawa. Google rating 4.9 with 1000+ reviews says it all.

• Admission: Free (credit card system)
• Credits: $10 = 40 credits | $25 = 160 credits | $50 = 365 credits | $100 = 790 credits
• Birthday (Weekday): $199 single room (10 kids + 10 adults, 1.5hrs, 70 credits/kid, pizza, juice)
• Birthday (Weekend): $299 single room (same inclusions)
• Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-12am, Sat 10am-12am, Sun 10am-11pm
• 500+ prize redemption items

Best for: Ages 4-14. The claw machine paradise. Great birthday party value.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (1516 Merivale Road)

11. Den Den Claw — Japanese Claw Machines

Den Den Claw brings the Japanese UFO catcher experience to Chinatown. The arcade is filled with claw machines stocked with character plushies and collectibles, gachapon capsule machines, a photo booth, and an artist alley. Google rating 5.0 with 780+ reviews. Sensory-friendly events have been hosted with Autism Ontario.

• Ages: All ages
• Payment: Cash, card, debit
• Hours: Mon/Wed/Thu 4-9pm, Fri 4-10:30pm, Sat 1-10:30pm, Sun 1-9pm (Tue closed)

Best for: Ages 4+. The Japanese claw machine experience — great for anime and plushie fans.

Neighbourhood: Chinatown (691 Somerset St W)

12. Claw World — Claw Machines at the Mall

Claw World inside St. Laurent Shopping Centre is a Japanese-style claw machine arcade chain. Neon-lit machines with character plushies and collectibles. Token-based system — most machines cost 4 tokens per play.

• Ages: All ages
• Tokens: $20/22 tokens (non-member) | $50/68 tokens
• VIP Membership: from $90 (better token rates)
• Hours: Mon-Sun 9:30am-9pm (follows mall hours)
• Birthday party packages available

Best for: All ages. Easy access inside a major shopping centre — combine with mall shopping.

Neighbourhood: East End (St. Laurent Shopping Centre)

13. Level One Game Pub — Board Games + Video Games

Level One Game Pub has 800+ board games and 300+ video games in a 150-year-old heritage building. Staff help pick games and teach rules. It's a pub, but families are welcome — especially during the day.

• Entry: Adults $9 | Kids (12 & under) $5 — unlimited games included
• Hours: Daily 12pm-12am (Fri-Sat until 2am)
• Note: No traditional arcade machines — board games + console/PC games. Pub atmosphere in evenings. No time limit Sun-Thu, 3hr limit Fri-Sat

Best for: Ages 6+. Perfect rainy-day activity for families who love board games.

Neighbourhood: Downtown (14 Waller Street)

The Quick Comparison

By Neighbourhood

• Nepean: Funhaven, Ottawa Pinball Arcade, Putting Edge, VR Adventures Zone, Merivale Bowling, Crazy Bear
• East End: Cosmic Adventures, Flying Squirrel
• Downtown / Old Ottawa South / Chinatown: House of TARG, Level One Game Pub, Den Den Claw
• St. Laurent: Claw World
• Kanata: Splitsville Kanata

Tips

• Rainy day all-rounder — Funhaven covers the most ground for mixed-age groups.
• Toddlers (under 5) — Cosmic Adventures (two toddler areas) or Funhaven Comfyland.
• Retro games on a budget — House of TARG at $0.25/play or $12.50 unlimited.
• Pinball fans — Ottawa Pinball Arcade (36+ machines, Sunday Family Funday).
• Best birthday deal — Merivale Bowling from $19.99/kid, cheapest in Ottawa.
• Kanata families — Splitsville is the only dedicated option in the area.
• Claw machine fans — Crazy Bear Amusement, 120+ games, Google 4.9.
• Board game family — Level One Game Pub, $5 kids entry, unlimited games.