Best PD Day Activities in Ottawa

PD Days (Professional Development days) are the weekdays when Ontario public schools close for teacher training, leaving parents to figure out what to do with the kids while they're still expected at work. Ottawa has a solid mix of drop-off day camps, indoor play places, museums, and active spaces built for exactly this situation. Here's where to take — or drop off — the kids on the next PD day.

Drop-Off PD Day Camps (Working Parents' Best Friends)

If you need a reliable, structured drop-off option for the full day, these Ottawa facilities run camps specifically on school PD days.

RA Centre — The Most Organized Option

RA Centre on Riverside Drive runs one of Ottawa's best-organized PA Day camp programs. Three age levels — Junior Day Camp (4-5), Day Camp (6-8), and Multi-Sports Camp (9-12) — with a clear schedule: 9am-4pm, drop-off 8:30-9am, pick-up 4-4:30pm.

Ages: 4-12 (three levels) Cost: $55 + 5% facility fee = $59.13/day Activities: Arts & crafts, sports, physical games, outdoor play

Ottawa Gymnastics Centre — For Active Kids

Ottawa Gymnastics Centre in Westboro runs PD Day camps where kids spend the day on trampolines, gymnastics equipment, and obstacle courses. No pre- or post-care, so you're locked in on the 9am-4pm window.

Ages: 4-12 Cost: $75 per participant Activities: Gymnastics, trampoline, games, arts & crafts

Ottawa Humane Society — The Unique Animal Camp

Ottawa Humane Society runs a genuinely unique PD Day camp. Kids spend the day learning about animal welfare, touring the shelter, visiting cat rooms, and (when available) meeting volunteer dogs. It's the one option on this list that isn't just "fun stuff in a gym" — it's educational in a way kids actually remember.

Cost: $75 (tax included), free extended care 8-9am and 4-4:30pm Activities: Animal welfare presentations, shelter tours, small animal sessions, crafts Note: Spots fill quickly — check the website for upcoming dates.

Altitude Gym Kanata — Climbing Camp

Altitude Gym Kanata runs day camps for kids 6-13 at North America's largest bouldering gym. Kids learn to climb with certified instructors and spend the day on routes, auto belays, and the ninja warrior course. Contact the gym directly for current PD Day camp rates and dates.

Ages: 6-13

Indoor Play Places (For Parents at Home or with Flexible Schedules)

If you don't need a drop-off camp — maybe a grandparent is watching, you're working from home, or you've taken the day off — these indoor play places are reliable PD Day destinations.

Funhaven — The All-in-One

Funhaven is the biggest indoor entertainment centre in Ottawa. The Crazy 8 indoor roller coaster is exclusive to this location, and there's multi-level laser tag, an escape room, VR, bumper cars, 100+ arcade games, a climbing wall, mini bowling, and a dedicated toddler zone (Comfyland, 12 months-5 years). On PD Days, Funhaven typically opens earlier than its usual afternoon hours.

Ages: 12 months to adult Cost: Credit-based system ($15 for 40 credits up to $300 bundles); $25/person for 5-hour unlimited arcade

Cosmic Adventures — The Classic Indoor Playground

Cosmic Adventures on Ogilvie Road is Ottawa's largest indoor playground — 20,000 sq. ft. of tunnels, slides, ball pits, climbing zones, and an arcade. Open daily 9am-8:30pm, so it's always a reliable PD Day pick.

Ages: 0-12 (best for under 10) Cost: 0-11 months free, 1-2 years $24.99, 3-17 years $29.99, adult $13.99

Flying Squirrel Ottawa — Trampolines

Flying Squirrel Ottawa on Cyrville Road combines a trampoline park with ninja obstacle courses, a climbing wall, and foam pits. 6 and under get 50% off and there's a dedicated Kiddie Court for smaller kids.

Ages: All ages (dedicated area for 6 and under) Cost: $23/hour, $30/1.5 hours, $40/2 hours. Grip socks required ($3.50).

Bubblesea Adventures — Best for Toddlers

Bubblesea Adventures in Emerald Plaza on Merivale is toddler-friendly with a large ball pit (separated by age), trampolines, tube slides, obstacle courses, and a zipline for kids 6+. Dedicated under-2 zone makes it one of the better options for little kids.

Ages: Toddlers to elementary age Cost: $6.99-$35.99 depending on age and time

Museums — Full-Day PD Day Value

Ottawa's federal museums are built for full days. They don't typically run PD Day-specific camps, but the standing exhibits plus drop-in activities easily fill 4-6 hours.

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Canada Science and Technology Museum has interactive exhibits on space, sound, transportation, medical technology, and artificial intelligence. Hands-on demos and the Exploratek maker space are especially good for PD Day visits.

Canadian Museum of Nature

Canadian Museum of Nature in the Victoria Memorial Museum Building has dinosaurs, a full blue whale skeleton, live bugs in the Butterfly Gallery, and rotating exhibits. Kids can easily spend 3-4 hours here.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum has over 130 aircraft including fighter jets, bush planes, and space artifacts. There's a dedicated children's play area and kids can climb into simulated cockpits.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is a working farm in the heart of Ottawa where kids can visit cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and rabbits. Often the single favourite for younger kids on a PD Day.

Canadian Museum of History

Canadian Museum of History is just across the river in Gatineau, and the Canadian Children's Museum is inside (no separate ticket). It's one of the best full-day museum experiences in the capital region for kids.

Bank of Canada Museum

Bank of Canada Museum is free and surprisingly fun for kids — interactive exhibits about money, a currency collection, and short activities. Good as a half-day stop.

Climbing, Bowling & Active Spots

Coyote Rock Gym — Drop-In Climbing

Coyote Rock Gym on St. Laurent Boulevard is Ottawa's long-running rock climbing gym. Kids 4+ can climb with a parent, and the youth day pass is $17 (under 18). Top rope, bouldering, and auto belays all available for drop-in climbing.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm

Merivale Bowling Centre

Merivale Bowling Centre has 48 lanes including Rock 'n' Bowl glow-in-the-dark lanes, an arcade, and a restaurant. Bumpers available for younger kids.

Free Options

Ottawa Public Library — Adisoke & Branch Drop-Ins

Adisoke, the new central library, plus branches across Ottawa, run free drop-in programs throughout the week — Stay and Play, LEGO drop-in, board games, and Kid Zones. Exact PD Day offerings vary by branch, so check the branch schedule before you go. Free.

Ottawa Public Pools — Drop-In Swim

The City of Ottawa operates several pools with drop-in swim times. Best picks for PD Day:

• Splash Wave Pool (2040 Ogilvie Road) — Wave pool, kiddie pool with spray fountains, 32m waterslide
• Walter Baker Sports Centre (Nepean) — 25m lap pool, kids' pool, Wibit inflatable obstacle course (seasonal)
• Plant Recreation Centre (Preston St) — Baby/toddler pool, 25m main pool, hot tub

Book drop-in swim online up to 2 days in advance. Kids under 17 swim free under the City's Play Free program.

Seasonal Picks (Check the Calendar)

Saunders Farm — May to December

Saunders Farm runs May through December with jumbo jumper, splash pad, wagon rides, and the world's largest collection of hedge mazes. It's a great PD Day destination if the weather cooperates and the day falls in season. Closed January through mid-April.

Calypso Waterpark — Summer Only

Calypso Waterpark, Canada's largest waterpark, runs from mid-June through early September. If you catch a PD Day in June or early September, it's a full-day win. Closed the rest of the year.

Quick Comparison: Drop-Off Camps

Tips for PD Day Planning

• Register early. Drop-off camps like RA Centre and Ottawa Gymnastics Centre fill up fast — register as soon as the school board publishes the PD Day calendar.
• Check the OCDSB/OCSB calendars for upcoming PD Days at the start of each term so you can plan ahead.
• Combine with grandparent visits. A morning museum trip + afternoon indoor playground is a good rhythm for working-from-home parents.
• Weather matters. Indoor spots (Funhaven, Cosmic Adventures, trampoline parks, museums) are always safe picks. Outdoor farms and waterparks depend on season and weather.
• Bring grip socks for trampoline parks (Flying Squirrel requires them — $3.50 at the door if you forget).
• Free and cheap options exist. Ottawa Public Library drop-in programs are free, and City of Ottawa pools have drop-in rates for kids.