Best Summer Family Activities in Ottawa

Ottawa summers are short but packed — from mid-June to Labour Day, there's an overwhelming amount to do with kids. This guide focuses on what's unique to summer: splash pads, outdoor pools, waterparks, and warm-weather adventures you can't do the rest of the year.

For beaches and paddling, see our beaches and water activities guide →. For summer festivals, see the summer festivals guide →.

Splash Pads (Free)

Ottawa has 50+ city-operated splash pads, all free. They run mid-June to mid-September, typically 9 AM to 9 PM daily.

Best splash pads for families:

• Millennium Park (100 Millennium Blvd, Orleans) — Pirate-themed with serpents, tipping buckets, and shaded seating
• Brewer Park (Old Ottawa South) — Two-level design with slides, water jets, and tipping buckets
• Centrepointe Park (Nepean) — Water loop, whale tail features, tipping bucket, free parking
• Walter Baker Park (Kanata) — Upgraded in 2024 with snowman design, ground jets, overhead sprayers, tree shade
• Andrew Haydon Park (Nepean) — Natural play style on the Ottawa River waterfront
• Claudette Cain Park (Riverside South) — Flower-post structures, water cannons, aqua dome

No registration or fee. Just show up.

Outdoor Pools

The City of Ottawa operates 9 outdoor pools, opening mid-June. Plus 50+ free wading pools for toddlers.

Outdoor pools: Bearbrook, Beaverbrook (Kanata), Corkstown, Crestview, Entrance, General Burns, Genest, Glen Cairn, Katimavik

• Season: Mid-June to late August
• Cost: City drop-in rates apply — check ottawa.ca for current pricing
• Wading pools: 50+ locations, all free, open late June through summer

Waterpark

Calypso Waterpark

Calypso Waterpark in Limoges is Canada's largest waterpark — 100 acres with 35+ water slides, a massive wave pool (Calypso Palace), lazy river, and dedicated kids' areas. The Summit Tower is the tallest freestanding slide tower in Canada.

• Ages: All ages (dedicated toddler and kids zones)
• Cost: Kids (1–1.31m) from $57, under 1m free. Parking$21. Buy online to save $8
• Season: Mid-June to early September. 2026 opens June 13
• Drive: ~30 minutes east of Ottawa
• 2026 new: Renovated entrance, new Mainstreet dining area, light shows, live music
• Tip: Outside food is allowed — bring a cooler to save money. Arrive at opening to beat lines

Outdoor Adventures

Camp Fortune

Camp Fortune in Chelsea opens its summer adventure park in late June. Three activities stand out for families:

• Mountain Coaster — $20/ride, no minimum height with adult. Most family-friendly option
• Peak to Peak Ziplines — $42 youth /$47 adult, ages 12+, three dual high-speed lines
• Aerial Park — $27.50 kids /$42–$47 explorer course, ages 5+

15 minutes from downtown. Book ahead on weekends.

Interzip Rogers

The world's only interprovincial zipline — soar 37m above the Ottawa River from Ontario to Quebec. $35 kids /$46 adults, ages 8+ (must weigh 70+ lbs). Open May–September.

• 2026 special: Fireworks night rides on Wednesdays and Saturdays in July–August

Arbraska Laflèche

Arbraska Laflèche in Val-des-Monts combines a cave tour with aerial adventures — a unique combo you won't find anywhere else near Ottawa.

• Cave Discovery Tour — $22–$30, 1–1.5 hours, ages 5+. Explore 500-million-year-old limestone caves with fossils
• Aerial Course — $37–$47, 3.5 hours, ages 5+, min height 152cm
• uplå Trampolines — $10–$35, 2 hours, ages 5+. Giant outdoor trampolines in the forest
• Drive: ~45 minutes from Ottawa

Saunders Farm — Summer Maze Days

Saunders Farm opens for summer with 10 hedge mazes, jumping pillows, pedal carts, wagon rides, a splash pad, ziplines, and live shows. 30+ activities on a 100-acre farm.

• Cost: $25/person (2 and under free)
• Season: Late May to late August, Tuesday–Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
• Drive: ~30 minutes southwest

Free Summer Activities

Canada Strong Pass (Free Museums for Kids)

From June 19 to September 7, all national museums are free for ages 0–17 and 50% off for ages 18–24. No pass needed — just show up and confirm your age.

Participating museums include:

• Canadian Museum of Nature (dinosaurs, whale skeleton)
• Canada Science and Technology Museum (Crazy Kitchen, hands-on exhibits)
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum (130+ aircraft)
• Canadian Museum of History (Children's Museum included)
• National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum, and more

Source: canada.ca/canada-pass

Other Free Activities

• Splash pads — 50+ across the city (see above)
• Supervised beaches — Mooney's Bay, Britannia, Petrie Island, Westboro (lifeguards noon–7 PM)
• Car-free weekends — NCC Parkways closed to cars on weekends May–October. Great for family cycling
• Outdoor movies — Capital Pop-Up Cinema screens free movies in parks across Ottawa (capitalpopupcinema.com)
• Canada Day (July 1) — Free celebrations at LeBreton Flats, fireworks, Snowbirds flyover

Dow's Lake Paddleboats

Dow's Lake Pavilion rents paddleboats ($25/hr), kayaks ($24/hr), canoes ($30/hr), and SUPs ($19/hr). Kids love steering the paddleboats. Open mid-May to early October.

Day Trips (1–1.5 Hours)

Parc Omega

Parc Omega is a drive-through wildlife safari in Montebello, QC. See elk, bison, wolves, bears, and deer from your car — many come right up to the windows. Spring and summer mean baby animals.

• Cost: Adults $46, Children (6–15)$34, Toddlers (2–5) $17. 10% family discount on 3+ tickets
• Drive: ~1 hour east. Budget 3–4 hours minimum
• Tip: Buy carrots at the entrance to feed animals from your car

Upper Canada Village

Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg is a living history museum with 40+ heritage buildings from the 1860s. Kids watch blacksmiths, weavers, and bakers at work. Ride a horse-drawn wagon or a miniature train ($8).

• Cost: Adults $26, Youth (5–12)$17, Family $80 (2 adults + 3 kids). Under 5 free
• Season: May 9 – September 20, 9:30 AM – 5 PM
• Drive: ~1 hour south via Highway 416/401

Bonnechere Caves

Bonnechere Caves near Eganville are 500-million-year-old limestone caves filled with marine fossils. Guided tours run every 20–30 minutes, no reservation needed. The caves stay 13°C year-round — a natural escape from summer heat.

• Cost: Adults $22, Youth (13–17)$15, Children (4–12) $14. Under 4 free
• Season: Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, daily 10 AM – 4 PM
• Drive: ~1.5 hours west
• Note: Not stroller-accessible. Use a baby carrier for infants

Rainy Day / Heat Wave Options

When it's pouring or 35°C+, head indoors:

• Funhaven — Roller coaster, laser tag, arcade, toddler zone. No admission fee, credit-based
• Museum of Nature — Free for kids 0–17. Air-conditioned dinosaurs
• Science & Tech Museum — Free daily 4–5 PM. Crazy Kitchen is a must
• Sky Zone (2935 Conroy Rd) — Trampoline park, $20/hour, all ages

Summer Family Checklist

• Sunscreen & hats — UV is strong June–August, especially near water
• Bug spray — Mosquitoes peak in June–July, especially at trails and parks near water
• Water bottles — Refill at splash pads and park fountains
• Arrive early — Splash pads, pools, and beaches fill up fast on weekends. Before 10 AM is best
• Pack lunch — Saves money at parks, waterparks, and day trips. Most Ottawa parks have picnic tables
• Check the weather — Thunderstorms are common in July–August. Have an indoor backup plan
• Book day trips on weekdays — Calypso, Parc Omega, and Camp Fortune are significantly less crowded Tuesday–Thursday