11 fantastic places to visit in Canada with kids
A handpicked selection of 11 of the best family friendly places to visit in Canada with kids to help you start planning you Canada family vacation.
Our family trip to Canada was the first overseas trip we have taken as a family of four.
We hopped on a plane on a mild summer day and spent our summer exploring beautiful Canadian cities and immersing ourselves in the stunning and expansive landscapes of the Canadian wilderness.
Before we caught that plane however, we had to plan where in Canada to do with the kids exactly and that took more than a little bit of research!
Putting together a family travel guide with the best places to visit in Canada with kids is no easy feat.
Canada is so extensive, varied and culturally diverse, you can focus on just one region of this beautiful country and never run out of fantastic family friendly places and things to do.
We knew form photos and a our trips pre kids that we wanted to bring the children to Montreal and the Niagara Falls.
But what else should we focus on? Would a trip all the way to Alberta or British Columbia with kids be worth it?
Should we focus on the west, the east or a bit of both?
If you are planning a first trip to Canada with kids, chances are you have several of the same questions we did.
So, to help you get started with your planning, today we share a selection of 9 of the best places to visit in Canada with kids.
For each, we give a quick overview of the best things this do with children what type of vacation to expect and, when possible, we link to detailed area guides to help you get into the next stage of your travel planning.
Why visit Canada with kids
Canada is a fantastic family friendly destinations.
Safe, beautiful and well organized, it is a great first destination for families with your kids and it is perfect for families with older children who love the outdoors especially.
Canada is also a wonderful destination for families who love adding educational value to their travels thanks to, among other things, the chance to learn about First Nations and the bilingualism of the Province of Quebec.
Why not to visit Canada with kids
When planning a trip to Canada with kids, the only thing to be careful of is the distances.
If you are from Europe, like us, it is easy to underestimate how fare places are and how diverse the country is.
So, unless you have a very long period in Canada, we recommend you plan a family vacation around a specific place rather than trying to tick boxes seeing places at the opposite end of the country.
Top 11 places to visit in Canada with kids
Montreal with kids, Quebec
Montreal is the first city in Canada we visited with the kids and a place we love.
The city is bilingual French and English and it has a fantastic, relaxed family-friendly atmosphere that mixes elements of a large and modern North American city and the charm of old Europe.
There are many things to do in Montreal with kids, especially in summer, when the weather is mild and perfect for sightseeing.
Among the many family attractions we loved in Montreal for kids is Park Jean Drapeau, with its beautiful water complex and cycling lanes.
The botanical gardens and Biodome, a lovely outdoor area with plenty to explore and a fun bug house, perfect for little kids especially!
Not to be missed is the stunning Montreal Science Museum and, for both kids and parents, it is hard not to fall for the charm of Old Montreal and its cobbled street which make you feel like you are in a parallel universe somewhere in France!
Montreal is fantastic and any age and we particularly loved the city’s famous coffee culture and the buzzy yet kid-friendly feel of its many street side cafes.
Montreal is simply perfect if you love a family vacation with plenty of opportunities to sit at outdoors cafes and parks, drinking coffee, and eating poutines.
You can find here >>> our family travel guide to Montreal with kids
Mont Tremblant with kids
Mont Tremblant National Park is a stunning area of natural beauty a short drive from Montreal.
The park is fantastic for kids and parents alike and has plenty of activities on offer in both summer and winter.
In summer, we have great fun kayaking on the lake, participating into ranger talks about bears and the nature of this area and making the most of the kid friendly attractions in the park.
The gondola and the fun Skyline Luge are great fun for kids and the incredible birds at the birds of pray show are sure to impress!
You can find all our suggestions in our family guide to Mont Tremblant in summer here.
In winter, Mont Tremblant National Park is a great place for fun in the snow.
Kid friendly activities in Mont Tremblant in winter include dog sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and more.
Have a look at this comprehensive guide to Mont Tremblant in winter to see how much fun you can have here!
The park is very well equipped to welcoming families and has lots of accommodation options ranging from family camping and glamping to fully equipped resort with all the kids’ amenities you can dream!
Quebec City with kids
Quebec city is, a little like old Montreal, a peculiar city that mixes north American and European vibes and it is perfect for families with kids.
Quebec city develops over a lower and upper town and the Old Town has a lovely family friendly streets liked with French style patisseries, restaurants and quaint shops.
The jewel in the crow for kids it here is the funicular and a visit to Chateau Fontenac, Quebec City’s most iconic landmark.
Other things to do in Quebec City with kids include The Battlefields Park, the Aquarium, the Old Port district and Mega Fun, amusement park offering just what its name promises!
Quebec City is also where you find the fantastic Quebec Hotel de Glace (ice hotel!), one of the most unique experiences you can have in Canada with kids. Read about it here.
This is a lovely family destination in Canada for families and a fun idea for a short family getaway in Quebec.
Toronto with kids, Ontario
We visited Toronto after the recommendation of friends of ours who lived there with children the same age as ours and we loved the place.
Large and modern yet easy to navigate and family friendly, we found plenty of things in Toronto.
In summer especially the city offers a great mix of outdoor activities and inner city fun.
Our children very favorite places was Center Island.
Immediately in front of the city, in beautiful Lake Ontario, center island is a lovely park with walking trails, beaches and a fantastic amusement park for little kids with rides and attractions.
On the mainland, things to do in Toronto with kids include climbing to the top of the CN tower, taking a tour of the Rogers Center (stadium), Legoland Discovery center and the fun science museum.
Toronto has a lovely buzzy feeling and is also a great place for food lovers.
The city is a great place for families as a weekend destination and a base to discover the area.
You can get a sense of how easy it is to enjoy Toronto as a family reading here >>> our guide to one day in Toronto with kids.
Canadian side of Niagara Falls with kids
Niagara Falls is a big travel bucket list item for kids and adults like and the Canadian side of it is breathtaking.
Visiting the Niagara falls with kids is easy and satisfying.
Depending on the time you have and the type of vacation you are looking for, you can visit the falls as a day trip from Toronto or you can stay the night or even the weekend.
Niagara Falls are in a very built-up yet very well served area. Here, everything aims at offering the best opportunities to admire this wonder.
With kids, we loved walking along the belvedere (safe and scenic) and we had the best time on the Hornblower Cruise, which gets you so close to the falls, you feel the water on your face!
These are, however, only the most popular things to do in the area.
If you have more than a few hours here, you can go behind the falls or you can make the most of the many family attractions in town such as indoor water parks, mini-golf and out-of-this-world dining options.
You can find here >>> a sample family weekend itinerary in Niagara Falls.
The town of Niagara is full of skyscrapers and it is fun but potentially overwhelming for people who prefer a slower pace and more natural settings.
There are, however, lots of alternatives too.
For example, not far from the falls, you have the pretty town of Niagara on the Lake, which is a picture-perfect town with quaint shops and a small village feel (almost too perfect!).
In the same area, you also find the relaxing Ontario Wine County, which is perfect for families looking for a rural and slow-paced stay.
You can read here >>> how we explored this area as part of a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls
Banff National Park and Lake Louise with kids
If you dream of immersing yourself in the breathtaking mountain landscapes of Canada, then you should plan a family vacation in Banff National Park.
Banff National Park is in Alberta, in the west of Canada, and it is a place of breathtaking scenery and natural beauty.
Nestled on the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a perfect playground for nature lovers and families who love an active vacation.
It is also where you find Lake Louise, famous for its iconic blue waters and one of the country’s best family resorts. There is a lot to do in Banff with kids.
In winter, you come to this area for a ski and snow vacation.
Family activities include skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow snowshoeing and ice skating, but you will find plenty of opportunities just to enjoy the snow, no matter what skills you have or may not have when it comes to winter sports!
In summer, you can hike here to tour heart content.
Many hikes in Banff are family-friendly, including Johnston Canyon, one of the most famous in the park, leading to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Alberta.
In all seasons, don’t miss the stunning ride on Banff Gondola and Cave & Basin National Historic Site and its fantastic natural hot spring.
Lovely places to use as a base to visit this area are pretty Banff town, Lake Louise and Canmore.
Jasper with kids
Jasper National Park is to the northwest of Banff and is another fantastic place to visit in Canada with kids and perfect for hiking families.
Jasper has excellent family-friendly trails and it is perfect if you are looking for an outdoorsy vacation.
Here, you can spend your days kayaking, canoeing, SUPping (stand-up paddleboarding), fishing, cycling, and more and the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down!
Jasper is a dark sky preserve and the stargazing here is exceptional!
Make sure you equip your kids with a portable telescope for the best stargazing experience.
Close to Edmonton, another lovely family-friendly city in Canada, Jasper is a terrific family destination in Canada if you are looking for easy access to nature or want to mix a park experience with family fun in the city.
Whistler with kids
A list of the best places for a family vacation in Canada has to include Whistler, probably the most famous family ski resort in the country!
Whistler is in British Columbia, in the West of Canada, and it is a an area of great natural beauty only a short drive from Vancouver.
Whistler has a lot to offer to families with kids looking for an outdoor vacation.
In winter, Whistler is a world class ski resort with accommodation options, lots of family-friendly restaurants a plethora of activities and attractions for expert and newbie skiers.
The Snow Zone is magical for kids playing in this winter wonderland and offers great ice skating and has plenty of places for your well deserved hot chocolate break!
In summer, you can make the most of the family adventure zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, where you find lots of family favorite such as mini golf, climbing wall and luge ride.
In all seasons, you won’t want to miss a ride on the Gondola ride and a tour of the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre in the Upper Village.
Here, you will learn about Lilwat culture, heritage and history, a fantastic opportunity if, like us, you come from a place where history and culture focuses almost exclusively on European history.
Vancouver with kids
Vancouver is a fantastic city for a family getaway in British Columbia.
The city is beautiful to explore and has plenty of family friendly attractions for kids of all ages.
Granville island always makes the list of the best family attractions in Vancouver and with good reason. Here, you find a fantastic market and kids market and the largest free water park in North America, a fantastic place for a day out playing and a family picnic.
If you love the outdoors, a great place for kids in Vancouver is Stanley park, a large expanse of greenery perfect to let kids run around and for parents to unwind.
Here is also where you find Vancouvers aquarium, which is fin for kids thanks to the touch pool and the pretty otters!
For even more scenery, you can go up to Grouse Mountain, which offers breathtaking views and also lots of family fun, or you can stay closer to the ocean relax and playing on one of Vancouver’s beaches.
For even more family fun, you can explore Science World and Omnimax at Telus World of Science, H.R. MacMillan Space Center, the Maritime Museum and Vancouver Museum, all perfect for a family day out.
Prince Edward Island with kids
Prince Edward Island is famous for being the setting of Anne of Green Gables.
PEI is also a delightful, family friendly destination and a lovely place to visit in Canada with kids if you are looking for a romantic, beautiful place with plenty of outdoor time for kids.
For beautiful summer days outdoors, Prince Edward Island National Park is simply perfect.
You can take your time on its family friendly hiking and cycling trails, and the children will have plenty of opportunities to observe the peculiar nature of this area made of dunes, marshland and tidal pools.
PEI is also great for cute animal encounters in the local farm plus, of course, many chances to immerse yourself in anything Anne of Green Gables in places such as Cavendish and Green Gables Heritage Place.
In summer again, lots of family time will be spent on the beautiful beaches of PEI and seeking out the pretty lighthouse that are typical of this area.
You can find a family friendly guide to PEI with kids here.
Yellowknife with kids
If you are planning a trip to Canada in winter and are hoping to see the Northern Lights, chances are you will encounter mention of Yellowknife, one of the best places in the world to see them!
Yellowknife is remote and cold; therefore it is most suited to families with older kids, looking for something a little different.
If you are up for the adventure, however, the place is fantastic and great fun.
Winter activities such as dog-sledding, kite-skiing and winter hiking are great for active kids and the local museums offer pleasant refuge from the weather when you need to defrost.
You can find lots of fun family activities in Yellowknife here.
I hope you enjoyed this quick overview and selection of the best places to visit in Canada with kids and it inspired you to visit. Safe travel planning!
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