March Break Ideas Near Ottawa for Families

March Break in the Ottawa region is a strange week. It is usually too warm for good skiing but too cold and slushy for outdoor exploring. The canal skating season is typically over. The parks are muddy. And you have a week to fill with kids who have boundless energy and no school.

The good news is that Ottawa and the surrounding area have more indoor attractions and winter-friendly activities than most people realize. And some of the best March Break experiences are day trips that get you out of the city without requiring a major commitment.

In the City: Museums and Indoor Adventures

March Break is peak season for Ottawa's national museums, and most of them run special programming during the week. This is both an advantage (more activities for kids) and a challenge (bigger crowds). Arriving when doors open is the best strategy.

Canadian Museum of Nature. The museum typically runs a week-long March Break program with themed activities, craft stations, and special presentations. The dinosaur gallery and the live butterfly exhibit (when running) are perennial favourites. Located on McLeod Street, it is easy to reach by bus or car.

Canada Science and Technology Museum. This is arguably the best March Break museum for kids who like to touch things. The exhibits are hands-on by design, and the museum adds extra demonstrations and workshops during the break. The Crazy Kitchen alone will entertain most kids for 20 minutes.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum. If you have not been, March Break is a good time. The museum is large enough that it does not feel crowded, and kids can explore aircraft from a century of flight. The space section, with its Canadarm replica, is a particular draw for older kids.

Beyond the national museums, Funhaven in the east end of Ottawa is a large indoor entertainment complex with go-karts, laser tag, bowling, and arcade games. It is not cheap, but it reliably burns off energy on a day when nothing else is working. Camp Fortune in Gatineau Park sometimes extends its ski season into March Break week, conditions permitting.

Day Trips Worth the Drive

Saunders Country Critters near Munster. This small family-run farm about 30 minutes southwest of Ottawa offers animal encounters, pony rides, and hands-on experiences with goats, rabbits, and other farm animals. It is modest in scale but very well run, and young kids (ages 2 to 8) absolutely love it. Check their website for March Break hours, as they sometimes offer extended programming.

Saunders Farm near Munster. The same family runs a larger attraction that operates seasonally. During March Break, they sometimes open for special events. It is best known for its fall corn maze and Halloween programming, but check whether they have a winter or March Break event scheduled.

Omega Park in Montebello. About 90 minutes east of Ottawa in Quebec, Parc Omega is a drive-through wildlife park where you can see bison, elk, deer, wolves, and bears from your car. In March, the animals are active and often come close to vehicles looking for the carrots sold at the entrance. The park also has walking trails and a small farm area. Dress warmly, as you will want the windows down for photos.

Upper Canada Village near Morrisburg. While the village's main season runs from May to October, they sometimes offer March Break programming with heritage craft workshops and historical demonstrations. It is about an hour south of Ottawa on the St. Lawrence River. Call ahead to confirm March Break hours.

Skiing and Snow Activities

March Break skiing near Ottawa is hit or miss depending on the year's snowfall and temperatures. The most reliable options are:

Camp Fortune. Located in Gatineau Park, just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Camp Fortune usually operates through March if conditions allow. It is a small hill but well-suited to families with beginners and intermediate skiers. Their ski school runs group lessons during the break.

Mont Cascades. About 25 minutes north of Ottawa in Cantley, Quebec, Mont Cascades is another family-friendly ski area. It tends to hold snow a bit longer than Camp Fortune due to its north-facing slopes.

Calabogie Peaks. If you are willing to drive 90 minutes, Calabogie Peaks in the Ottawa Valley has the most vertical in the region and usually has the best late-season conditions. It is a full-day commitment, but the quality of skiing is noticeably better than the smaller hills.

For non-skiing snow activities, Gatineau Park maintains cross-country ski trails and snowshoe paths into March. Trail conditions vary, so check the National Capital Commission website before heading out.

Indoor Swimming and Recreation

Ottawa's municipal pools run extended public swim hours during March Break. Splash Wave Pool in Kanata and the Walter Baker Sports Centre in Nepean are popular choices with wave pools and waterslides. The François Dupuis Recreation Centre in the east end is newer and well-equipped.

Several hotels also offer day passes for their pools during March Break, which can feel like a mini vacation without the drive. The Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata and the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau both have good pool facilities.

Budget-Friendly Options

March Break does not have to be expensive. Here are a few low-cost or free ideas:

The Ottawa Public Library branches run free March Break programs for kids, including crafts, story time, and maker workshops. Check the OPL website for schedules starting in late February.

Several national museums offer free admission on Thursday evenings year-round. If your March Break spans a Thursday, take advantage of it. The Canadian Museum of History's free evening admission includes the Children's Museum.

The Rideau Centre downtown has a movie theatre and food court, which is not glamorous but is an easy fallback on a particularly cold or wet day. Cineplex runs discounted family screenings during school breaks.

If there is still snow on the ground, tobogganing at Mooney's Bay or the hill behind the Museum of Nature is free and genuinely fun. Bring your own sled and warm clothes.

Planning the Week

The key to a successful March Break is not filling every day. Kids need downtime, and parents need sanity. Plan one major activity per day and leave the rest open. Some of the best March Break memories come from spontaneous decisions, like walking to a cafe for hot chocolate or building a fort in the living room.

If you are visiting Ottawa from out of town during March Break, our first-timer family guide covers the logistics of accommodation, transit, and structuring your days. For weekend-specific ideas, see our family weekend activities guide.

For those who want to extend the trip into a getaway, our easy getaways from Ottawa piece includes several destinations that work well in late winter. And the National Capital Commission website has current trail conditions and event listings for Gatineau Park.

Our best day trips for families page has additional day trip ideas that work beyond March Break.