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Free things to do with kids in Ottawa

Free things for kids and families in Ottawa: storytimes, skating, workshops, parks and more. Updated Sunday, November 15.

Next weekend4

Sat Nov 21, 10:30 to 11:30 am

Family STEM playground at Blackburn Hamlet library

Drop in for hands-on build, test and create challenges at your own pace. All ages.

Blackburn Hamlet branch, Ottawa Public Library, 199 Glen Park Dr, Ottawa, ON · Families, all ages

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Sat Nov 21, 11 am

Help Santa Toy Parade downtown, Sat Nov 21

Ottawa firefighters' Santa parade from Somerset St W down Queen Elizabeth Driveway to Lansdowne. Bring a toy to donate if you can.

Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Somerset St W to Lansdowne Park, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Help Santa Toy Parade (Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters)

Sat Nov 21, 2 to 3 pm

Printmaking for kids at Greenboro library

Make your own stamps, print with them and take them home. Materials provided. Ages 6 to 9.

Greenboro branch, Ottawa Public Library, 363 Lorry Greenberg Dr, Ottawa, ON · Kids 6 to 9

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Sat Nov 21, 4 to 5 pm

Westboro carol sing and lights, Sat Nov 21

Sing holiday favourites as the courtyard canopy lights up. Free hot drinks and treats from local shops.

All Saints Anglican Church courtyard, 347 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Westboro Village BIA

Later this week11

Tue Nov 17, 5:30 to 7 pm

Teen zine and craft night at Main library

Drop in to write, draw, collage and make your own zine. Materials provided.

Main branch, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Teens 13 to 17

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Tue Nov 17, 6 to 7:45 pm

Free family movie: GOAT at Greely library

Drop in to watch GOAT (100 min). Popcorn provided; bring a covered drink.

Greely branch, Ottawa Public Library, 1448 Meadow Dr, Greely, ON · Families

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Wed Nov 18, 3 to 4 pm

Visit a therapy dog at Rideau library

Drop in to relax with Ruth, a certified therapy dog from Therapeutic Paws of Canada.

Rideau branch, Ottawa Public Library, 377 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Thu Nov 19, 5 pm

ByWard Market tree lighting, Thu Nov 19

The Market's holiday tree lights up on George Street Plaza, with a holiday market and a new projection show.

George Street Plaza, ByWard Market, George St at ByWard Market Sq, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · ByWard Market District Authority

Thu Nov 19, 5 to 7 pm

Free evening at the Canadian War Museum, Thu Nov 19

General admission is free from 5 to 7 pm. Same again Thu Nov 26.

Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8 · Everyone

The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the museum's underground parking is paid

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian War Museum

Thu Nov 19, 5 to 7 pm

Free evening at the Museum of History, Thu Nov 19

General admission is free from 5 to 7 pm in Gatineau. Same again Thu Nov 26.

Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, QC · Everyone

The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the Napoleon immersive show is not included

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of History

Thu Nov 19, 5 to 8 pm

Free evening at the Museum of Nature, Thu Nov 19

General admission is free from 5 to 8 pm. Same again Thu Nov 26.

Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2R1 · Everyone

The catch: Everyone needs a ticket, even free ones: book online or get one at the door

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of Nature

Thu Nov 19, 6 to 8 pm

Zine-making workshop at Rideau library

Learn to design and make your own zine, or just come and collage. Supplies provided. Teens and adults.

Rideau branch, Ottawa Public Library, 377 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON · Teens and adults

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Fri Nov 20, 2 to 4 pm

Free family movie: Coco at Nepean Centrepointe library

Drop in to watch Coco (105 min). Bring a light snack and a covered drink.

Nepean Centrepointe branch, Ottawa Public Library, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON · Families

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Fri Nov 20, 2 to 4 pm

Métis Week film screening at Greenboro library

Drop in to see Inkwo for When the Starving Return, an 18-minute stop-motion film by Métis director Amanda Strong.

Greenboro branch, Ottawa Public Library, 363 Lorry Greenberg Dr, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Fri Nov 20, 2 to 4 pm

PD day STEM stations at St-Laurent library

Drop in to try STEM activity stations. Ages 6 to 12 with their grown-ups.

St-Laurent branch, Ottawa Public Library, 525 Coté St, Ottawa, ON · Kids 6 to 12 and grown-ups

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Every week6

Mon 2 to 4 pm (Nov 23); Fridays 2 to 4 pm (Nov 20, 27)

Dinosaur crafts on PD days at Ruth E. Dickinson library

Drop-in dinosaur crafts for Dinovember: cut, glue and colour at your own pace. English and French.

Ruth E. Dickinson branch, Ottawa Public Library, 100 Malvern Dr, Nepean, ON · Families

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Mon 1 to 2:30 pm (Nov 23); Fridays 1 to 2:30 pm (Nov 20, 27)

LEGO block party at Blackburn Hamlet library

Build with LEGO with library staff: take on a challenge or free-build. Ages 4 and up with family.

Blackburn Hamlet branch, Ottawa Public Library, 199 Glen Park Dr, Ottawa, ON · Families with kids 4+

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Wednesdays 4 to 6 pm (Nov 18, 25)

Drop-in chess club at Main library

Open games of chess for beginners and stronger players. Bring a board or borrow one.

Main branch, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Thursdays 11:15 to 11:45 am (Nov 19, 26); Fridays 11:15 am to 12:45 pm (Nov 20, 27)

Baby storytime and play at Ruth E. Dickinson library

Stories, rhymes and songs for babies up to 18 months, then play time on Fridays.

Ruth E. Dickinson branch, Ottawa Public Library, 100 Malvern Dr, Nepean, ON · Babies 0 to 18 months with a grown-up

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Fridays 1:30 to 3:30 pm (Nov 20, 27); Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 pm (Nov 22, 29)

Board and card game social at Greenboro library

Drop in to play board games, card games or puzzles with new friends. Bring a game or use theirs.

Greenboro branch, Ottawa Public Library, 363 Lorry Greenberg Dr, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Fridays 10 to 11:30 am (Nov 20, 27)

PD day LEGO block party at Cumberland library

Build with LEGO with library staff on PD days, or just free-build. Ages 4 and up with family.

Cumberland branch, Ottawa Public Library, 1599 Tenth Line Rd, Orléans, ON · Families with kids 4+

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Always free23

Any day

Andrew Haydon Park on the Ottawa River

A big City park on the Ottawa River shore, off Carling Avenue.

Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave, Nepean, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Any day

Beryl Gaffney Park on the Rideau River

A large natural City park on the Rideau River south of Barrhaven.

Beryl Gaffney Park, 3901 Rideau Valley Dr, Nepean, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Any time a branch is open, while passes are in

Borrow a free museum or ski pass from the library

With an Ottawa library card you can borrow a pass for free entry to the Museum of Nature, National Gallery, History and War museums, Ingenium museums, Mooney's Bay ski trails, Gatineau Park ski trails and Ontario Parks.

Any Ottawa Public Library branch, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Ottawa Public Library card holders

The catch: Passes can't be put on hold: check availability, then pick one up in a branch. One pass at a time, up to 7 days.

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Any day

Britannia Park

A large City park on the Ottawa River at the west end of Carling Ave.

Britannia Park, 2805 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Daily from Fri Nov 20: English 5:30 and 7:30 pm, French 6 and 7 pm

Footprints: free holiday light show on Heritage Hall

A 10-minute story told in light and music on the front of Heritage Hall in the ByWard Market, every evening.

Heritage Hall, ByWard Market, 55 ByWard Market Sq, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3 · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · ByWard Market District Authority

Thursdays 5 to 7 pm

Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian Museum of History

General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm, across the river in Gatineau.

Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, QC · Everyone

The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the Napoleon immersive show is not included

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of History

Thursdays 5 to 8 pm

Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian Museum of Nature

General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 8 pm: dinosaurs, the mammal and bird galleries, live bugs and the Wild Colour exhibition.

Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2R1 · Everyone

The catch: Everyone needs a ticket, even free ones: book online or get one at the door

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of Nature

Thursdays 5 to 7 pm

Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian War Museum

General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm.

Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8 · Everyone

The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the museum's underground parking is paid

Checked Nov 15 · Canadian War Museum

Year-round; tour times vary, book online

Free guided tours of Parliament

Tour the Senate building or the House of Commons at West Block, or see the Centre Block immersive show. All free.

Parliament of Canada visitor sites, Wellington St, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: Book a free ticket for each building; House of Commons visitors need government photo ID; East Block tours are summer only

Checked Nov 15 · Visit Canada's Parliament

Daily 10 am to 3 pm until Dec 20; closed Dec 21 to Jan 3, then daily again from Jan 4

Free guided tours of Rideau Hall

A 45-minute guided tour of the Governor General's state rooms and art. The grounds are open 8 am to an hour before sunset.

Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1 · Everyone

The catch: Reservation required: send the request form at least 72 hours ahead

Checked Nov 15 · Governor General of Canada: Rideau Hall

Wednesdays to Sundays 4 to 5 pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Free last hour at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Admission is free from 4 to 5 pm on days the museum is open. See the barns and animals at the Experimental Farm.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 901 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)

Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Wednesdays to Mondays 4 to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays)

Free last hour at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Admission is free every day the museum is open from 4 to 5 pm. See the aircraft collection in Rockcliffe.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11 Aviation Pkwy, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)

Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Tuesdays to Sundays 4 to 5 pm (closed Mondays)

Free last hour at the Canada Science and Technology Museum

Admission is free every day the museum is open from 4 to 5 pm. Good for a quick visit with kids.

Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)

Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Science and Technology Museum

Mondays 10 to 11 am

French story time for little ones at the NAC

Les lundis des tout-petits: Monday morning stories with crafts and games, in French. No ticket needed.

Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON · Young kids with a grown-up

The catch: In French only

Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre

Any time a branch is open

Get a free Ottawa Public Library card

A free library card gets you books, movies, e-books, museum passes and programmes at 33 branches. Sign up in person at any branch.

Any Ottawa Public Library branch, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Ottawa residents

The catch: Bring photo ID and proof of address. People living outside Ottawa pay $90 a year.

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Every day; lot P22 open 8 am to sunset (no later than 9 pm)

Mer Bleue Bog boardwalk

A flat, stroller-friendly boardwalk across a 7,700-year-old bog with a storytelling route. Free parking.

Mer Bleue Bog Trail (NCC Greenbelt), parking lot P22, Ridge Rd, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: No dogs on the Bog Trail

Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission

Tue and Sun 10 am to 6 pm; Wed to Sat 10 am to 9 pm; closed Mondays

Ottawa Art Gallery, always free

Free admission every day it is open, with late hours to 9 pm Wednesday to Saturday.

Ottawa Art Gallery, 10 Daly Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2 · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Art Gallery

Any day

Petrie Island Park

A City park on Petrie Island in the Ottawa River, in Orléans.

Petrie Island Park, 727 Tweddle Rd, Orléans, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Usually January to early March, weather permitting

Rideau Canal Skateway (not open yet)

7.8 km of free outdoor skating through downtown, open 24 hours a day when the ice is ready. Usually opens in January.

Rideau Canal Skateway, Rideau Canal, downtown Ottawa to Dow's Lake, ON · Everyone

The catch: Not open yet; the season depends on the weather

Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission

Winter, when there is enough snow

Sledding at Carlington Park hill

One of the biggest sledding hills in the city: long, steep runs, lit at night. Park at J. Alph Dulude Arena.

Carlington Park, 937 Clyde Ave, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Mondays 7 to 8 pm

SoulRhythms: free Afro-Caribbean dance class at the NAC

A 45-minute drop-in group dance class for all levels, led by Cultural Arts Studio. No ticket needed.

Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON · Ages 7 and up

Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre

Tuesdays 10 to 11 am

Toddler Tuesdays at the National Arts Centre

Singing, dancing, games and stories for little ones with a grown-up. No ticket needed.

Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON · Kids 18 months to 5 with a grown-up

Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre

Free with a catch3

Ongoing; 4 titles a month

Films, TV, music and comics on Hoopla with an Ottawa library card

Ottawa Public Library cardholders can stream or download up to 4 Hoopla titles a month, with no holds or late fees.

Ottawa Public Library (online) · Ottawa Public Library cardholders

The catch: Needs an OPL card and an email to register; 4 titles a month per card; streaming counts against your internet data

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Ongoing

LinkedIn Learning courses free with an Ottawa library card

Over 16,000 online courses on LinkedIn Learning, free with an Ottawa Public Library card. No LinkedIn profile needed.

Ottawa Public Library (online) · Ottawa Public Library cardholders

The catch: Needs an OPL card number and PIN

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Ongoing; tickets reset monthly

Stream films on Kanopy free with an Ottawa library card

Ottawa Public Library cardholders get 8 Kanopy tickets a month for films and documentaries. Kanopy Kids titles use no tickets.

Ottawa Public Library (online) · Ottawa Public Library cardholders (no card fee is listed for Ottawa residents)

The catch: Needs an Ottawa Public Library card; 8 film tickets a month

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Everything free in Ottawa →