Ottawa is one of my favourite places to go with the kids, not only are some of my favourite people there, but it’s also an easy city to get around.  Since the city is well planned, getting around by transit is extremely easy, especially in the summer months when you don’t have to worry about bundling up the little ones.  There are a variety of free things to do with kids in Ottawa from a day at the beach, to biking along the Rideau Canal, to hanging out at the many playgrounds. My favourite place to take the kids is Mooney’s Bay Park.

Most of the kids’ favourite things to do involve being outdoors and I love it when we can all find something that we like to do together.  A real gem for us is exploring the Hog’s Back Park trails in Ottawa on Sunday mornings. The parkway is closed to vehicles so only bikes and pedestrians can access the parkway.

Plan to spend a few hours exploring the area.    Of course, you have to visit the Hog’s Back Falls where the Rideau River and Rideau Canal split. A real treat for the kids is seeing the locks opening and the boats going through on the canal. The Hog’s Back locks aren’t as busy as the Canal locks in Downtown Ottawa – there you can watch boats go through the set of 8 locks with the Parliament buildings on one side and the Chateau Laurier on the other.

If you haven’t experienced Canada Day in the Capital, you are missing out! Not only does the ByWard Market come alive with all the festivities, it’s absolutely beautiful with all the flowers that are placed around the area.   Are you planning to get some delicious beaver tails? Plan to wait in line, but it’s sooo worth it!

Whether you are downtown in the core of things enjoying the entertainment and excitement of the ByWard Market, or just hanging out with your kids at one of the many parks, splash pads, or playgrounds, there really is something for everyone in your family.

This year, there are a lot more free things to do with your family in Ottawa because of Canada 150 celebrations throughout the entire year, but there are always good free and low-cost things to do in the nation’s capital. Find a list of some great activities here