Family outings in Montréal
Montreal is a great city to explore with kids: generous parks, science museums designed for curious little minds and a metro that reaches almost everything. In summer, splash pads, neighbourhood festivals and the beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau fill the days; in winter, swap the stroller for a sled on Mount Royal and warm up in the Espace pour la vie museums. The Old Port is an easy starting point for a full day, with its quays, water activities and the Science Centre right next door.
Must-do activities
Montréal Biodôme
Five ecosystems of the Americas under one roof: rainforest, penguins, lynx and beavers. Perfect on a rainy day.
Insectarium and Botanical Garden
An immersive Insectarium and a huge garden to run around between greenhouses and themed gardens. Combined tickets with the other Espace pour la vie museums are available.
Montreal Science Centre
Hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theatre in the Old Port; kids touch, test and build.
Mount Royal Park
Beaver Lake, trails and the Kondiaronk lookout; sledding and skating in winter. Free and reachable by bus.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Jean-Doré Beach in summer, wide green spaces and bike paths on the islands; La Ronde amusement park is on site.
Jean-Talon Market
A colourful, tasty outing: fruit to sample, food stalls and a lively market atmosphere, ideal for a family morning.
Free parks and playgrounds near Montréal
- 🌳 Place de la Paix
- 📚 Bibliothèque centrale (UQAM)
- 🛝 Terrain de jeux du Vieux-Port
- 🏖️ Plage de l'Horloge
- 🌲 Parc du Mont-Royal
- 💦 Modules Aquatiques
- 🌳 Parc Sun Yat Sen
- 📚 Médiathèque Guy-L.-Coté
- 🛝 Park Jean-Jacques Olier
- 🏖️ Plage Jean-Doré
- 🌲 Parc Tiohtià:ke Otsira'kéhne
- 🌳 Place des Montréalaises
Making the most of Montréal as a family
Whether you live in Montréal or are just visiting for the weekend, there is no shortage of family outings: parks, playgrounds, libraries, museums and seasonal events are often free or low cost. FamiSwipe gathers these ideas in one place so you can stop searching.
To choose well, think about your children's ages, the weather and the travel time. A park with a splash pad suits hot days, while a library or community centre saves rainy or freezing ones. Pack a snack, water and a change of clothes.
Tip: swipe through the suggestions in the app, keep your favourites and share the shortlist with the other parent. Free activities are perfect for trying something new without pressure, and short trips close to home spare everyone a long car ride.
Bookable activities in Montréal
Tours, attractions and tickets in and around Montréal, often with free cancellation.
See activities on GetYourGuide →See experiences on Viator →Attraction tickets on Tiqets →
Partner links: FamiSwipe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Family outings not to miss
→ Discover activities in Montréal on FamiSwipe
Combine with this trip
For a weekend outside Quebec: Burlington and Plattsburgh, just south of the border. Toward the Maritimes: Moncton, Shediac, Fredericton and Saint John in New Brunswick, Charlottetown and Cavendish in Prince Edward Island.
FAQ
What can kids do in Montreal when it rains?
The Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Science Centre and neighbourhood libraries are great shelters. The underground city also lets you move between malls and metro stations without getting wet.
What are the free family activities in Montreal?
Parks (Mount Royal, La Fontaine, Maisonneuve), city splash pads in summer, outdoor rinks in winter and public libraries. FamiSwipe shows parks and playgrounds around you with the real distance.
Where should I go in Montreal with a toddler?
Playgrounds in the large parks, the Biodôme (stroller-friendly paths) and library story times work well for ages 0 to 4.
What can families do in Montreal in winter?
Sledding and skating on Mount Royal, neighbourhood outdoor rinks, then a warm break in a museum. Dress kids in layers: the wind can be cold near the river.